DICT: VaxCertPH will be fully implemented by October

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said the dry run for the issuance of digital COVID-19 vaccination certificates will begin next month, with priority to be given to overseas Filipino workers in Metro Manila.

The nationwide launch of the VaxCertPH website and app would follow in a few weeks, with full implementation possibly by October this year, Emmanuel Rey Caintic, undersecretary of the DICT, said during a House hearing on Friday.

Caintic said the September dry run would be limited to Metro Manila. “We need a few weeks to see the capacity of the overall system and the people behind it,”

VaxCertPH would then be rolled out nationwide, allowing individuals to access their own COVID-19 vaccine certificates.

DICT clarifies that VaxCertPH will not replace BOQ’s yellow cards

Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Emmanuel Caintic told members of the House of Representatives Friday that the planned VaxCertPH digital vaccination certificate will not replace the existing “yellow card” issued by the Bureau of Quarantine as proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

This, as the DICT showed lawmakers a first look at the vaccine certificate.

“What is the difference between VaxCertPH and the yellow card? It was mentioned by the Asec (assistant secretary) of the DFA na yellow card is already internationally recognized and ang kailangan lang talaga is depende sa country,” Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Estrelita Suansing asked.

Caintic explained that the yellow card will be needed by people like seafarers as proof of vaccination against other diseases besides COVID-19 before travel.

Suansing further asked: “If yellow card is already recognized internationally bakit meron pang VaxCertPH (why do we need VaxCertPH)? Is VaxCertPH a support to yellow card? Ano ito, mawawala na ang yellow card (will it replace the yellow card)?” Suansing asked.

Caintic said it was the World Health Organization that instituted the existing yellow card in 196 countries.

However, for COVID-19, more information is required in certificates than those currently stated in yellow cards, so a new document was needed.

“Ang kumplikado po kasi sa COVID-19 mas kailangan ‘yan ng datos na 1st dose, 2nd dose, anong brand, kailan tinurok, may mga dagdag na mga variances… kung kaya ang WHO gumawa sila ng bagong standard. Kailangan siya maging digital, kailangan simple lang, mava-validate mo digitally kung valid ba ito,” Caintic said.