Philippines - Filipinas

Introduction Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines (in Filipino: Republic of the Pilipinas; in English: Republic of the Philippines), is a country of Southeast Asian made up of more than 7000 islands bathed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The Philippines is made up of three main geographic regions: Luzon, the Visayas Y Mindanao. It is located south of Taiwan, southwest of China, to the east of Vietnam and northeast of Malaysia.

Capital Manila Idiom Philippine and English Surface 298 170 km² Population 99 162 400 (2014) Currency weight Time zone UTC 8 Telephone prefix 63

Regions

These islands are grouped into three large groups:

Cities

• Manila - The capital of the Philippines.
• Cebu - One of the main tourist destinations. Besides Manila, Cebu is one of the most important cities in the country.
• Davao

Other destinations

• Boracay - Famous for its beach.
• Bohol
• Palawan
• Camarines Sur

Weather

The weather is tropical, considering from the middle of January to the end of February the best time because it is cold and dry. From March to May there is the hottest climate; the rainy season is from June to October, during which time strong typhoons can occur. Localities directly exposed to the Pacific Ocean have frequent rains throughout the year. The average temperature varies from 25 ° to 32 ° and the humidity is around 77%. Baguio, listed as the summer capital of the Philippines, tends to be cold because it is located in a mountainous region with temperatures below 20 ° at night. In summer the country suffers from droughts, sometimes extreme, from March to May. Traditionally there are two seasons, but it is possible to speak of three as the locals say in their native languages:

• The dry season It generally runs from November to May, and in some parts of the country, especially around 12 degrees north of the equator, it can be subdivided into a cold and a warm period:
  • The cold and dry season se It runs from November to February, and from mid-January to the end of February are the coolest times. Temperatures are cooler in the mountains, but even lowland areas can experience temperatures below 20 ° C (68 ° F) when the northeast Siberian monsoon is in full swing, so bring a sweater or jacket light at these times, especially when walking at night. . This season is the best time to visit, with drier weather, but flights, boat and ferry trips, buses, and accommodation tend to be expensive and difficult, especially during the Christmas and New Years season.
  • The hot and dry season (summer, March to May) are the hottest months. The country gets muggy, with temperatures reaching 40 ° C (104 ° F) and heat indices of 50-60 ° C (122-140 ° F) are not uncommon, especially in places in the interior of Luzon like Cabanatuan. and Tuguegarao. Temperatures are very desirable for beach loitering and sightseeing, but not for visiting historical sites, unless you can handle the heat and high humidity. Prices for flights, ferries, buses or accommodation skyrocket during this season, especially at Easter, and booking is difficult due to high demand.
• The rainy season It begins in June and runs through October with the possibility of strong typhoons.

Places about 12 degrees north of the equator generally have a more tropical climate, being truly dry and humid, and no month has an average low below 20 ° C (68 ° F). The dry season generally runs from November to May; rainy season from June to October. There are some possible exceptions, especially in the rainiest eastern parts of the country (for example, the Bicol, Samar and Leyte islands), where the seasons are reversed: October to April are the rainiest and coldest, May to September the most dry.

The seasons may not be as defined as before and, with the effects of climate change, the Philippine climate can now be seen as changeable; Cloudy skies and above-average rains are possible in the hot, dry season, long periods of drought are possible during June (when increased rainfall is already expected), and chilling northeast winds dropping below 50,000. 20 ° C (68 ° F). ) but never below 15 ° C (59 ° F) (unless you are in Baguio) possible in the evenings during the cold and dry season. The provinces that encompass two of the three varieties of tropical climate (dry and humid, monsoon and marine / equatorial), often crossed from north to south by a mountain range, can receive sun and clouds or rain on the same day.

Places directly exposed to the Pacific Ocean have frequent rains throughout the year. This includes the popular Pagsanjan Falls southeast of Manila (although the falls will get you wet anyway). Baguio, rated as the summer capital of the Philippines, tends to be cooler due to being in mountainous regions with nighttime temperatures below 20 ° C (68 ° F). During the summer, the country experiences droughts, sometimes with extreme conditions, from approximately March to May.

