Today's US State Dept. Report: #PHILIPPINES

The U.S. Embassy just received information regarding an additional flight from Cebu to Manila at 9:30 AM on April 21.

• Seats are available for U.S. citizens on PR5846 which will depart Cebu at 9:30 AM on April 21.

Sweeper Flights to Manila on April 23: • Siargao Sweeper Flight to Manila on Thursday, April 23: • Seats are available for U.S. citizens on a sweeper flight from Siargao to Manila planned for April 23. • Register for the flight by emailing the Belgian Consulate at manila@diplobel.fed.be. • The cost is approximately 17,400 pesos.

PAL advised that to receive a boarding pass, travelers will need to be able to demonstrate they meet at least one of the criteria below, which is set by the Philippine Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF): o A health/quarantine certificate (see below). o An onward international airline ticket within 24-hours of the sweeper flight. o Confirmed hotel accommodation until travel and a confirmed international flight if longer than 24-hours. • Travelers may also need to register with the Department of Tourism if they have not already done so. The DOT Directory of Regional Offices can be found at: http://www.tourism.gov.ph/regional_offices.aspx. More DOT information is located at: https://philippines.travel/safeph. • Contact the U.S. Embassy by email ACSInfoManila@state.gov or telephone: +(63)(2) 5301-2000 to request a travel letter for passage to the airport and let us know that you have been confirmed on the flight.

International Flights Departing from Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA):

International commercial flight options currently exist in the Philippines. U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States should make commercial arrangements as soon as possible unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. The U.S. government does not currently anticipate arranging repatriation flights in the Philippines at this time. The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) updates their Facebook page with scheduled international flights. Visit the MIAA Facebook and Twitter pages for an updated schedule of international flights.

https://www.facebook.com/MIAAGovPh/https://twitter.com/MIAAGovPH

Flight schedules may change at any given time. Please contact your airline for confirmation

Quarantine Certificates:

When purchasing airline tickets, airlines may ask travelers to provide a Quarantine Certificate. The Bureau of Quarantine issues this certificate in larger cities, e.g. Cebu and Davao. For other areas, travelers should inquire with the Provincial, City, or Municipal Health Office. The Health Office may require a certification letter from the barangay stating the individual has stayed in their locality for at least 14 days. In some cases, individuals may be asked to submit additional medical documentation, such as a chest X-ray.

Check with your province, city, or municipality government website for more information on the Health Office in your area. Listed below are telephone numbers for some Bureau of Quarantine offices.

Location Telephone Cebu +63-32-2385516 Davao +63-82-3002378 Cagayan de Oro +63-88-3273165 Bacolod +63-34-7042273 Iloilo +63-33-3273792 +63-33-3373904 Puerto Princesa +63-48-4334162

Travel Letters:

The U.S. Embassy can provide travel letters to U.S. citizens planning to travel to an airport, which can be presented at checkpoints. To request a travel letter, U.S. citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy by email ACSInfoManila@state.gov or telephone: +(63)(2) 5301-2000.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) Announces Plans for Partial Resumption of Flights: PAL will not operate any international routes for the rest of April 2020. PAL plans to operate a reduced number of international flights to the U.S. and other destinations in May. PAL is readying plans to resume partial domestic operations at some period between April 15 and May 31. Visit the PAL webpage https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/aboutus/newsandevents… to view the advisory.

Consider your plan to shelter in place: We strongly encourage U.S. citizens to make necessary preparations if staying in the Philippines during the quarantine period. Please comply with local quarantine requirements and strictly follow local authorities.

For emergency services, U.S. citizens can contact the Embassy or visit the website: +63(2) 5301-2000, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +(63)(2) 5301-2000