According to local media in the Philippines, GMA Integrated News, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) has given its approval to revised departure guidelines for Filipinos traveling internationally. The 2023 Revised IACAT Guidelines on Departure Formalities for Internationally-Bound Filipino Passengers were introduced to address emerging trends in human trafficking while ensuring the right to travel for Filipinos, as reported by GMA Integrated News.
The updated guidelines necessitate all outbound Filipino travelers to undergo immigration inspection and present essential travel documents such as a valid passport, boarding pass, applicable visa, and confirmed return or roundtrip ticket. Immigration officers are now mandated to interview passengers about their travel purpose and request additional supporting documents as needed, as per the GMA Integrated News report.
Mico Clavano, DOJ spokesperson, emphasized that the guidelines are intended to protect Filipinos from human trafficking, stating that the IACAT aims to screen travelers in the Philippines to safeguard citizens even before they depart, as reported by GMA Integrated News.
For travelers on sponsored trips, the guidelines require presentation of original birth or marriage certificates issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as well as confirmed return or roundtrip tickets. Further documents such as the sponsor’s passport, work visa, permit, Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), E-receipt, or OFW Clearance are necessary for OFW sponsors, according to GMA Integrated News.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) stated that if the sponsor is not a relative, additional documents may be needed. Proof of relationship, such as photographs or other relevant documents, may also be requested. The BI spokesperson, Dana Sandoval, added that the address and contact information of the sponsor would be required for government reference, as reported by GMA Integrated News.
The revised guidelines will come into effect in the first week of September, as mentioned in the GMA Integrated News report. Measures are being taken to ensure an efficient process at immigration counters, including the possible implementation of “green lanes” for specific categories of travelers, GMA Integrated News reported.
Member agencies of the IACAT include the DOJ, BI, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, according to the GMA Integrated News report.
