The government recently updated its travel guidelines for Filipinos traveling internationally. While these guidelines are part of efforts to combat human trafficking, they’ve stirred up debates over their necessity and constitutionality. Here’s what you need to know about them:
Why the Change?
The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) unveiled the new guidelines with the intent of putting up a more stringent measure against human trafficking. However, these changes have been met with some criticism. Concerns have been raised that they might be too cumbersome, with the potential for harassment and corruption.
What are the Basics?
Before leaving the country, Filipino travelers need:
A valid passport (at least six months from departure)
An appropriate visa (when required)
A boarding pass
A confirmed return or round-trip ticket (if necessary)
Travelers should also expect an interview by an immigration officer (IO) to determine the purpose of their journey. The IO may ask for additional documents and, in certain cases, secondary inspections might be necessary.
Digging Deeper: Additional Documents
There’s a comprehensive list of additional documents required, depending on your reason for travel:
Tourists: Requirements vary depending on who’s funding the trip. Expect to provide proofs like hotel bookings, financial capacity, employment proofs, and documents from your sponsor if you have one.
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs): For those leaving for the first time or returning workers, documents include the OEC, employment visas, contracts, and other related documents.
Minors: If traveling with parents, birth certificates or reports of birth might be required. In some cases, minors may need travel clearance certificates or exemptions from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Students: They might need acceptance letters, affidavits detailing the program of study, return tickets, proof of financial capacity or scholarships, and more.
Others: The list is extensive, covering scenarios from compassionate visits to intra-company transfers, volunteer work, Hajj pilgrims, and organ donors.
Here are more concise bullet points organized under each category:
FOR TOURISTS
Self-Funded Travels:
Confirmed return/roundtrip ticket.
Proof of hotel booking.
Proof of financial capacity.
Employment evidence.
Sponsored Travels (based on sponsor relationship):
Close Relatives (1st Civil Degree):
PSA-issued birth/marriage certificate.
Confirmed ticket.
Sponsor’s documents (passport, work visa, OFW clearance).
Distant Relatives (up to 4th Civil Degree):
Affidavit of Support and Guarantee (AOSG).
Confirmed ticket.
PSA-issued certificate showing relationship.
Non-Relatives/Legal Entities:
AOSG.
Proof of relationship.
Confirmed ticket.
Sponsor’s registration papers (if a legal entity).
Local Sponsor:
Notarized affidavit from the sponsor.
Proof of relationship.
Sponsor’s return ticket.
FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs)
First Time OFWs:
OEC, E-receipt, or OFW clearance.
Valid employment visa/work permit.
Employment contract.
Visa Usage Undertaking or Manpower Request.
Returning OFWs (Balik-Manggagawa):
Valid employment visa/work permit.
OFW clearance.
OEC.
Employment proof.
Direct Hires:
OEC, E-receipt, or OFW clearance.
Work visa/work permit.
Vacationing OFWs:
Follow tourist travel inspections or present valid OEC depending on itinerary.
FOR MINORS
Traveling with Parents:
PSA-issued birth certificate.
(If traveling without mother) PSA-issued parents’ marriage certificate.
Additional DSWD Requirements:
Travel Clearance Certificate (TCC) or Certificate of Exemption based on specific circumstances.
FOR STUDENTS
Acceptance letter from abroad school.
Notarized affidavit about study details.
Confirmed return ticket.
Proof of financial capacity/scholarship.
Specific endorsements for Arabic scholars or international programs.
OTHER PASSENGERS
OFW Families:
Dependent visa.
OFW visa and clearance copies.
Prospective Job Seekers:
Confirmed ticket.
Purpose-related documents.
Notarized affidavit of travel purpose/duration.
Special Causes/Training:
Various certifications or endorsements based on the purpose (e.g., organ donation, intra-company training, Hajj pilgrimage).
The Debate
While the government emphasizes that these guidelines are to ensure the safety of travelers, some individuals, like former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, have raised concerns. They caution about the potential misuse of these rules, possibly leading to extended airport lines, harassment of migrant workers, and misuse against government critics.
