Manila

[Kabul Guy]

The PRA heavily requested that the ban on SRRV holders be lifted but to no avail. They promote that visa so hard and now it is nothing more than a tourist visa where you have to put a big deposit in one of their banks. .....

I am still glad that I have my SRRV. It made my claim of being a non resident of Canada for tax purposes bullet proof. In 3 years here I have saved about 6 to 8 times my deposit in Canadian taxes. Even on my Canadian sourced income, I am paying less tax than I would have as a Canadian resident. (Only about $CDN 100 but that still pays for a honey for a night or two.).

I get 1% interest on my deposit less 30% for Philippine taxes so effectively 0. 7% interest. HSBC pays zero interest on my USD account.

There are other reasons than Philippine based ones for having an SRRV, but without the Canadian tax implications it really is just a 3 year easily renewable tourist visa.

[Steve Nash]

Oh well, I had to cancel my Manila plans because Cebu City change from suppose to be MECQ to GCQ, so since both Manila and Cebu City have Canadian embassy / consulate and both are in GCQ starting today, I rather go to Cebu City since is closer to Negros where I am right now.

I know that there has been alot of stories that you guys also mention here about people getting stuck someplace, but all those stories come during ECQ, I will never travel to another city and even worse to another province during ECQ.

I will only travel because is GCQ, and because they will open the Canadian embassy / consulate on June 1st, and because I have something important to do there, unless of course the mayor of Cebu City change the guidelines which is exactly what he did today.

So from this new guidelines I will only be able to travel to Cebu City by Section 15 CV: "Persons going to the airport for travel abroad. ".

Well, I'm hoping it can apply to me, I will need to find out in the terminal with the CERES buses (maybe ask the soldiers there), that my flight going to Canada is in July from Cebu City (I have proof, I have my airplane ticket already), so I'm going there a month in advance to wait for my flight there. I'm hoping they might let me. The only other option will be to wait until June 15, when they will hopefully change the guidelines and they will allow province traveling. If everything goes to plan they should change from GCQ to MGCQ which should hopefully allow provincial traveling.

[Ekspat]

So I'm looking for a 4 to 5 nights hotel / condo / airbnb accomodation.

I don't know about airbnb or condos for rent.

But today I came along Ayala Triangle and the Peninsular hotel. The hotel was still completely dead and no signs of any activity. No way that it'll open any time soon.

[Beavis]

The PRA heavily requested that the ban on SRRV holders be lifted but to no avail. They promote that visa so hard and now it is nothing more than a tourist visa where you have to put a big deposit in one of their banks. Granted you don't have to deal with the BI every 59 days and it is slightly cheaper than paying for extensions but it will take a long time for it to be financially advantageous. Many SRRV holders are considering cancelling their visa once this crap is over. The SRRV holders that are stranded out of country should be really pissed. If I had it to do over I would not have gotten an SRRV. It is now basically a pretty stamp in your passport.

The quarantine rules are just insane. With the locals given the authority to implement their own restrictions it is impossible to know what is allowed / needed / required. On an upper note at least the Filipinos aren't burning down cities and looting everywhere in a demand for justice. So crazy as it may be being stuck here isn't so bad.

As far as I know the borders are still closed to incoming travelers with limited exceptions. That is returning citizens, permanent residents, spouses and dependents and diplomats. SRRV is NOT considered a permanent resident so if you have an SRRV and are out of the country you cannot return.

Provincial travel is still limited and will still be limited under GCQ. You need a reason to travel or fly inter island. That would have to be work, medical or other essential reason.

Unfortunately the local governments are, out of fear, imposing their own rules on lots of things. I am on another board, general living not mongering, and people there are reporting some pretty strict and changing travel rules. For example they were only allowed to leave home every 3 days, now changed to once a week, Some have day of travel restriction. In one case they can leave M-W-F but the next banguay with the grocery stores and medical facilities only allows people in on T-T-S.

To be blunt, implementation and enforcement of the quarantine, all levels, is a confusing mess of local rules and local interpretation of the national rules.

By "private ferry" I meant a local fisherman in the middle of the night landing on the beaches in isolated places, not a regular charter going from one port to another at high noon.

[Kabul Guy]

.....
It is not flying from GCQ to GCQ it is can you enter the country and get a tourist visa or not without going through what the locals must go through? I doubt it unless a resident who can self isolate at home.

KG. As for the landlords wife. This is being arranged all over the place but can cost a lot and see above for the issue my friend faced. Messy is a nice way to describe it.

As far as I know the borders are still closed to incoming travelers with limited exceptions. That is returning citizens, permanent residents, spouses and dependents and diplomats. SRRV is NOT considered a permanent resident so if you have an SRRV and are out of the country you cannot return.

Provincial travel is still limited and will still be limited under GCQ. You need a reason to travel or fly inter island. That would have to be work, medical or other essential reason.

