Category: Information

COVID-19 Cases Philippines April 2020

April 2020 COVID-19 Statistics – Philippines

The first recorded case in the Philippines was on 29 January 2020.

    • At 30th April 2020 there had been 8,488 reported COVID-19 cases and 568 reported deaths in the Philippines. There were 6,942 new cases, and 490 new deaths in April.
    • At 30th March 2020 there had been 1,546 reported COVID-19 cases and 78 reported deaths in the Philippines.

These figures show the numbers of deaths and cases for the COVID-19 Coronavirus in the Philippines during April 2020.

April 2020 COVID-19 Statistics – Philippines

At 30th April 2020 there had been 18,086 reported COVID-19 cases and 957 reported deaths, in the Philippines.

During April 2020 there were 6,942 new cases, and 490 new deaths. This is an average of 224 new cases per day, with 16 deaths per day.

  • As at Thursday 30th April 2020, there had been 568 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 6877 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 31 in critical condition, after 1043 from the total of 8488 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Wednesday 29th April 2020, there have been 558 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 6631 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 31 in critical condition, after 1023 from the total of 8212 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Tuesday 28th April 2020, there have been 530 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 6453 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 31 in critical condition, after 975 from the total of 7958 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Monday 27th April 2020, there have been 511 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 6334 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 31 in critical condition, after 932 from the total of 7777 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Friday 24th April 2020, there have been 477 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 5953 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 762 from the total of 7192 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Thursday 23rd April 2020, there have been 462 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 5797 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 722 from the total of 6981 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Wednesday 22nd April 2020, there have been 446 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 5571 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 693 from the total of 6710 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Monday 20th April 2020, there have been 428 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 5418 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 613 from the total of 6459 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Sunday 19th April 2020, there have been 409 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 5278 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 572 from the total of 6259 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Saturday 18th April 2020, there have been 397 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 5174 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 516 from the total of 6087 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Friday 17th April 2020, there have been 387 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 5004 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 487 from the total of 5878 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Thursday 16th April 2020, there have been 362 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 4863 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 435 from the total of 5660 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Wednesday 15th April 2020, there have been 349 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 4751 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 353 from the total of 5453 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Monday 13th April 2020, there have been 315 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 4375 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 242 from the total of 4932 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Friday 10th April 2020, there have been 221 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 3834 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 140 from the total of 4195 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Thursday 9th April 2020, there have been 203 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 3749 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 124 from the total of 4076 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Wednesday 8th April 2020, there have been 182 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 3592 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 96 from the total of 3870 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Tuesday 7th April 2020, there have been 177 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 3503 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 84 from the total of 3764 cases, have been reported as recovered.
  • As at Sunday 5th April 2020, there have been 152 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
    There were 3030 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 64 from the total of 3246 cases, have been reported as recovered.
Previous Months

 

March 2020 COVID-19 Statistics – Philippines

At 30th March 2020 there had been 1,546 reported COVID-19 cases and 78 reported deaths, in the Philippines.

During March 2020 there were xxx new cases, and xx new deaths. This is an average of …

    • More: March Coronavirus cases.

Coronavirus Deaths in the Philippines

 

COVID-19 Cases Philippines March 2020

March 2020 COVID-19 Statistics – Philippines

As at Monday 30th March 2020, there had been 78 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
There were 1,426 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 42 from the total of 1,546 cases, have been reported as recovered.

As at Saturday 28th March 2020, there have been 68 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
There were 972 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 35 from the total of 1075 cases, have been reported as recovered.

As at Monday 23rd March 2020, there have been 33 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
There were 411 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 18 from the total of 462 cases, have been reported as recovered.

As at Sunday 22nd March 2020, there have been 25 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
There were 340 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 15 from the total of 380 cases, have been reported as recovered.

As at Saturday 21st March 2020, there have been 18 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
There were 204 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 8 from the total of 230 cases, have been reported as recovered.

As at Friday 20th March 2020, there have been 17 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
There were 192 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 8 from the total of 217 cases, have been reported as recovered.

As at Wednesday 18th March 2020, there have been 14 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
There were 175 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 4 from the total of 193 cases, have been reported as recovered.

As at Tuesday 17th March 2020, there have been 12 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
There were 125 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 5 from the total of 142 cases, have been reported as recovered.

As at Monday 16th March 2020, there have been 12 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
There were 125 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 5 from the total of 142 cases, have been reported as recovered.

