THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday said it is eyeing to impose fines against carriers who may be found boarding inbound passengers covered by existing travel restrictions.
In a news statement, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said it is the responsibility of airline companies to fully comply with the guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) by ensuring that only eligible foreign passengers would be allowed to board flights to the country.
“We reiterate that only foreigners with valid and existing visas are allowed to enter the country. The entry of foreign tourists is still temporarily restricted,” Morente said.
BI spokesman Dana Krizia Sandoval said the reminder was issued after the agency noticed a handful of airlines that erroneously boarded aliens not eligible for entry at the early start of travel restrictions.
Ineligible foreign passengers who will arrive in the country, according to Morente, will be immediately excluded upon arriving at the airport and booked on the first available flight back to their port origin.
Airlines likewise face fines and sanctions for allowing improperly documented aliens to board.
“Our Port Operations Division immediately circulates to the airlines updates on current travel restrictions. We are thankful that they have been very supportive, and understands that the IATF deems these actions necessary to curb the further spread of Covid-19 and its variants in our country,” Morente said.
Port Operations Division Chief Atty. Carlos Capulong stated that the ban on the entry of all travelers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka remains effective until May 14.
Capulong also explained that only aliens with valid and existing immigrant, non-immigrant, and special visas issued by the BI and other government agencies are allowed to enter the country.
However, those who have a 9 (a) Temporary Visitors’ Visa, as well as those holding Special Resident Retiree’s Visa, regardless of purpose, may only enter upon the presentation of an entry exemption document from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The bureau further reminded that only foreigners qualified for the balikbayan privilege are exempted from securing entry visas. Balikbayans are Filipinos and former Filipinos, as well as their foreign spouse and children who are traveling with them.
They may enter and stay in the country for one year visa-free.
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