From my previous post, I wrote about my flight from General Santos City to Manila, how the experience was especially during a pandemic. Also, I shared about the requirements I had to comply with before the flight. In this post, on the other hand, I will share my flight to Cebu from Manila specifically in Makati. What my requirements were as I was considered as an LSI or Locally Stranded Individual.
LSI Travel Documents from Makati to Cebu
On the Cebu Pacific website as well as through an email they sent me days before my flight, it listed down the documents I needed to comply with. And I tell you, they’re very strict about it.
While I was checking in on my departure date, a couple next to me forgot one document. I don’t know how it ended for them but one thing is for sure, they looked stressed. The woman started raising her voice while explaining their situation to the staff. I finished before them and I didn’t see them again during boarding.
Therefore, if you want your pre-departure experience to be hassle-free, I suggest simply follow the requirements.
Getting the documents in Makati
One other thing I want to share is how I managed to get all the documents in Makati. It wasn’t easy considering I am not originally from Makati. It was my first ever to visit the city and so asking people around helped me tremendously. Google maps was also a great aid for me because I ended up walking most of my journeys to get these documents.
If you aren’t sure of the travel requirements, go to your airline’s website. Contact them before your flight. It’s always better to be prepared than sorry.
Travel Requirements to Cebu
For Cebu Pacific, you can read it here. Flying to Cebu, you will be classified as a Locally Stranded Individual (LSI), Returning Overseas Filipino (ROF), or Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR). Since I’m neither of the two, I was in the LSI group.
For Locally Stranded Individuals (LSI):
- Travel Authority issued by PNP JTF COVID Shield
- Valid Identification Card
- Medical Clearance Certificate issued by the City/Municipal Health Office
- Letter of Coordination issued by Barangay of residence in Cebu City (For LSI arriving from Manila and Resident of Cebu City only)
- Letter of Confirmation from LGU of residence under Cebu Province (Not applicable to Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu City)
Here’s the order I processed mine.
1 Medical Clearance Certificate issued by the City/Municipal Health Office
This is the first requirement you would need to work on because, without it, you won’t be able to get the Travel Authority. For Makati, apply for a medical certificate through this link. Make sure to fill out your details correctly including your name and email address, as well as the flight details. The release of the medical certificate will be sent to your email within 3 days of your flight.
For example, in my case, my flight to Cebu was on a Saturday and the certificate was sent on Thursday morning and was sent again the next day. (Maybe, to make sure you received it.)
To check the status of your medical certificate, you can access the Makati government website. You can also leave a message on their Facebook account.
Once you receive it, print it out and bring it to the designated barangay office where you’re staying. For me, my accommodation was located in Barangay La Paz. And so, I went to their barangay hall, paid 100 PHP, and was issued my barangay clearance. It took a total of 15-20 minutes.
At the barangay hall, while waiting for the barangay official in charge.
2 Travel Authority issued by PNP JTF COVID Shield
The next step is the application of travel authority at a police station. With the photocopy of my printed itinerary, medical certificate, barangay clearance, and a valid ID, I went to the police station. I waited for a couple of hours before my travel authority was released.
The blue building was where I was advised to go for my Travel Authority.
I would emphasize bringing the photocopies of your documents to avoid delay. Most importantly, review your details correctly. Mine had a wrong departure date, and so, the officer corrected and printed it again for me.
3 Letter of Coordination issued by Barangay of residence in Cebu City (For LSI arriving from Manila and Resident of Cebu City only)
4 Letter of Confirmation from LGU of residence under Cebu Province (Not applicable to Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu City)
Process and collect these documents through a representative in Cebu. For me, my mom and sister were like my angels from far away at that time. They first went to the Barangay of residence for my letter of coordination. It’s a certificate confirming my residence in the barangay.
After that, my mom went to the Municipality/LGU for the letter of confirmation. In this document, they verified that I will be quarantined for 14 days once I arrive in Cebu. The LGU interviewed my mom about me such as the reason for my travel, job, etc. They told my mom that I will be home quarantined for 14 days, not in a COVID facility, as long as we follow the guidelines. The most important guideline of all is that I should be isolated in a room with a toilet. There should be no close contact with anyone.
My mom then sent me these documents through Facebook messenger. I just printed them and presented them on check-in.
5 Valid Identification Card
What I showed was my PRC ID but I also prepared my driver’s license just in case. Any valid government IDs is accepted as long as it has your complete name on it.
That is all of it! I suggest you get all of them printed out on the day of your flight. Put them all together in one folder that is accessible to you. At the entrance to the airport, the guard examined these documents and did a temperature check. The final check was while checking in.
Good luck to anyone flying from Makati to Cebu. I hope this post helps.