Watch

The Philippines can give you the tropical island experience of a lifetime. Its beautiful sandy beaches, warm climate, centuries-old churches, magnificent mountain ranges, dense rain forests, rich culture and smiling people are some of the attractions that you can see and experience in this archipelago made up of 7,107 islands. You can experience the rich and unique culture of the country in different ways, such as touring old Spanish churches, joining colorful parties (festivals) and enjoying exotic and tasty cuisine. But perhaps the best way to experience Filipino culture is by traveling by jeepney.

Historical and cultural attractions

The Spanish began to colonize the Philippines in the 1560s and maintained it until the Americans took control in 1898. Almost every city in the country has some old buildings from that period, at least one Catholic church. Some have much more than that, entire districts filled with old buildings including remnants of Spanish fortifications:

• Manila It is the capital of the Philippines; It was established during the Spanish colonial era. Despite being a city with modern skyscrapers, Manila still has its rich historical and cultural heritage. Its old churches, colonial structures, neoclassical buildings and historical monuments give this city its unique charm.
• Intramurals (Spanish for 'inside the walls') is the oldest district and the historic core of Manila. Intramuros is home to the best and oldest structures in Manila, such as the Manila Cathedral and Fort Santiago. Despite having suffered serious damage during the Second World War, Intramuros still retains its Spanish colonial character.
• Cebu city It was the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines and was the capital for some years. Its district of Colón has some of the most important historical and heritage sites in the country, such as Fort San Pedro and the Basilica del Santo Niño. The Sinulog Festival of the city attracts thousands of tourists and pilgrims; It is one of the most popular festivals in the country.
• Baguio is at a considerable height and was used as a summer capital to escape the heat of Manila.

Several cities have particularly beautiful collections of heritage buildings, including many heritage houses built for important Spaniards or wealthy Filipino families. Many of these are still private homes and are by no means all open to the public, but some have been turned into museums and others allow tours.The historic town of Vigan

• Vigan , in the Ilocos region north of Luzon, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a Spanish colonial city but also with considerable Chinese influence. It may make you feel like you are somewhere in Latin America or Mediterranean Europe.

• Taal , in the Batangas region southwest of Manila, is the closest city to the capital. It can be a convenient stop for those heading to the beaches of Puerto Galera, although it takes them off the direct route.
• Silay It is in Negros, near Bacolod.
• Baclayon It is in Bohol, near Tagbilaran.

Since the country was a Spanish colony for 300 years, Baroque churches can easily be found in the Philippines. These churches will almost resemble those that can be seen in Spain and elsewhere in Europe. Some of the most emblematic of the country are:

• Church of San Agustín in Manila
• Miag-ao Church in Iloilo
• Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte
• Church of Santa Maria in Ilocos Sur

These churches were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the collective title Baroque Churches of the Philippines.

Beaches and islands

Beaches and diving are among the best known tourist attractions in the country; With 7,107 islands there are certainly plenty of options. Many beaches have bright white sand, but beige, gray, black or even pink sand is also found. Most of the diving is done around the coral reefs; many can be reached simply by walking to the water or on a day trip by boat from one of the resorts. Some, like Coron, feature wreck diving and some, like the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, involve longer boat trips on board.

Boracay It is the best-known beach resort area in the country, has been rated as one of the best islands in the world by various magazines and attracts thousands of local and international travelers every year. It has fine white sand beaches and blue waters, and it is a highly developed area that offers a variety of activities including diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, kitesurfing, cliff diving, and parasailing. After all these activities, you can enjoy a relaxing massage on the white sand beach or in one of the spas.

If you want to avoid crowded beaches, head to Palawan . The province's beaches are less developed, uncrowded and well preserved. The coastal city of El Nido is one of the best destinations that Palawan and the Philippines can offer. Its pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, sheer limestone cliffs, impressive islets, and snorkeling spots can rival any of the best in the world.

Coron Island It has hundreds of limestone formations topped by dense rainforests. It is also popular for its exquisite beaches and WWII shipwrecks. Rent a kayak to paddle around the islands and see Coron's beautiful and well-preserved seascape.