Conclusion
If you’re planning to travel soon, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with these new guidelines to ensure a smooth journey. Though they come with a promise of increased safety, it’s clear they also bring along a set of challenges and controversies. Safe travels to all our kababayans!
Erica is a former PR pro turned entrepreneur. Her greatest joys are family, blogging, music, skin care and social justice. As a Muay Thai enthusiast, Erica prides herself on working with increased focus, humility and diligence. She believes in living a fit life doing everything with a flair of creativity and love! Stalk her social channels @thegirlwiththemujihat
Getting ready for your first international trip from the Philippines? Check out this easy-to-follow NAIA Airport Guide to ensure a smooth departure.
Are you excited to travel out of the country? Nervous to talk to the immigration officers in NAIA? Anxious you’d forget something important? Almost clueless of what to do when you arrive at the airport? I completely get you. I had the same mixed emotions the first time I traveled.
Truth be told, my very first flight departure experience was memorable for all the wrong reasons.
In a nutshell, I was detained at the immigration center; I almost missed my flight. Not that I didn’t do my homework of knowing the airport procedures for my departure, it’s just that I felt overwhelmed and yeah, things got out of hand…
You see there are so many things going on at the airport. With a stream of passengers everywhere, announcements and noises to keep your attention, it’s necessary you know what to do and where to go BY HEART.
In this post, let me share a guide on stress-free airport departure procedures in Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals.
My reference for this post would mainly be my personal experience—things I learned the hard way—and some NAIA airport guides.
Naturally, after securing travel documents and packing your stuff, you leave your house and head to the airport.
NAIA DEPARTURE STEP 1 – Initial Security Check
A. Head to the Airport entrance.
Get off the taxi/ bus/ PUV. Take your luggage with you. If a person in uniform offers you help, you can opt to let him BUT know that you have to pay PHP 50 afterwards. It is his job as a “porter” even if he doesn’t tell you beforehand. In some domestic airports, some people will offer help then ask for a tip. In such case you can give at least PHP20 depending on how far and how heavy your stuff is. DON’T FORGET to keep an eye on your belongings though.
PRO TIP: Ready your Passport and printed itinerary. Present it to the security personnel upon entrance.
B. At the entrance, expect tons of passengers in line (especially at TERMINAL 1) to enter the airport building.
Choose the entrance that corresponds to the airline company in your itinerary. Look at the signs above your head. Though you can practically enter at any entrance gate, it is civilized to pass through your designated point of entry.
Prepare your itinerary/ boarding pass and Passport. If you are traveling domestic, ready your itinerary/ boarding pass and Valid ID. Show them politely to the security and enter the building.
C. Upon entering, place all your belongings to the conveyor belt and let them pass through the x-ray machine.
PRO TIP: Use the trays for your small items (i.e mobile phones, belt, shoes, etc).
As this happens, step through the metal detector and have yourself inspected by the officer. It doesn’t really take long. After you are clear, promptly get your stuff and return the tray that you used to its proper place.
NAIA DEPARTURE STEP 2 – Obtain Check-in details from flight information screen
A. After the initial security check, head to the nearest flight information monitor.
It is the screen that shows flight information, designated check-in counters and other related info about a passenger’s flight.
B. Look up your flight number on the screen and see your check-in counter. The check-in counter opens usually 2 hours before an international flight and an hour before a domestic flight.
So you will see a table with Flight number – check-in counter – status.
Something like this:
Flight No.
Destination
Counter
Status
PR 5678
MNL – NRT
E4-E9
OPEN
5J 5570
MNL -BKK
T-V
—
*this is just sample table, based on how I remember it
So if your flight is PR 5678 bound for NRT from MNL, you can check-in at counters E4, E5, E6, E7, E8 or E9.
If your flight is 5570 check in counter is not yet open. You have to wait. If it opens, your check-in counter would be any counter from T to V. It’s not so difficult. I believe you’ll be able to figure it out easily.
NAIA DEPARTURE STEP 3 – Payment of Travel Tax and Terminal Fee
A. BEFORE PROCEEDING TO YOUR CHECK-IN COUNTER for check-in, I STRONGLY SUGGEST you pay the tax and terminal fee first.
The cashier is in the far left end of NAIA Terminal 3. For terminal 2 here it is.
