StaySafe.ph app to be used in transpo centers in coming weeks

MANILA, Philippines—Testing czar and deputy implementer of the National Task Force on COVID-19 Vince Dizon said on Saturday that transportation centers will be using the StaySafe.ph app in the coming weeks, in a bid to enhance contact tracing of people who are possibly exposed to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In the Laging Handa online press briefing, Dizon said the app will be used in transportation hubs such as terminals being used by the MRT-3, LRT, and buses.

“At sa mga susunod na linggo, gagamitin na rin ito sa mga transportation centers natin tulad ng MRT, LRT, sa ating mga bus terminal para po magamit na talaga at mapabilis po ang ating contact tracing [efforts],” he said.

(In the coming weeks, we are using this in transportation centers such as the MRT, the LRT and bus terminals so they can use it and hasten our contact tracing efforts.)

He added that established malls and restaurants are already using the app.

“Inaanyayahan pa po natin ang mga malalaking kumpanya na sana sumama na rin sila at mag-sign up na rin sila sa paggamit ng StaySafe,” he said.

(We are inviting other big companies to join us to sign up in using StaySafe.)

Dizon previously said that quick response (QR) codes for the StaySafe.PH app will be placed in establishments and public transportation units as it will help veer away from the manual recording of the public’s information, which may even cause possible virus transmission.

Multisys Technologies Corp., the developer of the app, earlier said that the app was hounded with trust issues on handling data, as well as doubts on its capacity to do contact tracing.

The government, meanwhile, said that it will own the data from StaySafe.ph.

/MUF