More inbound int'l passengers allowed at NAIA, Clark, Mactan-Cebu airports

The National Task Force for COVID-19 on Friday gave the greenlight to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to increase inbound international passenger capacity at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), and Clark International Airport (CIA).

In a letter addressed to CAAP director general Jim Sydiongco released July 17, Defense Secretary and task force chairman Delfin Lorenzana allowed the gradual increase of daily passenger capacity of the NAIA, MCIA, CIA "taking into consideration the respective airports' COVID-19 testing capacities, and subject to close and full coordination with airport authorities."

With the increase, the NAIA will now be allowed to accept an additional 3,000 inbound international passengers daily, while MCIA and Clark International Airport (CIA) will have a 1,500 daily international passenger restrictions.

The task force's directive to CAAP came after Malacañang announced the Philippines has allowed the entry of foreign nationals with long-term visas in the country beginning August 1.

According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, they must first have valid and existing visas at the time of the entry, meaning no new entry visa shall be accepted.

He also said that foreign nationals are subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry, as returning overseas Filipinos will be given priority.

Foreign nationals must also secure a pre-booked accredited quarantine facility and a pre-booked COVID-19 testing provider.

Previously, only Filipinos, their spouse and children, accredited foreign government and international organization officials, as well as foreign airline crew, were allowed to enter the country.

The government earlier created a technical working group to study the possible entry of more foreigners amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study was prompted by the appeal of a foreign embassy for the Philippines to ease inbound travel restrictions to allow the entry of foreign workers in flagship infrastructure projects and permanent resident visa holders.

Last week, the Philippines lifted the ban on non-essential overseas travel by Filipinos although subject to conditions such as submission of confirmed roundtrip tickets for those traveling on tourist visas and a declaration acknowledging the risks in traveling.—LDF, GMA News