In most cases the counters are jam-packed with passengers, you’d have to wait in line for a couple of minutes. At the counter, you’d be asked to show your passport, itinerary and travel tax receipt. That means if you check-in first before paying the tax, you’d have to go out of the check-in area again, go to the tax section, queue, pay, go back to the check-in area again, queue, present your receipt… do you get my point?
BASICALLY, it should be
TAX/ TERMINAL FEE PAYMENT >> CHECK-IN
and not the other way around. Some security personnel direct passengers to the check-in counters without asking them whether they’ve paid the tax and terminal fee already, as a result, the passenger/passengers would experience the inconvenience. So I am telling you, pay the travel tax and terminal fee first before you check-in – BUT DO THIS ONLY WHEN YOU ARE SURE THE TRAVEL TAX IS NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR AIRFARE/PAID ONLINE
(Just a story about my unwise decision to pay my tax before check in EVEN IF I didn’t know if my ticket included the travel tax: When I was at the terminal 1 last year, I mistakenly paid my tax first prior to check-in – the staff asked me if I had checked in already to which I answered with a nod – so when I checked in, apparently my ticket already included the tax – if I weren’t almost late to boarding I could have refunded the tax I paid right then and there BUT no… long story short, I needed to go to the TIEZA office near SM MOA for a travel tax refund)
Look at the sign, there should be step 1 or First Step. Line up. Wait for your turn. If it is your turn, show your passport and your boarding pass/ itinerary. Answer the question if asked such as “where are you travelling?” then pay PHP 1620. Wait for the receipt. Politely say thank you after the transaction.
NAIA DEPARTURE STEP 4 – Check-in your Baggage
A. Go to your designated counter and check-in.
Hand your itinerary/ printed boarding pass, TERMINAL FEE/TAX receipt and PASSPORT to the airport crew.
PRO TIP: If you check-in online you can queue on web check-in counter.
After checking in, you’ll be given your BOARDING PASS with your corresponding GATE NO. and BOARDING TIME. The airport staff will confirm the details on your boarding pass and make sure you understand the said details.
Do not forget your gate number.
And DO NOT LOSE your boarding pass.
NAIA DEPARTURE STEP 5 – Immigration
A. Get past the check-in counters and head to the immigration. Don’t be confused. As for directions, follow the person ahead of you or ask an airport officer.
At the immigration area, you’d be needing to fill out a DEPARTURE FORM.
Departure Card I filled out for my trip to Taiwan
PRO TIP: If there are many people, fill out the DEPARTURE FORM while in line especially if you are in a hurry. USE BLACK BALLPOINT PEN. WRITE LEGIBLY AND NEATLY.
B. Proceed to the Bureau of Immigration officer window. Hand your departure card and passport to the officer. No need to show your boarding pass/ return ticket unless asked.
Answer the immigration officer’s queries. DO NOT TAKE THIS PERSONALLY especially when the officer is sounding indifferent or hostile. It is just another airport SOP.
The usual question would be: Where will you go? Who will you travel with? What is your job? Where will you stay? When will you go back to the Philippines?
Bureau of Immigration officers will sound serious. They are not supposed to be friendly so again, do not take this personally. Make sure to be calm, honest and polite. They can deny you to board the plane (for legal reasons) so exercise your manners. Wait for them to stamp your Passport. If you are a DOST scholar who has not applied for clearance yet, this post is for you.
NAIA DEPARTURE STEP 6 – Final Security Check
A. After you get your Passport stamped, proceed to the final security check.
Again, place your stuff in the conveyor belt (your small belongings into a tray) and have them scanned. Step through the metal detector for self-inspection. After you are clear, get your stuff, put the tray back to its proper place. Politely say thank you to the officers if they help you out.
