Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte (MANILA BULLETIN)

The World Health Organization's (WHO) lifting of the public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) declaration in connection with Covid-19 should prod Philippine authorities to do away with the eTravel requirement for inbound travellers.

Thus, said Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte, who slammed the eTravel requirement as tedious and a bother especially to foreign tourists.

“With WHO declaring that the period of Covid-19 as a PHEIC is already over and that the switch to the long-term management of the coronavirus must now be the priority, there is all the more reason for the IATF to get rid of the eTravel requirement imposed on inbound travellers," Villafuerte said.

He said ditching the requirement is a way to "further entice tourists and prospective investors to come to the Philippines as our country transitions fully to the post-pandemic ‘new normal'".

The Bicolano first called for the removal of eTravel last May 4. The following day, WHO declared that the Covid-19 pandemic “no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)".

Villafuerte, majority leader of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA), said that “Junking the tedious, time-consuming eTravel registration process would further convince the international investor community that the domestic economy has completely  reopened for business and entice more international tourists to come see the Philippines.”

WHO’s declaration notwithstanding, the veteran solon called on Filipinos to remain on guard against Covid-19 and to continue adhering to the minimum public health standards.