Unfortunately the local governments are, out of fear, imposing their own rules on lots of things. I am on another board, general living not mongering, and people there are reporting some pretty strict and changing travel rules. For example they were only allowed to leave home every 3 days, now changed to once a week, Some have day of travel restriction. In one case they can leave M-W-F but the next banguay with the grocery stores and medical facilities only allows people in on T-T-S.

To be blunt, implementation and enforcement of the quarantine, all levels, is a confusing mess of local rules and local interpretation of the national rules.

By "private ferry" I meant a local fisherman in the middle of the night landing on the beaches in isolated places, not a regular charter going from one port to another at high noon.

[Amanut]

I previously visited the Philippines several times, but my daughter convinced me to travel to Vietnam with her for a vacation. I was reluctant due to lack of English and other concerns but she convinced me. It totally turned my thoughts around about travel in the Philippines. I have not returned to the Philippines since. Since then my mongering and dating site visits have been restricted to Vietnam and to a lesser extent Cambodia. I was going to return to Vietnam in February, but cancelled my plans due to the Corona Virus. In hindsight I wish I had gone. Unlike the Philippines, Vietnam immediately totally locked down the country and cities tight and started contract tracing with amazing results. This resulted resulted in only about 350 virus cases, no deaths, and no new transmission infections for over a month. I could stayed there for six months and felt totally safe. Yes they are a Communist totalitarian country, but their resolve to consistently hunt out the virus and not allow exceptions has been perfect in my mind.

When Vietnam opens their boarders again, I hope to be on the first plane back. Unfortunately, their precautions will likely limit my ability to travel to either Vietnam or Cambodia due to my Canadian government's inability to control of the spread of the virus here at home. The Vietnamese web sites state Vietnam will not allow incoming international travelers to enter until the receiving country shows no new infections for thirty days so I think it will be a long time before North Americans to be welcomed without a period of quarantine. This is further complicated by having to connect through Taipei, or Seoul who may or may not be accepting connecting international travelers. In the mean time, Red Kilt who I have been in contact with from time to time, is enjoying his time in isolation mongering in Cambodia trouble free .

In reading about the inconsistent methods of how various mayors and leaders are dealing with the virus and travel, the Philippines would be far down the list of places for me to feel safe to travel to. That plus in Vietnam the food is better, the money goes further, and the ladies are just as lovely. But if your a dating site guy like me there is more leg work involved to get them to your room.

Just my thoughts.

Nut.

[Wicked Roger]

I also read that at least within Manila there will not be travel from once GCQ city to another, except for work.

I want to bring a regular from Manila to Cebu and we will hunker down and ride out the second wave but am not fully convinced that inter island travel will be possible.

My landlords wife is in Negros and cannot get back to Cebu. He thinks that there might be a "private ferry" that can bring her over as the inter-island ferries not officially running.

Another example to show the confusion KG and others.

A good friend got stuck in Cebu / Toledo mid March when her ferry to Leyte was cancelled even though was ordered to sail, SO her and 40 others got stuck. After much angst, paperwork etc they were allowed to leave on a ferry yesterday (29 May!) but. Needed extra paperwork to travel to the port! All had twice been tested negative for COVID19, all had 3 sets of documents as demanded buy the LGU (local government unit).

Now in Leyte they have 21 days quarantine of which 14 is in an hotel they pay for. If can't afford they are all poked into small school room, no air no food etc. Only family an bring etc.

As a tourist if you can get a visa (and that is not yet clear) why would anyone want to go there when nothing is clear. Lots of dreamers on the board at the moment. Most mongers I know have written off the Philippines this year as no one cane be sure the place is safe. It is doing a good jib with limited resources but in some areas it is unclear if the cases are decreasing.

It is not flying from GCQ to GCQ it is can you enter the country and get a tourist visa or not without going through what the locals must go through? I doubt it unless a resident who can self isolate at home.

KG. As for the landlords wife. This is being arranged all over the place but can cost a lot and see above for the issue my friend faced. Messy is a nice way to describe it.

[Kabul Guy]

.....

Until you make the Journey (and you may be the first ISG guy to try it) you will not know.

.....

And even once you make the journey you will only know that travel was possible that day and with that particular combination of people manning the check points.

[ForkTruck]

I read GCQ guidelines, and domestic flights will be allow from GCQ to GCQ areas, so getting a flight shouldn't be a problem. The accommodation will be the problem for me.

I read today in PhilStar that GCQ to GCQ travel is OK beginning June 1. However too often in the Philippines the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing or even cares. Local Government Units are making power plays and making up their own rules concerning who can go where and who cannot. When you land you might find yourself in a bureaucratic nightmare. Until you make the Journey (and you may be the first ISG guy to try it) you will not know. Good Luck and let us know how you make out. I hope you don't end up like these hapless folks. " At least 24 residents of Barangay Luz in Cebu City who were among the first who tested positive are still at the barangay isolation center (BIC) 40 days after they were put in isolation". You may also have been following the stories about the thousands of returning OFWs put in a 14 day quarantine in Manila who 30+ days later were still in isolation. Took President Du to demand their release to go home and even then he got push back bcuz some mayors didn't want them so they could not get papers. I do not want to be traveling in the Philippines until the dust settles. What a revolting development this has turned into.

