Any Successful Trip Recently to the Philippines?

[hunny&me 267]

I held up replying until am in Philippines!  Successful?! YES!  Am here now, Day 2 of 10 in UP Technohub Quarantine Hotel.

Processing in the airport was a breeze if you have prepared for it.  Less than an hour, and you will be outta there.

First off, my flight was via United Airlines.  If you fly PAL, they have assistance for all processing.  So, mine is DIY.

My flight was delayed a day, so had to go back to my docs to updated arrival date.

I have all my docs printed, instead of on my phone so that it is easy to pull and provide.  Am a Balikbayan (not a dual).

0.) In airpline, they gave you 3 forms - arrival card, customs declaration, health form.  Btw, you are required face mask and face shield for flight to Manila - well, all the way to everywhere in Philippines I suppose.

1.)  First stop - BOQ One Health Pass QR Code - make sure you have it.  Once it okays, proceed.

2.) RT-PCR test appointment table - they give you Padlab form - Since I pre-paid my RT-PCR thru Red Cross, they took the form back and just verified payment for RedCross then proceed to next stop.

3.) DOT table - they verify your hotel booking and transpo to hotel.  Again, have this printed and presented.  They verified and gave me a half sheet release paper.

4.)  Immigration - US Passport, Expired Philippine passport, and Name Change document - yes my name are completely different, so everytime I board airline flight, the agent have to reverify as United app does not allow upload of not matching names.  Short and sweet - one year.  They took the arrival card.

5) Baggage Claim - I forgot this is Philippines!  Am glad, I kept the bag tag in easy access place.  Since my flight was delayed/rebooked, i got plenty tags.  But luckily, gave them the matching, latest ones.

6.) Porter - yes, got a porter - it helps!  Tipped him.  He took my half sheet and push my cart, while I called my car service (Avis, prebooked by hotel).  It took a while to arrive, so it was a nice chat with the porter.

7.) Car service arrived -and he signed off on the half sheet - the military person took the half sheet to complete my release.

8.) Great chat with my driver... all the way to Quezon City.. Since it is MECQ, no traffic at all!

9.) Arrival in Microtel UP Technohub - they had me wash my hands, they sprayed my luggage.   Checked me in all to my room.  They did not even give me a key to the room.. So, i really cannot go out.  They leave my food on a chair outside the room.

10.) Emailed Red Cross that I have arrived so that they can schedule my swab test.  They emailed back that my test will be on Sept 4, the 7th day and that they will call me when they're on the way.  

 

Am on my day 2, so far so good!  I had a good breakfast!  I have a Cable TV, and a good internet... so I guess, am all set for now!  Am expecting to be released on September 7.

Just sharing....  

 

Btw, the customs form and the health form that i filled up in flight, they did not take it nor asked for it... so i guess, they did not see any alarming in my luggage.  Also, One Stop form - i saw vlogs that this was needed, even the Traze app.  Both these was never asked.

Edited August 30, 2021 by ginarcm

[seekingthetruth 1,218]

I have a neighbor who went home to Sri Lanka around April, I think.  He was struggling to get back because of the quarantines.  He had to quarantine on arrival in Sri Lanka.  He got fully vaccinated in Sri Lanka.  He finally bit the bullet and bought an expensive ticket home via Tokyo, so he could be here for his daughter's 7th birthday.  He had to do a 5 day quarantine in Tokyo that was paid for by Japan or the airline.  Not sure.  Then he had to quarantine 10 days in Manila at p5500 a night, including food that he did not eat because it was bad.  He was able to order delivery food.  Then I guess 4 more Q days at home.

 

He told me yesterday that he has spent 27 days in quarantine! 

[Kby175 115]

18 hours ago, ginarcm said:

I held up replying until am in Philippines!  Successful?! YES!  Am here now, Day 2 of 10 in UP Technohub Quarantine Hotel.

Processing in the airport was a breeze if you have prepared for it.  Less than an hour, and you will be outta there.

First off, my flight was via United Airlines.  If you fly PAL, they have assistance for all processing.  So, mine is DIY.

 

Thank you for the update and congrats! I will be curious for the next update when your quarantine is complete how the hotel well release you if they will bring a form to the hotel or if they will notify you can leave.  As well as the covid test we are supposed to get at some point. 

 

I am planning on flying to Cebu the day after I am released from quarantine, hopefully I get my release on day 10.

 

Looking forward to your next update.   