Apart from Palawan, you can also try Bohol , an island province that is also home to majestic sandy beaches. One of Bohol's top beach destinations is the Panglao island , which is being promoted as an alternative destination to Boracay. The island offers a wide selection of luxury and affordable resorts.

Mactan Island in Cebu; Santa Cruz Island in Zamboanga; Pagudpud in Ilocos; Laiya beach in Batangas and the White Island Camiguin are other popular beach destinations in the Philippines that are really worth visiting.

Scenery

Tired of beaches? The Philippines has other impressive landscapes to offer; In addition to beautiful beaches, there are mountain ranges, dense jungles, majestic rice terraces, picturesque lakes, picturesque waterfalls, and hidden caves.

If we think of the Philippines, the usual things that come to mind are just a group of islands with warm and sunny days. The Cordillera Region It is not the usual Philippine destination that we see on postcards and travel magazines. If you visit this mountainous region, wear jackets and sweaters instead of just T-shirts, because this region is located in the cool highlands of the north of the country. The rice terraces are one of the most visited tourist attractions in the region, here you can find the world famous ones Banaue rice terraces and the rice terraces of the Philippine mountain ranges . These rice terraces were built almost 2000 years ago by ancient Filipinos and still maintain their beauty. Nearby is the city of Sagada in theMountain province . Known for its hanging coffins and limestone caves, this city is an ideal backpacker destination.

Being a mountainous country, the Philippines offers countless mountain options for hikers and adventure seekers. The best mountain climbing destination in the country is picturesque Mount Apo in the southern Philippines. Mount Apo It is the highest mountain in the Philippines and one of the most diverse areas; It is home to more than 272 species of birds, 111 of which are endemic to the area. The mountain also has four main lakes, these lakes are the famous mountaineers' campsite and a stopover to the top. Another popular destination for mountaineering is Mount Pinatubo in Tarlac .. This mountain made world news as the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. Today, it is one of the top climbing destinations in the country due to its canyons, 4x4 terrain, and picturesque caldera lake.

Head to the island of Bohol to see the famous Chocolate Hills , and no, they are not made of chocolate, they are grassy limestone domes that turn brown during the dry season, hence their name. There are more than 1,268 hills scattered in the area. The Chocolate Hills are one of the most iconic and popular tourist spots in the country. Another destination that is popular in Bohol is the Philippine Tarsier Shrine in Corella , is a 7.4 hectare forest sanctuary where more than 100 tarsiers roam freely, here you can have the opportunity to get closer to the Tarsier from Philippines , one of the smallest primates. in the world.

Festivals

Month	festival	Place
January	Ati-Atihan	Kalibo, Aklan
	Sinulog	Zebu
	Dinagyang	Iloilo
February	Panagbena	Baguio
	Kaamulan	Bukidnon
March	Paraw Regatta	Iloílo and Guimaras
	Painted by Pasi	City of Pasi, Iloílo
	Araw ng Dabaw	Davao
April	Moriones	Marinduque
may	Magayon	Albay
	Pahiyas	Lucban, Quezon
	Sanduguan	Calapán, Oriental Mindoro
August	Kadayawan	Davao
September	Peñafrancia	Naga, Bicol
October	Masskara	Bacolod

To get

As a largely island nation separated by thousands of miles of seas, the Philippines can be reached mostly only by air (even from Southeast Asia), and while sea travel is also available, it is limited to non-existent (and dangerous). and ports may have limited facilities for immigration and customs processing.

While the Philippine bureaucracy has not been this cumbersome and corrupt since the end of the Marcos era, the problem is that most visitors can travel without a visa or obtain a visa upon arrival at most ports of entry. Customs were relaxed, but the country is now strictly enforcing restrictions on bringing in plants, animals and food, and obvious prohibitions on bringing in contraband.

