The decision on whether or not to accept vaccination cards as an alternative entry requirement for fully vaccinated travelers rests with the local government units (LGUs), Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.
"Ito ay sang-ayon pa rin sa LGUs. Ito lang ang binigay namin na sufficient alternative na imbes na RT-PCR, ay yung authentic vaccination card na lang (This still depends on the LGUs. This is only an alternative that instead of RT-PCR, the authentic vaccination card will be required)," Puyat said in an interview over radio station DZRH.
Puyat is referring to a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result, which is among the travel documents being required from tourists when they visit any of the destination in the country amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
In a bid to safely restart the country's tourism industry, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases had eased travel requirements particularly for those who have completed their COVID-19 jabs. The government's vaccination program began last March 1.
Under IATF Resolution No. 124-B, fully vaccinated individuals are now allowed to only present their vaccination cards if they want to travel within the Philippines.
Puyat clarified that a person will be considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving his or hee a single dose vaccine or the second dose of a two-dose vaccine.
"Aminado naman tayo na mahal and RT-PCR test. Although nagbibigay and DOT ng discount, mahal pa rin ito para sa ating mga kababayan (We admit that the RT-PCR test is expensive. Although the DOT provides a discount, it is still expensive for many travelers)," she explained.
According to Puyat, many LGUs have yet to waive the swab test requirement since most of their residents are still waiting for their turn to be inoculated.
"Humihingi sila ng kaunti pang time para marestart na natin ang tourism. Mas confident sila kapag marami nang vaccinated sa kanilang lugar (They are asking for a little more time to restart tourism. They will be more confident once a lot of people have been vaccinated in their area)," she said.
Meanwhile, the DOT chief reminded travelers to continue observing strict health protocols whether they are already fully vaccinated or not to ensure the safety of fellow tourists, the frontliners, as well as the host community.
"Akala kasi ng iba, let's say kung fully vaccinated na, pwede na magparty o yung mga ginagawa pre-COVID. Pinapaalala pa rin po natin to still follow minimum health and safety protocols (Others think that when they are fully vaccinated, they can have a party already. Please still follow minimum health and safety protocols)," Puyat added.
The Baguio City LGU announced Monday, July 5, that they would allow fully vaccinated travelers to present a valid vaccination card or certificate instead of a negative swab test result.