Alvin Adriano • March 17, 2021

On March 16, 2021 The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases released a memorandum circular temporarily suspending the travel into the Philippines of Foreigners and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) who are non-overseas Filipino workers (non-OFWSs).

This includes any Filipino who is not a Philippine national or dual citizen and those under the Balikbayan program.

On March 15, 2021, the Philippines recorded 5,404 new COIVD positive cases, which is the highest report of positive cases in the last 6 months. Unfortunately, the transmission of the virus has spread due to noncompliance to public safety measures which includes public gatherings, the movements of persons and the delay of detection and isolation of infected patients.

In addition, a new Philippine variant of the COVID virus has been detected and a press release was issued by the DOH which was issued on March 13. Also included in the report was 59 new positive cases for UK Variant, 32 cases of the South African variant and 1 case of the Brazilian case.

To contain and control the emerging cases, all agencies were directed to limit the number of inbound international passengers/ arrivals to only 1,500 a day and to temporarily suspend the entry of Foreign nationals and returning overseas Filipinos who are not OFWs. All Airlines have been closely monitoring the situation and are currently adjusting their flight schedules to adhere to the mandate.

This mandate will begin on March 20 th and will be upheld until April 19 th , 2021.

Exclusions of the mandate are:

  1. Holders of 9(c) visas
  2. Medical repatriations and their escorts duly endorsed by the DFA-Office if the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs
  3. Distressed returning Overseas Filipinos duly endorsed by the DFA
  4. AND Emergency, humanitarian and other similar cases approved by the NTF-COVID 19

The Consulate General has advised that there may be more upcoming updates regarding the suspension for Philippine nationals. Although the mandate has been imposed, there are concerns about the legality of not allowing Philippine citizens to enter the country.

Information continues to evolve, and I will continue to share credible information once verified and confirmed.

To continue receiving updates and credible information, kindly join our FB Group Balikbayan Travelwise and learn about all the existing protocols, guidelines, and restrictions. Please join our Facebook Group – Balikbayan Travelwise

Blurred photo of a printed court order document from the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

The post appeared first on Travelwise International.

By Sherry Silapheth March 1, 2022
Obtaining a PASSPORT: The dreaded chore… My experience and pro tips! The first thing you need in hand before vacationing is PASSPORTS. As a family of 6, I pushed this off for as long as I could. But 2022 was the year I wanted to really travel! So, we gathered all documents and we did it! And I wanted to document our process to … Read More Applying For Your Passport in 2022 The post Applying For Your Passport in 2022 appeared first on Travelwise International.
By Alvin Adriano April 2, 2021
I know many people have been affected by the ongoing travel restrictions imposed by the Philippine government due to the surging cases which continues to plague our country. We all have family, friends and reasons to go home, however hospitalization rates are up and we are on the brink of concern. We need your help to advocate and push for the quick response of … Read More Tell Congress to Advance the Deployment of the Vaccine to the Philippines The post Tell Congress to Advance the Deployment of the Vaccine to the Philippines appeared first on Travelwise International.
By Alvin Adriano February 15, 2021
The Balikbayan Program as instituted by Republic Act 6768 (amended by Republic Act 9174) was launched by the Philippine Government to attract and encourage overseas Filipinos to come and visit their motherland. This is in recognition of their contribution to the economy of the country through the foreign exchange inflow and revenues that they generate. The program allows visa-free entry to the Philippines for a period … Read More What is the Balikbayan Program for the Philippines? The post What is the Balikbayan Program for the Philippines? appeared first on Travelwise International.
By Alvin Adriano January 12, 2021
 “The goal of a company is to have customer service that is not just the best but legendary.” – Sam Walton We Are a Member of ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors) The American Society of Travel Advisors was established in 1931. It is the world’s largest and most influential travel agency trade association. Travelwise International has proudly been a member of ASTA for over the … Read More Why Book With Travelwise The post Why Book With Travelwise appeared first on Travelwise International.
By Alvin Adriano January 4, 2021
Here are the most updated arrival procedures for entering the Philippines. BEFORE YOU FLY AND DURING CHECK-IN 1. As early as 3 days prior to your departure, register and accomplish the Electronic Case Investigation Form and save the confirmation e-mail and QR code at https://bit.ly/MNLPHRedCrosseCIF 2. For land-based OFWs, create/update your account on the OFW Assistance Information System (OASIS) at http://oasis.owwa.gov.ph/ 3. Upon check-in, sign the … Read More Updated: Modified Step-by-Step Arrival and Quarantine Procedures Entering the Philippines (Dec 30 – Jan 15) The post Updated: Modified Step-by-Step Arrival and Quarantine Procedures Entering the Philippines (Dec 30 – Jan 15) appeared first on Travelwise International.
By Alvin Adriano December 28, 2020
At Travelwise International, we don’t just book trips—we curate journeys designed around you. From intimate escapes to grand adventures, every itinerary we create reflects your unique style, interests, and aspirations. Our elite team of seasoned travel consultants are more than planners—they’re passionate storytellers, destination insiders, and experience designers. Each member brings deep expertise in specific regions and styles of travel, from luxury cruising to … Read More Travel Tastemakers The post Travel Tastemakers appeared first on Travelwise International.
By Alvin Adriano December 21, 2020
Who We Are Travelwise International has been a leader in the travel industry for over 30+ years.  We have been serving clients and organizations through all the changes in travel and in our world, and we will be serving them far into the future.  We are travelers.  We know that all vacations are not created equal and that the clients that seek us out … Read More Quality of Service The post Quality of Service appeared first on Travelwise International.
Two yellow sparkles on a white background
By Alvin Adriano December 21, 2020
Travel that awakens your senses, inspires your spirit, and stays with you for a lifetime. At Travelwise International, we believe that travel should do more than take you places—it should change the way you see the world. Today’s traveler craves more than a vacation; they seek authenticity, meaning, and impact. That’s why we craft journeys designed to engage all your senses, ignite your curiosity, … Read More Transformative Experiences The post Transformative Experiences appeared first on Travelwise International.
By Alvin Adriano January 7, 2019
Let’s be honest, 2018 wasn’t the best year for aviation, but it doesn’t mean that you should stop flying. You will just need to make sure that you are flying on one of these safest airlines ranked by AirlineRatings.com. AirlineRatings.com compiled an annual list of the safest airlines based on specific criteria that include: “audits from aviation’s governing and industry bodies; government audits; airline’s … Read More Top 20 Safest Airlines in 2019 The post Top 20 Safest Airlines in 2019 appeared first on Travelwise International.
By Alvin Adriano December 18, 2018
Learn how to keep your self safe from diseases and germs while traveling. The post Tips For A Fit Flight appeared first on Travelwise International.