The Bureau of Quarantine has warned travelers against fake websites that claim to issue eArrival cards, which is a requirement for those who want to enter the Philippines.
The eArrival card replaced the One Health Pass that travelers were previously required to secure.
BOQ Deputy Director Roberto Salvador Jr. saId it is easier to accomplish the eArrival card. This is because travelers would only have to provide information, and there is no need for them to upload photos.
The official website for the eArrival cards is onehealthpass.gov.ph.
Those who sign up for the cards would be given a QR code. They would have to scan at the Bureau of Quarantine before they would be allowed to proceed to the immigration counter.
Beware of fakes
But Salvador advised travelers to be cautious as there are fake eArrival card websites. These try to extort money from them, when issuance of the card is free, he said.
Many have fallen for these sites, he said.
“Tandaan din po natin na wala pong bayad ang eArrival card,” he said.
“Kapag po kayo ni-redirect sa ibang site at humihingi na po ng bayad, automatic po, fake na po ito,” he added.
He said the BOQ has reported the problem to the cybercrime divisions of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police. However, the bogus sites keep on popping up, he said.
“So talaga po ang problem po kahit po i-takedown nila iyong mga existing na mga fake websites, gumagawa sila ng panibago; sumusubok po na maka-scam uli sa mga kababayan natin,” he said.
eArrival cards a must
All travelers going to the Philippines should register for the eArrival card within 72 hours prior to their departure for the Philippines.
But those who had difficulty registering for the card could still do so upon arrival in the country, said Salvador.
He said there are designated spaces and staff that would help them accomplish the form when they land at the airport.
The eArrival card serves as an online Health Declaration and Contact Tracing platform. It seeks to promote convenient and seamless movement of international travelers from their departure from their country of origin to their destination in the Philippines.
It is intended to provide the Philippine Government with a database of all those entering the country for contact tracing when a traveler is afflicted with a specific disease.
Photo credit: Official Gazette
