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The number of Filipino tourists departing remains low despite the lifting of restrictions allowing non-essential outbound travel, the Immigration Bureau (BI) said on Thursday, October 22, 2020.
As of Wednesday, of the 1,172 Filipinos who left, only 95 did so on a tourist visa, the agency said.
This contrasts with the 64 who left on the same day last week, when only those with essential reasons for travel can leave.
“The number of travelers is still low,” said BI commissioner Jaime Morente. “It could mean that Filipinos are still reluctant to travel internationally during the pandemic,” Morente said.
He added that they expect the numbers to increase during the holiday season.
Morente said arrival restrictions remain in effect.
“We are monitoring any policy changes established by the IATF (Inter-Institutional Working Group) and the Office of the President, and we are ready to implement them as they see fit,” he said.
Currently, only Filipinos, their spouse and minor children can enter the country with a tourist visa.
The restrictions also allow foreign children with special needs of Filipinos, foreign parents of Filipino minors, and foreign parents of Filipino children with special needs to enter the country.
Those who are eligible to enter must obtain an entry visa from Philippine embassies or consulates, prior to arrival.
In addition to these categories, accredited officials of foreign governments and international organizations and their dependents, crew of foreign airlines, foreign seafarers with 9 (c) visas and foreigners with long-term visas are also allowed.
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