BOQ to open more branches to issue vaccination ‘yellow cards’

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) on Saturday said it will  open more satellite offices to issue COVID-19 vaccination “yellow cards.”

BOQ Deputy Director Roberto Salvador Jr. said the additional satellite offices will be opening in the coming weeks.

The “yellow card,” also known as International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) is a document created by the World Health Organizarion to certify that a person has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Next week po magbubukas din po kami sa SM North EDSA ng satellite station and susunod na linggo magbubukas din kami sa Eastwood, and MCKinley and ‘yung mga other provincial stations namin po General Santos, Kalibo, Bacolod, Palawan, Legazpi, i-oopen na din po namin so para makatulong po kami mabigyan talaga ‘yung nangangailangan ng yellow card po,” Salvador said in a public briefing.

(Next week we will open more satellite offices in SM North EDSA, next week in Eastwood and McKinley. Other provincial stations in General Santos, Kalibo, Bacolod, Palawan, Legazpi, will also be opened issue yellow cards.)

An illustration photo taken on February 12, 2021 shows a man signing a consent form while holding the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), also known as the Carte Jaune or Yellow Card, by the World Health Organization (WHO).(Photo by JENS SCHLUETER / AFP)

For the meantime, the BOQ’s main office at the Port Area, its satellite stations at the SM Mall of Asia as well as in Batangas, Subic, La Union, Laoag, Cebu, Davao and in Cagayan de Oro are now open.

Those who want to get their yellow cards should sign up on the BOQ’s website to get a schedule, then go to the said BOQ’s offices. Vaccinated persons need to bring their passports and vaccine certificates from their respective local governments. Each yellow card costs P370.

Salvador, meanwhile, reminds the public that not all countries require yellow cards upon entry.

“Hindi po mandatory ang yellow card sa lahat ng magta-travel sa international. Ang una po nating gagawin, bago po kayo umalis sa ibang bansa, makipag-ugnayan po dun sa destination o dun sa airline kung ano ang requirement para makapasok sa bansa,” he said.

(The yellow cards are not required of all international travellers. Before departure, coordinate with your destination or airline to know the requirements before entering a certain country.)

Those who are not international travellers are not recommended to get yellow cards for now.

“Sa ngayon po, hindi po natin sila ine-encourage na kumuha ng yellow card kung hindi gagamitin sa labas ng bansa,” Salvador said.

(Sa ngayon po, hindi po natin sila ine-encourage na kumuha ng yellow card kung di gagamitin sa labas ng bansa.)

“Kasi po sobrang daming gustong kumuha ng yellow card, nawawalan ng slot ‘yung mga talagang aalis na papunta sa ibang bansa,” he explained.

(Those who will go abroad who really need to get their yellow cards may lose their slots.)

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