As at Sunday 15th March 2020, there have been 8 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
There were 101 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 2 from the total of 111 cases, have been reported as recovered.

As at Saturday 14th March 2020, there have been 6 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
There were 56 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 2 from the total of 64 cases, have been reported as recovered.

As at Friday 13th March 2020, there have been reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
There were 2 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 45 in critical condition, after from the total of cases, have been reported as recovered.

As at Thursday 12th March 2020, there have been 2 reported deaths in Philippines from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
There were 45 people in Philippines with the active virus, with 1 in critical condition, after 2 from the total of 49 cases, have been reported as recovered.

As at Thursday 29th January 2020, there was ONE reported case in Philippines with the COVID-19 coronavirus.

 

Coronavirus Deaths in the Philippines

The first recorded case of COVID-19 in the Philippines was on 29 January 2020.

 

Philippines visa Extensions during COVID-19

Philippine Visas may not need renewing until after the COVID-19 emergency is over.

Philippine Immigration Advisory to the Public

All aliens whose visa will expire during the duration of the Enhanced Community Quarantine shall be allowed to file their application within thirty (30) days from the lifting of the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

immigration.gov.ph/images/Advisory/2020/03_Mar/2020Mar19_advisory.pdf

Philippines Visa Extensions during COVID-19

Philippines Suspends all Visa Issuing

Philippines are suspending Visa Issuance to all Foreign Nationals.

March 19, 2020: The Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary stated: “Starting today, all our Embassies and Consulates will temporarily suspend visa issuance to all foreign nationals as well as the visa-free privileges of all foreign nationals.”

This does NOT mention visa renewals at the Bureau of Immigration offices in the Philippines.

The rule is in place to stop any Foreign National from entering the country, and try to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

All previously issued Philippine visas to foreign nationals are now deemed cancelled.  (I assume this relates to unused visas, where the holder has not entered the Philippines)

Visas already issued to foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals remain valid.

Update:  Visa Renewals.  See more at: Philippines visa Extensions during COVID-19

No Foreign Nationals to be Permitted Entry

But there are some exemptions. (Foreign Spouse and children will be allowed entry when travelling with a Filipino spouse.)

Philippines Immigration Press Release: http://immigration.gov.ph/images/News/2020_Yr/03_Mar/2020Mar20b_Press.pdf

The text of the above Press Release is shown below:

2020 March 20
BI to implement DFA circular on suspension of arrivals

MANILA, Philippines—Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente announced that they will be implementing the restricted entry of foreign nationals in the country starting March  22.

Said move follows the issuance of a Foreign Service Circular by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) suspending visa issuance and visa-free privileges for foreign nationals arriving in the Philippines due to the declaration of a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines because of the Covid-2019, and the declaration of a public health emergency throughout the Philippines.

According to Morente, all issuance for entry visas for visa-required foreign nationals were suspended by the DFA, while all previously-issued visas are deemed cancelled.

The DFA circular adds that visa-free privileges of foreign nationals are likewise temporarily suspended.

Currently, nationals of 157 countries enjoy visa free privileges. These countries include the South Korea, United States of America, Canada, Japan, and Singapore.
South Korea remains the top arrival in the country with more than 2.1M arrivals in 2019.

Exempted from this suspension are foreign spouses and children who are traveling with the Filipino national, foreign crew members, as well as foreign government and International Organization officials accredited to the Philippines.

“We will be implementing it in 48 hours, or 12mn of March 22, 2020 to give ample time to the DFA to inform foreign posts and embassies,” said Morente.

The suspension of visa issuance and visa-free privileges is tantamount to a total suspension of the entry of foreign nationals.

“Following the direction of the DFA who decides on our foreign policy, we will likewise be temporarily restricting the entry of foreign nationals who have converted to both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, those under visa waiver agreements, as well as special visa holders,” said Morente. “Only Filipinos, their spouse and children, foreign diplomats, and foreign crew members will be allowed entry,” he clarified.

 

Mobile Cell Phone Prefixes in Philippines

Which Mobile Cell Numbers are operated by Smart, Sun or Globe?