Entry requirements

Visas

Summary of Philippine Visa Policy Nonimmigrant 9A : Temporary visitor visa (for tourism, business or medical care). Valid for 30 days 9D : Foreign business visa. 9F : student visa. 9G : Employment visa (together with the Employment Permit for foreigners issued by the Department of Labor and Employment) TRV : temporary resident visa SEVUA : Visa on arrival. Valid 59 days. Immigrant 13 : Immigrant visa fee 13A : Spouse Visa (for foreign spouses and unmarried children of Filipino citizens) PRV : permanent resident visa Special SVEG : investor visa Foreign retiree visa

Citizens of most countries, including all ASEAN countries, can enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 30 days, or obtain a visa on arrival for up to 59 days, provided they have a return or departure ticket. return, as well as valid passports. for a period of at least six months after the period of stay. Exceptions to this rule are listed below:

• Citizens of Brazil and Israel can enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 59 days.
• Citizens of Hong Kong and Macau, including permanent residents of Macau holding Portuguese passports, can enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 14 days.
• Citizens of the People's Republic of China traveling as tourists and holding a valid visa issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, the United States, or a Schengen Area state can enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 7 days.
• Taiwanese citizens who have passports with national identification numbers or resident certificate can apply for the eVisa.
• Citizens of India holding a valid tourist, business or resident visa issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States, or a Schengen Area state can enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 14 days.

Citizens of all other countries not listed above must apply for a visa at a Philippine diplomatic mission prior to departure.

The visas of temporary visitor (9A) valid for 30 days are easy to obtain for most travelers. If you intend to stay longer than 30 days, you can apply for a visa extension at the Immigration Office (BI), which has offices in most major cities and the Manila and Cebu airports . Extensions are granted up to a maximum of six months at a time. You can continue to get visa extensions up to a 3-year stay, after which foreign nationals who wish to stay longer must leave the Philippines and then return to start over.

The first visa extension obtained within the Philippines at a BOI office is from 30 days to 59 days and costs ₱ 3130 . The cost of a 29-day visa extension at Cebu airport is ₱ 3000 . You can also get a 59-day tourist visa at any Philippine embassy around the world for US $ 30/40, but you have to go to the embassy twice as it takes 2-3 business days for the visa to arrive.

If it is exceeded, you must pay a fine of $ 1000 per month of excess stay plus a processing fee of $ 2020 .

Airlines may refuse to allow you to check in if you only have a one-way ticket to the Philippines due to immigration requirements. Cebu Pacific Air will require a printed copy of an "itinerary receipt" at check in. If you want to risk not having a ticket going forward, try registering early so you have time to buy a ticket at an internet cafe or box office. at the airport if the airline refuses to check you in.

If you intend to stay beyond 3 years on a temporary visitor visa, consider applying for one temporary resident visa (TRV), a permanent resident visa (PRV) or a fee immigrant visa (13). This is possible if you are married to a Filipino citizen and / or if your home country has an immigration reciprocity agreement (which if there is none, you must apply for a TRV).

Registration of foreigners and program Balikbayan

If you intend to stay in the Philippines more than 59 days with anything other than a visa on arrival or an extended temporary visitor visa, you must register for a card Alien Registration Certificate (ACR), which costs 50 dollars Americans with an additional processing fee of $ 1000 . You must provide photocopies of your issued passport and visas, a 2x2 photo and related documentation. The card is mandatory (as an additional fee) if you are applying for a business, student, work or immigrant visa abroad, and must be renewed every year. If you damaged or lost your card, modified personal information, or put wrong personal data, you must pay US $ 20 for a replacement, with a processing fee of ₱ 500 ( ₱ 1000 if you replace a lost card).

Also, if you are staying in a private residence (including apartments or condominium units), you must register your address in the barangay of residence by obtaining a Barangay Residence Certificate within 24 hours of your arrival, but this is not necessary for a short time. term travelers.

Under the "Balikbayan Program", former Filipino citizens who have naturalized in a foreign country can enter the Philippines without a visa for up to one year. If eligible, you must prove your previous Philippine citizenship by presenting an old Philippine passport, birth certificate, or foreign naturalization documents. However, you may not have to present these documents to the immigration officer, as it is generally sufficient to speak any Filipino language, appear Filipino, and / or show the foreign passport if it indicates that you were born in the Philippines. If your Balikbayan status is granted, the immigration officer will record your passport for a one-year stay. Your spouse and children can also benefit from the Balikbayan privilege, as long as they enter and leave the Philippines together with you.

