DAYS before the full implementation of the Safe Davao QR (DQR) Code within Davao City, some Dabawenyos aired their frustration online, as they still cannot get through due to technical glitches experienced while registering.
DQR is an electronic contact tracing and travel pass platform intended to be implemented for several purposes, including the regulation of human movement and to fast-track the city's Covid-19 contact tracing efforts.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio issued Executive Order (EO) 60 on Tuesday, November 3, formally making the DQR registration mandatory to all Davao City residents, and non-city residents who intend to go to the city.
Duterte-Carpio said the DQR will be required from those in the city starting Saturday, November 7, and those who fail to present their DQR while on the streets will be apprehended.
The registration link for the DQR (safedavaoqr.davaoct.com) has been open to the public since October 31.
However, some Dabawenyos failed to get through with the registration.
Majority of those who cannot get through said they cannot personally open the link given by the City Government, despite having a stable internet connection. Some said the page takes time to load before getting through.
Some who were able to access the website said they cannot proceed with the next registration step because the barangay tab takes long before it will load its dropdown list.
Others said they still have not received their one-time password (OTP) despite completing the registration process.
Alfred Rodrigo, a part-time construction worker, told SunStar Davao that he still cannot get through since it was opened to the public.
He said he tried registering as early as 3 a.m., but he still cannot get through.
"Halos mahurot na lang ang data sa akong cellphone, di gihapon ko kalahutay. Problemado ko ani kay basin dili ko katrabaho ani kung wala koy QR code. Unsaon nalang ni akong ipakaon sa akong mag-ina kung di ta manarbaho ani? (My internet data is running out, but I still can't get through with the registration. I am worried that I cannot go to work since those who do not have QR code will be arrested. What will I feed my family if I don't go to work?)," Rodrigo said.
Ginvir Dahan Echavia, meanwhile, criticized the City Government for only giving the public only one week to prepare for the mandatory DQR.
"Estimated population sa Davao City sa 2020 is 1.8 million then naa pa tay mga kaigsoonan gikan sa silingang siyudad ug probinsiya, almost 2M na ang tawo sa Davao City. Unya pakuhaon ug QR Code #ALL #INDIVIDUALS! Then ang inyong gihatag namo sa pagparegister is ONLY 1 WEEK bago ang dakop sa walay QR Code. Wa mo kuyapi? Naa pay signal sa internet nga paspas pa ang bao. Naa pa ang inyong website na sige ug ka error! [sic]," Echavia said in his Facebook post.
(Davao City has an estimated population of 1.8 million in 2020, plus we have other people from neighboring provinces who are also required to register. So that's almost 2 million. You made it mandatory, then only gave the people one week to register, after that you will start apprehending those without a QR code? Are you insane? Plus, some cannot get through due to unstable internet connection. Also, you have a website that encounters errors!)
Angel Marie Flores Napalit, however, was able to get through.
Napalit advised those who wanted to get through without encountering problems to register from 1 to 3 a.m. as there is less web traffic during these hours.
She suggested not to keep on shifting to other online internet browsers so they have high chances of getting through in the online registration.
Brym Zel Guizo was also lucky to get through with her first attempt. But her family failed to do so.
"They need to extend the deadline kay dili enough and pila ka days to register especially nga murag naay glitch ang system (because the days allotted for the registration is not enough since there are so many glitches in the system)," Guizo said.
Duterte-Carpio, in her radio interview on Monday, November 3, said that she is already aware of the technical glitches experienced by some.
Meanwhile, she assured that despite the technical glitches, the data stored in the DQR system is safe and that no other agencies, except the City Health Office (CHO), can access the data, which will be used for contact tracing.
Dr. Ashley Lopez, Davao City Vices Regulation Unit (VRU) and Department of Health (DOH)-Davao City Covid-19 Focal Person, admitted that there were some technical glitches in the system.
But he said the Davao City Information Technology Center (CITC), from time to time, is fixing the system.
"But every now and then, progressive naman ang pag-develop ng system (They continue to develop the system). Every now and then, the CITC is monitoring it. Admittedly, there are issues on delay, but ginagawan na ito ng paraan ng CITC natin (CITC is finding ways) to come up with better access in the QR code," Lopez said during the One Davao on Covid-19 virtual presser on Wednesday, November 4.
Meanwhile, the City Government opened its different helplines for the public who still encounter technical errors or other inquiries on how to register.
The public can visit and personally message their concern through the City Government of Davao or Safe Davao QR Facebook page.
They can also call or text through the DQR helplines from Monday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For Smart users, they can call or text on the numbers 0961-750-3542, 0961-750-3541, and 0961-750-3540.
For Globe users, they can connect through 0995-461-6400, 0995-461-6402, and 0995-461-6394.