THE government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) announced that the visa-free privilege for Filipinos will continue for another year from August 1, 2019 to July 31, 2020.
This privilege is a display of Taiwan’s amity with the Philippines as the country continues to boost the travel convenience for Filipinos to visit Taiwan for leisure, business, or other short-term purposes.
The visa-free privilege also aims to deepen Taiwan’s multifaceted relations with the Philippines, particularly in the fields of tourism, trade, investment, education, agriculture, fisheries and healthcare, etc., said the Taiwan government Tuesday, July 2.
The Philippines is not only Taiwan’s closest neighbor but also a priority partner for Taiwan’s “New Southbound Policy” which aims to build stronger bilateral relations and closer people-to-people connectivity with its neighboring countries in the region. The implementation of the visa-free treatment since Nov. 1, 2017 has resulted in a rapid increase of Filipinos visiting Taiwan.
In 2018, visitors from the Philippines reached 419,000, recording a 44 percent increase compared to 2017.
Moreover, regional airlines both from Taiwan and the Philippines have launched more direct flights and opened new routes to the major cities between the two countries. Filipinos have more choices as they could now depart for Taiwan from Manila, Puerto Princesa, Clark, Cebu and Kalibo, helping Philippine travelers save more time and money. PR