The government's pandemic task force has approved the adoption of the promotion to use the OneHealthPass platform--a tool that aims to ensure the seamless movement of international travelers arriving in the country.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement following the meeting of the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on Thursday, Aug. 26.
In a statement on Friday, Aug. 27, Roque said that the use of the said platform will start on Sept. 1, 2021, and will last until the state of national public health emergency due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is lifted.
The OneHealthPass is an online platform that aims to promote the convenient and seamless movement of international travelers from their departure from the country of origin to their arrival at the local government unit (LGU) of destination.
The platform was launched by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Since last month, the BOQ has been requiring all arriving travelers from international flights to present their OneHealthPass QR code prior to boarding their flights to the Philippines, particularly to Manila, Laoag, or Davao.
Travelers can obtain their unique QR codes by accomplishing the OneHealthPass Declaration Form (e-HDC), which requires them to submit their personal information, health status, and travel history.
The forms should be filled out individually. Even traveling children should have their own forms.
Flag-carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has reminded travelers of this requirement. It added that the registration with the platform was a two-step process.
Meanwhile, PAL said that all information shared with the OneHealthPass will be collected and processed by the BOQ and not by the airline.