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The “No COVID-19 Vaccine ID, No Entry” travel policy in Maguindanao province was not true.
Executive Order 72 Series of 2021 issued by Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam S. Mangudadatu on 25 October 2021 did not impose a “No Vaccine, No Entry” policy for travelers entering the province.
The requirement to present COVID-19 vaccine identification card covers only those entering government offices in the province and not at the border checkpoints.
EO 72 states: “All visitors/clients entering government offices / institutions in the province are required to present their vaccination ID / card. A priority / express lane will be provided by the LGUs to the fully vaccinated visitors / clients.
However, those who are not fully vaccinated are required to present a three-day old negative result of their RT-PCR / Antigen / Saliva test conducted by any health facilities duly certified by the Department of Health upon entering government offices / institutions.”
A report published last week by state-owned Philippine News Agency stated that the “No Vaccine, No Entry” travel policy in Maguindanao would take effect on 16 November 2021, noting that the provincial police conducted an information drive two weeks prior to its supposed effectivity. Other local media outfits also aired or published a similar report.
The reports caused confusion and triggered long queues in various border checkpoints of the province when the wrong order was implemented.
MindaNews fact-checking team: Bong S. Sarmiento and Rob Gumba
(This fact-check piece was produced with the support of Internews’ Philippine Fact-Checker Incubator Project.)
