Duterte wants to tap NICA in crafting guidelines on entry of foreigners at Subic freeport

President Rodrigo Duterte has directed certain government agencies to consult the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) in the crafting of guidelines on the entry of foreigners as temporary visitors at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales.

Duterte issued the directive through Executive Order 72, which he signed on Tuesday.

The EO made few changes to the EO 271 issued by then-President Fidel Ramos in August 1995 pertaining to the admission and stay of foreigners in the Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone.

In his order, Duterte said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Bureau of Immigration (BI), and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) must jointly implement the EO and in consultation with NICA, issue guidelines “to ensure that there will be no detriment to national security” with regard to the entry of foreigners.

Foreign nationals shall depart from the Philippines only through the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) or Subic Bay Piers and Wharves, the EO said.

Previously, foreigners granted the visa-free privilege under the EO can only depart through the SBIA.

Foreigners traveling to Subic for business and tourism purposes may be allowed to enter and stay in the freeport zone for a maximum of 14 days provided that upon arrival, they present their passports and certificates of identity or travel documents valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay in the freeport zone.

They must also present confirmed onward flight tickets or marine vessel tickets.

The EO retained the authority of the DFA, BI, and SBMA to collect “reasonable fees” for the processing of no visa entry and applications for visa waivers.

According to the EO, the Subic Bay Piers and Wharves have emerged as new destinations for international cruise ships “with each international cruise ship carrying an average of 1,600 passengers and 1,000 crew members.”

“It is anticipated that there will be a continued increase in cruise ship arrivals in the Subic Bay in 2019 and onwards,” the EO stated. — MDM, GMA News