Arrival and customs

Philippines now takes fingerprints and photographs of the visitors upon arrival and departure as part of the immigration process. These fingerprints can reach the databases of the authorities of other countries. Those under 18 are exempt.

You must complete a arrival card at the port of entry and present yourself to immigration, where you will provide the reason for the trip and your contact details (address / hotel, phone numbers, emails). As of 2019, the arrival card is now integrated into the customs declaration form that is given to passengers on arriving flights.

On departure, you must also complete a exit card , which is basically the same as the arrival card, but it is a small square sheet of paper that omits the customs declaration form and the contact information section.

Customs are mostly relaxed with the general restrictions on duty-free items: you can bring up to 1 liter (0.22 imp gal; 0.26 US gal) of alcohol, reasonable amounts of perfume, and 200 bars (often a box with 10 packs containing 20 sticks) of cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 g of tobacco.

You can import or export $ 10,000 , or any foreign currency equivalent to $ 10,000 (about $ 500,000 in 2019) without restriction, but any excess must be declared at customs and authorized by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Checks in excess of those amounts are also covered by the same rules.

	Note: Due to an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) since 2019, all swine products must be declared and quarantined, or they will be confiscated and destroyed. Some provinces have banned bringing pork products, especially on planes and ferries.
	(Information updated in February 2020)

The Philippines now imposes strict restrictions on the entry of animal and plant products (particularly raw fruits, vegetables, meat and fish), and must declare any of these to Customs Office (BOC) and Department of Agriculture officials. (DA), or they will be confiscated. Processed or packaged foods are generally exempt. If you bring pets, they must have proof of deworming and rabies vaccination, and also be declared in customs. All products of endangered species are confiscated.

You must also declare CDs, DVDs, and electronic devices (including cell phones) in your checked baggage; Items in carry-on luggage are rarely searched, but may be subject to random inspection. The importation of pornography, dangerous drugs, pirated or counterfeit products and dangerous chemicals is prohibited. If you intend to carry firearms for certain purposes, such as recreational shooting, expect to go through the paperwork to get a transport allowance and additional permits.

Illegal drugs Visitors and those just in transit should expect hefty fines for carrying small amounts of drugs and paraphernalia, or 20 to 40 years in prison and deportation for larger amounts.

For a complete guide on what and what not to take with your luggage, see Regulated / Restricted and Prohibited Imports on the Customs Office website.

Philippine customs officials are well known for their corruption, but this is slowly changing; travelers can't get away with not declaring any restricted or contraband items in checked baggage, with X-ray scanner inspections and random K-9 dog checks. If caught, expect fines and possibly jail time, deportation, and / or being blacklisted by immigration.)

By plane

With 7,107 islands, the best is to travel by plane.

There are international airports in Manila, Cebu, Davao, Angeles (Clark), Kalibo, Laoag, and Zamboanga.

Although the Philippines is an archipelago, most visitors arrive by plane. If you live in an area with a large Filipino population, check out the travel agencies that cater to Filipinos abroad, which often have more attractive rates than are generally advertised.

The flag carrier Philippine Airlines , Cebu pacific , Air Asia They are the three companies with the largest presence in the country; all offer domestic and international flights. Many other airlines operate international flights to the Philippines, and there are several smaller domestic airlines, including some that use seaplanes or helicopters to reach non-airport destinations.

What to pay when leaving the Philippines? The country's airport terminals have a terminal fee which is now included in the ticket price. For all airports except Clark Airport, the fares for international flights they are now included in the ticket price. Passengers in clark airport must pay a terminal fee of 650 ₱ . This is collected at the airport before entering immigration, payable in Philippine pesos or US dollars. A stub is attached to your boarding pass to indicate that it has been paid. In addition, many Filipinos and any foreigner who has been in the Philippines for more than a year must pay a tax of trip of 2700 ₱ if they fly first class or 1620 ₱ for business or economy class; The tax is collected at a designated counter prior to check-in. In some cases, the travel tax is included in the ticket price; check first and ask before paying. Foreign citizens and balikbayans (Former Filipino citizens) who stay in the Philippines for less than a year are exempt from paying travel tax, as are Filipino Overseas Workers (OFW), Filipino students studying abroad, infants and employees government or international agencies on official business. Reduced rates are available to minors (under 12 years old), OFW dependents (under 21 years old) and assigned journalists.

