DFA exec in talks with HK over standard vax certificate

MANILA – The Philippine Consulate General is set to present its proposal to Hong Kong authorities to recognize the country's international vaccine certificate.

Philippine Consul Paulo Saret said negotiations between the consulate and Hong Kong authorities are ongoing, but he expressed hope that the latter would soon list the international vaccine certificate or "yellow card" being issued by the Bureau of Quarantine among its recognized vaccination records.

"The sticking point is that Philippine vaccination records are normally being issued by the different local government units, so Hong Kong is demanding a standardized form to ensure authenticity," he said in an email on Wednesday.

"It’s being handled right now on the Philippine side. After that, we’ll present it to the Hong Kong side for approval. Hopefully, it’ll be resolved soonest," he added.

As to the number of overseas Filipino workers affected, he said around 3,000 remain stranded in the country.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., meanwhile, is planning to "formally ask" Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam about the policy.

In a tweet on Wednesday, he said, “I’ll ask Carrie Lam formally why not. I have always been supportive of her superb management of Hong Kong."

The Department of Labor and Employment earlier announced that Hong Kong has lifted the ban on the Philippines.

But the number of OFWs who will be allowed to enter the Special Administrative Region could exceed those stranded as the Philippine Overseas Labor Office continued to process job orders to the region.

Once the issue with the vaccination record has been addressed, inoculated individuals from the Philippines would be required to undergo a 21-day quarantine period, according to Hong Kong's latest quarantine protocols. (PNA)