DOJ stresses revised departure procedures to protect Filipinos

A Justice official said Friday the revised departure guidelines seek to protect Filipinos against human trafficking and illegal recruitment, adding that it does not impose additional requirements for travelers.

“Ang layunin ng ating departure formalities ay upang protektahan ang ating mga kababayan sa human trafficking, illegal recruitment, at sa mga iba't ibang kasamaan out there,” Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty said during the public briefing.

(The goal of our departure formalities is to protect our countrymen from human trafficking, illegal recruitment, and other evils out there.)

The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) on Tuesday approved the revised departure guidelines for Filipinos traveling outside the country.

“Alam naman natin to, 'no, recently lang lumalabas sa balita napakaraming mga Filipino na nagpapanggap na turista upang pumunta sa mga visa-free countries… at doon balak pala nila magtrabaho,” he added.

(We know that recently, a lot of news has come out that many Filipinos are pretending to be tourists to go to visa-free countries and work there.)

When asked about concerns that the ease of traveling should be preserved, Ty reiterated that the guidelines did not impose additional requirements.

“Kung ano man ini-implement namin dati, 'yun pa rin if not nabawasan pa (what we were implementing before is still the same, if not less),” he said.

As an example, Ty reiterated the removal of certificates from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) — which are requirements for those seeking to go abroad to meet their partners — for individuals who are not yet engaged with their partners.

Ty said that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who sponsor their relatives within the first civil degree are also no longer required to present an authenticated affidavit of support.

Now, those traveling on sponsored trips are only required to present an original Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-issued birth certificate or marriage certificate if their sponsor abroad is a relative within the first civil degree.

Financial capacity

Ty said more than 95% of travelers only need to present basic documents such as their passport and their boarding pass as well as a round-trip ticket and a visa, if necessary.

He said travelers must undergo primary inspection with an ideal time limit of 45 seconds.

“Kung ang Immigration officer natin at the level of primary inspection at the level of primary inspection ay makakita ng red flag… doon papasok 'yung mga other requirements such as proof of financial capacity,” he said.

He said red flags may be raised if travelers are not able to sufficiently establish their purpose of travel.

The Immigration officer may then require them to present a proof of their financial capacity such as a bank statement or a certificate of employment.

Ty advised first-time travelers to bring these documents as much as possible. He said that without such documents, a traveler’s departure may be deferred. 

When asked if the agency can help travelers who cannot rebook their flights, Ty said the agency cannot compensate the travelers.

The revised departure guidelines will take effect on September 3.—AOL, GMA Integrated News