NAIA DEPARTURE STEP 7 – Boarding
A. Go to your assigned boarding gate and calmly wait at the lounge for your boarding time.
B. Board the plane.
You might need to queue again. But listen to the announcement about which seats to go in first. Normally passengers by the window go in first or rows 16-28 take the rear entrance. Pay attention to the announcements made at the airport. It may come in handy for sudden changes like if your boarding gate is changed or your flight is delayed, etc. Queue, SHOW YOUR BOARDING PASS to the airport crew and then get on the plane.
Did you find this post useful? Do you have other airport departure tips and techniques you want to add here or some airport hacks you want to share? Let us know in the comment section below! And yeah, if this is useful, please do share!
I’m from Rizal, and I love my mountainous province dearly. I love it more in the cooler months of December to February, yet I am starting to feel like each passing summer day slowly strips my cardigan-loving soul naked. Nowadays, the temperature is so high, I just want to stay inside an airconditioned room, or in the case of my swimsuit-addict self, head to the beach and enjoy the cold, blue waters.
There are several resorts I am eyeing to visit this year. At the top of the list is the Atmosphere Resorts in Dumaguete, others are in Bali and Lang Tengah island in Malaysia. The second on my domestic list is the Club Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas WHICH I am now crossing off my list because I recently got to go with 8 fellow bloggers.
Welcome to Club Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas
Club Punta Fuego, I quickly found out, is a premier membership resort located in the historical flame-shaped headland Punta Fuego in western Batangas. Despite it being exclusive to its members and endorsed guests, it recently opened its gates to the public. Vacationers can book a stay through online booking platforms. But that is not to say it’s lost exclusivity; even by being “bookable online”, it manages to maintain all the elements that make it a first-class luxury resort limited to only a few.
As an upscale and relaxing property, Club Punta Fuego features top-notch facilities such as private beaches, nine-hole golf course, and a spa to name a few.
It has 15 rooms and 33 casitas (small houses) all furnished in Spanish-Mediterranean architectural style. When you step out of the room, you’ll be greeted by palm trees and flowering bushes typical of a calm tropical environment. Walk a little more and you’ll find yourself in the resort’s famed double infinity pool. This is one of the three stunning swimming pools in the area and is a perfect spot to get a picturesque view of the West Philippine Sea and the gorgeous sunset too…
While laziness is very tempting in this exclusive hideaway, there are rather creative laid-back activities to enjoy during your stay. Similarly, active recreation is plentiful!
So, Fun Things in Club Punta Fuego – Where do we start?
Now, this is just me, but usually, I start at the beginning—that is, what we did when we arrived.
How do you like mah ride?
1. Get around the property
Well. OK. NOT in this ride. Wouldn’t it be insane though to get around the property in this huge-scale tractor?
On a serious note, you can explore the area on a golf cart or a bicycle.
The excursion takes you through rich palm trees guarding residences, up easy slopes adorned with florid bougainvillaeas, then proceeds down to a community of boat enthusiasts, and later to the Peninsula de Punta Fuego where the main beach rests.
All the greens and the wind breeze keep me in high spirits!
I am mindblown (or should I say WE were) by how instant the boat changes its color from different angles
Our team*! *insert momma Lee!
2. Test out local dishes and house specialities
It may sound silly, but I think dining is one of the most fun things to do at Club Punta Fuego.
Imagine most of it alfresco dining with a panoramic view of the sea and choices of dishes ranging from continental to oriental cuisine… I’m positive you’ll love every single house special as I did. But might not be easy to pick a favorite.
What’s easy though is choosing a suitable place to dine. For food and drinks, you can choose from among a full-service restaurant, an outdoor refreshment spot, and a central bar and lounge:
San Diego Restaurant – The sheer array of the cuisine served in this restaurant reflects its area. Even the most discriminating tastebud will find something to indulge.
I ate a lot of these baked clams
Inside the restaurant, the options include traditional Filipino meals, Spanish-Filipino dishes, Italian, other Asian delights such as Chinese, Indian, Mongolian, Japanese. The selection of dishes varies each week.
For my buffet-style breakfast, I ate Filipino dishes like longganisa, dried fish, and fried rice. I also had grilled vegetables and my favorites—salad and desserts.
