BoI Info Best Posts in Thread: NEW rules on ENTRY of FOREIGNERS

Oh, I assure you we Filipinos share the thoughts and ways of our leaders and vice versa even though our general public may not necessarily comprehend the crafting and rationale of our public policies in full.

Most of us, being poor, are not pretentious to fathom out or challenge the sense of changing rules in our country, especially at this time, because our more immediate concern is how and where to obtain tomorrow's meals for our families.

That we have trustworthy, competent persons willing to serve as governing authorities at this time of protracted public health emergency and calamitous economy when China is encroaching on our shores and a world war is looming in our seas is, in and by itself, merciful and great blessing from the Almighty. The rest of us do our part by praying fervently for God's hand to strengthen and guide them instead of thinking up clever contentions that give delusion of being the better.

 

I strongly disagree with your unfair perception and opinion of derogation on our part.

Being non-native speakers of the English language, we as a nation of 170 languages simply differentiate between citizens and non-citizens using the traditional legal words "alien" or "foreigner" borrowed from British-derived American laws, no derogation intended, mainly because our legal system operates by the principle of stare decisis, with precedents from our colonial past. Ours is a commonsensical use of borrowed foreign words with no offense meant.

Unlike developed countries to where people from all over immigrate like ants to the cake only to wake up to realities of racial or social injustice, Philippine society is not "woke" even though it tries to keep up with the world's legislation trends. We do not feel excited need to be as discrimination-sensitive or discrimination-conscious as people are in civilized countries, and so we do not bother to browse an English dictionary to look for politically correct or better-sounding synonyms.

 

You could be missing NTF Memorandum Circular No. 5 of March 16, 2021 which temporarily banned entry of foreigners and Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) who are non-Overseas Filipino Workers (non-OFWs) from March 20, 2021 to April 19, 2021 "... to prevent the entry of SARS-CoV-2 variants from other countries and the rise of cases..."

Subsequently, IATF Resolution No. 103 of March 18, 2021 ratified NTF Memorandum Circular No. 5, s. 2021, amended it to allow entry of all Filipino citizens, whether ROF or OFW, and affirmed temporary ban on entry of foreigners effective 0001H March 22, 2021 to 2359H April 21, 2021, with the exception of:

i. Diplomats (holders of 9(e) visa or 47(a)(2) visa);
ii. Foreign nationals escorting medical evacuation of a repatriating Filipino;
iii. Foreign seafarers under the “Green Lanes” program for crew who hold valid 9(c) crew list visas;
iv. Foreign spouses and children, of repatriating Filipino citizens, who hold valid visas; and
v. Foreigners, having emergency or humanitarian concerns approved by the NTF, who hold valid visas.​

To implement the above policy, the BOI formulated and issued BOI Advisory of 2021 March 31, 2021 that is being clarified by the Press Release of April 7, 2021.

The significance of your wife's being with you is that, being citizens of PH, your Filipino wife or child/ren can enter PH any time; whereas you, being a foreigner, can enter only by the rules. Right now, the general rule says you and all foreigners are temporarily suspended from entry subject to exceptions to prevent entry of SARS-CoV-2 variants from abroad. If your Filipino wife or child/ren is returning to her country and you with your 13A visa is accompanying her/them, then your entry becomes an exception by the rule. If you travel to PH on your own at this time without your Filipino wife or child/ren, your attempt to enter could be suspiciously non-essential and may raise curious questions such as: Why do you leave your Filipino wife and child/ren abroad to travel to PH by yourself at this time of global pandemic? What will you do in the Philippines, alone, without your Filipino family, wife or child at this time of public health emergency and national calamity?

Therefore, even with a 13A visa, you are not allowed entry if your Filipino wife or child is not with you.

 

After thinking about the local logic, I got the unfortunate feeling it's gonna get worse before it gets better. I can't imagine the borders staying open too long. Be careful if you are gonna leave the island. Remember things can change in a day, and the next thing you know, you are stuck in Cebu for a month.

Just read this one:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/13948...-govt-covid-19-response-among-asean-countries

 

Major example of Russian roulette and I really hope the country does not get blown apart. National safety has given way to personal safety and it is every man for himself.

 

Meanwhile the authorities are allowing travel without restraint within the country so that the increasing case counts and variants in Manila can spread to the rest of the country.

 

Regulations are rapidy changing along with pandemic developments so that amendatory restriction or loosening could be issued from now to November 2021.

According to BI Advisory officially posted on January 27, 2021 at https://immigration.gov.ph/images/Infographics/2021_Yr/01_Jan/2021Jan27_advisory.jpg, USA remains in the list of travel-restricted countries up to January 31, 2021. Today is already 5 March but there is no change so far.

For now, it may interest to verify whether you and your wife are among the category of passengers allowed to travel to or depart from Philippines effective February 1, 2021, as listed at https://immigration.gov.ph/images/Infographics/2021_Yr/01_Jan/Jan_31/2021Jan31_advisory.pdf

In relation to the above authorized list, the Bureau of Immigration posted today a clarificatory Advisory at https://immigration.gov.ph/images/Advisory/2021/03_Mar/001.jpg