List of Mobile Number Prefixes (Globe, Smart, and Sun)

0813 is operated by Smart
0817 is operated by Globe
0904 is operated by Globe
0905 is operated by Globe
0906 is operated by Globe
0907 is operated by Smart
0908 is operated by Smart
0909 is operated by Smart
0910 is operated by Smart
0911 is operated by Smart
0912 is operated by Smart
0913 is operated by Smart
0914 is operated by Smart
0915 is operated by Globe
0916 is operated by Globe
0917 is operated by Globe
0918 is operated by Smart
0919 is operated by Smart
0920 is operated by Smart
0921 is operated by Smart
0922 is operated by Sun
0923 is operated by Sun
0924 is operated by Sun
0925 is operated by Sun
09253 is operated by Globe Postpaid
09255 is operated by Globe Postpaid
09256 is operated by Globe Postpaid
09257 is operated by Globe Postpaid
09258 is operated by Globe Postpaid
0926 is operated by Globe
0927 is operated by Globe
0928 is operated by Smart
0929 is operated by Smart
0930 is operated by Smart
0931 is operated by Sun
0932 is operated by Sun
0933 is operated by Sun
0934 is operated by Sun
0935 is operated by Globe
0936 is operated by Globe
0937 is operated by Globe
0938 is operated by Smart
0939 is operated by Smart
0940 is operated by Sun
0941 is operated by Sun
0942 is operated by Sun
0943 is operated by Sun
0944 is operated by Sun
0945 is operated by Globe
0946 is operated by Smart
0947 is operated by Smart
0948 is operated by Smart
0949 is operated by Smart
0950 is operated by Smart
0951 is operated by Smart
0953 is operated by Globe
0954 is operated by Globe
0955 is operated by Globe
0956 is operated by Globe
0961 is operated by Smart
0963 is operated by Globe
0965 is operated by Globe
0966 is operated by Globe
0967 is operated by Globe
0968 is operated by Smart
0970 is operated by Smart
0973 is operated by Sun
0974 is operated by Sun
0975 is operated by Globe
0976 is operated by Globe
0977 is operated by Globe
0978 is operated by Globe
0979 is operated by Globe
0981 is operated by Smart
0989 is operated by Smart
0992 is operated by Smart
0994 is operated by Globe
0995 is operated by Globe
0996 is operated by Globe
0997 is operated by Globe
0998 is operated by Smart
0999 is operated by Smart

Updated:

Where to get a Passport in the Philippines

DFA Offices in the Philippines

DFA Regional Consular Offices are available at about 36 locations in the Philippines.

This is a list of the offices shown at the Department of Foreign Affairs website, that handle new Philippine Passports.  The information at their website shows the local address and the local phone number of each office.
www.passport.gov.ph

Angeles – MarQuee Mall, Angeles, Pampanga
Antipolo – SM Cherry, Antipolo City, Rizal
Bacolod – Robinsons, Bacolod
Baguio – SM City, Baguio
Butuan – Robinsons, Butuan
Cagayan De Oro – Centrio Mall, CDO City
Calasiao – Robinsons, Calasiao, Pangasinan
Cebu – Pacific Mall, Metro Mandaue, Cebu
Cebu POW – at SM Seaside
Clarin – Town Center, Clarin, Misamis OCC
Cotabato – Mall of Alnor, Cotabato City
DFA Manila – Aseana
DFA NCR East – SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
DFA NCR North – Robinsons Novaliches, Quezon City
DFA NCR Northeast – Ali Mall, Cubao, Quezon City
DFA NCR South – Metro ATC, Muntinlupa City
DFA NCR West – SM City, Manila
Davao – SM City, Davao
Dumaguete – Robinsons, Dumaguete
General Santos – Robinsons, Gen. Santos City
Ilocos Norte – Robinsons Place, San Nicolas
Iloilo – Robinsons, Iloilo
La Union – Manna Mall, San Fernando, La Union
Legazpi – Pacific Mall, Legazpi
Lipa – Robinsons, Lipa
Lucena – Pacific Mall, Lucena
Malolos – CTTCH., Xentro Mall, Malolos City
Pampanga – Robinsons StarMills, San Fernando
Paniqui, Tarlac – WalterMart
Puerto Princesa – Robinsons, Palawan
San Pablo – SM City, San Pablo
Santiago, Isabela – Robinsons Place, Santiago
Tacloban – Robinsons, N. Abucay, Tac. City
Tagum – Gaisano, Mall of Tagum
Tuguegarao – Reg. Gov’t Center, Tuguegarao City
Zamboanga – Go-Velayo Bldg. Vet. Ave. Zamboanga

9G Working Visa Philippines

Pre-Arranged Employees (Commercial) Visa (9G)

Any foreign national wishing to work in the Philippines must obtain a valid work visa, normally the 9(G) visa.

