Magalong on being tracing czar / Cashless transactions

CITY HALL BEAT

Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong assured his constituents being head of the national government's contact tracing program will not affect his local government duties.

He said, while his new task requires time and attention, he is confident the city's affairs will not be affected with the kind of system the local government has adopted.

He explained, "Since the start of my administration, I have made sure that we have implemented good governance. I have developed leaders in all levels…. Our department heads and key officials are empowered to make decisions without the need for my constant presence."

"Besides, I will make sure that I can be reached by anyone of them for any matter that will require my attention and decision ‘twenty four-seven’,” he added.

Magalong has been appointed by the National Task Force on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as contact tracing “czar” on account of the effectivity of the system he devised in tracking contacts of COVID-19 patients in the city.

He said he hoped his national duties can make a difference in pacing the country towards flattening the curve, recovering from the effects of the pandemic; and, establishing resiliency, which would naturally benefit the city.

The mayor had been consistent in saying the reopening of Baguio’s doors to tourism, the city’s virtual economic “bread and butter”, largely depends on the COVID-19 landscape in Regions 3, 4 and the National Capital Region.

It was noted, 43.98-percent of Baguio’s tourists hail from these parts.

He assured, the city's COVID-19 management system is strategic and is expected to hold.

To kick off his national tasks, Magalong will lead a two-day intensive training in Regions 4 and the NCR this week. This will be followed by another in Region 3. These areas were prioritized because of their “critical” status.

The mayor’s COVID-19 management discourse will later fan out to other areas in the country.

Days before his appointment, the mayor had just returned from Cebu City and Muntinlupa City which sought his help in developing their contact tracing capabilities.

***

Mayor Magalong backed adoption of a cashless payment system in the city to curb spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

He said, "The reason why we are very aggressive in pursuing [digitalized financial transactions] is because… we found out that money became a vehicle for transmission [of the disease].”

“This”, he added, “is the reason why we have several cases wherein cashiers, taxi drivers, billing clerks were infected.”

 In rolling out the program, the mayor rallied residents to embrace the contactless transaction system as a way of coping up with the lurking threat of the Coronavirus, which is the “new normal”.

The system was made possible through the combined efforts of the city and SquidPay Technology Inc. (SPTI), a payment solutions company headed by Enrico Tamayo, its Chief Operating Officer and President.

 The city and SPTI inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), July 13. The deal is free of charge and does not impose fees for its transactions.

Convincing residents to subscribe by virtual business transactions, the mayor said, “Whether or not there will be a vaccine for the virus, we have to accept the new normal... Let's think strategic, let's think long-term”.

The system is part of the "Smart City" and the "Baguio in my Pocket" digital transformation project, which doubles as a contact tracing tool.

Under the MOA, SPTI will provide the city government and app subscribers access to payment collections services.

The city is given zero-percent transaction fees and zero upfront costs for the installation and implementation of the system.

The city government for its part will encourage cashless transactions through the SPTI’s system.

The system facilitates online and offline payments for fare in public conveyances, bills, e-commerce transactions, merchants’ payment services and e-loading through tap cards, near-field communication (NFC) or QR codes.

The program will first cover payment of fares.

SPTI Executive Officer Elmar Panganiban said engagements have begun with the transport sector since June 24 to familiarize operators and drivers with the system.

For those who will use tap cards for fare payments, the company plans to set up business centers or booths in strategic places in the city. A booth had been put up at City Hall, July 7.