INDIVIDUALS and establishments that have not yet registered in the Higala App will have until May 4 to secure their QR codes following the approved resolution by the City Council to extend the dry run implementation.
During the City Council's regular session on Monday, April 5, a resolution was approved to extend the dry run for the implementation of the Higala App ordinance until May 4.
It was also amended that all of the 80 barangays will provide assistance to its residents by putting up a station for registration.
According to Cagayan de Oro City Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin Uy, more than 500,000 individuals have already registered in the Higala App.
Uy said for those who have no gadgets, they can ask for assistance in their respective barangays to have themselves registered in the Higala App. They can have their QR code laminated.
"Kung wala tay gadget, kung wala tay code, importante nga magpuyo sa balay," Uy said, reminding the public that the country is still in a state of emergency.
Acting City Health Officer Dr. Lorraine Nery, for her part, said the technical working group for the Higala App is currently coming up with strategies on how to level up the system.
"For the implementation, we will having our monitoring teams para ma ensure pud nga ang mga establishments pud nato insakto ang ilahang pagpa-implement sa paggamit sa Higala App," Nery said.
"The monitoring teams will be there to assist also sa atong mga establishments. Kay supposedly, the Higala App after the presentation nimo sa QR code, dapat mag present ta og ID to confirm nga ikaw gyud ni ang nagdala sa imong QR code," she added.
According to the Higala App ordinance, all residents and non-residents are mandated to use the Higala Application in entering all establishments, offices and other entities, whether public or private.
Areas covered by the ordinance include all indoor or enclosed public spaces, private establishments and entities within the territorial jurisdiction of Cagayan de Oro City, including but not limited to government and private offices/workplaces, commercial, industrial and indoor establishments, churches, hospitals, accommodation establishments, banks and other financial services, supermarket and groceries, public markets, cemeteries, transport terminals as well as bus lines, airport transfer services, taxis and other enclosed public transport services.
Under the ordinance, violators (establishments) will be fined P1,000 on first offense, P3,000 on second offense, and P5,000 on third offense, including suspension or revocation of business permit, if applicable.
Individual found violating the ordinance will be fined P500 on first offense, P1,000 on second offense, and P1,500 on third offense.
However, it was previously clarified by Nery that no penalty will be imposed during the dry run.