Hong Kong-bound OFWs face uncertainty amid vaccination cards issue

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) bound for Hong Kong are running out of money as they wait for the government to address the issue regarding uniform vaccination cards. Vaccination cards being issued in the Philippines are not accepted in Hong Kong as they do not come from a single source. Because of that, OFW Azenith Abrio and others like her who are waiting for their flights to Hong Kong are facing the future with uncertainty. "We came here in Manila [on] April 19, there are more of us, more than 10. We stayed in one transient house where we always stayed until now, from April to August, hanggang sa kung kailan kami makakaalis... we're running out of money, wala na kami pera, wala na kami pagkain," she said in a 24 Oras report on Wednesday. Malacañang was saddened by this development, but said the government is addressing the issue. "We are finding ways and means now para magkaroon tayo ng basehan na kilalanin yung ating vaccination cards [to find basis so that our vaccination cards will be honored]," said presidential spokespeson Harry Roque. Roque also urged the World Health Organization to lead an initiative toward a universal acceptance of vaccination cards. For the meantime, OFWs can avail of a "yellow card" or international certificate of vaccination from the Bureau of Quarantine. They will have to book a schedule through the bureau's website and upload the requirements like valid ID, passport and COVID-19 vaccination certificate from the local government unit. —KBK, GMA News

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