This is a working visa that allows employers or proprietors [in the Philippines] to employ foreign nationals with skills, qualifications and experience that may be short in supply in the Philippines.

The Pre-Arranged Employees (Commercial) visa under Section 9 (g) and Section 20 of the Commonwealth Act No. 613 or Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 (PIA).

immigration.gov.ph/visa-requirements/non-immigrant-visa/pre-arranged-employment-visa

immigration.gov.ph/faqs/visa-inquiry/pre-arranged-employee-visa

Cost for the 9G Visa is currently shown as:

A 1 year 9G Visa will cost

Php 10,630 for the Principal Applicant
Php 8,620 for the Dependent Spouse
Php 8,370 for the Dependent Child B16
Php 7,870 for the Dependent Child B14

A 2 year 9G Visa will cost

Php 18,170 for the Principal Applicant
Php 14,960 for the Dependent Spouse
Php 14,710 for the Dependent Child B16
Php 14,210 for the Dependent Child B14

A 3 year 9G Visa will cost

Php 25,710 for the Principal Applicant
Php 21,300 for the Dependent Spouse
Php 21,050 for the Dependent Child B16
Php 20,550 for the Dependent Child B14

There is also an Additional Fee for the ACR I-Card

US $50 for the 1 year 9G Visa
US $100 for the 2 year 9G Visa
US $150 for the 3 year 9G Visa

Average Wages in Philippines 2018

Philippines Average Nominal Wages

Average Wages in the Philippines increased to 13,487 pesos per month in 2018, up from 12,646 pesos per month in 2017.

Monthly Average Wages for each year from the year 2001, in pesos per month.

  • 2001 – 5,798
  • 2002 – 5,905. An increase of 1.85% from last year.
  • 2003 – 6,002. An increase of 1.64% from last year.
  • 2004 – 6,106. An increase of 1.73% from last year.
  • 2005 – 6,400. An increase of 4.81% from last year.
  • 2006 – 6,831. An increase of 6.73% from last year.
  • 2007 – 6,955. An increase of 1.82% from last year.
  • 2008 – 7,275. An increase of 4.60% from last year.
  • 2009 – 7,583. An increase of 4.23% from last year.
  • 2010 – 7,995. An increase of 5.43% from last year.
  • 2011 – 8,280. An increase of 3.56% from last year.
  • 2012 – 8,707. An increase of 5.16% from last year.
  • 2013 – 9,107. An increase of 4.59% from last year.
  • 2014 – 9,582. An increase of 5.22% from last year.
  • 2015 – 9,876. An increase of 3.07% from last year.
  • 2016 – 12,220. An increase of 23.73% from last year.
  • 2017 – 12,646. An increase of 3.49% from last year.
  • 2018 – 13,487. An increase of 6.65% from last year.

That shows an average increase, if averaged over the years 2001 to 2018, of 5.09% per year.  However, the increase in 2016 is the major influence on that.

Source: tradingeconomics.com/philippines/wages

However, a Government source shows these recent figures

Average Daily Salary, for all industries
Jan 2016 – 400.95
Jan 2017 – 414.64. An increase of 3.41% from last year.
Jan 2018 – 427.76. An increase of 3.16% from last year.

Source: Average Daily Basic Pay of Wage and Salary Workers by Major Industry Group, Philippines: 2016 – January 2018. Table 18.
psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/attachments/cls/Tab18_9.pdf

400.95 per day over 30 days would be 12,028 per month.
414.64 per day over 30 days would be 12,439 per month.
427.76 per day over 30 days would be 12,833 per month.

PISA 2018 Results Philippines

PISA 2018 Results Philippines released December 2019

For the first time, the Philippines joined the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2018, as part of the Quality Basic Education reform plan and a step towards globalizing the quality of Philippine basic education.

600,000 students from 79 countries participated in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) testing.

PISA-eligible students are those who are 15 years and 3 months to 16 years and 2 months at the time of testing, and came from both Junior High School (JHS) and Senior High School (SHS).

PISA 2018 was administered in the Philippines in English and assumes that the test-takers would have reached a sufficient level of understanding in English to work on the PISA test without encountering linguistic problems.

The results of the 2018 testing were released on 3rd December 2019.

The highest performers across in PISA 2018 were in China and Singapore.

The Philippines shared the lowest results with the Dominican Republic.

