Exit and return in philippines

I left at the end of January (pre-shutdown) and was planning to return in mid-May but that got pushed back to the end of June because of all the flight cancellations. My flight from LAX to MNL was diverted to Cebu where I received a COVID test, waited 2 days for the negative result, then flew to my final destination, Cagayan de Oro. I then had to endure a 14-day quarantine but was able to do it in a nice studio apartment (at my expense) with my wife bringing me food, so it wasn't bad. I've now been free (if you don't count the need for a barangay exit pass and filling out contact tracing forms) for about a week.

At LAX the PAL staff was being very careful to only allow Philippine citizens, spouses returning with citizens, and permanent residents to get on the plane. The number of daily inbound flights is still limited by testing capacity but that was recently increased to 3000 passengers per day. Originally it was only 600 per day.

Let me know if you need to know anything else. -- Rich

sounds like a fun time / so where in CDO are you?
I am here as well if you want to meet some time
Ed M

Hi, Ed. Currently, my wife and I are in an apartment in the Primavera Residences / Uptown - next to SM City. We're building a house nearby in Xavier Estates that should be done in about a month. I'd love to meet up and hear about your experiences in CDO. --Thanks, Rich

thank you rcvining
what documents did you show in airport when you come back? just passaport?

Hi, Giovannigio. No - both at check-in and at the gate, the agents were very reluctant to let me travel. I think they were looking at the rule of "spouses of filipinas traveling with them', which didn't apply to me since my wife had gotten stuck in the Philippines. So I convinced them that I qualified to travel as a permanent resident (section 13a visa), and proved it by showing them my wife's birth certificate, old Philippine passport, and dual-citizenship docs, plus our record of marriage. They made copies of all of them, along with my passport that had the 13a visa stamp, and they finally let me board. When I arrived in Cebu (diverted from Manila), I just showed my passport and travel waiver (since I hadn't received my ACR card when I left in January), and that was good enough for the immigration officer. -- Rich

thanks so much this information help me

Good luck

WoW - I am so disappointed as I have been trying to get back to Cebu since Mar 20, only to have 3 flights cancelled with  every airline I booked.     I was married Oct 10 2019, had to return to the US Oct 23, 2019.   Have not seen my wife since I departed, almost 12 months.   

I don't think I am the only one in this boat though.  How many others are trying to get back to be with there lovely wife in the Philippines?  I have tried EVA, and Cathay Pacific. Currently have a flight booked for Sept 10, LAX, Hong Kong, Cebu.  The problem seems to be from Hong Kong to Cebu, or Taipei to Cebu.   I haven't tried Philippine Airlines yet, but have been watching the flights from manila to Cebu, most of them are cancelled also

With relations between China and the US, I am not so sure I even want to go through Hong Kong even with a 1.5hr layover.    What a nightmare this whole ordeal has turned out to be.  I could have never imagined after leaving In Oct that I would not be able to go back.

rdesi54 wrote:

WoW - I am so disappointed as I have been trying to get back to Cebu since Mar 20, only to have 3 flights cancelled with  every airline I booked.     I was married Oct 10 2019, had to return to the US Oct 23, 2019.   Have not seen my wife since I departed, almost 12 months.   

I don't think I am the only one in this boat though.  How many others are trying to get back to be with there lovely wife in the Philippines?  I have tried EVA, and Cathay Pacific. Currently have a flight booked for Sept 10, LAX, Hong Kong, Cebu.  The problem seems to be from Hong Kong to Cebu, or Taipei to Cebu.   I haven't tried Philippine Airlines yet, but have been watching the flights from manila to Cebu, most of them are cancelled also

With relations between China and the US, I am not so sure I even want to go through Hong Kong even with a 1.5hr layover.    What a nightmare this whole ordeal has turned out to be.  I could have never imagined after leaving In Oct that I would not be able to go back.

You might have to fly PAL LAX to Manila and then go from Manila to Cebu.  You will need to prove you are married to a citizen of the Philippines by having copies of your marriage  license and her passport if she has one or some other proof of citizenship.  It may be difficult for you if you do not have a perm res visa since your wife is not traveling with you.  My wife and I had no problem flying out on PAL on 6/18/20 to JFK in NYC.  She is a citizen of Philippines and USA and I am balikbyan status, having entered the Philippines with her on 10/25/19.  Good luck.

