Health cmte asks Mayor Uy to order intensify use of QR Code

THE City Council committee on health, nutrition, and health insurance chaired by Councilor Maria Lourdes S. Gaane adopted a resolution requesting City Mayor Rolando A. Uy to order the intensified use of the QR Code/Higala App by all establishments, offices and other private or public entities.

It may be recalled that the City Council enacted Ordinance No. 14023-2021, also known as the Higala App Ordinance, as the sole contact tracing endeavor of health authorities for all cases of COVID-19 and other highly infectious diseases within the city’s jurisdiction.

The ordinance served as a preemptive measure against the possible surge of COVID-19 infection.

While the government ordered the easing of pandemic restrictions such as the voluntary wearing of facemask, the legislative members observed the relaxing in the use of the QR Code in entering establishments.

With the Christmas season fast approaching, the committee expressed its concern over the possibility of a surge in the cases of COVID-19 in the city which can be immediately addressed by health authorities with the use of contact tracing app or the QR Code.

During the meeting, it was learned that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has yet to recommend for the repeal of the QR Code.

For his part, Councilor Malvern Esparcia, one of the proponents of the proposed repeal of the said ordinance, manifested that while IATF has yet to issue an order, the city should continue to implement the use of QR Code in all establishments to ensure the safety of the public.

“Kun dili man diay sa ni walaon, i-seguro nga ma-implement og sakto. Kay halos tanan karon wala na gapangita og QR Code,” he said.

The committee informed the public that the Higala App should be strictly implemented in order to prevent the COVID-19 surge.