PISA 2018 Reading Literacy in English

  • Filipino students obtained an average score of 340 points in Overall Reading Literacy, which was significantly lower than the OECD average of 487 points.
  • Only 1 out of 5 Filipino students (19.4%) achieved at least the minimum proficiency level (Level 2) in Overall Reading Literacy.
  • In the Philippines, female students performed significantly better than male students in Overall Reading Literacy with a 27-point difference.
  • Majority of male students (84.82%) and female students (76.90%) did not obtain the minimum proficiency level (Level 2) in Overall Reading Literacy.
  • Filipino students from private schools averaged 390 points, which was significantly higher than public school students who averaged 328 points.
  • The mean Reading Literacy score of SHS students (428 points) was significantly higher than that of JHS students (339 points).
  • The National Capital Region (NCR), Region 7 (Central Visayas), and Region 11 (Southern Mindanao) achieved the highest Overall Reading Literacy average performance for their respective island groups.
  • The mean Reading Literacy score of students residing in urban communities (355 points) was significantly higher than the mean score of those living in rural communities (313 points).

PISA 2018 Mathematical Literacy

  • Filipino students achieved an average score of 353 points in Mathematical Literacy, which was significantly lower than the OECD average of 489 points.
  • Only 1 out of 5 Filipino students (19.7%) attained at least the minimum proficiency level (Level 2) in Mathematical Literacy.
  • The average Mathematical Literacy score of female students (358 points) was significantly higher than that of male students (346 points).
  • The average Mathematical Literacy score of students in private schools (395 points) was significantly higher than the average score of those in public schools (343 points).
  • SHS students performed significantly better than JHS students with a 96-point difference.
  • The National Capital Region (NCR) achieved the highest Mathematical Literacy average score across all the administrative regions with 385 points.
  • The mean Mathematical Literacy score of students in urban areas (365 points) was significantly higher than that of students in rural areas (329 points).

PISA 2018 Scientific Literacy

  • Filipino students attained an average score of 357 points in Scientific Literacy, which was significantly lower than the OECD average of 489 points.
  • Female students obtained an average score of 359 points for Scientific Literacy, which was slightly higher but not significantly different from the average score of male students (355 points).
  • Students from private schools scored an average of 399 points in Scientific Literacy, which was significantly higher than that of public school students who averaged at 347 points.
  • SHS students (439 points) performed significantly better than JHS students (356 points).
  • The National Capital Region (NCR) achieved the highest Scientific Literacy scores across all the administrative regions included in the study.
  • Region 7 (Central Visayas) obtained the top average score for Scientific Literacy in the Visayas group of islands, while Region 11 (Southern Mindanao) had the highest in Mindanao.
  • The average performance of students in urban areas for Scientific Literacy was 370 points, which was significantly greater than the average performance of those in rural areas (333 points).

Full PISA 2018 Philippines Report at: deped.gov.ph/…/PISA-2018-Philippine-National-Report.pdf

Snapshot of PISA 2018 Results.

PISA 2018 results Philippines

Full Image at: http://www.oecd.org/pisa/PISA-results_ENGLISH.png

Jail for Overstaying a Visa

Can you be Jailed for Overstaying a Visa?

Many visitors to the Philippines appear to be NOT too worried about maintaining a valid visa during their stay, after all, it isn’t that important is it? What can happen? You get a short ban from coming back?  That is normal in many countries.

But, this is the Philippines, and there are fines involved too.

Some of these people say the fine is miniscule, and are not concerned about paying it.

But.. (yes, another BUT), some people actually do get jailed.

Most people say that only happens to criminals.  I wonder how true that it…

This news report in December 2019, shows how it can be more of a problem than they think…

Australian in jail (possibly) because he overstayed his visa by seven months

In this story, an Australian overstayed his visa by 7 months, with no valid reason, and ended up being detained at Zamboanga Airport, and jailed in the Philippines.

As at December 1st, he had been in jail for 5 weeks, and it is not a comfortable jail either.  No recreation time and no food, unless you buy it yourself.  He says that the prison conditions are horrific, with cells full of trash and no running showers.

  • He does say “I am detained for standing for truth and resisting extortion. I just want to go home.“

Philippines officials have not confirmed to the Media what charges the Australian man is facing.

Is it ONLY for overstaying a visa, or was something else involved?

The advice from the Australian government is to keep your visa up to date or risk being detained.

This advice should be considered by ALL visitors to the Philippines.

Overstaying will cost you:

  • All Unpaid Visa fees.
  • Extra Penalty for each month overstayed.
  • Possible Jail time.