I sent email to immigration, they responded that I could enter since I am a spouse to Filipino citizen. Requirements are that I have copy of marriage cert, her passport and ID, which i do have.   Not so worried about entry, it is getting there that is difficult......

Rdesi54: I agree with Mugtech - PAL is the best option by far for traveling to the Philippines. They have flights from LAX, SFO, and JFK. I flew in on 6/29 from LAX and had the same status as you (American, married to a Filipina who was stuck in Cagayan de Oro). Many of these flights are diverted to Cebu so that may save you the trouble of transferring in Manila. Good luck.

Hey, I was wondering if someone could answer a question for me? I read the government of the Philippines banned Americans from entering the country July 26th. I've been in Romania since October 2019 and plan to travel to Manila some time in January.

I've contacted the embassy, but no one replied. Would this travel ban apply to me even though I haven't been in the US in almost a year?

Arcadieus wrote:

Hey, I was wondering if someone could answer a question for me? I read the government of the Philippines banned Americans from entering the country July 26th. I've been in Romania since October 2019 and plan to travel to Manila some time in January.

I've contacted the embassy, but no one replied. Would this travel ban apply to me even though I haven't been in the US in almost a year?

You are an American citizen not married to a Filipina, so you are just a tourist.  American tourists not gonna be welcome most places in the world for some months to come.  Contact the US Embassy in Manila and get on their email list.  It is difficult to get them to answer specific questions, but sometimes they are helpful.

I was hoping by January all would be good, but I'm also floating the idea of just getting married to her here in Romania.

Yesterday, the US Embassy in Manila issued a level 3 warning against traveling to the Philippines, which is kind of ironic since the Philippine government is restricting travelers from the US.

"Reconsider travel to the Philippines due to COVID-19. Additionally, exercise increased caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, a measles outbreak, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.   

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for the Philippines due to COVID-19.   

The Philippines has resumed most transportation options, (including airport operations and re-opening of borders) and business operations (including day cares and schools).  Other improved conditions have been reported within the Philippines. Visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in the Philippines.   "

rcvining wrote:

Yesterday, the US Embassy in Manila issued a level 3 warning against traveling to the Philippines, which is kind of ironic since the Philippine government is restricting travelers from the US.

"Reconsider travel to the Philippines due to COVID-19. Additionally, exercise increased caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, a measles outbreak, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Thats the funniest thing I've read lately, and terribly ironic considering how badly the US has handled the COVID-19 virus situation. It has 4% of the world population, 25% of Virus cases. Richest country. 1000 people dying every day.  It's basically a free for all.

Here's an example. Somewhere between 100K and 250K bikers are currently arriving in Sturgis, SD to gather for the annual biker week. Very little social distancing possible, masks not required. I'm a rider too, but during a pandemic? 

You're safer in the Philippines.

pnwcyclist wrote:

Thats the funniest thing I've read lately, and terribly ironic considering how badly the US has handled the COVID-19 virus situation. It has 4% of the world population, 25% of Virus cases. Richest country. 1000 people dying every day.  It's basically a free for all.

You're safer in the Philippines.

Do not compare Dollars to Donuts.

(1) Annual International visitors to US  79 million
     Annual International visitors to PH    8 million

(2) The PH is close to Marshall Law
     
(3) The US is better & more accurate in keeping statistics

(4) Treating & testing is handled in a state by state basis, not Federal

(5) US is trying to balance Covid vs. Economy

(6) Where the US Economy goes the world follows.

(6) Compare what the US is doing for individuals & businesses, keeping them afloat

(7) The PH economy sucked before Covid, After Covid it will double suck.

(8) What has the PH done for people & business?

NOW Pnwcyclist you say the US has handled it badly, what should they have done?

Enzyte Bob wrote:

(6) Where the US Economy goes the world follows.

Yup ...."When America Sneezes, the World Catches a Cold"

ACHOO....

