Traveling to Philippines from Dubai? Filipino shares tips

  DUBAI – Filipino expatriate Cristopher Bondoc sought to allay fears and misconceptions among Filipinos thinking of traveling to the Philippines from the UAE amid travel precautions related to the Covid-19 pandemic. “Sana mawala ang kaba nila (I hope their worries will disappear),” Bondoc told Expatmedia.net after arriving in Clark International Airport from Dubai on Tuesday, joining more than 100,000 Overseas Filipinos who have returned to the Philippines since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Bondoc went on emergency leave to the Philippines after learning of his father’s death. The Filipino, who has lived in Dubai in the last five years, said he is using his annual vacation to attend to the family matter. He is scheduled to return to Dubai on November 1.

Flight from Dubai to Clark

The 32-year-old Filipino said despite news of flight cancellations, he was able to book a ticket through Emirates. “I was nervous at first, but I was able to directly contact the airline to answer any question that I had,” he said. He was able to bring along a 35kg check-in luggage and a 10kg hand carry luggage on the flight home. “My wife and relative brought me to the airport, but they weren’t allowed to come with me inside Terminal 3 since only passengers are permitted inside,” Bondoc said. The travel was smooth sailing, he said. On the flight, he remembers filling a Health Declaration form and a Customs Declaration form. “After arriving at Clark International Airport, OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) staff oriented us on what to expect during our stay. During the orientation, they distributed water and bread to us. After the orientation, they asked all passengers to fall in line for accommodation assignments. Then we had to go for swab testing, which took about 10 minutes. Then I went to claim my luggage before taking the bus service to the hotel,” Bondoc told Expatmedia.net. He was billeted in a clean room at Royce Hotel, with food delivered outside his door three times a day as part of social distancing rules. There is even an in-house representative of OWWA checking up on him via telephone from a nearby office within the hotel, he said.

Praise for Philippine government on cover for OFWs

Bondoc praised the Philippine government for hotel and transport arrangements for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Because he is an OFW, Bondoc was given free Covid-19 test, quarantine accommodation and food at a local hotel on his arrival. The Philippine government has ensured that the “modern-day heroes” are spared from the costs of mandatory Covid-19 swab tests and quarantine on arrival. “I am super satisfied. I don’t know how to thank everyone for the experience. I have lost a loved one, but somehow the service they showed me has eased the pain,” Bondoc said in Filipino. Bondoc didn’t have to worry about extended quarantine on arrival. On Thursday (August 20), two days after arriving in the country, he received his Covid-19 test result. He tested negative, which means he can travel to his hometown of Pampanga as soon as possible. “They put me on the priority list because of a death in the family,” he said. The quarantine period for arriving passengers is up to five days, followed by a 14-day home quarantine, he said. What is his advice to Filipinos planning to travel home during this period? “Check the news to be updated with the constant change of rules and policies. Follow protocols and abide by government rules. Stay healthy. Keep the faith. We will heal as one,” he said.

Tips to traveling to Philippines from Dubai

Bondoc shares his tips to traveling to Philippines from Dubai - Book your ticket a week before your target flight - Check with your airline for any travel requirements and restrictions - Make sure to follow your airline’s luggage rules to avoid delays - Bring a pen with you for all the forms you need to fill

Breakdown of expenses

Bondoc shares a breakdown of what he paid for the trip to the Philippines Airfare: Dh3,985 (return ticket) Contract verification (POLO): Dh40 Sim card: P350 (Dh25) Total: Dh4,023

Arriving at Philippine airport

Guidelines from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for Filipinos returning to the Philippines during the coronavirus pandemic: 1. Register through e-cif.redcross.org.ph upon arrival at the airport or 3 days prior to your flight 2. Upload the bio page of your passport 3. Save the QR code you will receive via email 4. Expect briefing on arrival at airport 5. Present your QR code at verification counter 6. Claim six barcode stickers at the counter 7. Place one barcode sticker on your passport 8. Undergo swab testing at the testing booth 9. Submit your 5 remaining barcode stickers 10. Head to Immigration Counter and show passport 11. For Quarantine Center Assignement, head to - OFW-OWWA desk (for landbased OFWs) - LMA Desk (for seafarers with local agency) - Department of Tourism desk (for non-OFWs)

Upon arrival at quarantine facility

1. Observe social distancing and self-isolation 2. Download the OWWA Uwian Na App 3. Follow OWWA Facebook Quarantine Ops page for updates 4. In case of issues or concerns, go to - House parent - PCG Security Officer - Hotel personnel 5. Seek assistance from roving doctors or nurses for health concerns 6. In case of negative coronavirus test result, inform the house parent, PCG Security Officer, hotel personnel or through the OWWA Uwian Na app 7. In case you exhibit symptoms of coronavirus, you will be sent to a quarantine facility 8. In case you test positive for coronavirus, you will be sent to the Covid Positive Facility

Transportation to hometown

1. When you test negative for coronavirus, you will be transported by bus to: PITX (Luzon/NCR residents) NAIA (Visayas/Mindanao residents) PIER (for ship ride to hometown) 2. Register through database check where you will be transported 3. Wait for your scheduled trip home by bus, airplane or ship

On arrival at home region

1. Follow local precautionary measures. You may be required to undergo medical screening, testing or quarantine 2. Those who haven’t completed their 14-day quarantine in Metro Manila may: Complete their 14-day quarantine at the local quarantine facility or opt for home quarantine ICA/PIA/Expat Media
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