‘S’ PASS, PLUS SWAB TEST 

PANGASINAN is perhaps already tagged as having the strictest border control requirements in the country today as six Local Government Units (LGUs) still require mandatory swab tests from their visitors in addition to the “S” Pass.

This was the observation of Fourth District Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario  during the Question Hour of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan last week after Rhodyn Oro, a member of the provincial Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, said five towns and one city are imposing the RT-PCR test on their visitors in addition to the “S” Pass, a standard requirement for all visitors entering the province.

Oro said the local governments of Tayug, Anda, Asingan, Bani, Alcala and Alaminos City require visitors to undergo RT-PCR test, in addition to the “S” Pass.

According to Oro, the mayors of the six LGUs have executive orders requiring negative results of RT-PCR tests notwithstanding  the submission of “S” Pass.

He recalled that LGUs especially those frequented by tourists, were granted some degree of autonomy by the national IATF, whether to require visitors coming from outside Pangasinan or submit negative RT-PCR tests.

Rosario, however, disagreed with the interpretation because he said the point of entry is not the point of destination of the visitors and RT-PCR test is costly not only making it difficult to visit but discouraging people from coming to Pangasinan.

Two months ago, all visitors residing outside Pangasinan were started to be required to  secure their “S” Pass, stating the purpose of their travel and the LGU concerned is expected to approve if the purpose is deemed essential.

Their “S” Pass will be sent to them in their phone with QR code in it which they can show at any border control points or in their LGU destination. Exempted from coverage are Authorized Persons Outside their Residence (APORs), those on official travel and those  traveling for emergency cases but will have to present their IDs or documents at border control points.

Rosario sought the uniform implementation of the “ S” Pass in Pangasinan alone with no additional requirements to encourage more people to visit Pangasinan.

Oro agreed even as he said the “S” Pass is not yet a perfect system and the IATF  technical committee is continuously meeting in a bid to improve the system. (Leonardo Micua)

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