Enzyte Bob wrote:

pnwcyclist wrote:

Thats the funniest thing I've read lately, and terribly ironic considering how badly the US has handled the COVID-19 virus situation. It has 4% of the world population, 25% of Virus cases. Richest country. 1000 people dying every day.  It's basically a free for all.

You're safer in the Philippines.

SNIP..

NOW Pnwcyclist you say the US has handled it badly, what should they have done?

Some good points Bob. Of course there are huge differences between the US and Philippines. But at least the Philippines was consistent in their approach and messaging. Draconian? Sure. But probably necessary with limited tools.

I have highlighted my response below as to what could have been done better, in my opinion.

The US Federalist system does give a lot of the power to the states, to run their own business as they see fit. Usually a good thing.  But when there is a common threat, it needs a common response, like in wartime. Without national leadership and guidelines it is up to each governor to set strategy and it wastes a lot of time and resources as they each try to “figure things out”. 

>> In a situation like this it would have been better for our national leadership to create more urgency and unity around the problem early on, instead of minimizing it and vilifying the other party. They could have set national priorities, like other countries did. Consistent messaging. As a result there was confusion as to the seriousness of the problem, the need for distancing, and we were late to close down and set guidelines like mask mandates, group limits, bar/event closings, etc.. The states have been all over the board on their response.

>> I will agree with you 100% that the government stepped in early with financial support for those who are unemployed and businesses. That was the part they definitely did right, but now it has expired and they they need to renew it.  The safety net is critical in these times. Of course PI does not have these resources, which is why they had to take other steps.

Our Federalist system doesn’t preclude the Federal government from stepping in to streamline procurement of supplies, etc. They used this power - the Defense Production Act, for a few supplies but not enough and not consistently. As a result, procurement of supplies has been left mostly to the states, resulting in competition for PPE and test kits.  As a result there are still shortages of PPE and TEST KITS, 6 months after being identified as a problem.

>> The Defense Production Act should have been used more extensively to streamline procurement until we had enough test kits and supplies. It is within the governments power to do this. Along with working to increase the lab capacities, which are now overwhelmed.

Another major problem was that many states opened early, before their case numbers came down and there was enough testing - in direct conflict with Federal CDC guidelines. Many also opened bars and other large group venues - a huge mistake. The problem with re-opening too soon of course is that cases skyrocket again. Then you’re in a cycle of OPEN-CLOSE which hurts business even more than it would have. And MORE bailout money required.

>> States should have been required to wait until they met CDC guidelines before re-opening, not encouraged to open faster, as was the case. In addition, mask wearing and avoidance of large groups should have been encouraged from the beginning, which would have reduced the spread of the virus.

Last but definitely not least.. maybe the biggest factor. Americans don’t like being told what to do. We’re very independent. Different values. And our politics are partisan, leading to different interpretations of the facts, and resulting priorities. Many people have resisted wearing masks and continue to gather in large groups, claiming their “rights” but forgetting their responsibilities. But the virus doesn’t care what party you belong to. In a pandemic we all need to hear the same message, see the proper behaviors role-modeled at the top, and do the right thing.

Like I said, it’s basically pretty simple.

Pwncyclist: thanks for saving me the time to post my own lengthy reply. You're spot on. I will just add that I do not understand the problem with wearing a mask. We don't have the right to not wear pants when we go out, and we accept the need to wear seat belts when driving. Probably the most applicable "restriction to our rights" is not being allowed to smoke indoors, on airplanes, etc.

pnwcyclist wrote:

Enzyte Bob wrote:

pnwcyclist wrote:

Thats the funniest thing I've read lately, and terribly ironic considering how badly the US has handled the COVID-19 virus situation. It has 4% of the world population, 25% of Virus cases. Richest country. 1000 people dying every day.  It's basically a free for all.

You're safer in the Philippines.

SNIP..

NOW Pnwcyclist you say the US has handled it badly, what should they have done?

Some good points Bob. Of course there are huge differences between the US and Philippines. But at least the Philippines was consistent in their approach and messaging. Draconian? Sure. But probably necessary with limited tools.

I have highlighted my response below as to what could have been done better, in my opinion.

