AN OFFICIAL monitoring the SafeDavao QR Code (DQR) implementation in Davao City revealed that only 15 percent of registered establishments in the city are actively scanning the DQR code of individuals entering their premises.
Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) head and DQR Implementation supervisor Lemuel Ortonio said in a radio interview on Friday, March 12, that this was based on their statistical reports more than a month since the DQR became mandatory.
"Daghan gihapon ta mga establishments nga wala gina-use atong DQR na system (There are many establishments that are still not enforcing the DQR system)," Ortonio said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
DQR is an electronic contact tracing and travel pass platform intended to be implemented for several purposes.
The system will automatically send a "push notification" through a text message to individuals who were in close contact with a Covid-19 person. This includes the time and place where he or she had close contact.
This was implemented beginning November 2020 for city and non-city residents.
On January 22, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio issued and signed Executive Order (EO) 02, mandating all establishments and offices in the city to implement the scanning of the DQR to all individuals entering and leaving their premises.
However, the city has also exempted offices and establishments that are not enclosed or are not inside a structure with a roof and walls from scanning DQR codes. This includes, for example, milk tea stall, ambulant vendor, lechon manok stand, sari-sari store, bakeshops, market (palengke) stall, etc.
Buildings that have several offices or stores inside -- like malls, hospitals, commercial complexes, etc. -- are also exempted. However, the individual stores and offices inside the buildings will be responsible for scanning the DQR of their customers.
Ortonio said he recently met with the different inspection teams composed of the City Government offices namely Business Bureau, City Tourism Operations Office, Davao City Investment Promotion Center, Integrated Gender and Development Division, and the Sports Development Division to intensify their monitoring of various establishments to be strict in the implementation of the DQR scanning.
"We hope na (that) with this, mas mutaas atong compliance or ang paggamit sa atoang DQR system (more will comply with the use of the DQR system)," he said.
Ortonio reiterated the importance of the DQR implementation in the city's contact tracing efforts for those who had close contact with a confirmed Covid-19 positive patient.
"Dili lang man ni siya for the sake na mag-scan ka (This is not only for the sake of scanning). This is ultimately to be used para mas dali ang (to fast track the) contact tracing. It's not only for the side of the contact tracing team, but for the individual itself because kung ma-contact trace ta na naa tay nakauban [nga positive patient], makahibalo ta kung unsa atong buhaton (if you were traced to have been exposed to a positive patient, you would know what to do)," Ortonio said.
He also reminded establishments to scan the DQR of those leaving the premises as this would determine the proximity time of the exposure from the index case.
"Kasi ang ginakuha sa atong contact-tracing is 15 minutes and above na exposure. So kung ikaw, as an individual, nisulod ka'g establishment pero you were only there for 5 or 10 minutes, pero nigawas ka and wala ka nagpa-scan out, mugawas na siya sa system nga more than the time that you are inside that establishment nga naa ka didto (Our contact tracing team identifies those who were exposed to an index case for 15 minutes and above. So if you were in an establishment for 5 or 10 minutes only but you're DQR was not scanned upon exiting the establishment, the system will note that you were inside for more than 15 minutes)," the official said.
"So pag-generate ani sa DQR system sa contact tracing system team, tanan kadtong wala ka-scan out, maapil sila sa masendan og push notification even if dapat unta dili sila masendan. Kinahanglan gyud ta magpa-scan out kung mugawas ta og usa ka establishment (Those who did not scan when they exit, will also be sent a push notification even though they should not be sent one. That is why it is important to scan when exiting an establishment)," the official added.
He also said business owners and their employees will also benefit from it.
The City Council passed an ordinance requiring the mandatory implementation of the DQR for all establishments and all individuals, including non-city residents last December 7, 2020.
But Ortonio said the ordinance has not yet been implemented and they cannot impose penalties as it is still up for publication.
