MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The provincial local government unit of Lanao del Sur will soon compel travelers to present their respective national vaccination certificates upon entry to the province.

This, as Integrated Provincial Health Officer (IPHO) Chief Dr. Alinader Minalang bared during the command conference and orientation on Bayanihan Bakunahan Tuesday, November 23, the measures they are taking to counter the issue on fake vaccination cards which has already reached their offices and personally witnessed in spot checks at checkpoints.

He stated the province will be more strict on its policy on showing proof of vaccination after the simultaneous national vaccination days.

“After nitong [November] 29, 30 and December 1, magstrikto na tayo sa pagtingin sa mga vaccination card. Hindi na iyong ordinary card ang hahanapin natin. Dapat na iyong certified na kasi national iyon, may barcode at hindi na pwedeng itamper iyon,” said Minalang.

[After this [November] 29, 30 and December 1, we will be stricter in inspecting vaccination cards. We will not be looking for ordinary cards. It should be those that are certified because that is national, has a barcode and that cannot be tampered.]

The IPHO chief further stressed the government will have strict enforcement with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and beef up the checkpoints in the area of jurisdiction, including entry into municipalities as they have foreseen others tend to get through the main checkpoint in the municipality of Saguiaran due to the uncontrollable number of vehicles passing by.

Minalang then addressed concerns of no record found when processing the national vaccination certificate, saying this usually happens when data is misentered. As such, the provincial government through the IPHO established vaccination certificate assistance desks in vaccination sites to respond to those needing help and fast track the process.

Currently, the local government here still acknowledges local vaccination cards in times of inspection.

“Sa ngayon, since hindi pa nakapagprovide lahat, we are still accepting iyong ating binibigay na yellow card. Iyon muna ang hinahanap ng ating enforcers,” said Minalang.

[For now, since not all have provided, we are still accepting those yellow cards we gave. Enforcers will just ask for that.] (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)