What exemption cards?
An official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) informed the public on Tuesday, Jan. 18, that there is no such thing as exemption card that excuses unvaccinated individuals from stay at home orders.
DILG spokesperson Usec. Jonathan Malaya issued the clarification and warned the public against believing in it over rumors that the government is issuing COVID exemption card that also allows the unvaccinated bearers to enjoy public transportation.
Effective Jan 17, the “no vax, no ride’’ policy was implemented as the government is hard pressed to further increase the country’s vaccination rate amid the COVID-19 rapid surge while the Philippine National Police (PNP) pointed out that individuals presenting fake vaccination cards will be arrested.
“The public is warned that there is no such thing as a “vaccination exemption card. This is not authorized, issued, nor recognized by the government. In other words, these are fake,” Malaya said.
Malaya noted that the DILG received the reports that it originated from Facebook groups and group chats in Regions 11 and 12. The groups have been claiming that the exemption cards can be secured from local government units (LGUs).
He stressed that the government will never issue nor recognize such cards as it runs contrary to the national vaccination program that aims “to inoculate the majority of the populace to achieve population protection.’’
“Malaking kalokohan ito. Hinding-hindi mag-iisyu ng exemption ang pamahalaan kanino man (Maliban na lang for medical reasons) dahil ang gusto nga natin ay mabakunahan na ang lahat bilang proteksyon laban sa iba’t ibang COVID-19 variants (This is a big nonsense). The government will never issue an exemption except for medical reasons because the goal is to inoculate all as protection to various COVID-19 variants), he added.
The DILG spokesperson admitted being dismayed by some people resorting “to such gimmicks and disinformation so that they will be exempted from vaccination and even dupe others into believing that they can be exempted from vaccination.’’
“Nakakagalit na ayaw na nga nating magpabakuna (against COVID-19) ay pinapaniwala pa natin ang iba na puwede silang ma-exempt (health protocols). Marami na pong nabiktima at namatay sa COVID-19. Ang bakuna ang nakasalba sa maraming tao sa mundo (It is infuriating that they do not want to be vaccinated and yet we make others believe that they can be exempted. There are many who were victimized and killed by COVID-19. The vaccine protected a lot of people all over the world),’’ Malaya stressed.
Reports received by the DILG noted that people are being asked to put their name, birthdate, address and signatures to the green vaccination exemption card being shared in FB groups and group chats, have the cards printed, laminated and registered to their barangay/city/municipal LGUs.
“The so-called exemption cards look similar to the green COVID-19 Vaccination Cards being issued by several LGUs. Sa biglang tingin aakalain itong tunay dahil pareho ng kulay, format at hitsura (In its sudden appearance, it looks authentic because of the similar color, format and design),’’ he maintained.
Malaya called on the public to immediately report to authorities incidents with regards to the COVID-19 exemption cards reiterating that they are fake documents.
With these incidents, Malaya asked the LGUs to be more vigilant in inspecting the vaccine cards at the provincial and regional borders to ensure that only those who had been vaccinated will be allowed to travel across these boundaries or be allowed to use public transportation.
He said health protocols are enforced to protect the unvaccinated from COVID-19 saying that they have no chance against the virus.
Meanwhile, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año urged the LGUs to recognize both the LGU-issued vaccination card and the DOH-issued VaxCertPH digital certificate, whichever is available during inspections by law enforcement or barangay officials.
Per Department of Health (DOH) and National Task Force Against COVID-19 Joint Administrative Order No. 2021-0001, a standardized COVID-19 vaccine card shall be issued to vaccine recipients to ensure completion of the required doses by documenting details of their vaccination subject to the provisions of RA 10173 or the “Data Privacy Act of 2012.” (Chito A. Chavez)