Amendment to the Rules Governing Temporary Stay in the Philippines of Chinese Nationals Who are Members of Tour Groups

February 24, 2004

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 288

AMENDING THE RULES GOVERNING THE ADMISSION AND STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES, AS TEMPORARY VISITORS, OF CHINESE NATIONALS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF TOUR GROUPS

WHEREAS, it is declared policy of the Government to attract and promote trade, investment and tourism as instruments of economic growth and national development; caADIC

WHEREAS, the World Tourism forecast that by 2010 outbound tourism from the People's Republic of China will grow to approximately thirty million;

WHEREAS, the People's Republic of China has a huge potential as major source of tourist for the Philippines;

WHEREAS, further streamlining of procedures and liberalization of entry of Chinese nationals is essential in attracting tourist from the People's Republic of China. CDTAbench

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby promulgate the following rules governing the entry and stay in the Philippines, as temporary visitors, of nationals of the People's Republic of China, including its Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions:

SECTION 1. Coverage. — Chinese nationals, holding People's Republic of China passports, Hong Kong Special Administrative region passports, Certificates of Identities, and Documents of Identities, Macao Special Administrative Region passports and Travel Permits who are members of tour groups with a minimum of three (3) members may apply for a tour group visa with an authorized maximum period of stay of fifty-nine (59) days, from any Philippine Foreign Service Post in China, including the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR.

SECTION 2. Visa Fees. — The Visa fee for tour groups with at least twenty (20) members shall be US$15.00 per member, while those tour groups with less than twenty (20) members shall be US$25 per member. Executive Order (EO) No. 168 dated 11 April 1994, is hereby amended and modified accordingly. However, all other fees and other provisions in said E.O. No. 168 in so far as not inconsistent herewith, shall remain in force and effect.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. — All other executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders and/or similar issuances inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. Effectivity. — This Executive Order shall take effect immediately. The Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism and the Bureau of Immigration are hereby directed to issue the implementing circulars.