The Philippines is a very unique country in Oceania, the spirit of patriotism is prevalent in the country. The Philippines is also home to world’s fastest boxer, Manny Pacquiao. Visitors should not worry about language barriers as over 90% of Filipino people speak English making it one of the best English speaking countries in Asia and the world. The islands of the Philippines have some of the most wonderful beaches and scenery in Oceania.

Travelling info

All visitors traveling to the Philippines must have a valid travel document ie. Passport. There are 157 countries whose citizens may enjoy visa-free entry for tourism or business purposes to the Philippines for a period not exceeding 30 days. There are two requirements, however. A return ticket from the Philippines and a passport which is valid for at least 6 months beyond the stay in the Philippines. Visitors may drive in the Philippines using their national driving permit for up to 90 days provided that their permit is written in English. Otherwise, drivers should get an International driving permit which is a translation of the original document. Beware however that an IDP does not substitute for the national driving permit and both must be had in order to drive.

Travelling hazards

Driving safety varies across the Philippines from island to island. Whilst most highways and city roads are well maintained, rural roads might be quite dangerous. Although most islands are connected visa boat routes, some have bridges connecting them. Roads around cities can get very congested. Public transport may be dangerous as there were many bus accidents as a result of poor bus maintenance.

Environmental hazards

There are no dangerous land mammals however there are several scorpions and spiders which may pose threat however their venom is considered mild. Although fatalities are rare when they do occur it usually concerns allergic people, elderly or children. Of the 179 snake species that have made the Philippines their official home, only 14 are poisonous and pose harm to man. Of course the most deadly of these snakes is the Philippine cobra which has a venom potent enough to kill a horse. Although its venom is not the strongest it is responsible for most fatalities due to its hunting grounds which very often happen to be rice fields. The common krait is the most venomous snake in the Philippines. Although centipedes are feared they are usually not deadly, unless their victim is allergic, an elder or a child. Usually, a bite results in pain and swelling however out of the three fatalities in the world, 1 has been attributed to the centipede in the Philippines. Designated and guarded beaches are generally safe however wild beaches might be quite dangerous. There has been quite a number of shark attacks in the Philippine waters. Although numerous are attributed to sea disasters there have been numerous reports of sharks attacking swimmers and divers. Another marine creature worth mentioning is the blue-ringed octopus which is one of the most venomous creatures on earth. Its bite is capable of throwing its victim into an instant shock due to the immense pain. In addition, its saliva is extremely toxic and easily capable of killing a grown man. The Philippines are particularly vulnerable to tsunami waves, typhoons, and earthquakes. These disasters occur almost systematically every two or three years.

Health hazards

There is currently an outbreak of measles in the Philippines. Every visitors is strongly recommended to get the routine vaccines also known as MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. There is no risk of yellow fever in the Philippines however all tourists traveling from countries with a risk of yellow fever must present proof of yellow fever vaccinations upon arrival. Other recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis and rabies vaccine. Mosquitoes spread malaria in the Philippines, therefore, it is recommended to get drugs prescribed against malaria. Purchasing bug repellants is also great prevention against contracting the disease. Although the Philippines provide free healthcare to its citizens, quality of care varies across the country. Manilla provides a modern and much better quality of service than elsewhere in the country. Best private hospitals and clinics are also located in Manilla. There is no problem in communication as 90% of the Filipino population speak English.
In case of an emergency dial 911.

Crime

Crime remains a significant concern in urban areas throughout the Philippines. According to the Philippine National Police Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, theft, physical assault, and robbery were among the most common crimes reported to local authorities in 2017. Petty crime such as pickpocketing was also quite common. Sporadically carjacking and violent assault occur. Tourists are not affected as much as locals are by violent crime however pickpocketing and other forms of theft do concern tourists. The Philippines is a high threat location for terrorism. The southern island has a large Muslim population which creates a lot of tension. Muslim terrorists are active especially in around the city of Marawi which has only recently been reclaimed in the battle of Marawi 2017. The Catholic community and places of worship were particularly targeted by the terrorists. Drug laws in the Philippines are very strict. President Duterte has taken upon himself to eradicate the drug problem from the Philippines. Although many left-leaning parties criticise the policy of president Duterte his fight on drugs has reduced the drug supply by over 80 %. The Filipino war on drugs is also supported by the US, China, Japan, Singapore and most importantly the majority of the Filipino population. Saying these drugs are completely illegal in the Philippines and may result even in capital punishment.

Summary

The situation in the Philippines is constantly improving with the decrease of crime, illegal drug trade and victories over Muslim terrorists. Tourism to the Philippines is also increasing meaning that more and more get to experience the incredible Filipino culture and explore the wonderful beaches and sights in the country. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/consular/visa/important-visa-information/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/philippines