BI to airlines: Deny boarding to foreigners without proper documents

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has reminded airlines not to let foreigners without the necessary travel documents board flights bound for the Philippines.

At present, the country only allows the entry of fully vaccinated foreigners, subject to the presentation of required documents such as proof of vaccination against COVID-19, a passport valid for a period of at least six months, and a negative RT-PCR test result.

"Foreign nationals who are ineligible for entry are excluded upon arriving at the airport, and is boarded on the next available flight back to their port of origin. Airlines likewise face fines and sanctions for allowing improperly documented aliens to board," the BI said in a statement on Tuesday.

BI port operations chief Carlos Capulong urged airlines to exercise due diligence in ensuring that their passengers are compliant with the requirements.

“The airlines have been very helpful and cooperative with these policies that we are duty-bound to impose,” he said.

The Philippines began accepting foreigners on business and leisure trips on February 10 in order to help the country's pandemic-affected tourism industry recover. — Richa Noriega/VBL, GMA News