For lunch, we ate Bulalo, Pancit, Maryland Chicken, and Pinakbet.
Dinner was again a sumptuous buffet. But this time with a live Pasta/Noodle station where you can experiment on the flavor of your dish. I tried playing on the Indian spices and oriental ingredients too but I really fell for the Mongolian style.
There’s a separate table dedicated for CRISPY PATA. It’s like it’s a star. And the taste justifies. You must try it!
If you crave for Spanish dishes, you must also try their Paella!
Il Jardineto – I ate more than I should have at Il Jardineto and I have zero regrets.
Il Jardineto is another gastronomic spot that offers alfresco dining and specializes in Italian food. I recommend you try the chef’s special pizza amongst others.
Our lunch at Il Jardineto
What we ate here for lunch: Beef Cannelloni, Pasta Carbonarra, Pollo A la Diabola, Pollo Frito, Pasta vongole, Insalata Caprese, Classic Bruschetta, Caesar Salad, Pizza Margherita, Pizza Spinach and Mushroom, Sangria, fresh fruit shakes, and fresh coconut juice.
Isn’t a meal like this is what getaways are all about?
Traditions and Contradictions (T&C) Bar and Lounge – Before I talk about the food at “T&C”, I must say this place is lovely. I adore everything about it especially the warmth and character of its exposed brick walls. The light fixtures are gorgeous too. This is a perfect place to cap a busy day off if not a spa.
You can drink wine, coffee, tea or other boozy beverage. You can pair your tea or coffee with exotic yet tasty desserts. Find a perfect glass of wine for your mood. If you’re still famished, you can order Spanish-Mediterranean inspired food.
What we tried here: Devil’s Food Cake and speciality chocolates, also tea and coffee. I am a fan of cakes so desserts here are a hit for me!
You ought to add this to your list to taste while you’re here.
3. Get to the main beach, and be one with the sand and sea
If you’re like me who loves the beach, you’d be happy to know Club Punta Fuego has several private beaches surrounding its ridge, to name a few: Sunset beach, Palm beach, Rock beach, Pirate Cove, Sailor’s…
You can lounge on a mat, listen to music, sunbathe or if you’re feeling active maybe do some yoga or run through the stretch of fine sand. Just be careful not to ruin the sand castles built by the younger guests.
Just making sure I’m still able to do this…
This is the sunset beach… at low tide…
Don’t forget your sunscreen!
4. Keep busy above and beneath the water
It’s true that most of my days at Club Punta Fuego started and ended with high energy experience with plenty of busy activities at the beach. It was a blast. between meals, I got to burn off the calories by trying Discover Scuba Diving or DSD, getting around the entire coast with a paddle board, exploring the open waters on a kayak, and straining my voice screaming loudly on a banana boat.
My suggestion would actually be trying everything including jet skiing and kite surfing. Also, bring your snorkelling gear because there’s plenty to see beneath the water.
Fun things we did with Thalassa Water Sports at Club Punta Fuego
Active water sports at Club Punta Fuego is managed by THALASSA WATER SPORTS AND DIVING SERVICES. Aside from DSD and scuba diving certification, they also offer the following services with corresponding rates:
So, if you are a yacht owner, you probably know about the Punta Fuego Yacht Club. Located at the property’s marina, this place is perfect for those who share a love for sailing.
If you don’t own a yacht or boat but still want to experience the fun of sailing, you can rent one for Php12,000/hour.
6. Get a good night sleep
I included it in the fun things to do because getting no sleep is NO fun. Do I make sense? If I don’t get sound sleep, I’d be cranky or unproductive the next day. It’s not fun.
Also, in some of my travels, I experienced getting low quality sleep partly due to my room. Here at Club Punta Fuego, I cherished my sleep. Even though the bedroom doesn’t look indulgingly expensive, it has the important element shared by all luxury resorts: a well-made, cozy bed.
Because Club Punta Fuego is one of the best luxury hotels in the south, you can expect supreme accommodation which doesn’t only equate to a night of good sleep but also absolute comfort in the bathroom. Really impressed to experience both.
7. Hit that [golf] ball
No visit to Club Punta Fuego is complete without discussing its crowning sport: golf.
