Churchill Travel and Tours

18/03/2021

BIATF approves saliva testing for Boracay tourists

The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomes the approval of the saliva RTPCR test as an alternative to the nasopharyngeal swab RTPCR as one of the entry requirements to the island.

The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF), in its March 18 meeting, approved the saliva test with the provision that it should be administered by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and other testing laboratories that have been approved and accredited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health (DOH).

The DOT expressed willingness to support funding for an RTPCR or gene expert machine as the LGU of Malay may propose.

The Department likewise has recommended to the IATF that persons below 15 and above 65 years old traveling from Manila to Boracay should not be restricted from going to the airport and flying since Boracay is under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) as long as the passenger has a valid plane ticket.

THE DOT reminds tourists and stakeholders of the need to still strictly ensure minimum health and safety protocols such as wearing of a mask and face shield, physical distancing, hand sanitizing, and booking or operating in DOT-accredited establishments, among others to protect both the tourists, tourism workers and the residents of our host communities.

The DOT presses for stricter monitoring and implementation of protocols by concerned local government units (LGUs) and agencies.

10/03/2021

Known for its stunning limestone formations, lush forests and calm lagoon. El Nido makes an ideal destination for those seeking a fun, vibrant and relaxing break!

With that being said, here's our top picks of hotels and resorts you may choose from!

Tag us in your adventures! Use for a chance to be featured! 💖

05/03/2021

DOT welcomes Puerto Princesa reopening to domestic tourists

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN -- Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat supports the decision of Puerto Princesa City (PPC) executives to reopen its attractions to more domestic tourists with minimum health and safety standards in place.

“We are keen to discover and develop other tourism products to encourage visitors to stay longer or to entice repeat visits. We have great confidence in the city’s future as there is vast potential to further develop its nature-based, farm, and sun and beach tourism products,” the tourism chief said.

On 01 March, PPC reopened to domestic tourists per city Resolution 29. Tourists are required to take the RT-PCR test before travel with 48 hours validity. The negative test result should be emailed directly by the Department of Health (DOH)-accredited testing facility to the City’s Incident Management Team (IMT). Also required is a confirmed booking from a DOT-accredited accommodation establishment and travel agency for guided tours. The use of StaySafe.ph system as a contact tracing application is likewise mandatory.

Puyat assured that tourism frontliners will be included in the vaccination priority, particularly the quarantine hotel workers. The DOT will continue to provide technical assistance on product development, marketing and promotions, and to conduct skills training programs.

The DOT will also continue setting the seal on the health and safety protocols in the whole tourism value chain in PPC, including accommodation establishments, restaurants, and tourist sites, among others. As of 15 February, DOT Region 4B has accredited 73 tourism establishments and service providers in the city, the majority of which are tour guides.

The tourism chief added that the DOT and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have aided displaced tourism workers through the Cash Assistance Program, as mandated under the Bayanihan 2. As of 02 March, the DOT Region 4B has endorsed a total of 20,621 members/ workers in the region to date.

“6,846 workers in Palawan have received assistance amounting to P34,230,000 through the program. We are hopeful that more Palaweños can benefit from the program. We have a few beneficiaries here with us today; thank you for the trust you have placed in the DOT as we continue to seek ways to help everyone through this difficult time,” Puyat enthused.

Known for its UNESCO World Heritage site Underground River, PPC shares 50 percent of the tourist arrivals in Palawan and in the region, making it the biggest contributor to its economic growth. In 2020, Palawan logged a partial number of 157,051 tourist arrivals, 71,889 of which were visits to PPC.

01/03/2021

LOOK: Here are the new travel protocols for travelers within the Philippines as approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on Friday, February 26, 2021.

27/02/2021

Uniform travel protocols for LGUs approved

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Friday, February 26, 2021, approved the uniform travel protocols for all local government units (LGUs).

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) crafted these uniform travel protocols for land, air and sea, in close coordination with the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, League of Provinces of the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, and the League of Cities of the Philippines.

Travelers shall no longer be required to undergo COVID-19 testing except if the local government unit (LGU) of destination will make testing as a requirement prior to travel. Testing will be limited to RT-PCR test. In addition, travelers shall no longer undergo quarantine unless they exhibit symptoms upon arrival at the LGU of destination.

Authorities shall continue to strictly implement the minimum public health standards, such as physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and wearing of face masks and face shields across all settings. Clinical and exposure assessment shall be strictly implemented in all ports of entry and exit while health assessment of passengers, supervised by medical doctors, shall be mandatory upon entry in the port/terminal and exit at point of destination.

On documentary requirements, the travel authority issued by the Joint Task Force COVID Shield and health certificates shall no longer be required. Authorized persons outside of residence (APORS) from national government agencies and their attached agencies, on the other hand, must provide their identification card, travel order, and travel itinerary. They must likewise pass symptom-screening at the ports of entry and exit.

Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)’s Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage (S-PaSS) Travel Management System will now be institutionalized as the one-stop-shop application/ communication for travelers. The StaySafe.ph System shall be utilized as the primary contact tracing system. Other existing contact tracing applications, such as Traze App, must be integrated with the StaySafe.ph System.

On ports and terminals, they must have sufficient quarantine/isolation facilities. All ports and terminals shall also have a referral system wherein symptomatic travelers shall be transferred to quarantine / isolation facilities to enable the Bureau of Quarantine for airports, or local health officials for LGUs, to take over. Further, all buses in Metro Manila bound for the provinces shall be required to use the Integrated Terminal Exchange as the central hub for transportation. At the option of the LGUs, they may provide transportation for all travelers who are transiting from one LGU to another in cases of arrivals at air and seaports to their end-point destinations.

The DILG, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Transportation (DOTr), DOST and the Philippine National Police (PNP), as well as the LGUs, shall ensure the smooth implementation of these protocols. # # #

08/02/2021

Adding this to our bucket list! 📃
Praying for more travels this year!!! 🙏❤️

Here's everything you need to know if you're planning to book a flight.

05/02/2021

Boracay is no stranger to anyone. Its familiar white sand beach, good food & drinks and its beautiful sunset will always be home. 🌅 🍃

Check these out and upgrade your in the island! 😉🏝️

Tag us in your adventures! Use for a chance to be featured! 💖

05/02/2021

03/02/2021

01/02/2021

Just a little heads up for everyone traveling!

20/01/2021