TACLOBAN CITY- Please be honest.
This was the appeal of Dr. Gloria Fabrigas, health officer of this city, amid reports that there were those who applied for health certificates tampering their documents.
Applying for health certificate in the city is now through online to avoid physical contact that could result to spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The document is used by individuals for them to travel to other areas in the region due to travel restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Fabrigas said disclosed that they have received around 100 applications with forged barangay certificates and identification cards.
“Upon verification, for example 500 an naissue namin there are about 93 to 100 na nade-deny, kasi fine-fake yung brgy certificate and ibang IDs,” she said.
“That is why, we deny some applications kasi pinapalitan lang nila ang date nang barangay certificate or yung pangalan,” Fabrigas added.
The city health officer also said that some applicants are not also providing their own e-mail address.
Online application of health certificate goes through a process that includes verification of documents submitted online by the applicant.
Aside from barangay certificate and identification card, the applicants are also asked for their QR code.
“Marami ang nagrereklamo na hindi sila nakakakuha ng health certificate but upon verification marami po ang hindi totoo yung kanilang brgy certificate at yung kanilang QR code,” Fabrigas said.
Fabrigas then asked city residents to plan ahead when they are applying for health certificate as they can only issue 500 a day.
Cases of applicants using tampered barangay certificate and fake IDs are forwarded to the City Legal Office.
City Administrator Aldrin Jude Quebec said that they are bent in filing appropriate actions against people who are using fake documents in applying for the health certificate.
“This will only take time because of our process but definitely we will take action to discipline these people,” he said.
Quebec added that it is important for the city government to enforce protocols and policies to prevent the transmission COVID-19.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
