Categories: Tips

Philippines launches eTravel platform, one-stop travel declaration system

Replacing One Health Pass and e-Arrival card, eTravel is a new contact tracing platform for the arrival information and health declaration checklist of inbound travelers. With its official launch on 5 December 2022 at the POD-Conference Room in NAIA Terminal 3, eTravel can now be accessed on its official website: https://etravel.gov.ph/.

Using the new system is easy; inbound travelers can register with their personal profile, travel details, and health declaration. Completing this step will provide a QR code that is unique to every individual. This service is free of charge, but travelers must submit their registration within 3 days before arrival in the Philippines.

Developed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), eTravel is a joint initiative, in partnership with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

“The interconnection, the data-sharing, and the synergy of all the different departments that belong to different silos will now be integrated into a single system where we will be looking at a single point in time. And at the same time, it will also ease up the public’s engagement with government. That’s the directive that the President gave to us, the DICT— to help the different government agencies push through with e-governance,” DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said in his speech.

The launching event was also attended by officials from the government agencies involved, including ARTA Director General Ernesto Perez, DICT Undersecretary David Almirol Jr., DOH Undersecretary Charade Mercado-Grande, DOT Undersecretary Roberto Lim, DOT Assistant Secretary Verna Buensuceso, OP Assistant Secretary Patricia Martin, BI Comm. Ogelio Gevero Jr., BOQ Div. Chief Carlos dela Reyna, MIAA GM Cesar Chiong, and Deputy Chief Jose Dennis DP. Javier.

“Together, we worked towards a single purpose. And this would not be possible without a strong political will and without a heart of unity. I am so proud of everyone who was able to accomplish this. This is just the Phase 1, and with your help, we will do more,” DICT Undersecretary Almirol asserted.