If you’re a Filipino in the country who wants to go abroad for love, for family, for education, or for leisure, the government will now allow you to do so beginning October 21.
This was reiterated last weekend by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who in a Facebook live chat last weekend assured the public that the government was sensitive to the plight of various groups and individuals that have requested the government for permission to leave the country to reunite with their loved ones.
“OFWs, students 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.”
Wearing a shirt saying “Iove always finds a way,” Nograles addressed the public and said, “we ask for your patience, we ask for your kind understanding; lahat ng concerns ng ating mga kababayan pinapakinggan ng gobyerno at hinahanapan ng paraan (the government listens to all the concerns of our countrymen and works to find ways to address them).”
Nograles, Co-Chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), explained that it may take time for the body to resolve matters brought to its attention as “every decision of the IATF has repercussions… and we have to prepare the ground.”
“These go through a process; but we assure you that we listen to and act on all your requests.”
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque first announced the new IATF ruling, based on IATF Resolution Number 79, last Friday.
The resolution states that “outbound travel of Filipinos, regardless of purpose, may be allowed” subject to compliance with the following requirements:
- For those travelling on tourist visas: submission of confirmed round-trip tickets and 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 risks involved in traveling, including risk of delay in their return trip, to be provided at the check-in counters by the airlines.
- As a pre-boarding requirement, a negative Antigen test result taken within 24 hours before departure, in accordance with the guidelines and protocols as may be issued by the Department of Health with regard to its fair and appropriate use or, whenever required by the country of destination, a negative test result taken in accordance with the the health and safety protocols of the destination country. Provided, that the undertaking of either test as appropriate shall be facilitated by the airline carrier.
Nograles stressed that those headed for countries that require an RT-PCR test “need to get one.”
The resolution also states that “OFWs, students 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.”
Those returning from abroad, per the resolution, shall be required to follow the Guidelines of the National Task Force for Returning Overseas Filipino Workers.
Nograles stressed that those headed for countries that require an RT-PCR test “need to get one.”
“In cases na silent, we still want outbound passengers to be tested. We want to have a level of confidence that the person who rides the plane is tested and is not infectious,” explained the Palace official.
The Davao native revealed that the IATF is now studying policies with regard to inbound travel, as the government recognizes that there are foreign citizens abroad who want to spend the holidays with their loved ones and fiancées here in the Philippines.