DOT backs global vaccine passport

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Tourism (DOT) is accelerating works for the Philippines to magnify its support to the proposed global coronavirus vaccine passport to save the suffering tourism sector.

In a virtual discussion held recently with tourism stakeholders, Benito C. Bengzon Jr., Undersecretary for Tourism Development Planning, said the country’s support on the global COVID-19 vaccine passport is vital for the fast recovery of tourism in the Philippines.

According to Bengzon, there have already been initial discussions about the proposed Covid-19 passport and the agency is also looking at various options and exploring ways for tourists to move around easily, safely and conveniently.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) last month proposed a "global and standardized solution" to validate and authenticate all country regulations regarding Covid-19 passenger travel requirements.

The global aviation body said passengers could use such a system to find accurate information on travel, testing, and eventually vaccine requirement for their trips.

The proposed mobile application, which would be called the IATA Travel Pass, would also enable passengers to create a "digital passport" to verify whether their vaccination meets the regulations of their host country.

The hospitality sector, especially in Cebu, has been calling the government authorities to accelerate the re-opening of safety international flights in the Philippines, as hotels and other tourism related businesses are already losing.

“We need international guests to support tourism businesses,” said Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association (HRRAC) vice president Alfred Reyes.

Businessman and hotel developer Justin Uy likewise said full recovery of hotels and resorts in Cebu can be experienced if Koreans and Japanese are allowed to enter Cebu.

  "The proposals for a 'COVID-19 passport' is welcome and will be looked into by the DOT, together with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), as it will involve medical data on the vaccines and diplomatic agreements with other countries," Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in an earlier statement.

Cebu Pacific president Lance Gokongwei said the proposed Covid-19 passport is essential as the world reopens international travel vis-a-vis the different vaccines that will be available soon.

Gokongwei said the implementation could be done through government-to-government agreements.