Senator Francis "Tol" Tolentino (Senate PRIB)

Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino on Saturday, Aug. 26 urged the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) to simplify the requirements and process for Filipino travelers going through the immigration counters in airports.

In his weekly program on DZRH, Sen. Tol told IACAT Asec. for Policy and Communication, Atty. Jose Domic Clavano IV, that a “simplified information campaign” must be done to avoid airport incidents that continue to burden Filipinos.

“Kailangan dito ay ma-simplify na ‘ito lang ang kailangan ninyo,’ kasi bago ka pa makapasok ng airport, katakot-takot na check-up," tolentino said.

(What need to simplify the requirements like "this is all that you need," because even before getting inside the airport, there are so many check-ups.)

Tolentino, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, also highlighted the perennial issue of Filipino travellers sent back home due to issues concerning documentary requirements asked by immigration officers at the airports.

“Alam naman natin na kapag maraming ‘di nakabiyahe, gastos ulit. Pinag-ipunan—'yong iba sinangla ang lupa para makabiyahe at inaasahan ng kanilang mga kamag-anak na kikita para matustusan ang pag-aaral ng mga anak. Ito ang mga uri ng problema na nanganganak-nganak,” the senator said.

(We all know that failure to travel entails additional costs. Filipinos need to save up on these--some even pawn off their land just to travel abroad, with the hopes of earning so that they can put their children through school. This is the kind of problem that multiplies itself.)

While Clavano clarified that the 2023 flight requirements and processes are still the same since 2015, Tolentino stressed that a “synchronized” process must be maintained for the efficient travel of Filipinos.

IACAT recently drew flak for their stricter rules on Filipino travelers. Starting Sept. 3, the required travel documents for tourists now consist of a passport, valid for at leas six months before the date of departure, valid visa, boarding pass, confirmed return or roundtrip ticket, proof of hotel, proof of financial capacity or source of income consistent with the passenger’s declared purpose of travel, and proof of employment and other equivalent evidence.

There are other additional requirements for migrant workers and other Filipinos going abroad on “sponsored travel".