Steve, boots is just asking he is genuinely interested and is not criticising in any way, he is just intrigued as it is an issue that could affect him next time he chooses to leave. You seem to know your stuff so I guess you have been genuinely unlucky this time.
In that case markham, what are confidence tricksters doing on the secure side of the airport, and who employs and montitors them ?? who is their supervisor ?? those are questions I asked myself while all this was going on.
Well I'm sorry, but posting lines like this... 'Manila International Airport is classed as the worst Airport in the world, not just because of the facilities, but for the fact that its staff are rude and corrupt'. is hardly creating a good impression for newbies. It may not be the best airport, but the report that I believe you are referring to appeared on some backpacker website concerned with overnight SLEEPING facilities in airports around the world...and that was all. - Just that the media like to grab such nonsense and run with it. I believe the other contributors to this thread have simply been asking reasonable questions in order to help you sort out the confusion concerning the 'fees' you were asked to pay at departure.
No offence taken my friend, I understand Boots What I will say is, go there to the Philippines, enjoy it, be street wise, and stand up for your rights because in my experience there, when I know I am being scammed or ripped off, I will stand my ground, and then they will back off because most Filipinos do not like confrontation, but they also do not take criticism well either, especially from foreigners. Its a beautiful country, Manila is chaotic, traffic is horrendous, but get out the city and there are some stunning beaches, resorts, many beautiful mountains to climb, you will also find that Filipinos who live in the provinces are more friendly than the city dwellers, you will also find that Filipinos who have lived outside the Philippines and then returned, are much more open minded and are happy to take constructive criticism of their country because they have seen a different life outside.
just chec just check the blogs graham. its reported in google and in most places, also Yahoo Philippines has reported it many times, It was voted the worst I think in 2013, but now its the 3rd worst, there are improvements being done to renovate terminal one which badly needs doing since it is the main terminal where international tourists enter the Philippines, the other major problem is the traffic delays around the airport, but a new skyway is being built, so that should help. Believe me, I did not like to post my original comment, but needed to open up. Cheers
Fred, there are two distinct categories of Section 13 Visas: Quota and Non-Quota. Quota Visas - of which there is a theoretical limit of 50 per country per year - cost real money, a friend of mine paid almost Php250,000 for his a few years ago. The benefit of these Visas is that the holder is not beholden to anyone - outside the government - to be able to continue living here. Non-Quota Visas are sub-categorised as 13(a), 13(b), 13(c) etc. 13(a) Visas are granted to spouses of Philippine citizens and so on. You and I have Section 13 Non-Quota Visas whilst the two friends you mention have Section 13 Quota Visas.
Ive asked the guy twice now what visa he has. For some reason he has avoided the question! No idea why that would be.. Also..If an official asks me for money..I ask him for a receipt.. At least then,he is accountable.
Spot on. You've summed it all up. While I'm not sure about whether the charges to you were really warranted or not since I'm a local, but there are lots of NAIA officials who are indeed corrupt. I remember back in 2008 Christmas, I came back from Australia and I didn't have a local sim with me. I couldn't find my friends and family waiting for me in the car-park. So I asked a security guard if I could borrow his mobile phone for one SMS/text. He lent me the phone, but after I sent the text, he ask for me for 10. 10 dollars... I did gave him 10... 10 pesos...
You are right, I've spent in total a couple of years there out of the last 11 but just many many short stays up to 5 or 6 weeks, I know the people there pretty well.
Proceeding through the airport, after check-in you would have stopped at the Terminal Fee kiosk and then Immigration who'd want to see your Passport, ACR-I card and ECC. Then there's a final security check. And that's it. So exactly at what stage were you asked to pay "tourist tax", were they wearing a uniform and ID and what Department did they claim to represent? Were you the only person stopped and told to pay and in which terminal did this take place?
More good questions..Hopefully between us we can very very slowly get to what actually happened to him that day in immigration! Correct! The guy I mentioned got his via the company he worked for about 12 years ago..He no longer works for that company and still has a permanent ACR card.. (I can only assume its permanent as I have not asked him:
It was an airport official who asked me for something in exchange for showing me how to get to a cash machine from outside the building. I have also read a lot of examples of immigration officials extorting money from outgoing Filipinas on their way out of NAIA, though that may well be in the past now.
And this kind of thing doesnt help dispel doubts: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thornt...philippines-manila-international-airport-scam http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/tourists-heading-for-uae-fleeced-in-immigration-scam
Asking for a modest tip for helping you is no biggie but I agree it should not have happened. That was a problem until 3 or 4 years ago since when there has been a complete shake-up resulting in a number of airport Immigration Officers being redeployed or given early retirement. Read Big_Jim's response. Big_Jim is a well-known Australian travel writer who is a regular visitor to the Visayas and I'd trust his word over that thread's OP.
From Rappler in 2014: "Some reports allege that up to 7 out of 10 jobseekers leaving the airport for UAE on visit visas are subject to extortion" http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/balikbayan/62896-dubai-ofws-extortion
H Hi Markam Thanks, it was terminal one, I had already paid the terminal fee and proceeded to Immigration, it was there in immigration when I gave them my passport and ARC card that I was asked to pay this additional fee which I never paid before in previous departures, they all had uniform on and were sat in their kiosk...With regards to my visa type which boots was asking for, its the Spouse visa, I never asked what department they represent, why would I, ? I assumed that these officials are immigration and have gone through the correct security checks to be in that position. For me, its just a one off, it might have something to do with the fact that my air ticket was one way, I dont know. I would rather forget it now and just remember all the good points about the Philippines, of which there are many. My advice to everyone is, if in doubt, ask for a reason, get proof that what they are telling you is the actual policy, stand your ground and show them that you are not stupid, they will normally back down if they know they are in the wrong as they don't like confrontation. Also, ask for their name and supervisors name, at that point they will normally panic and back down. reason I did not ask was, I was in a rush as traffic had delayed me, and could not be bothered to go through it all. Enjoy the Philippines, its a great place, just be aware that these things happen there and you need to be street wise and smart. Good luck and happy traveling
The problem for many is that in that kind of position one doesnt want a delay or to miss a flight. Missing a flight can end up losing a ticket. So for a small bribe it is perceived as easier than missing ones flight. This is particularly true for the unwary, including those who have never or rarely travelled. If one has a family including a couple of young children then the last thing you want is that kind of extortion. Easier for a single well travelled guy to deal with who can afford to stand his ground. I have read in a parallel forum of Filipinas being exploited in this way as they are leaving NAIA and some missing their flights too. But that was a few years ago now. Unfortunately the stigma still sticks.