The US Federalist system does give a lot of the power to the states, to run their own business as they see fit. Usually a good thing.  But when there is a common threat, it needs a common response, like in wartime. Without national leadership and guidelines it is up to each governor to set strategy and it wastes a lot of time and resources as they each try to “figure things out”. 

>> In a situation like this it would have been better for our national leadership to create more urgency and unity around the problem early on, instead of minimizing it and vilifying the other party. They could have set national priorities, like other countries did. Consistent messaging. As a result there was confusion as to the seriousness of the problem, the need for distancing, and we were late to close down and set guidelines like mask mandates, group limits, bar/event closings, etc.. The states have been all over the board on their response.

>> I will agree with you 100% that the government stepped in early with financial support for those who are unemployed and businesses. That was the part they definitely did right, but now it has expired and they they need to renew it.  The safety net is critical in these times. Of course PI does not have these resources, which is why they had to take other steps.

Our Federalist system doesn’t preclude the Federal government from stepping in to streamline procurement of supplies, etc. They used this power - the Defense Production Act, for a few supplies but not enough and not consistently. As a result, procurement of supplies has been left mostly to the states, resulting in competition for PPE and test kits.  As a result there are still shortages of PPE and TEST KITS, 6 months after being identified as a problem.

>> The Defense Production Act should have been used more extensively to streamline procurement until we had enough test kits and supplies. It is within the governments power to do this. Along with working to increase the lab capacities, which are now overwhelmed.

Another major problem was that many states opened early, before their case numbers came down and there was enough testing - in direct conflict with Federal CDC guidelines. Many also opened bars and other large group venues - a huge mistake. The problem with re-opening too soon of course is that cases skyrocket again. Then you’re in a cycle of OPEN-CLOSE which hurts business even more than it would have. And MORE bailout money required.

>> States should have been required to wait until they met CDC guidelines before re-opening, not encouraged to open faster, as was the case. In addition, mask wearing and avoidance of large groups should have been encouraged from the beginning, which would have reduced the spread of the virus.

Last but definitely not least.. maybe the biggest factor. Americans don’t like being told what to do. We’re very independent. Different values. And our politics are partisan, leading to different interpretations of the facts, and resulting priorities. Many people have resisted wearing masks and continue to gather in large groups, claiming their “rights” but forgetting their responsibilities. But the virus doesn’t care what party you belong to. In a pandemic we all need to hear the same message, see the proper behaviors role-modeled at the top, and do the right thing.

Like I said, it’s basically pretty simple.

PNWCYCLIST. . . . . .

In fairness to you with time spent in your intelligent response, I quoted it in full.

The world cases as reported is 19.5 Million, the US reported is 5.0 million or 26%
THE US HAS CONDUCTED MORE TESTING THAN THE WHOLE WORLD COMBINED.

The world death rate is 723 thousand, the US death rate is 162 thousand or 22%
50% of all deaths in the US has occurred in nursing homes or assisted living facilities

Now licenses for nursing homes is done by the department of health in each state. So the precautions taken good or bad is the responsibility of the state, the deaths in nursing homes cannot be blamed on President Trump. For example the Hot Spot of New York State, Governor Cuoma sent infected adults to nursing homes as a solution, causing thousands of senior deaths.

Now addressing medical supplies, all supplies. No one could have predicted the onslaught of the virus spreading so quickly, and the severity of it in anyone's lifetime. Everyone who needed a respirator got one, additional treatment centers set up by the Army Corps of Engineers and the US Navy Hospital ship arrived timely, but the treatment centers and hospital ship was not used.

President Trump is now stockpiling medical equipment & supplies which no other President has done sufficiently. We are now an exporter of Ventilators.

In the beginning there was constant messaging, the President & Medical staff had live briefings every day for the world to tune in.

The states that opened early are now under control showing good numbers, like in Arizona only 10% of the hospital beds are being used for covid patients. They are now conducting elective surgery. Their economy is further up the curve and coming back  compared to other states that closed down.

As Bill Clinton once said, it's the economy Stupid. (not a reference on you)

Just yesterday the President has suspended income tax withholding, student loan payments, halted evictions and continue the weekly benefit at $400 a week, mind you this is in additional to the states that are also paying unemployment benefits.