[hunny&me 267]

5 minutes ago, Kby175 said:

Thank you for the update and congrats! I will be curious for the next update when your quarantine is complete how the hotel well release you if they will bring a form to the hotel or if they will notify you can leave.  As well as the covid test we are supposed to get at some point. 

 

I am planning on flying to Cebu the day after I am released from quarantine, hopefully I get my release on day 10.

 

Looking forward to your next update.   

My expectation is as follows:  

Swab test on Sept 4. Test result emailed to me Sept 5 or early Sept 6.  I email BOQ (boq.qc1@gmail.com; helpdeskboq@gmail.com) requesting for BOQ certificate, where you send the test result.  They reply back with your certificate.  You then email this BOQ document to your LGU coz you will need to finish your 14-day quarantine at home.. they notify you for your acceptance.  You then present the BOQ cert, LGU acceptance to hotel for release.  While in Quarantine, find the contact already for your LGU, so that the acceptance form will be quick.

Here is info to send to BOQ:

Complete Name: 
Complete Address: 
Current Hotel: 
Room Number: 
Country of Origin: 
Date of Arrival to Philippines: 
Number of Quarantine Days: 

 

Attach screenshot of negative result
 

Edited August 30, 2021 by ginarcm

[Kby175 115]

1 minute ago, ginarcm said:

My expectation is as follows:  

Swab test on Sept 4. Test result emailed to me Sept 5 or early Sept 6.  I email BOQ (boq.qc1@gmail.com; helpdeskboq@gmail.com) requesting for BOQ certificate, where you send the test result.  They reply back with your certificate.  You then email this released document to your LGU coz you will need to finish your 14-day quarantine at home.. they notify you for your acceptance.  You then present the BOQ cert, LGU acceptance to hotel for release.  While in Quarantine, find the contact already for your LGU, so that the acceptance form will be quick.

Ugh....I have to figure out what my LGU is in Bacolod I have no idea....so confusing.

[hunny&me 267]

1 minute ago, Kby175 said:

Ugh....I have to figure out what my LGU is in Bacolod I have no idea....so confusing.

Check with your family there? Who is the Barangay Health contact.  My brother is the one getting in touch with my LGU, coz i have no clue either.

 

[Kby175 115]

1 minute ago, ginarcm said:

Check with your family there? Who is the Barangay Health contact.  My brother is the one getting in touch with my LGU, coz i have no clue either.

 

My wife's uncle is the Brgy captain he should know who we need to contact there in Bago city.  Thx if not for this forum I would be stuck in the hotel a month. lol

[flicks1998 1,044]

56 minutes ago, ginarcm said:

My expectation is as follows:  

Swab test on Sept 4. Test result emailed to me Sept 5 or early Sept 6.  I email BOQ (boq.qc1@gmail.com; helpdeskboq@gmail.com) requesting for BOQ certificate, where you send the test result.  They reply back with your certificate.  You then email this BOQ document to your LGU coz you will need to finish your 14-day quarantine at home.. they notify you for your acceptance.  You then present the BOQ cert, LGU acceptance to hotel for release.  While in Quarantine, find the contact already for your LGU, so that the acceptance form will be quick.

Here is info to send to BOQ:

Complete Name: 
Complete Address: 
Current Hotel: 
Room Number: 
Country of Origin: 
Date of Arrival to Philippines: 
Number of Quarantine Days: 

 

Attach screenshot of negative result
 

Processes can change over time and what you list could be the process you encounter.  However, when I was in quarantine, as soon as I received my test results back, I forwarded this to the hotel reception.  They gave an email address at check-in.  I then called the front desk and told them I was coming downstairs to get a print-out of my test results.  At that point the hotel was done with me, meaning they no longer cared what I did.  I was free to stay a few days longer, come and go as I wanted, travel to my next destination, etc etc.  I would be surprised the hotel would even get involved in your next destination requirements.  One its too confusing for them as each LGU is different and two, they dont care.  Can you imagine having 400 travelers who are going to 287 different LGUs around the country and having to coordinate that?   Actually, the more I think about it, it would be something crazy like that which is implemented, but my general feeling was you handled the next requirements with your LGU directly.  The hotel only cared about having a copy of the negative test.  Also, just as a note, I was staying in Manila and the barangay where my condo was at, nobody even cared that I was coming back.  Nobody checked if I was doing quarantine.  Ive had several other travelers tell me the same thing.  

 

Also, I was told to download the Trace app before arrival into the PI but nobody ever asked for that and I never used it anywhere.  I eventually just deleted it. 

