The Department of Health and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) should prioritize the centralized issuance of vaccination certificates that would be honored by foreign countries.
Senator Imee R. Marcos on Thursday August 12 issued this statement saying she entirely agrees with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. that he would formally ask Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam on the vaccination card issue.
The Hong Kong government had refused to recognize the vaccination certificates of individuals fully inoculated against COVID-19 in the Philippines.
Locsin had said the government of Hong Kong would not honor the proof of vaccination issued by local government units (LGUs) and the Bureau of Quarantine because it is not "connected to a single source."
‘’Without a clear and comprehensive database, confusion is sown and the advantages of being vaccinated aren’t extended to Filipino travellers and OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers),’’ Marcos said.
Marcos is chairwoman of the Senate Economic Affairs committee.
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said he is drafting a resolution for the Senate to look ‘’into the matter and other possibilities.’’
Filipinos constitute the largest ethnic minority in Hong Kong numbering approximately 130,000, many of whom work as foreign domestic helpers.