You will never realize the value and rigors of acquiring a Travel Authority document until you are in that tight spot of getting one.

Now, more than ever, traveling requires more preparation, coordination and documentation. Crossing borders requires more than just driving a car or booking a ticket. Something interesting happened – that is, COVID-19. 

Today, traveling can no longer be a spontaneous adventure and visiting a friend or a family is no longer just a book-and-fly journey. Therefore, when you decide to travel, make sure you are updated about the existing travel protocols.

First Time to Get a Travel Authority?

Acquiring a travel authority is a long and tedious process especially for a first-timer – when you don’t know what to do or where to start.

On this blog, let me walk you through the step-by-step process of getting a travel authority. Save yourself from the fears of not knowing and gain a realistic overview of the entire process – be guided on what to do, which offices to go to, the best time to do it, what documents are needed and how much it costs.

When you know what to do, you can efficiently utilize your time, efforts and budget and take calculated steps every step of the way.

travel authority documents in the philippines

Travel Requirements in the New Normal Philippines

Inputs found here are all based on my personal experience as a locally stranded individual (LSI), traveling from Cebu going to my hometown in Bicol.

Please note, however, that TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS MAY VARY DEPENDING ON YOUR LOCALE/PROVINCE. For specific requirements, it is always best to check with the RIGHT sources. In this case, contact the local government unit (LGU). Certainly, most municipalities and cities have a website / facebook page / email address / phone number that you can easily reach at the comforts of your home. It is recommended that you DIRECTLY CONTACT THEM and seek their professional advice.

Mandatory Travel Authority : A Non-negotiable COVID-19 Travel Requirement

Since the lockdown in March 2020, the Philippines has implemented a systematic and coordinated approach in facilitating travel. Thus, compliance with documentation such as a Travel Authority ensures proper compliance of the health protocols and that concerned offices (both at the place of origin and destination) are notified and properly coordinated.

Travel Authority (TA) is the official endorsement of the concerned local COVID Task Force that the locally stranded individual (LSI) is permitted to pass at Quarantine Control Points / Checkpoints, Seaports and Airports. This document indicates the LSI’s travel details such as complete name, mode of transportation, place of origin, place of destination, zoning classification and status of travel.

This document is issued by the Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield (JTF CV Shield) or the office of Philippine National Police (PNP). It is one of the major requirements for traveling and in allowing entry of the LSIs in the receiving LGU. 

Are you a Locally Stranded Individual (LSI)?

The Department of Interior and Local Governance (DILG) defines Locally Stranded Individuals (LSI) as “foreign nationals or Filipino citizens in a specific locality within the Philippines who have expressed intention to return to their place of residence / home origin. LSIs can be further classified into:

  • Workers;
  • Students;
  • Tourists; and
  • Other individuals stranded in various localities while in transit

The movement of individuals has been heavily reduced to include only those LSIs and Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) to help curb the spread of the virus. As such, strict protocols are in place to limit the number of people who can travel. In any case, pertinent  travel documents are required.

Travel Authority Requirements for LSI

Here is the step by step process on how to get a travel authority in the Philippines.

1) Locally Stranded Individual (LSI) Form

LSI Form is the starting point for processing Travel Authority. It is a one-page document issued at the barangay LGU of origin which contains basic travel information.

Where to get it / Concerned Office: LGU of origin / Barangay Hall of the locale where you presently residing

Requirement: None

Cost: Free

Processing time: 5-10 minutes

 

2) Endorsement from Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT), commonly known as Barangay Health Center

After getting the LSI Form from the Barangay Hall, you may proceed directly to the Barangay Health Center to notify them about your plan for travel. The Health Officer will then advise you to take a 14-day quarantine prior to departure. Depending on your locale, quarantine can be done in a designated quarantine facility or can also be a home quarantine.

In my case, my LGU of origin only requires a home quarantine. I was asked to keep a daily record of my body temperature twice a day – 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. I then bought a digital thermometer from a nearby drugstore to meet this requirement.

After the 14-day quarantine period, you need to report back to the Barangay Health Office. The Health Officer will ask for a copy of your 14-day temperature record and will use this information to fill-up the Daily Individual Signs and Symptoms Log Sheet. They will then endorse to the barangay so that you can proceed with the next steps.

