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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Yes, please: DOT supports DILG's streamlining of travel requirements

Yes, please: DOT supports DILG's streamlining of travel requirements

Published Feb 23, 2021 03:10 pm

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is backing the Department of Interior and Local Government's (DILG) move to streamline travel procedures and requirements imposed by local government units (LGUs).

(Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)

"The Department of Tourism (DOT) has long been advocating for the simplification of travel requirements as this is critical in making domestic tourism work," Puyat said in a statement on Tuesday, Feb. 23.

Puyat has been supporting and encouraging proposals to standardize travel requirements in a bid to further boost and revive the local tourism industry amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

The DILG has said that they also aim to streamline the fragmented rules and requirements of various LGUs to help the travel and tourism industry.

Citing a survey conducted by the DOT with the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) – Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism, and Guide to the Philippines (GTTP), the tourism chief said many travelers found it "inconvenient" to follow the varying travel requirements of local destinations.

Among the common travel requirements being asked by the LGUs are a medical certificate, a negative COVID-19 test result secured within a certain window, and quarantine.   

Survey respondents reckoned the rules that need to be standardized have to do with RT-PCR tests for children or infants, rooming or capacity limits, and age restrictions in relation to the inter-regional and intra-regional movement of domestic tourists.

"Streamlining entry requirements will make traveling in the new normal more convenient while also protecting the public's safety and well-being...this will also help in preventing the entry of those who falsify documents by standardizing validation protocols," Puyat added.

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