OFWs Should Not Pay For The Yellow Card – Says Rep. Nograles

In the midst of the pandemic, there are a couple of health protocols that Overseas Filipino Workers had to abide by. Including this is the necessity to have a vaccination certificate that serves as proof that you are indeed vaccinated against COVID-19 before you can enter the country of your destination.

Other countries are implementing tougher regulations when it comes to tourists and OFWs who entering their countries. In lieu of this, 2^nd District Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles suggested that the government should just issue the vaccination certificates for free for OFWs.

In the Philippines, an International Certificate of Vaccination also known as Prophylaxis of the World Health Organization (WHO) is being issued by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) for outbound travelers to prove that they are ‘fully vaccinated’ against COVID-19.

This certificate is also known internationally as ‘Yellow Card’ or Carte Jaune. Whoever wants to get this card should pay PhP370.00. The PhP300 is for the documentary fee and the PhP70 is for the convenience fee.

In a previous statement by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Hong Kong doesn’t recognize the vaccination cards which are being issued by the local government in the Philippines. Hong Kong is currently one of the most preferred destinations of OFWs.

In an advisory released by the Department of Labor and Employment, they advised outbound travelers to get this ‘yellow card’ temporarily while they prepare for a single portal that records all the vaccinations of Filipinos.

Source PhilStar