LOCAL carriers Cebu Pacific (CEB) and Philippine Airlines (PAL) have announced that more local government units in the country have relaxed their travel restrictions.
CEB said that Bacolod City, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo City, and Maguindanao are now included in the destinations in its network that have simplified travel requirements and do not require RT-PCR or antigen testing. The other six destinations were Butuan, Cebu Province, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Pagadian, and Tacloban.
Travelers bound for Cebu Province will only need to present a medical certificate issued within 24 hours before arrival in Cebu, stating that they do not exhibit symptoms of Covid-19.
Pagadian City-bound travelers are only required to present a valid government-issued ID, which states their address is in Pagadian City, while transiting passengers do not need to present any requirement.
“We are happy that more LGUs are gradually opening up their borders and have simplified travel requirements. These are positive indicators in the progress of our nation’s fight against COVID, and we look forward to other places following suit,” Candice Iyog, vice president for marketing and customer experience at Cebu Pacific, said in a statement Friday. “Let us continue to work together to champion convenient and safe travel within our country.”
In a separate advisory, PAL said the various domestic destinations, as of October 13, have relaxed their travel requirements and provided special considerations for fully vaccinated travelers. These include Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Catarman, Coron, Culion, Cebu Province, Cebu City, Dipolog, Guimaras, Iloilo City, Maguindanao Province (except Cotabato), Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental (except Bacolod City), Ozamiz, Puerto Princesa, Pagadian City, and Tacloban.
PAL said the LGUs relaxed travel requirements as the national government ramps up the vaccination drive and allows point-to-point travel for all ages, provided seniors, pregnant women, and persons with identified health risks are fully vaccinated.
The new guidelines from the government’s Covid-19 task force allow point-to-point interzonal travel, including leisure travel, from the National Capital Region (NCR) to areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and/or modified GCQ for individuals below 18 years of age; fully vaccinated individuals over 65 years of age; fully vaccinated individuals with immune deficiencies, comorbidities or other health risks; and fully vaccinated pregnant women.
Individuals ages 18 to 65, regardless of vaccination status, continue to be allowed to travel.
“We welcome the latest moves by key LGUs to relax travel protocols, including those for travel to Cebu, Iloilo, Butuan, Dipolog, Tacloban, Dumaguete, Cagayan de Oro, Palawan and other areas. We are hopeful that more LGUs will follow suit in easing travel protocols,” PAL senior vice president for strategy and planning Dexter Lee said.
All travelers are subject to the regulations and protocols set by the LGU of the destination city or province and the guidelines of the Department of Tourism, the airline said.
The flag carrier also urged the flying public to take advantage of their fully vaccinated status when traveling to domestic destinations. (CSL with PR )