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Gov‘t launches eTravel platform for travelers, returning residents to Philippines


The Office of the Press Secretary on Friday announced the launch of an online registration system for those travelling to the Philippines and returning residents, which aims to streamline entry and data collection processes.

The OPS said the Health Declaration Checklist of the Department of Health-Bureau of Quarantine may be accessed through the eTravel platform beginning Friday, December 2.

"The eTravel platform will host the electronic version of the paper Arrival Card that travelers must submit upon arrival in the Philippines for immigration clearance," the OPS said in its notice to the public.

"Starting 05 December 2022, the Bureau of Immigration will discontinue using the paper Arrival Card. All travelers will be required to provide their arrival information and health declaration through the eTravel portal," it added.

It said passengers using the former www.onehealthpass.com.ph would be redirected to the new eTravel domain as starting December 5, the old domain of the One Health Pass will no longer be accessible to the public.

The OPS reminded the public that registration on the eTravel platform is free.

"The public is warned against transacting with any entities or websites soliciting payments and fees of any kind as these are in no way related to the official eTravel platform of the Philippine government," the OPS said.

In a press briefing, Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said the eTravel will provide more convenience and accessibility to passengers which will encourage more travelers in the country.

“Ito pong eTravel registration, hindi na-compromise dito ang batas ng BOQ wherein kailangan may specific medical details na kailangan ibigay talaga ang bawat pasahero na pumapasok sa ating bansa (This eTravel registration did not compromise the BOQ law wherein the passengers entering the country must provide specific medical details),” Vergeire said.

“So this eTravel registration provides convenience, provides more accessibility and also provides convenience to arriving passengers. And therefore mas maeencourage ang travelers na pumasok sa ating bansa (it will encourage them more to visit the country),” she said.

“At ito na lang ang kailangan (This is the only thing you need). Prior to departure, you should have this para pagpasok sa bansa, seamless na, wala na masyadong pila, wala nang inconvenience (so that when you enter the country, it will be seamless, no more lines, no more inconvenience),” she added.

The eTravel platform is a joint initiative of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, in partnership with the Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau of Customs, Department of Tourism, Department of Health, Department of Justice, and the Department of Transportation. — Anna Felicia Bajo and Richa Noriega/RSJ/AOL, GMA Integrated News

Tags: news, OPS, eTravel
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