It has been implied that he did not act fast enough from the beginning which is a bunch of leftist rubbish. Sometime ago I published a timeline by date, found by Googling. GUESS WHAT, GOOGLE HAS JOINED THE MEDIA ON SUPPRESSING ANYTHING POSITIVE ABOUT TRUMP IN THEIR SEARCH ALGORITHM. I conducted many searches trying to get facts in rebuttal only to be directed to negative websites regarding Trump.

Now this election is not a popularity contest, it's an election on who is more fit to conduct business of the country. So if the Russian Dossier was true that Trump hired prostitutes to urinate on the bed that Obama slept in, Obama is getting off easy.

One thing I failed to mention regarding safety, political and others are being assassinated on the streets in the Fil. Never in the states did I have to go through a search entering a mall or a 7/11. The guards in American banks are old men, with no weapons.

Now as for the Bikers in Sturgis, that's a biker thing for those who went, many stayed home.

Hi, Enzyte Bob. I agree that a lot of the people that work for President Trump have done a great job in reacting to an unprecedented crisis, especially in regards to PPE, ventilators, hospital capacity, treatment and vaccine development, and economic relief. But it has seemed, just from watching him (rather than the talking heads on TV), that he has been resisting it all. The only time he's been "on message" is when he's reading prepared statements, which he then contradicts at his earliest opportunity.

Most of our bickering, and tens of 1000s of deaths, could have been avoided if he just embraced the guidelines that his professionals asked the rest of us to adopt. He just needed to show leadership by putting on a mask and asking everyone else to do the same. Too late for that now, and the next 100,000 deaths are on him. It's a shame - he has done a lot of good (along with a lot of damage).

-- Rich

If you watched the recent hearings with the CDC head, 10-12% if deaths in most states are inflated. There's definitely a lot of fraud when it comes to Covid-19. Just look at the stimulus Bill's. Why did the Kennedy center need millions of dollars for staff and then fired said staff?

rcvining wrote:

But it has seemed, just from watching him (rather than the talking heads on TV), that he has been resisting it all. The only time he's been "on message" is when he's reading prepared statements, which he then contradicts at his earliest opportunity.

Too late for that now, and the next 100,000 deaths are on him. It's a shame - he has done a lot of good (along with a lot of damage).

-- Rich

One thing I notice about the prepared statements, he seems to ramble on trying to read from a typed prepared paper, which is distracting from the message. He should be reading from a teleprompter so he has a better connection with people watching, instead of always looking down. As for contradiction it's not a contradiction when he changes his mind after receiving better input.

His decisions seemed a good idea at the time. Ask anyone who has made a decision that didn't work, it was always a good idea at the time. With advise coming to him from every angle, one expert says this, while another expert says that.

Noway are the next 100,000 deaths on him. The public has made on an informed decision for themselves. Anyone who contracted the disease today would have to be responsible for themselves in their personal actions in the past 14 days.

giovannigio,
Typically, as an expat, exiting is not really a problem. You just need to show up at the airport.
Residents & citizens of the Philippines are admitted, others are likely will not be able to board the flight to the Philippines.
There are more available flights now from PAL.
I am hoping I can go in December. That's wishful thinking. Likely it will be 2021 once we know the vaccines work.
Be safe. 😷

Guys, we have gotten off track in this thread (my fault) and strayed into the area of politics and I thank Jackson4 for bringing it back on message.  We each had our say, so let's keep on track. I also want to thank Bob and Rich for their well-considered and articulated messages that express their opinion without making personal attacks, as I also tried to do.  We may disagree on some things but that's okay, we have a good forum here and you guys are the best.

Cheers,
John

It was good reading though and I learned something today. I appreciate Bob quoting Clinton it is about the economy. To me it makes some sense.

Thanks, John. I was thinking the same thing - let's get this off of politics - before I posted my last response, but I just couldn't help myself. This is a great forum and I will try to do better to keep my contributions on topic.

Cheers,
-- Rich

No to politic.  This forum is  for us to navigate living in phillipines at this moment and covid 19. Thanks.