Jail time may be more common with people who cannot pay the outstanding visa fees and penalties.  It may also be related to other aspects of time in the Philippines, found when checks are done on applying for an ECC.

An ECC needs to be applied for after 6 months in the Philippines.

Cost to Remove Name from Immigration Blacklist

How Much does it cost to be removed from Immigration Blacklist?

There are fees that you have to pay to the Bureau of Immigration when you file your Request or Petition. Of course, you have to pay the minimal filing fees.

If your request is granted, you will also pay a lifting penalty of Php55,000. You can see this in the Lifting Order issued by the Bureau of Immigration.

You also have to pay the unpaid overstaying fees, if any, plus penalties when you have been blacklisted for overstaying.

You have to settle all these fees as soon as possible, otherwise, the Lifting Order will not be implemented and your Blacklist Order will remain in the immigration database.

The above information is sourced from a Philippines Immigration Lawyer that has been recommended on this site.

Source: Guzman Acain -Philippine Law Firm > How to lift your name in the Philippine immigration blacklist?

From what I have seen, some people have difficulties in clearing their names from a blacklist, as they often do not know the procedures.
A Philippines Immigration Lawyer should have the experience required to get this dealt with faster, whenever possible.

Flights: Australia to Manila

Flights from Sydney or Melbourne to Manila

For Australians flying to the Philippines, are these Cebu Pacific flights of interest?

  • Melbourne to Manila for $199
  • Sydney to Manila for $219

Bookings must be made by the 8th October 2019, with flights between 15th October 2019 and 31st March 2020.

Click the image for more info, or https://book.cebupacificair.com

Flights Australia to Manila 2019-20

It may not be first class travel, but it’s a good price.

Filipinos; How to Lose Half a Million Pesos

Filipinos, How to Lose Half a Million Pesos following a dream.

Filipinos who want to work overseas, but can’t do so using normal methods, are sometimes tempted by offers of employment that they find hard to resist.

It is not always a good idea to be tempted by them.

A Philippines Immigration Press Release dated 29th July 2019, has stated that some Filipinas, have been promised domestic helpers work visas in Europe for a payment of 500,000 pesos.

All they need to do is fly to Malaysia and collect their work visa, and then fly on to Europe.
The 500,000 pesos is the charge for processing the paperwork.

People who have attempted this method of obtaining work, have been detained at departing airports in the Philippines and turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).

Source: immigration.gov.ph/…/2019Jul19_Press.pdf

2,351 Foreigners Refused Entry to Philippines Jan – Jun 2019

2,351 Foreigners were Refused Entry to the Philippines in the First Half of 2019

A Philippines Immigration Press Release dated 29th July 2019, has stated that a total of 2,351 aliens, of various nationalities, were refused entry into the Philippines during January to June 2019.

1,920 (82%) were turned away at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport while the rest were stopped at the airports in Mactan, Clark, Kalibo, Aklan and Davao.

According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) port operations division chief, Grifton Medina; “They were turned back after undergoing primary and secondary inspection by our immigration officers and were declared unfit for admission into our country for a variety of reasons. They were issued exclusion orders and booked on the first available flight to their ports of origin.”

As the Philippines requires airlines to ensure that passengers enter with a return ticket, at least the cost of returning them is not born by the Philippines.

1,129 Chinese nationals topped the list of exclusions, followed by
106 Indians
87 Americans
52 Taiwanese and
67 Koreans.

The list included registered sex offenders, wanted fugitives, suspected international terrorists, and blacklisted and previously deported aliens.

Most were excluded for being public charges or persons without visible means to support themselves, and whose purpose of coming here are doubtful.
Some were turned back for being rude and disrespectful towards immigration officers, and for having incomplete travel documents.

Source: immigration.gov.ph/…/2019Jul29_Press.pdf

Applying for the Australian PMV subclass 300

Applying for the Australian Prospective Marriage Visa [PMV subclass 300]

Applications for the Australian Prospective Marriage Visa [PMV] are normally done online via the Australian Governments Immigration website. (online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login)

When you begin the application, most of it is self explanatory, and you will complete what was the old paper based form 47SP, as part of the online application.

Your sponsor will do the same with the old Form 40SP, when he/she does the sponsor part. This can be done in the same IMMI account as yours.

You will need to get a new Birth Certificate and a CENOMAR from the PSA, and that must be sent direct to the Australian embassy, from the PSA. (psa.gov.ph/…/birth-certificate) and (psa.gov.ph/…/cenomar)

CENOMAR is a Certificate of No Marriage Record. It is a certification issued by the PSA stating that a person has not contracted any marriage. It is also called a certificate of No Record of Marriage or Certificate of Singleness.

