THE City Government of Bacolod still requires fully vaccinated returning residents to present negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results.
This was stressed by Councilor Cindy Rojas, chairperson of Bacolod Action Team on Non-OFW Returning Residents, Thursday, July 8, 2021, after the Department of Health (DOH) earlier clarified that local government units (LGUs) can still require fully vaccinated travelers a negative swab test result for entry into their jurisdiction.
DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III issued the clarification after some LGUs expressed concern over the relaxed domestic travel protocols that allow fully vaccinated individuals to present their vaccination cards in lieu of a swab test result.
Duque cited a previous resolution approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, which allows LGUs to require travelers to undergo RT-PCR testing for the virus.
On July 4, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced the protocols for fully vaccinated individuals in the Philippines under IATF Resolution 124-B, which stated that for intrazonal travel or the movement inside an area under the same set of quarantine rules, the fully vaccinated individuals are subject to the presentation of a Covid-19 domestic vaccination card or a certificate of quarantine completion showing the holder's vaccination status.
Pending the result of the IATF meeting on Thursday, DOH officials said LGUs that deem the vaccination card as sufficient entry requirement may forego the swab test requirement. Those that raised concerns over the relaxation of travel restrictions may continue to require a negative swab test result.
“For now, we are still requiring the fully vaccinated returning residents to present their negative RT-PCR test result and we will wait for final guidelines of the NIATF,” Rojas said.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, chairperson of the Bacolod City Inter-Agency Task Force, earlier said the government should have a safety net on these because anybody can produce a fake vaccination card.
He said in previous months, some travelers also submitted fake RT-PCR test results and they want to avoid it happening again.
"It can be faked (vaccination card) because of the ununiformed card of the local government units," he added.
Familiaran said the Department of Health should provide application to monitor the records of those who are fully vaccinated.