(Courtesy of VaxCertPH) MANILA - Filipinos can now use their coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine certificates to confirm their vaccination status when entering any of the European Union member states, the EU Delegation in Manila announced Saturday. "The Philippines is now connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC). This means that, as a result of the equivalence decision, the EU recognizes the Philippines' COVID-19 vaccination certificates and, at the same time, the Philippines accept to recognize EUDCC certificates according to its own legal order," it said in a statement. The inclusion is effective July 29, 2022, said the delegation, allowing Filipinos to use their vaccine certificate when traveling between EU member states, and EUDCC holders when entering the Philippines. "The European Union regards this as an important milestone in ensuring expedite and safe travel and people's mobility," said European Union Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Ana Isabel Sanchez Ruiz. "We are grateful to the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Health, and Bureau of Quarantine for their work through the process, and to the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Tourism for their support," she added. The Philippines is the sixth country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to be recognized under the EU Digital COVID Certificate system. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam had earlier been included in EUDCC, according to the delegation. (PNA) }