DOST to launch travel management system 'S-PaSS' amid restrictions

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Thursday said it is set to launch an online travel management system that will make traveling to different localities more efficient, especially amid lockdown restrictions.

In a statement, DOST said travelers can access the Swift and Smart Passage (S-PaSS) via its official website to know the restrictions, if any, in their respective destinations. To use the S-PaSS, travelers must register using their personal mobile number.

If the traveler's final destination has travel restrictions, they must apply for a Travel Coordination Permit (TCP) through the S-PaSS website. The TCP replaces a travel authority.

Before, a travel authority was issued by police stations to allow non-authorized personnel outside residence and locally stranded individuals to travel to their destinations.

Meanwhile, even if their destination is unrestricted, travelers must still secure a Travel Pass-Through Permit aside from the TCP if they will be passing through localities with travel restrictions.

Through the S-PaSS, travelers may also check the travel documents needed by the LGU to apply for the TCP, which will also have to be submitted via the website.

The LGUs will be responsible for easy coordination and verification of the status of approval for the TCP but the length of approval can still vary, said the DOST.

"The DOST, as the developer of the system, is not responsible for how long or how fast the LGUs will approve the traveler’s TCP," read the statement.

The S-PaSS also provides LGUs real-time monitoring of the number of travelers to their localities.

The formal launch of the S-PaSS website will be on March 26, 2021 at 3:30 p.m., which will be livestreamed at the DOST-Philippines official Facebook page.

The DOST said it has already trained and educated LGUs on using the S-PaSS as they will be the "primary service provider" for the travel management system.

The department is also coordinating with LGUs to activate their accounts for the full roll-out of the S-PaSS. -MDM, GMA News