This is a personal experience of a Filipino and his spouse returning from Spain to Manila, no names given. This was shared today in our UPSE Alumni Assn (UPSEAA) viber group. Enjoy. Or weep in shame.
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Prior to leaving Madrid for Manila (home) on July 29, we were pleasantly surprised to find out that the Philippine government had a new system (just like Spain) for arriving passengers which was to fill up an online health form prior to departure so one could register and then to complete filling it up at the departure lounge which was a bit stressful as many times the link would not accept the information. Thereafter if successful one receives the Philippines’ “One Health Pass” QR code.
In Spain, it took us around 15minutes from deplaning till the time we had to call a taxi. We showed our QR codes as we stepped out of the plane in Madrid and once more prior to immigration. We thought maybe it would take an hour or so for Manila or maybe even quicker considering we were only 50 passengers on the plane (Philippine government allows Turkish Airlines only 50 passengers per flight). We were in for a rude surprise after 18 hours of travel time.
We arrived at 6:15pm and left the airport close to 9pm. Around 2 1/2 hours were spent and wasted between the plane and immigration.
After we deplaned we first stood in line for about half an hour not even knowing why we were lining up until someone came to check our Phil. QR codes or get our health cards. What was ridiculous was aside from filling up all the info online in Madrid, we still had to fill up arrival and health cards on the plane which was the same information.
After about half an hour, someone announced that all non-OFWs could leave the area. Only OFWs had to stay for the orientation. What I don’t understand is why separate the OFWs. There were some foreigners in our group and they were as perplexed and upset as we were.
Then onto the next area where one had to fill up another online form (which took a lot of time) for the lab that would give the RT PCR test with the same information again that we did online in Madrid, on the plane and then fill up and sign a waiver stating that we agreed to the quarantine, would follow the rules and indicate again what hotel we had booked.
FIRST DESK: DOT (Department of Tourism) staff took our passports to record our personal information and they also asked for a copy of our confirmed hotel booking.
SECOND DESK: This is where we had to book and pay for an RT PCR test. We asked why couldn’t we choose our own lab that could come to the hotel. We were told we could use only the ones at the airport mainly PADLAB (Phil Airport Diagnostic Laboratory) or Red Cross. We said Red Cross and the reply was sorry they don’t have a representative today. So we had no choice. There was a Filipino diplomat who works for the UN abroad who informed them that his doctor from the UN would take care of the test. Long story short, he had to call someone from the UN office to speak with the DOT staff who later agreed he could leave without booking a test.
THIRD DESK: After one pays the fee, the last booth is called VERIFICATION where they will review all the documents and make sure you paid for the RT PCR test. Another waste of time. Wasn’t paying and getting a receipt in the second desk enough proof? After it was verified our passports were released to us.
We were so embarrassed with our airport procedure that was repetitive and having so many personnel handling our passports from desk to desk that we actually started apologizing to two other foreigners who were in our group. They and the other Filipinos agreed they had never seen anything like this in other countries even with COVID.
Throughout this whole process, airport personnel, lab personnel and even the coast guards could not explain why the process was so lengthy and repetitive.
Actual immigration was fast, just 5 minutes maybe because it was already 8:30pm and not too many arrivals.
Our suitcases were already on the floor by the carousel but we had to show the Coast Guard a slip of paper that was given to us at the verification desk before releasing the suitcases to us.
When we finally left the terminal, another Coast Guard had to accompany us until we actually entered the vehicle to take us to the hotel where we were told we were lucky as it took some passengers four hours to get out.
Yup, it’s more “fun” in the Philippines.
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My comment in the thread:
Thanks. Kudos to your friend who narrated this. Anyway this is another proof that the purpose of govt is to expand govt. Especially in PH. A lockdown of 2 yrs, 10 yrs won't worry or affect them. Their salaries, allowances, bonuses, are assured 100%.
The above narration was sent to a Cabinet Secretary in Malacanang, the official replied that they will fix this problem. I further commented in the thread:
Am just curious that this has been happening for 1+ yr already but continues, people's grievances are either not communicated to the big shot lockdown leaders in Malacanang, or they read them but the complainants are not big shot enough and they just ignore. Unelected bureaucrats have a life of their own, they are bureaucrats for 20, 30, 40 years, zero plan to be in the private sector and be the regulated, they will retire as regulators and bureaucrats and their minds are corrupted by the powers they wield within their area or agency.
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See also:
Covid 47, Dra. Marivic Villa on IVM and Dr Salvana, July 29, 2021
Covid 48, Interview at Aksyon Radyo Iloilo and Radyo Bacolod, July 31, 2021
Covid 49, More vax injuries, forced vaccination in Manila, August 01, 2021.
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