Tri-City Trips

Travel More! Spend Less!

Traveling is now Back!!!

by · Published · Updated

It was a delight for many Filipino travelers to received the news that non-essential travel is now permitted. Just a day after this announcement, we received countless inquiries about tour package cost to different countries. Each has their own reason that aside from sight-seeing, some needs to visit relatives who can’t go back to the Philippines for work-related reasons.

As a travel advisor, this makes me excited to be able to serve our dear travelers but prior to making those quotations, I need to make them aware of certain guidelines. Somehow, this discourages others and would like to wait for a few months. But others who need to see their loved ones are more than willing to comply.

Sharing here are some information published by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases last October 22, 2020:

  • Foreign nationals are allowed to enter the Philippines with additional visa classifications.
  • The pre-boarding testing requirement for Outbound Filipino travelers is lifted.
Inbound Foreign Nationals

Starting November 1, 2020, entry to the Philippines are now allowed for the following foreign nationals

  • Those with visas issued by the Bureau of Immigration pursuant to EO No. 226 Or Omnibus Investments Code, as amended, and Republic Act No. 8756;
  • Those with 47(a)(2) visas issued by the Department of Justice; and
  • Those with visas issued by Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

Following conditions shall be observed during the entry:

  • Must have valid and existing visa at the time of entry;
  • With pre-booked accredited quarantine facility;
  • Subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry; and
  • Without prejudice to applicable immigration laws, rules and regulations.
  • The Bureau of Immigration shall make the necessary coordination with the airlines for the proper implementation of the foregoing.
OUTBOUND TRAVEL OF FILIPINOS

Though the pre-boarding testing requirement for outbound Filipino Travelers is lifted pursuant to IATF Resolution. 79, there are still guidelines that are need to be observed such as:

  • OFWs, students enrolled abroad and participants accepted in exchange visitor programs, permanent residents of foreign jurisdictions, and foreign nationals, may leave for abroad through any of the airports or seaports in the country;
  • Outbound travel of Filipinos, regardless of purpose, may be allowed subject to compliance with the following requirements:
  1. For those travelling on tourist or short-term/visitor visas
    • Submission of confirmed Round Trip Tickets
    • Adequate Travel and Health Insurance to cover travel disruptions and hospitalization in case of COVID-19 infections during their allowable period of stay abroad
    • Execution of a Bureau of Immigration Declaration acknowledging the risk involved in traveling, including the risk of delay in their return trip, to be provided at the check-in counters by the airlines.
    • The travelers need to check also if the destination country or the airline will require a negative COVID-19 in accordance with the health and safety protocols of such destination country or airline.
    • The traveler must consider to follow the Guidelines of the National Task Force for Returning Overseas Filipinos.

Based on the public advisory in this link, here are the guidelines any returning Filipinos should observe:

  1. Registerand fill out the electronic Case Investigation Form (e-CIF) athttps://e-cif.redcross.org.ph to secure own QR Code prior to scheduled arrival in NAIA. It should be noted that the online electronic Case Investigation Form (e-CIF) must be accomplished AFTER confirming a booking/flight and prior to scheduled arrival in Manila.
  2. Results of the swab test are expected to be released within 72 hours; however, there may be delays due to the rise of COVID-19 positive cases in the Philippines
  3. All returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and overseas Filipinos (OFs) are requested to secure a valid email address and mobile number prior to their arrival in the Philippines for easier transaction upon arrival at the airport.
  4. A list of the quarantine hotels (mandatory and stringent quarantine) may be viewed at the Bureau of Quarantine Philippines website: http://quarantine.doh.gov.ph/facilities-inspected-as-of-july-30-2020/.

According to the advisory issued by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) on 11 May 2020, the cost of quarantine accommodations will be shouldered by:

  1. For land-based OFWs, the cost shall be shouldered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA);
  2. For sea-based OFWs, the cost shall be shouldered by the local manning agency and/or Maritime Industry Authorities; and
  3. For non-OFWs, namely Overseas Filipinos (OFs) returning home, they can choose from among the approved quarantine facilities at their own cost.

For any inquiries, feel free to email us at inquiry@travbest.com.

Tags:

You may also like...