Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday, August 25 appealed to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) not to “bully” Filipino travelers who are going abroad when it starts imposing stricter regulations starting next month.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros (Senate PRIB Photo)

Hontiveros made the appeal after the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) announced that it will start implementing its new departure rules for Filipino international travelers.

IACAT officials said the revised departure protocols was done following the 58^th Regular Council Meeting to “combat the grave menace of human trafficking.”

As the author and sponsor of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and one of the lawmakers who exposed the scam hubs in and outside of the Philippines, Hontiveros said she believes it is absolutely imperative for the government to level up its efforts in fighting human trafficking.

“I believe it is absolutely imperative that we do more against human trafficking. I am aware of the magnitude of this serious global problem,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“Ngunit hinihingi ko din sa ating BI na huwag naman maging bully sa ating mga Pinoy na turista. Bigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang ating mga kababayan na maka-relax o makabisita sa kanilang pamilya ng walang malaking abala (But my appeal to the BI is not to bully our Filipino tourists. Let’s give our compatriots a chance to relax and visit their families without much hassle),” she said.

Hontiveros said he hopes the BI would also be strict for travelers coming into the Philippines.

“Sana ay kung gaano kahigpit ang BI sa mga palabas ng Pilipinas ay ganoon din ito kahigpit sa mga papasok sa bansa (Hopefully, as strict as BI is on those travelers going out of Philippines, it will also be as strict on those entering the country),” she pointed out.

“Filipinos traveling out of the country should not be treated as second-class citizens within our own airports,” she reiterated.

Under the revised guidelines, the basic travel documents now consists of a passport, with at least six months validity from the date of departure; appropriate valid visa, whenever required; board pass; and confirmed return or roundtrip ticket, if necessary.

For tourists, immigration officials may also ask proof of hotel booking/accommodation, financial capacity or source of income; passenger’s declared purpose of travel, proof of employment and other similar documents.

Immigration officials may also ask outbound travelers a copy of their original Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-issued birth certificate or report of birth or marriage certificate/report of marriage, copies of documents of sponsor, valid work visa or permit, residency permit or any equivalent document, overseas employment certificate (OEC), e-receipt, or OFW clearance for OFW sponsors.

If a sponsor of the trip is a relative, the traveler may be required to show an original affidavit of support and guarantee (AOSG) duly notarized by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate/Honorary Consulate.

The IACAT also has similar guidelines for departing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), returning OFWs, direct-hire, OFWs Requiring Special Travel Exit Clearance in lieu of OEC, OFWs traveling to other countries during their vacation in the Philippines.