5,524 ROFs back in the Philippines amid eased COVID-19 restrictions —tourism board

A total of 5,524 returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Friday amid the eased quarantine protocols for fully vaccinated travelers arriving in the Philippines, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) said. 

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview on Sunday, TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones said that as the country implements the no-quarantine policy for fully vaccinated ROFs, whether facility-based or home, since February 1, travel agencies have been receiving lots of inquiries from travelers.

“‘Yan ang trend ngayon. Ang mga kaibigan nating travel agencies, kinukuwento rin nila last week, nakakatuwa daw na paglabas ng resolution ng IATF, ang dami na nilang mga inquiries,” she said.

(That is our trend right now. Our friends from travel agencies told us that they were happy that they received lots of inquiries since the IATF resolution was released.)

Allones said that among the tourists, the top destinations in mind were Boracay, Bohol, and Palawan.

The Philippine government has dropped the mandatory facility-based quarantine requirement for international travelers and ROFs who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, starting February 1.

International travelers and ROFs, however, must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin and must self-monitor for seven days from the date of arrival

Facility-based quarantine will also no longer be made mandatory for fully vaccinated foreign travelers from visa-free countries starting February 10.

The Philippine government also announced on Friday that it is allowing entry of foreigners in the country for business and tourism purposes, under certain conditions, starting February 10.

Allones assured that government agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Tourism (DOT) are discussing the contingency plan for this measure.

“Siyempre kinakausap natin ‘yung ating partners na industriya na mga hotels para kung may mag-positive [sa virus], ano ‘yung protocol natin, ano ang sistema, paano ico-coordinate. Isa sa nalagay nating probisyon, ‘yung probisyon dapat for COVID insurance,” she said.

(Of course, we talk to our partners in the hotel industry to determine what to do if someone tested positive [for the virus]–what is our protocol, what is the system, how do we coordinate? One of the provisions we have put is that of having COVID insurance.)

The TPB chief then encouraged travelers to download the Travel Philippines app to know the updated requirements per destination in the country in terms of COVID-19 testing and vaccination status.

“Sa panig ng DOT at ng ating local government units, ‘yung mga destinations naman natin, maliban doon sa mga dinaanan ni Typhoon Odette, ay handa naman na talaga sila in terms of pag-welcome sa mga bisita natin,” she added.

(On the DOT and the LGUs’ side, the local destinations are ready to welcome visitors, aside only for those hit by Typhoon Odette.) —KG, GMA News