Baguio City — There is a need to ensure the authenticity of vaccination cards carried by entrants, and interzonal travelers to guarantee that they are indeed protected from and are not carriers of COVID-19, an official said today.

OIC-Regional Director (RD) Araceli San Jose of the Department of the Interior and Local Government Cordillera underscored that all local government units (LGUs) are enjoined to devise a tamper-proof system of authentication for all vaccination cards issued to the general public.

"Our LGUs should work closely with the private sector to ensure that vaccination cards carried by individuals who opted to get vaccinated through their employers may also be authenticated," she said.

OIC- RD San Jose also urged the LGUs to enact an ordinance providing for penalties for those who tamper or forge vaccination cards.

"We should also start initiating information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns to inform the constituents, general public, and the private sector about the authentic vaccination cards and the LGUs' system of authentication.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police is reminded to work closely with their respective LGUs to ensure that those who tamper or forge vaccination cards are punished to the full extent of the law. (Pamela Geminiano)