Canada removes travel restrictions for Camiguin, Dinagat Islands

ADVERTISEMENT

dpo-dps-seal
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!

Canada removes travel restrictions for Camiguin, Dinagat Islands

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Clipboard

MANILA — Camiguin and Dinagat Islands may see the arrival of Canadian visitors soon as the Canadian government made significant adjustments on its travel advisories for the Philippines. 

As of May 1, Canada has removed both Camiguin and Dinagat Islands from both its “Avoid All Travel” and “Avoid Non-Essential Travel” categories.

Meanwhile, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, which have been previously listed under the “Avoid All Travel” category have both been downgraded to “Avoid Non-Essential Travel.” 

As of May 1, 14 municipalities in Western Mindanao remain under Canada’s “Avoid All Travel” advisory for Canadian citizens. 

ADVERTISEMENT

According to the Canadian government’s website, the said category is raised over the following destinations, due to the serious threat of terrorism, kidnapping, high levels of crime, and violent clashes between security forces and rebel groups:  

1. Basilan

2. Cotabato

3. Lanao del Sur

4. Lanao del Norte

ADVERTISEMENT

5. Maguindanao

6. Misamis Occidental

7. Sarangani

8. South Cotabato

9. Sultan Kudarat

ADVERTISEMENT

10. Sulu

11. Tawi-Tawi

12. Zamboanga del Norte

13. Zamboanga del Sur

14. Zamboanga Sibugay 

ADVERTISEMENT

A total of 11 municipalities, mostly in Central and Eastern Mindanao, also remain under Canda’s “Avoid Non-Essential Travel” due to the risk of kidnapping and high levels of crime: 

1. Agusan del Norte

2. Agusan del Sur

3. Bukidnon

4. Davao de Oro

ADVERTISEMENT

5. Davao del Norte

6. Davao del Sur excluding Davao City

7. Davao Occidental

8. Davao Oriental

9. Misamis Oriental

ADVERTISEMENT

10. Surigao del Norte excluding Siargao Island

11. Surigao del Sur 

Canada started imposing travel restrictions on a large area of Mindanao after the beheading of two Canadian citizens, Robert Hall and John Ridsdell, in 2016 who were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf (ASG) terrorist group.

The ASG asked for a hefty ransom but both the Philippines and Canada are against paying ransom for hostages as a policy. 

Canada, however, has been easing travel restrictions on the Philippines since January this year, when it excluded Siargao and Davao City from its travel advisories for Davao del Sur and Surigao del Norte. 

ADVERTISEMENT

According to the Canadian Embassy in Manila, the adjustments in the Canadian government’s travel restrictions was the result of a series of reviews, extensive consultation and field visits due to an appeal from the Philippine government to help its tourism industry, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). 

Canada and the Philippines also celebrated the 75th anniversary of its diplomatic relations last January. 

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is aiming for 7.7 million tourist arrivals this year - a target that is 30 percent higher than the 5.4 million tourist arrivals registered by the Philippines last year. The country’s highest on record was 8.3 million in 2019. 

As of May 6, 2024, a total of 2.182 million international tourists have visited the Philippines since January. Top nationalities include South Koreans, Americans, Chinese, Japanese and Australians, with Canadians claiming the 6th spot.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.