 

Let us know how it goes once you have your negative test and are checking out of the hotel.  The process continues to always change.  The airport process was well run, but allowing LGUs to make their own decisions has always created chaos.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 30, 2021 by flicks1998

[hunny&me 267]

14 minutes ago, flicks1998 said:

Processes can change over time and what you list could be the process you encounter.  However, when I was in quarantine, as soon as I received my test results back, I forwarded this to the hotel reception.  They gave an email address at check-in.  I then called the front desk and told them I was coming downstairs to get a print-out of my test results.  At that point the hotel was done with me, meaning they no longer cared what I did.  I was free to stay a few days longer, come and go as I wanted, travel to my next destination, etc etc.  I would be surprised the hotel would even get involved in your next destination requirements.  One its too confusing for them as each LGU is different and two, they dont care.  Can you imagine having 400 travelers who are going to 287 different LGUs around the country and having to coordinate that?   Actually, the more I think about it, it would be something crazy like that which is implemented, but my general feeling was you handled the next requirements with your LGU directly.  The hotel only cared about having a copy of the negative test. 

 

Also, I was told to download the Trace app before arrival into the PI but nobody ever asked for that and I never used it anywhere.  I eventually just deleted it. 

 

Let us know how it goes once you have your negative test and are checking out of the hotel.  The process continues to always change. 

 

 

 

 

Here is where I got the info:

https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/ph/home/covid-19/ArrivingInThePH/ManilaArrivalGuideForNon-OFWs, #19 at bottom.

i wanted to get the BOQ certificate so i have something to present during my travels to places.. since it is MECQ here in NCR, at least up to Sept 7.  Am hoping for GCQ from the 8th until I leave.

 

Once I get my test result, I'll get in touch with front desk for process.  Will share by then.

[top_secret 2,063]

While there was mention that there would be LGU involvement, none of the times my wife arrived did they become involved in any way.  it was always e-mail comes, free to go.  No process to follow-up  or notify the LGU in any way that she could detect.  Though she was traveling home by private car.  If someone has to make a flight to some province I suppose the rules could vary substantially and randomly.

[Kby175 115]

Would be curious how it works when you are traveling back to Manila so you can leave the country later on how it would work.  I have been trying to research this a bit but so far finding a bunch of dated information.  

[flicks1998 1,044]

4 hours ago, Kby175 said:

Would be curious how it works when you are traveling back to Manila so you can leave the country later on how it would work.  I have been trying to research this a bit but so far finding a bunch of dated information.  

It will constantly change, thats the problem.

 

The process will likely be different whether you go by private car, by van/bus, or by plane.  Each one of those will be different.  For accommodation in Manila, you need to reach out to the hotels before booking and ask them their requirements.  Most will allow you to stay for a night or two if you are in Manila to get a flight out of the country.  The best way I found for this was to go to Agoda, find a hotel that does not require you to pay immediately but closer to the check in date, and then write the hotel through Agoda and you'll get a response on their particular requirements.  Its best to write through Agoda as if you write a separate email to the hotel, an Agoda representative may reach out to you to ask if you understand the requirements of the hotel.  

 

As mentioned requirements will change based on mode of transportation, but also if Manila is in ECQ, MECQ, GCQ, etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc.  I know public buses and some van services required a PCR test, but that wasnt necessarily a Manila requirement but was required by the transportation companies.  For flights, follow the rules by CEB or PAL.

 

Its a mess and honestly youll never have a clear idea because once you do, it will change again and again and again.

[NeonParticles 120]

Do you have to have a covid test before arriving in the country or is it just the one you get when you arrive?

[flicks1998 1,044]

1 hour ago, NeonParticles said:

Do you have to have a covid test before arriving in the country or is it just the one you get when you arrive?

From the US, you do not need to take a COVID test before arriving.  This will be done after arrival.  However from some other countries, a Covid test needs to be taken before arriving to the PI:

 

• Who needs to test?
- Filipino nationals returning from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the UAE are required to present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours before boarding.
- All arriving passengers will be subject to mandatory COVID-19 testing upon arrival.

[NeonParticles 120]

34 minutes ago, flicks1998 said:

From the US, you do not need to take a COVID test before arriving.  This will be done after arrival.  However from some other countries, a Covid test needs to be taken before arriving to the PI:

 

• Who needs to test?
- Filipino nationals returning from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the UAE are required to present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours before boarding.
- All arriving passengers will be subject to mandatory COVID-19 testing upon arrival.

Thank you for clarification!