Visa-free entry for seafarers, cruise ship tourists in Subic freeport

Visa-free entry for seafarers, cruise ship tourists in Subic freeport
Jonas Reyes December 21, 2018 https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/12/21/visa-free-entry-for-seafarers-cruise-s...

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Wilma T. Eisma last night revealed that President Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order (EO) granting temporary visit for foreign nationals in this premier freeport.

“Our President recently signed EO 72 on December 18, amending EO 271 of former President Fidel V. Ramos, which grants foreign nationals to enter Subic without a visa. They only need to present their marine vessel tickets to be able to stay here for 14 days,” Eisma said.

Eisma said foreigners who enter the freeport zone need to present only their passports and certificates of identity and travel documents that are valid for six months.

“This is a game changer for Subic Freeport. We can now accommodate cruise ship visits that are planning to stay overnight while their passengers can tour the many fascinating areas within the adjacent provinces of the area,” she added.

EO 72 amends Section 2 of EO 271, making the piers of Subic Bay Freeport open to foreigners. Eisma pointed out that foreigners were only allowed to leave the country through the Subic Bay International Airport.

EO 72 also states that “foreign nationals who enter the zone under the EO shall… leave or depart from the Philippines only through the Subic Bay International Airport or the Subic Bay Piers and Wharves.”

The EO requires the joint efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the SBMA in its implementation. “The said agencies, in consultation with the National Intelligence Coordinating Council, shall issue guidelines to ensure that there will be no detriment to national security in the implementation of this executive order.”

The three agencies are authorized by the EO to collect reasonable fees for the processing of no-visa entry and application for visa waivers.