Where to get it / Concerned Office: Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT)

Requirements: 1) LSI Form; 2) 14-day Quarantine and a record of your daily body temperature

Cost: Free

Processing time: 5-10 minutes

 

3) Barangay Certification and Barangay Exit Clearance

Upon submission of the first two (2) documents (LSI Form and the Daily Individual Signs and Symptoms Log Sheet endorsed by BHERT), the LGU will prepare the Barangay Certification and Barangay Exit Clearance. The latter will require a digital photo of you, which will be made via webcam at the barangay hall. Both documents will be signed by the Barangay Captain (Punong Barangay).

Where to get it / Concerned Office: LGU of origin / Barangay Hall of origin

Requirements: 1) LSI Form; 2) Daily Individual Signs and Symptoms Log Sheet endorsed by the Barangay Health Officer

Cost: Free

Processing time: 30 minutes to 1 hour (can also be dependent on the availability of the Barangay Captain for his/her signature)

4) Medical Certificate

This next document will be processed at the City or Municipal Health Office. Upon checking the completeness of your documents, you will be asked to fill up a Request Form and to attach a photocopy of 1 valid ID and the Barangay Certification.

Once done, you will be given a schedule of when to pick-up your document. Usually, it takes 1-2 days before the Medical Certificate is available for release.

The Medical Certificate however has a limited time validity of only 2-3 days only. Thus, make sure to secure only a Medical Certificate when you have a confirmed travel departure.

Where to get it / Concerned Office: City or Municipal Health Office of origin

Requirements: 1) LSI Form; 2) Daily Individual Signs and Symptoms Log Sheet endorsed by the Barangay Health Officer; 3) Barangay Certification; 4) Barangay Exit Clearance; 5) Photocopy of 1 valid ID and the Barangay Clearance

Cost: Free

Processing time: 1-2 days (together with document No. 5 or Availability to Travel document)

IMPORTANT NOTE: A Medical Certificate is different from a Swab (also known as Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction or RT-PCR) Test Result. Some airlines and receiving LGU require a Negative Swab / RT-PCR Test Result so make sure to cautiously check the travel requirements. Swab / RT-PCR will also be discussed below for your guidance.

 

5) Availability of Travel

This document is issued by the office of the Mayor.

Where to get it / Concerned Office: Office of the City or Municipal Mayor (place of origin)

Requirements: same requirements as No. 4  plus the Medical Certificate

Cost: Free

Processing time: 1-2 days (can also be dependent on the availability of the Mayor for his/her signature)

 

6) Finally: Travel Authority

Travel Authority is issued by the Philippine National Police upon the completion of the above-mentioned pre-requisites.

Make sure to bring a photocopy of all pertinent documents, particularly: Availability of Travel, Medical Certificate, Barangay Certification, LSI Form and Valid ID. 

On the last page (back portion) of your photocopied documents, write the following details:

  • Complete Name
  • Complete Address (Place of Origin) – Sitio/purok, Barangay, City/Municipality, Province)
  • Complete Address (Place of Destination) – Sitio/purok, Barangay, City/Municipality, Province)
  • Indicate that you are a Locally Stranded Individual (LSI)
  • Mode of Transportation – Motor/vehicle (indicate type/model, color, plate number) / Ferry/Boat (name of shipping line, indicate ticket number, if applicable) / Plane (name of airline, booking reference number, if applicable)
  • Approved travel date or tentative travel date

Submit the photocopied documents and wait for your name to be called. You will be interviewed by the officer-in-charge based on the details provided. Your application will be processed and will be coordinated with the applicant’s destination LGU and Police Station. Once approved, your application will be encoded and you will be notified once available for release.

Where to get it / Concerned Office: Philippine National Police (PNP)

Requirements: Photocopy of 1) Availability of Travel; 2) Medical Certificate; 3) Barangay Certification; 4) LSI Form; and 5) Valid ID. 

Cost: Free

Processing time: half day upto 2 days (dependent on the bulk of work at PNP)

After Getting the Travel Authority . . . What’s Next?

Travel Authority is only ONE of the major requirements in traveling. This document is issued in the place of your origin, which you will need for two travel purposes:

  1. Travel authority shall be presented on entry points, airports, seaport, etc.
  2. Travel Authority is also one of the requirements for getting an Acceptance Letter from the receiving LGU

What is an Acceptance Letter?

Acceptance letter is a document issued by the receiving LGU City or Municipality stating that the LSI  is accepted to enter the border.

LSI needs to have an authorized person to process this document in the place of destination. This should be processed 1-3 days prior to the arrival of the LSI.

