Due to the quarantine restrictions on travel, tourists stranded on Siquijor are now able to renew their visas in Siquijor by going through the Tourism Office located at the Siquijor Provincial Offices. The new system allows tourists to designate local attorney Bongcawil-Duwami to help in the process by setting up a Power of Attorney (POA) for this specific purpose. This is an entirely new development and supposedly will continue even after the quarantine is lifted. For those of us who live on Siquijor, this is very good news. The attorney in Siquijor has a liason in Dumaguete who is authorized to file for extensions with the Dumaguete immigration office. I believe it is all done over the internet.
Good news all around, Ferry Travel on the way back ( Except Cebu)With the recent spike in the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in Cebu City and Talisay City, travel to and from these areas are now temporarily suspended. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1107211
How much are they charging for this service? Not cheap I'll bet. And why would you pay for it? It is clearly stated that no fines will be given for late filing. You have 30 days to catch up once the quarantine and travel restrictions have been lifted.
What amazes me how many people are living in the Philippines on a tourist visa when they are clearly not a tourist. I predict Immigration clamping down on this.
Clamping down on what? They seem to want long stay tourists and consider those that stay up to 3 years a tourist. Since I first came to the Philippines they have raised the time limit from 1 year to 18 months and then to 3 years. With the major hit to the tourism industry due to this COVID-19 stuff I doubt they will do anything to the length of visas as they will need the revenue.
