By Minerva Newman
CEBU CITY – The Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) issued protocols for all arriving domestic passengers, and advised them to strictly adhere to the guidelines and documentary requirements upon check-in at their port of origin and upon arrival at MCIA to comply with the regulations of the provincial government of Cebu and the local governments of Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City.
MCIA listed the protocols as follows:
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For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)/Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) documents needed include the passport; Quarantine Certificate stating completion of 14-day facility-based quarantine and negative PCR test result and ID as proof of residence.
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For Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs), they need a Medical Certificate from the Municipal or City Health Officer of the Local Government Unit (LGU) where LSI was stranded; Letter of Confirmation from local government unit (LGU) of destination under Cebu Province (not required for tri-cities: Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City) and Travel authority from JTF COVID Shield.
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For persons traveling for medical reasons, they need Certification from LGU of residence for purpose of travel; Certification from Cebu Provincial Government (not applicable for Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City and Medical Certificate from the health center of the LGU where he/she is residing.
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For persons travelling for permitted work/business, they need Round-trip plane ticket; Company ID/Proof of Profession; Certificate of employment/profession stating the purpose of travel; Travel authority from the JTF COVID Shield (except for APORs); Certification from the Cebu Provincial Government (if destination is one of the municipalities or component cities).
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Persons who are prohibited to travel are those for leisure purposes; those who are below 21 years old; people who are 60 years old and above and pregnant women.
According to MCIA, passengers with incomplete documents will not be allowed to check-in and board the aircraft.
Passengers are also strongly advised to continuously monitor the status of their flights, and to ensure that they have the necessary documents in compliance with the regulations and guidelines of the LGU of their point of origin and destination, the MCIA advisory read.
Passengers seeking assistance upon arrival may approach the government’s Information and Assistance Desk located at the Airport Village.
The assistance desk will be manned 24/7 by representatives or personnel from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 7, and certain local government units.