1. HUMILITY: I don’t know if I have COVID as it is clear that people can spread the disease before they have symptoms.
2. KINDNESS: I don’t know if the person I am near has a child battling
cancer, or cares for their elderly mom.
While I might be fine, they might not.
3. COMMUNITY:
I want my community to thrive, businesses to stay open, employees to stay healthy. Keeping a lid on COVID helps us all.
MANILA, Philippines -The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reminded Filipinos intending to travel
abroad as tourist that they are still restricted from leaving the country amid the continuing
global COVID-19 pandemic.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente issued the statement after receiving a report that six Filipinos
were recently barred from going to Cambodia via a special chartered flight from the Ninoy
Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The said passengers were reportedly offloaded because they are mere tourists whose purpose
in going abroad is not essential and neither do they fall under the category of travelers who are
exempted from the travel ban while the country is under community quarantine.
“We want to emphasize and reiterate that Filipinos are still prohibited from leaving the country
unless they are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), holders of study visas or permanent
residents in the country of their destination,” Morente said.
The BI chief appealed to the public for understanding, saying the bureau will continue to
implement existing international travel restrictions until these are lifted or relaxed by the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
According to BI port operations acting chief Grifton Medina, the six passengers were offloaded
from their flight last June 29 after they informed the immigration officer that they were going
to Phnom Penh merely to attend a business meeting on shrimp farming.
It was learned that there have been already several instances of departing Filipinos
tourists who were barred from boarding their flights at the NAIA since the government imposed restrictions
on international travel three months ago due to the pandemic.
Medina urged Filipinos who wish to embark on leisure trips or visit their relatives to be patient
and wait for the IATF-EID to lift the said travel restrictions.
"These travel restrictions are only temporary and we should always bear in mind that the
government implemented these measures to protect our countrymen against this deadly
coronavirus," he added
In line with the Inter-Agency Taskforce for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease resolution, No. 40 placed most of the Regions in the Philippines (except for Cebu City) under Modified Community Quarantine and General Community Quarantine.
In this regard and in compliance to the directive to observe minimum health standards and social distancing measures, the 23 March 2020, note with Recommendation allowing departing foreign nationals to submit official receipts for ACR I-Card Waiver fees in lieu of ACR I-Card Waiver Order is hereby revoked, effective 13 July 2020.
Those leaving 13 July onwards must present an ACR I-Card Waiver Order at the ports of departure.
Effective 13 July 2020, authorized BI Offices shall resume processing of ACR I-Card Waiver application.
SIGNED
JAIME H. MORENTE
Commissioner
MANILA, Philippines - the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that it is launching an Monday (01 June) an online appointment system for clients at the main office in Intramuros, Manila following the government’s decision to place Metro Manila and other areas of the country under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the BI decided to adapt the online appointment system as part of “New Normal” protocols designed to achieve social distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19. “Henceforth, only clients with appointment code will be served during the specified date and time of their appointment,” Morente said.
Also, clients will have to present government-issued or valid identification cards before they could enter the bureau’s premises. “Nonetheless, clients may still avail of the services of BI-accredited travel agencies and law offices if they wish so that the latter may secure the online appointment and transact business on their behalf”, he explained.
The complete set of instructions and requirements needed for every BI transaction can be accessed thru the bureau’s website at www.immigration.gov. ph. And to further facilitate physical distancing, Morente urged those who have inquiries or complaints to course their concerns through the BI’s online social media platforms and telephone hotlines.
The details of which can also be found in the said website. Meanwhile, BI OIC Spokesperson Melvin Mabulac clarified that the foreigners who are holders of Permanent Resident Visas are not allowed to enter the country under existing travel restrictions imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Infections Diseases (IATF).
He further stated that foreign crew members of airlines are allowed to enter the country aside from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), foreign spouses and dependents of Filipino citizens, and foreign diplomats
MANILA, Philippines - the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said its main office in Intramuros, Manila will reopen for business on Monday and resume its services to the transacting public. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente made the announcement exactly a week after the BI closed its main building for disinfection to prevent the spread of COVID-19 which was contracted by one of its employees.
In an advisory issued last Thursday, Morente advised individuals with confirmed online appointments to check their new schedule and other related announcements by accessing the BI’s website at immigration.gov.ph. New protocols require all persons intending to transact at the BI main office to register and obtain their schedule via the BI’s newly-launched online appointment system.
The entry of walk-in applicants is strictly prohibited in order to limit the number of people and achieve physical distancing inside the building. News that a BI employee tested positive for the virus also prompted Morente to immediately order the conduct of mass rapid antibody test for all officials and employees assigned at the BI main office. The tests started last Wednesday and Thursday and more will be done this week. Meanwhile, in the same advisory, He further instructed employees who have yet to undergo the tests to continue to work from home.
He said the employees have the option to undergo the rapid tests at any accredited government hospital or facility duly licensed to conduct such tests. BI Chief earlier directed all the BI’s more than 3,000 employees nationwide to undergo a mandatory rapid tests, saying the measure is necessary amid the continuing rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country. Employees of BI offices outside of Metro Manila were instructed to coordinate with their Local Government Units (LGU) for the conduct of said tests free of charge.
