DILG: No vax exemption cards

Commuters wait for public utility buses along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City as the full implementation of the "no vaccine, no ride" policy begins on Monday, Jan. 17, 2021.

MANILA, Philippines — There is no such thing as COVID-19 vaccination exemption cards, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) warned the public yesterday.

The DILG said it has received reports on the proliferation of such cards as the government started fully enforcing its ”no vaccine, no ride” and ”no vaccine, no entry” policy to limit the movement of unvaccinated people.

Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said vaccination exemption cards are reportedly being sold online, with sellers claiming these are recognized in lieu of those issued by local government units (LGUs).

He said the card is similar to those issued by some LGUs.

“The public is warned that there is no such thing as vaccination exemption card. This is not authorized, issued, nor recognized by the government,” Malaya said.

The DILG said LGUs do not issue exemption cards as it runs counter to the government’s vaccination program.

“Nananawagan tayo sa publiko na huwag magpapaniwala sa mga taong nagpapakalat ng COVID-19 vax exemption cards,” Malaya said. ”Agad mag-report sa mga awtoridad kung merong ganitong insidente sa inyong mga lugar.”

He urged law enforcers to be meticulous in inspecting vaccination cards especially at provincial and regional borders.

3 nabbed in Bacolod

Meanwhile, in Bacolod City, printing shop owner Loresa Funelas and Marivic Joros and her son Ivan were apprehended in an entrapment conducted by joint teams of the police and city health office on Monday for selling fake vaccination cards, Lt. Liberty Indiape, Bacolod police deputy spokesperson, said.

Indiape said 14 fake vaccination cards and seven vaccination certificates, P100 in marked money, P1,400 in cash, a laptop and a printer were recovered from the suspects.

The vaccination cards were reportedly being sold for P500 each.

In Cavite, Julieta Mabion, 57, was arrested in Barangay Salawag in Dasmariñas City at around 9:54 p.m.

Police said they had been monitoring Mabion after receiving information that she was engaged in the sale of fake vaccination cards and other COVID documents.

Mabion reportedly accepted P1,000 in marked money from an undercover agent in exchange for the fake documents.

The suspects are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act and falsification of public documents.