This is not the executive golf course. It’s just a miniature golf site you can play by the main beach.
Golf cart parked at the executive golf course
For golfers, going to the Punta Fuego Golf Club, a nine-hole executive golf course within 2 miles of the resort, is expected. The golf course which was designed by the award-winning Nelson & Haworth company is also home to the annual Fuego Tee golf tournament.
8. Play
If playing under the sun is not your cup of tea, you can stay active indoors at tennis or squash courts. You can use the pool tables or darts in the game room. You can also play beach volleyball at near dusk.
If you really feel lazy, you can watch a movie at the mini theatre. They have new film screenings daily.
9. When the sun goes down, head to the Ylang-Ylang Spa
Ylang-Ylang Spa in Club Punta Fuego offers a total pampering experience with its extensive, varied massages and body therapies all aiming to detoxify and refresh your body and spirit.
After a crazy day at the beach, I recommend you try the Punta Fuego Signature Massage. It is a relaxing treat consisting of a 75-minute whole body massage coupled with a deluxe foot treatment of soak, scrub, massage, and optional foot filing.
10. Get married or celebrate any special occasion at the Terrazas or Peninsula de Punta Fuego
There are venues in the property well-suited to a memorable event celebration—be it a wedding, debut, a corporate function or a launch event.
For couples looking to tie the knot, the Terrazas looks promising for a beach theme. Other parts of the property such as the country club or the events garden is an option too. Club Punta Fuego team can customize and create a wedding set to your liking.
Room Rates
In spite of the inclusions, Club Punta Fuego remains reasonably priced:
If you’re from the metro, the proximity of Club Punta Fuego is appealing. As I noted earlier, it’s just a 2.5-hour drive from Ortigas, located on the Peninsula de Punta Fuego in Batangas, adjacent to Punta Fuego Yacht Club.
You can easily reach it via any of these routes:
📍Via Ternate-Nasugbu Highway:
• From Roxas Boulevard in Parañaque, head south taking the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Coastal Road) and continue on to the Centennial Road in Kawit. • Stay on Centennial Road to Antero Soriano Highway then to Governor’s Drive until you reach Ternate. • Keep following Governor’s Drive until you see the left turn to the Ternate-Nasugbu Highway. •Take the Ternate-Nasugbu Highway as it winds up Mt. Palay-Palay and follow the signs, passing through Kaybiang Tunnel, and skirt the mountainside overlooking the West Philippine Sea. •Stay on the highway taking you through Barangays Looc, Calayo, and Balaytigue where you turn right to reach the gate of Peninsula de Punta Fuego.
📍Via South Luzon Expressway:
•Drive through South Luzon Expressway and exit at Sta. Rosa. •Continue on Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road and turn right at Tagaytay-Calamba Road. Cross the Tagaytay rotunda junction. •Stay on the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway until you reach Brgy. Palico and turn right on the Palico-Nasugbu Highway. •Turn right on J. P. Laurel St. and pass through Nasugbu town proper. •Stay on the road until it becomes Nasugbu-Ternate Highway, heading northbound until you reach the entrance of Brgy. Balaytigue on the left. •Turn left on Brgy. Balaytigue and follow the road to reach the gate of Peninsula de Punta Fuego and to the resort in Nasugbu, Batangas.
Contact Club Punta Fuego
Contact Club Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas via the following:
Phone Numbers: +63-02-8438700; +63-02-5844405
Email: info@clubpuntafuego.com.ph
You can also follow their social media accounts for instant updates/ promos and events: @officalclubpuntafuego
Parting Words
There’s a myriad of activities at Club Punta Fuego. Adults and children can both enjoy on and off the water with its varied recreation. So perhaps next time you’re looking for a resort with fun things to do, I hope you’ll think of Club Punta Fuego!
Have you’ve been to Nasugbu, Batangas before? How about to Club Punta Fuego? What are your thoughts about it? What do you think about the fun things I listed in this article? Do you want to stay at Club Punta Fuego? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below! And if you find this article useful, please feel free to share! Thank you so much!