The application does have instructions for that, with exactly what to put on the request form to the PSA.

Two people need to complete form 888’s, or similar, to confirm that they know of the existence of the relationship. That can often be the sponsors relatives.

You also need to arrange a Notice of Intended Marriage form (NOIM), which can be done by most Australian Marriage Celebrants. Probably best to be the one you will use to do your marriage.
If you set a date a year after application, you can always change it later, just make sure your Marriage Celebrant is aware of that possibility.

The rest is mainly proof that you know each other and have met at least once, but have had plenty of other contact.

The more proof should mean a faster processing time.

Applying for the Birth Certificate or CENOMAR for an Australian Visa

This information is correct at time of publication, but subject to changes made by the Australian or Philippine Governments.

    • Go to www.psaserbilis.com.ph (Previously: www.ecensus.com.ph).
    • Click on Request for copies of Birth/Marriage/Death Certificate/CENOMAR (Singleness).
    • Click on ‘I accept’ on the declaration that appears requesting you agree to terms/conditions of eCensus.
    • Complete the form online for your documents;
    • Tick the box stated “Deliver the document to this embassy” and select “Australian Embassy Manila” from the drop down menu.
    • Ensure that you state the purpose for the documents as ‘Australian Visa’. In the File Reference Number field, only enter the numerical value of the file number. For example, if your file number is BCC2017/1234, you should only enter 20171234.
    • Once completed, the PSA will courier the requested documents directly to the Australian Embassy Visa Office to be considered with your visa application.
    • Source: philippines.embassy.gov.au/…/Requesting PSA documents.pdf

Taiwan extends visa-free program for Philippine passport holders.

Taiwan extends 14 day visa-free program for Philippine passport holders

2019-07-02

The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) announced on July 2, 2019 that the visa-free privilege for the nationals of the Philippines will continue for another year from August 1, 2019, through 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.

Source: www.taiwanembassy.org/ph_en/post/4086.html

 

Taiwan Embassy, Philippines
41F, Tower 1, RCBC Plaza,
6819 Ayala Avenue,
Makati City 1200,
Metro Manila,
Philippines

www.taiwanembassy.org

Tel: (63-2) 887-6688

Is it Cheaper to Overstay a Philippine Visa or Pay for a Visa Extension?

Is it cheaper to overstay a visa rather than pay for the visa extension?

I was asked this question recently, as it appears that many people seem to think that the overstay fines are cheaper than paying for a Visa renewal.

Having heard this a few times, I am beginning to think that this might be the reason why so many foreign visitors to the Philippines end up not renewing a visa, and overstaying for so long.

At least some of them think the fine is cheaper than a visa, and don’t bother renewing their entry visa, expecting to just pay the fine when they leave.

Unfortunately for them, they eventually find out that while the fine is cheaper than a Visa, it is not as simple as that.

  • A Two Month Visitor visa will cost about 6,650 pesos. Consisting of 3,650 php + about another 3,000 (depending on USD-PHP FX rate) pesos for the ACR-I card (according to www.immigration.gov.ph).
  • The Fine for overstaying for just under two months is 1,500 pesos. (Consisting of 1,000 pesos [Fine for Overstaying 2 months] + 500 pesos [Motion for Reconsideration for Overstaying]).

For some people, they see those two figures and think that it is best to pay the 1,500 pesos.

But the reality is VERY DIFFERENT to that:

What you actually pay is:

  • The Fine PLUS outstanding unpaid visa fees; ie: 1,500 plus 6,650 in the above example, a total of 8,150 pesos.
  • PLUS, depending on how long you overstayed, you may be banned from re-entry.

It is often best to know the full facts.

Some people, who have overstayed, and expect to pay the fine at the airport, and then leave, actually end up paying an even higher price…

  • You don’t pay the fine at the airport, you are normally refused boarding, and told to go to an immigration office, normally in the nearest city, and sort out your visa issues there, and come back later, often the next day, or later.

This comes with TWO costs.

  1. Inconvenience to you, and the cost of an extra night or two at a hotel, while they sort out the visa issues, and arrange an exit certificate if applicable.
  2. The cost of new flights, unless your ticket was fully convertible to a new flight. Most are not.

