THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has warned against coronavirus disease (Covid-19) exemption cards amid restrictions being imposed on unvaccinated individuals, saying there is no such thing.
DILG spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said they received a report from Davao and Soccsksargen that several people were claiming that these exemption cards are recognized by local government units (LGUs) in lieu of Covid-19 vaccination cards.
He said these cards were being spread through Facebook groups and group chats.
People are being asked to put their name, birth date, address, and signatures to the green vaccination exemption card, have it printed, laminated, and registered to their local government units.
“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 (The color and format are similar, so you might see it as real),” Malaya said.
“Nananawagan tayo sa publiko na huwag magpapaniwala sa mga taong nagpapakalat ng Covid-19 vax exemption cards. Wala pong gano’n at peke po iyon. Agad magreport sa mga awtoridad kung merong ganitong insidente sa inyong mga lugar,” he added.
(We call on the public to not believe in such reports about Covid-19 vax exemption cards. There is no such thing and it’s fake. You report to authorities immediately.)
Malaya said the LGUs will not issue such a thing, as they aim to entice more people to get Covid-19 vaccination.
He also called on local authorities to be more vigilant in inspecting and verifying vaccination cards at provincial and regional borders to ensure that only those who had been vaccinated will be allowed to travel across borders or be allowed to use public transportation, particularly in Metro Manila where the “no vaccination, no ride/entry” policy has been implemented.
DILG Secretary Eduard Año issued an instruction for 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.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte urged LGUs to impose ordinances to restrict the mobility of unvaccinated individuals amid the increase of Covid-19 cases in the country.
This is not only to force them to get vaccinated but also for their protection since based on studies, unvaccinated individuals are more at risk of getting severely and critically ill if they get infected.
As of January 18, a total of 56,027,759 have completed their Covid-19 vaccination, while 59,255,237 have received their first dose. A total of 5,362,518 people got their booster doses. (SunStar Philippines)