[Kabul Guy]

....

I read GCQ guidelines, and domestic flights will be allow from GCQ to GCQ areas, so getting a flight shouldn't be a problem.
......

I also read that at least within Manila there will not be travel from once GCQ city to another, except for work.

I want to bring a regular from Manila to Cebu and we will hunker down and ride out the second wave but am not fully convinced that inter island travel will be possible.

My landlords wife is in Negros and cannot get back to Cebu. He thinks that there might be a "private ferry" that can bring her over as the inter-island ferries not officially running.

[Wicked Roger]

Is anybody in Manila at this moment?

Since Manila will be in GCQ on June, I'm planning to flight to Manila on June to visit the Canadian Embassy.

So I'm looking for a 4 to 5 nights hotel / condo / airbnb accomodation.

Here in Negros where I am, the hotels and even short hotels are open for new reservations because we are in GCQ already. So will be the same in Manila?

What about girl friendly stays? Am I allow to bring a guest so she can sleep or maybe visit me for afew hours?

I read GCQ guidelines, and domestic flights will be allow from GCQ to GCQ areas, so getting a flight shouldn't be a problem. The accommodation will be the problem for me.

Hopefully a monger who lives in Manila right now can give me some advice.

Read the local news and this board as tourist are still not allowed (no visas) and maybe 14 day quarantine likely at your cost.

Best call the Embassy and ask before you book.

Residents who are currently outside the country at present have had flight rescheduled a lot so why think you get in front of them?

So rad the local news and if you RTFF you find some comments form informed mongers on this plus links to news articles saying the above.

[Steve Nash]

Is anybody in Manila at this moment?

Since Manila will be in GCQ on June, I'm planning to flight to Manila on June to visit the Canadian Embassy.

So I'm looking for a 4 to 5 nights hotel / condo / airbnb accomodation.

Here in Negros where I am, the hotels and even short hotels are open for new reservations because we are in GCQ already. So will be the same in Manila?

What about girl friendly stays? Am I allow to bring a guest so she can sleep or maybe visit me for afew hours?

I read GCQ guidelines, and domestic flights will be allow from GCQ to GCQ areas, so getting a flight shouldn't be a problem. The accommodation will be the problem for me.

Hopefully a monger who lives in Manila right now can give me some advice.

[Bushes]

No it is not long. You fill out a form with supporting documentation. If you have a legitimate case it takes a couple of weeks. The credit card companies take the money from the bank, the bank of the supplier then deals with the supplier. The credit card companies are international organisations and have consistent rules. They have an issuing bank but you are following Visa or MasterCard etc rules.

YMMV. I find different. Even in US. In the good old days, AMEX was fantastic. Worldwide. But nowadays, they are the pretty much same as their competitors. Maybe just a little better.

My caution is don't prepay if you can or use a credit card guarantee that you might need to spend time resolving.

Even on cards with built in insurance, it will take time and money to get your money back if you ever do. With Airplane tickets are are stuck. You need to pay upfront. If the airline cancels your flight, you might be moved to a different flight automatically. But getting cash back even in the best of times is time consuming and expensive.

YMMV. I don't care what you do. I am just sharing my experience.

[GDreams]

Even if you are protected, it can be time consuming and long.

No it is not long. You fill out a form with supporting documentation. If you have a legitimate case it takes a couple of weeks. The credit card companies take the money from the bank, the bank of the supplier then deals with the supplier. The credit card companies are international organisations and have consistent rules. They have an issuing bank but you are following Visa or MasterCard etc rules.

[Bushes]

Usually your agreement with the credit card company is that you have to get something for your money or you can dispute a charge.

That is why when tour operators or airlines went bankrupt people who had not flown were refunded money by the card company. People who had flown one way got something for their money and so were out of luck for the remainder.

You might have a fight to get the money back but if you can demonstrate that you were unable to use the hotel because it was not accepting guests you should prevail in the long run.

Of course that still does not solve the issue of where you will sleep tonight.

A lot depends on where you get the credit card and where you "are". Most Western countries have good consumer protection rules. Some credit card companies are better than others. In the old days, Amex was the gold standard. It also depends on the "level" or color of your card, as in how much, if anything, you pay in membership fees.

Even if you are protected, it can be time consuming and long.

In the current environment, some major companies are playing games and dragging things out.

If possible, I would not give a credit hold. There are plenty of places that would skip a credit card hold. Or use a travel agency.

It is very difficult to travel internationally now and those operators still up are desperate.