I was told that the hotel costs are not always involved, as a stay at the Bureau of Immigration Bicutan Detention Centre can be an option, for Immigration to decide.  I personally do not know anyone who was jailed, but I have heard people talking about other people who were.  I have also read about some who were, although not 100% sure on the full story of each case.

and more….

Philippine Star News Article on November 27, 2016

www.philstar.com/…/bi-eyes-building-more-jail-cells-overstaying-foreigners

MANILA, Philippines – Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente wants to construct another building for its jail at Camp Bagong Diwa (Bicutan Detention Centre) prior to cracking down on around 500,000 foreigners illegally staying in the country.

“We want to conduct nationwide operations but the problem is we do not have (enough cells) to house those who would be arrested for overstaying,” he said in a recent interview.

Morente said the bureau’s jail, a “squatter” in the National Capital Region Police Office compound at the camp, has two two-story buildings.  Morente wants to construct a third two-story building.

My view is that detention for a small overstay is very unlikely, although it is legally possible, if they don’t like you for some reason.

Another story:

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday (March 30, 2019) reported the arrest of an overstaying Vietnamese couple for attempting to leave the country with fake immigration stamps on their passports. The couple had been in the country since June 5, 2018 (10 months).

“Instead of applying for the extension of their stay and pay the required fees, they chose to deal with fixers who make a living by selling these fake stamps to overstaying foreign tourists,” he said.

The BI official noted that the fraudulent scheme was discovered after their personnel noticed that the passports did not have departure stamps from the foreign nationals supposed previous arrival.

They are currently detained at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending their prosecution for violating the Philippine Immigration Act. (pna.gov.ph)

Story Link:

How much are the Penalties for Overstaying as a Tourist in the Philippines?

Special Security Registration Number (SSRN)

Special Security Registration Number

The Special Security Registration Number (SSRN) is a unique number assigned to every registered foreign national.

Anyone staying over 59 days needs to register with Photo and Fingerprints, and about 700 pesos, at almost any Immigration Office in the country.

This is normally done, for those on Visitor visas, when renewing your visitor visa.  It is worth checking that it is done, when renewing at near the 59 day mark.

An SSRN number is required for the Issue of an ECC, when leaving the Philippines after a stay of 6 months.

You must also have a mailing address for the sending of the SSRN certificate.

That address part might prove difficult for a tourist staying at different hotels for a total of just over 2 months, as one example.

Registration for Visitors to Philippines after 59 days

 

Philippine National with Foreign Passport

Filipino Travelling on Foreign Passport

There are many Filipinos that travel on a Foreign passport, due to being dual citizens with another country.

This sometimes causes problems at a Philippine airport when trying to leave the Philippines, as a person who travels on a foreign passport is treated as a national of that country, and overstay fees often become involved, if you don’t have a valid visa or ECC.

A recent enquiry from one such Dual Citizen, (comment 123250) who only had a valid foreign passport, as the Philippine Passport had expired, brought up a possible solution to this.

At first he was told to extend his expired tourist visa and to pay the overstay fee.

They then saw that “with philippine passport” was stamped in his foreign passport so extending the tourist visa was not possible.

He was then given two options instead-

    1. to renew the PH passport, or
    2. to get a Balikbayan Visa.

He chose the Balikbayan due to the time factor AND because they told him that having 2 passports could cause trouble in the future.

The trouble at the airport, if you have two passports?

    1. You try to leave the Philippines on a Philippine passport, but don’t have an entry visa for the country you are going to, and you get told you can’t board the flight.
    2. You then show your Foreign Passport, but are told it doesn’t have an Exit clearance stamp, so you can’t board the flight..

Frustrating for some…

But, a Foreign Passport with a Balikbayan Visa, arranged at an Immigration office beforehand, and it seems you have a clear way through Philippines Immigration at the airport.

A Balikbayan Visa allows you a 12 months stay, and is available to certain individuals.

Who is eligible under Balikbayan Program?

a:) A Balikbayan, who may be either one of the following:

    1. A Filipino citizen who has been continuously out of the Philippines for a period of at least one (1) year;
    2. A Filipino overseas worker;
    3. A former Filipino citizen and his family who had been naturalized in a foreign country and comes or returns to the Philippines.

b:) Immediate family members (spouse and children) of the Balikbayan, who are nationals of countries falling under Executive Order No. 408, travelling together with the Balikbayan.

Visa-required nationals (nationals of countries NOT listed under EO 408) may not be eligible for the Balikbayan privilege.

Source: immigration.gov.ph…/balikbayan-previlege