Domestic air travel allowed provided not for leisure, with approval of LGUs, Tugade says

June 2, 2020

The National Task Force on COVID-19 has allowed the resumption of domestic commercial flights in the country, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said on Monday.

In a virtual press briefing, the DOTr chief, however, said that two conditions have to be met - that the travel is not for leisure and the flight operations are approved and in conformity with the local government units where the flights would be mounted.

"In other words, the moving predicate for this approval is the conformity of the local government in allowing departure and acceptance of the traveling public by air," he said, adding the need for "harmony" with the LGUs.

He said NTC Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. has issued a memorandum to the Civil Aviation Board to allow commercial aviation in areas under the general community quarantine.

The government earlier said that some LGUs have been opposing the resumption of commercial flights for fear that there are passengers who could be COVID-19 carriers.

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has no decision yet to allow international flights for foreigners.

"As you know, for OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) alone, we could hardly manage because all those returning are being given PCR tests. So, we will have huge problem if we also allow foreigners to come here," he said.

He also said that even those Filipinos who are citizens of other countries already, except the dual citizens, are already considered as foreigners and are not allowed to enter the country. Celerina Monte/DMS