Complete Guide to Returning Overseas Filipinos To The Philippines During Quarantine

All returning Filipinos from abroad are required to undergo a an RT-PCR test upon arrival and a mandatory quarantine while waiting for a negative result.  But the process differs on classification.

Upon arrival, the groups are segregated by the coast guards to OFW's and Non OFW.  Each are ushered to different holding areas.  

Photo by DOT NCR

FOR OFW's

The OFW's will take turns on the Red Cross Verification counter to validate their information.  

It is recommended that they are able to pre register online using this link: https://e-cif.redcross.org.ph/

After validation, bar codes are issued to be given to swabber with the remaining 1 to stick on the passport.  This unique barcode is important to monitor the status of your result.

You can verify your result through this link: https://e-cif.redcross.org.ph/

Nowadays, result from red cross are usually available within 3-5 Days of extraction.

After extraction, the OFW's will now be classified to either Land Based or Sea Based.  The Land Based OFW's are assisted by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) while the SEA BASED are taken to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Desk.  OWWA is in charge of providing the Quarantine Hotels for returning Land Based OFW while the Manning Agency will provide the accommodation for Sea Based OFW's at no expense to the passenger.  The privilege also includes transportation to destinations outside of Manila after the mandatory quarantine.  

But please bear in mind that only active members may avail of this privileges.  Inactive members are re classified as Non OFW.

For Non OFW

Returning non OFW's will have to undergo the RT-PCR test from private diagnostic laboratory stationed at the airport.  Price of the test is 4,500 pesos but the result is made available within 1 to 2 days, sometimes earlier.

For passengers of Philippine Airlines arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, you need to register through their own Electronic case Investigation Form using this link:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=CwHXSIWn90GG3l93kpp6nm4esAJ-fclAnuuFwHYvxXZUN1I4QklBWFNKMEdDRzc4UUtZOEhIUTFGNSQlQCN0PWcu

After the swab extraction, they will be ushered to the Department of Tourism (DOT) desk to validate their hotel quarantine facility.  It is recommended that these hotels are booked in advance because the options at the airport are limited as compared to those online.  Just make sure that the chosen hotels have been inspected either by the Department of Health or the Department of Tourism.

DOT Desk at Terminal 1 (Photo by DOT NCR)

DOT Desk at Terminal 2 (Photo by DOT NCR)

List of Accredited Hotels For Mandatory Quarantine by DOH: http://quarantine.doh.gov.ph/facilities-inspected-as-of-september-30-2020/

List of Accredited Hotels For Mandatory Quarantine by DOT: Click on the Accreditation Page on the link http://www.tourism.gov.ph/

Please note that only hotel within Metro Manila are allowed as mandatory quarantine for returning overseas filipinos.  A booking confirmation must be presented at the desk.  It's best that you keep a printed copy or a screenshot of your booking ready on your device.  Messages and handwritten documents will not be honored.

Transportation

For OFW's

OWWA and Marina will provide shuttle transfers free of Charge.

For Non OFW

The are 3 options for returning non-ofw all to be paid by the passenger.

1. Hotel Transfer with identification

2. Coupon Taxi (Fixed Rate, SUV)

3. Yellow Metered Taxi

A handful of forms will be given, but the most important is the Affidavit of Undertaking.  This will be given to the Philippine Coast Guards upon exit.  Get ahead by downloading and filling out the form below:

This will serve as your gate pass.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I ask my relatives to pick me up?

Only accredited transport is allowed to enter the arrival area.  Having your relative pick you up totally defeat the quarantine purpose.  Only when a negative result is available and presented to the hotel representatives will you be allowed to reunite with your families.

I have my own condominium unit or apartment, and I'm the only one living there, why do I need to incur additional expense and book a hotel as a quarantine facility?

The Accredited and Inspected facilities adhere to strict health and quarantine protocols imposed by the government.  They will limit your mobility and report to IATF any violations.  Something the government cannot impose on private homes.

I just had a negative result before flying, why do I need to get one upon arrival?

The government is exerting all efforts to protect our borders from the virus.  Although you can vouch for your own health, there's no guarantee that the rest of the passengers on the same flight did the same thing.  You become a vulnerable candidate the moment you boarded the flight especially the long ones.  It also serves a preparatory document to your next destination.

What if I don't have money to pay for the swab test and hotel?

