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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'To prevent forgery': Poe backs use of standard vaccine passports

'To prevent forgery': Poe backs use of standard vaccine passports

Published Aug 11, 2021 05:51 pm

Senator Grace Poe said on Wednesday, August 11, that she supports the use of a standard vaccine passport for travel and access to local establishments.

Senator Grace Poe (Senate of the Philippines/MANILA BULLETIN File photo)

"The passport is just a standard vaccine card with a central database perhaps with a QR code and proper safety features so it is easily verifiable. This will prevent forgery," Poe said in statement, recalling that she pushed for vaccine passports to be included in COVID-19-related laws.

"An official standard passport vaccine issued by the appropriate government agency will enable our countrymen not only to travel much easier abroad but also help local establishments verify the authenticity of a vaccine card especially when there are large capacity events or when dine in in restaurants resumes," she said.

"Businesses may safely accommodate more customers who are fully vaccinated and transition safely to a new normal," the senator added.

Under the Republic Act No. 11525 or COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act, vaccine cards only serve as record of the administration of COVID-19 vaccine to an individual, and "shall not be considered as an additional mandatory requirement for educational, employment and other similar government transaction purposes."

Poe recently filed a bill that would authorize the use of vaccine cards for international and domestic, as well as for entry to public places and business establishments.

On Tuesday, August 10, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has started developing vaccine passport to serve as proof of vaccination of persons. This could form part of the country's health protocols, he said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. also raised the need for a standard vaccine card, saying Hong Kong does not accept those issued in the Philippines "because they are not connected to a single source".

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said on Wednesday that he will call for a public hearing on the proposed use of vaccine passports.

Related Tags

VACCINE PASSPORT covid-19 vaccine rollout Grace Poe Travel vaccine card
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