Two Senate panels have pushed for the passage of the bill that would institutionalize benefits for individuals who have been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Senator Pia Cayetano recently sponsored bill Senate Bill No. 2422, which seeks to amend the provisions of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 (Republic Act No. 11525) on vaccine cards and establish a "Vaccine and Health Passport Program" in the country.

"A vaccine passport is not a novel concept, many countries -- like Canada, China, countries in the European Union and the United Arab Emirates -- have implemented their vaccine passport card or passport program to facilitate safer trans-border travels, given that international and in some instance, local, travel remains highly restricted," Cayetano, who chairs the Senate finance subcommittee on the bill, said in her sponsorship speech.

"A vaccine passport also helps to open businesses and establishments restarting economic and cultural activities," she added.

The Senate Committee on Health and Demography, chaired by Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, also supported its passage.

SB No. 2422, which consolidated two similar proposals, tasks local government units to issue printed or digital vaccine and health passports, provided that the Department of Health (DOH) maintain a central database of vaccinations where the informations can be verified.

The DOH must also set the format for the passports to ensure uniformity and authencity, and to conform with globally-accepted standards.

The vaccine cards issued by LGUs prior to the enactment of the measure will remain valid but may be replaced with the new format for free.

The bill enumerates the benefits that may be enjoyed by those who are partially or full-vaccinted against COVID-19, subject to the guidelines issued by the national government.

These include non-essential domestic travel and international travels; exemptions in local checkpoint and quarantine protocols; reduced quarantine time.

Vaccinated individuals would also be entitled to access to business establishments and activities allowed to operate by the government, such as indoor and outdoor dining, entertainment venues, cultural centers like museums, and sports venues.

On the other hand, Section 5 of the proposed ensures the non-discrimination against persons who cannot get vaccinated due to the unavailability of vaccines; those with health conditions that prevent them from being vaccinates; and persons who belong to age group that are not yet included in country's vaccination program.

Meanwhile, falsification of the vaccine and health passports shall be punishable under the country's Revised Penal Code, the bill stated.

Seventeen senators signed the committee report endorsing the approval of the SB No. 2422. The Senate is expected to begin plenary debates on the measure when sessions resume on November 8.

During the committee hearing on the bill early September, government economic advisers said that the implementation of vaccine passports will help the country's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.