In extreme cases where you can't afford to pay for private swabbing, you may opt to avail the one by Red Cross, but be prepared to wait a bit longer for the release of result.  Government Quarantine facility is also available free of charge, but you might have to wait up to the last flight of the day to be taken to Eva Macapagal Quarantine Complex.  The Coast Guard needs to gather all availers from different flights and terminals before the transfer.

Please comment if you have other questions below!

An Act Of Kindness In The Airport

For the last 2 months, I have been doing work for the Department of Tourism at our International Airports.  Since, tourism activities are not allowed during ECQ, serving our arriving overseas Filipinos is a welcomed opportunity because it still allows me to interact with guests.

Last September 10, me and fellow DOT frontline Lara were assigned to Terminal 3 assisting 2 arriving flights.  One from Dubai and the other from Quatar.  Our duty went smoothly until an elderly passenger was taken to our desk.  He was a 73 year old Navy Veteran from the US.  He is suffering from early stages of alzheimer, not knowing his whereabouts on certain periods of our encounter.  We need to constantly remind him that he's at the Manila International Airport, and only then will he be able to remember his trip and journey.  He seemed to have lost his mobile phone and ipad, and only a small note bearing a number is our contact to his final destination in Samar.

As part of the protocol for arriving tourists, RT-PCR test is done upon arrival and a negative result is required before his connecting flight to Tacloban.  He needs to stay at a hotel Quarantine Facility to wait for his result, but the Airline personnel was worried that he might not remember his flight if left without a companion.  His money was just enough to pay for the private swabbing and got only 1000 pesos from his ATM account, not enough for a night stay.

The DSWD can only offer to escort him, but with his frail condition, we don't want to risk leaving him in a hotel room by himself, because he can barely walk and would not touch the food we gave him.

Our initial plan was just to let him stay at the airport, under the custody of the Philippine Coast Guard while being monitored by the medical team at Terminal 3 so that he can easily catch the earliest departing flight to Tacloban leaving the next day.  The Bureau of Quarantine issued an exemption and expedited a fast release of his result.

During our conversations and the search for his missing devices and phone book, we stumbled upon his medical kits for Diabetes.  Its only at that time that we realised that he's not been taking his insulin shots since he started travelling.  That explains his heavy breathing and the medical staff immediately checked for his blood sugar levels.

With Lara's conversation with his deceased wife's relative, although they know of his pre existing diabetes, they were not aware that he's experiencing Alzheimer.  They offered to care for him here in the Philippines since it's here that he feels he has family and he cannot afford to pay for his nurse in the states anymore.  Lara was in tears after the phone call.

His blood sugar was high, and his pulse rate extremely low.  The doctor on site recommended that he'd be taken to a hospital to get proper care otherwise risking him getting into a coma.  He even administered his own insulin shot, but his condition did not improve.

With no money, the Undersecretary of Transportation Raul Del Rosario offered to pay for his bills while coordination with the US Embassy was undertaken.

Because of Covid, we had a hard time looking for a hospital that would take him.  We called 6 hospitals until eventually Manila Doctors Hospital accepted him.

It was past midnight when he was taken to the hospital.

The following day, we were informed that his SWAB test result came out negative and he made it safely to Tacloban.

As of this writing, he's now in the care of his wife's relative undergoing home quarantine in Samar.  

I have never seen kindness to strangers exemplified in this manner.  The relatives wanted to extend their gratitude to the Airline staff who did not leave his side until his connecting ticket was issued.  The airport porter who took him in his wheelchair at every stop, even when he got mad because it was not his home toilet he was taken to when he wanted to visit the restroom.  To the Philippine Coast Guards who made sure he's safe at the airport even escorting and staying at the hospital.  To the DSWD staff who made sure the relatives are informed of what's happening and ensuring he'd be picked up upon his arrival in Tacloban.  To USEC Del Rosario for not hesitating to take care of the hospital bills and remotely staying on top of everything.  To Lara for searching for the hotdog sandwich (Jolly Hotdog) he requested and coordinating with every agency involved.

I was merely a spectator as I watch this story of kindness unfold, apart from making him feel comfortable with small chats.  It was these people who went beyond their call of duty for this man.  

We all had the same mindset, that if this would have been our relative or us in the future, we're hoping people would still extend the same treatment.

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