Solon urges use of QR codes in tracking passengers riding PUVs during GCQ

A member of the House of Representatives on Tuesday proposed the use of  technology-based solutions like QR codes to track passengers using public utility vehicles (PUVs) once their operation resumes under a relaxed quarantine.

Ako Bicol party-list Representative Alfredo Garbin Jr., vice chair of the House Committee on Transportation, made the suggestion after the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board required PUVs to have a manifesto to keep a record of their passengers for contact tracing amid the threat of COVID-19.

According to Garbin, handwritten passenger manifests would be burdensome on both drivers and commuters, and it even exposes them to identity theft, stalking, and other privacy violations.

"A better solution is for each PUV unit to have a unique QR code or other code which commuters can scan each time to get on and off a public transport unit," he said.

"Perhaps the DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology) and private IT experts can come up with other easy-to-use solutions for all forms of land, sea, and air passenger transport, so that the entire transport system can have a much more accurate and reliable system than the ancient manual sign-up method," he added.

Garbin took a swipe at the LTFRB for its "archaic thinking" over the proposal for a manifesto, saying that it is indicative of how "ancient" their minds are.

The lawmaker reiterated that drivers and transport associations should not suffer from keeping a record of their passengers, and that the personal information of commuters should be protected.

"Kung maaari nga sana, magkaroon na ng electronic payment system para mas accurate ang recording ng kita ng driver sa bawat araw ng pamamasada. Mayroon nang ilang bus na bumibiyahe na gumagamit ng mga personal digital assistant para ma-compute ng konduktor ang pamasahe ng bawat pasahero," Garbin said.

"The COVID-19 crisis is therefore yet another reminder to Congress to urgently replace our obsolete transportation laws," he added.

Public transport is temporarily suspended under the modified enhanced community quarantine which is currently in place in Metro Manila and other "high-risk" areas.

They will be allowed to resume operations once lockdowns are eased to a general community quarantine, albeit on a limited capacity with a maximum of 50%. —LDF, GMA News