There are 4 basic requirements for getting an Acceptance Letter:

  1. Barangay Certificate of Residency or Barangay Clearance (issued by the receiving LGU, this is proof of residency that the LSI is a bonafide resident of the receiving LGU)
  2. Travel Authority (issued by PNP as thoroughly discussed above)
  3. Medical Certificate (issued by receiving LGU or the Mayor’s Office as discussed in No. 4) or can also be the Swab / RT-PCR Test Result
  4. Barangay Exit Clearance or Barangay Certification (issued by LGU of origin or Barangay Hall as discussed in No.3)

As you may have observed, all travel documents discussed above need to be processed in a systematic and structured manner. That is, one document is the pre-requisite for the other. Thus, thorough completion of each and every requirement is integral for the overall completion of these mandated protocols.

When is the Best Time to Process these Travel Documents?

I cannot emphasize enough the crucial significance of time in processing these travel requirements. Schedule it well so that your world will not crumble when your departure is on, and yet, you still haven’t completed all the requirements.

Best time to start the process is at least 20 days before your target date of departure. Begin by notifying the LGU of origin (both Barangay Hall and Barangay Health Center) about your travel then follow the steps discussed above. Completion of the mandatory 14-day quarantine is a must. Then you have 4-6 days to process all the needed documents.

It is important to note that the Medical Certificate has a limited validity of 2-3 days only. Thus, you cannot process this document far longer than 3 days prior to your departure – you have to make sure that the documents are not expired by the time that you depart.

RT PCR or Swab Test: Do You Need a Swab Test in Traveling?

RT-PCR stands for real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

According to fda.gov, it is a test for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 which is done by collecting nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs from any individual, including for testing of individuals without symptoms or other reasons to suspect COVID-19 infection. 

This test is NOT a mandatory travel requirement. Receiving locale or LGU vary. Passengers must CHECK FIRST the specific travel requirements and protocols of their destination. This should only be undertaken by departing passengers whose intended destinations require a negative PCR swab test result prior to entry.

List of Licensed COVID-19 Laboratory in the Philippines

Here is a complete list of licensed and accredited COVID Testing Lab in the Philippines which can administer RT-PCR Test: https://hfsrb.doh.gov.ph/?page_id=1729

 

RT PCR Swab Test Cost

As of November 2020, swab testing in the Philippines costs Php 5,000 to 5,500 for most private licensed COVID testing hospitals.

There are some government healthcare institutions that offer FREE swab test but requires an appointment.  Only those with confirmed appointments will be accommodated. And since it is free, usually it is almost always fully booked.

Moreover, most RT-PCR tests done by the government are for surveillance purposes – limited to individuals “under priority testing” (based on DOH’s Administrative Order (AO) 2020-00258A). These include “suspect cases, individuals with travel history and exposure (whether symptomatic or asymptomatic), and healthcare workers with possible exposure (whether symptomatic or asymptomatic).” Source: Manila Bulletin

 

RT PCR Swab Test Result

Individuals can get results of their RT-PCR test within 1-2 days if done in a private laboratory, and about 2-5 if done in a government facility, depending on the number of tests being run. 

 

Swab Test Validity

Validity is only 2-3 days (48 to 72 hours). That’s why if you are traveling, timing in getting a swab test is crucial.

Traveling in the New Normal

The pandemic has dragged on for much longer than any of us expected. For sure, many of us are excited to go out after months of lockdown. But, before we can travel again, first, we need to be updated and follow health protocols.

Traveling in the new normal may not be relatively easy, but it is possible.

Yes, there are travel restrictions and rigid processes, but everything is doable when you put one foot in front of another. You’ll surprise yourself at how each step can make meaningful progress.

All throughout this process, I also realized how genuinely helpful and friendly truly Filipinos are – always ready to go the extra mile and lend an extra smile. I am grateful for every help I received from random people I meet along the way. I made sure to sincerely thank them for their time and help.

It was indeed a long and tedious process but I’m happy I persevered. Now, I can finally come home to Bicol after 8 long months of lockdown.

You might also be interested to learn more about the New Normal in Travel in Tourism in the Philippines. Or perhaps read further on Flights to Philippines: The New Normal for Air Travel in the Philippines

Planning to Get a Travel Authority?

This blog is aimed at helping LSIs have an overview of the entire process. While this may be a detailed step-by-step guide, I strongly suggest that you contact the concerned LGU (origin and receiving LGU) and get the right answers directly from the source. Their FB page, website, and phone numbers are open to accommodate your concerns. Some LGUs (like Lapu-Lapu City) even put up a helpdesk and specific email address to handle COVID-19 travel queries.

Nonetheless, I wish you well and please have a safe travel anywhere you go! 🙂

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