If you plan to travel the various islands, it may be better to get a ticket with your mouth open; This can save a lot of time in backtracking. Most open-mouthed ticket combinations fly to Manila and depart from Cebu or vice versa. It is also possible to get a ticket with a scale; For example, Silk Air, part of the Singapore airlines, flies Singapore-Davao-Cebu and it might be worth asking if you can spend a few days in Davao without a fare change.

Most visitors entering the Philippines will fly through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) ( MNL ^IATA ) in Metro Manila. Traveling through the Manila airport used to involve long delays, difficult transfers between terminals, and sometimes corrupt officials. It has improved a lot, but some visitors still choose to avoid flying through Manila. There are two main alternatives:

• Mactan-Cebu International Airport ( CEB ^IATA ) in Metro Cebu is the second busiest airport in the Philippines. It is in the center of the country, closer to destinations in Visayas or Mindanao than Manila.
• Clark Airport ( CRK ^IATA ) in the city of Angeles, 85 km north of Manila, is a popular hub for low-cost airlines operating out of Manila, although some full-service airlines also operate out of the airport.

Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark are the main hubs for domestic flights in the country. You can get to any of these airports and expect to get to more or less any part of the country with reasonable ease.

Other airports in the country also have international flights.

• Francisco Bangoy International Airport ( DVO ^IATA ) in Davao is served by Silk Air from Singapore and Cathay Dragon from Hong Kong.
• Kalibo International Airport ( KLO ^IATA ) in Kalibo, Aklan (near Boracay). AirAsia has flights to Seoul and Busan in South Korea, and Cebu Pacific from Hong Kong and Seoul. Other airlines also have scheduled flights to Kalibo from points in South Korea, China and Taiwan.
• Iloilo International Airport ( ILO ^IATA ) in Iloilo is served by Cebu Pacific, with flights from Hong Kong and Singapore.
• Puerto Princesa International Airport ( PPS ^IATA ) in Puerto Princesa, Palawan has direct flights from Taipei on Tiger Air Taiwan.
• Panglao TAG Airport ^IATA in bohol

A mediados de 2019, varias otras ciudades tienen nuevos aeropuertos en planificación o en construcción, por lo que es probable que la lista sea más larga en la década de 2020.

Boat

• Aleson Shipping Lines tiene un ferry a Zamboanga desde Sandakan , Malasia . El horario sale de Zamboanga todos los lunes y jueves al mediodía. Clase económica ₱ 2700 one way. Cabina ₱ 3100 one way.

Esta ruta puede ser peligrosa; ver advertencias en las islas Sulu y la península de Zamboanga

By car

Lead no es la mejor manera de explorar Filipinas debido al tráfico desconcertante y las condiciones de la carretera, pero subirse a un automóvil o motocicleta le permitirá descubrir gemas ocultas a las que aún no han llegado otros viajeros. Para la mayoría de los visitantes, viajar sin automóvil (o "desplazamientos" en inglés filipino) es mejor y esencial.

Understand

La historia de los viajes en automóvil en Filipinas está estrechamente relacionada con su historia de ser una colonia de los Estados Unidos durante unos 50 años después de que los españoles se fueran y hasta el final de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Los automóviles llegaron en esa época y comenzó la pasión filipina por los automóviles. A pesar de eso, los automóviles son más un lujo para la mayoría de los filipinos que una necesidad, y solo el 3% de la población tiene uno. Muchas ciudades y pueblos se remontan a la época española, por lo que tienen calles estrechas no construidas para automóviles. El transporte público y caminar es muy útil, pero en lugares como Metro Manila y provincias cercanas, desarrollos privados incontrolados, como subdivisiones en expansión y centros comerciales cuadrados, hacen que viajar en automóvil sea atractivo, incluso hasta el punto en que eventualmente fracasa en forma de atascos de tráfico, aunque alrededor de la década de 2010, las cosas están cambiando con el impulso del gobierno para mejorar y modernizar el sector público. transporte.

Como ex colonia de los Estados Unidos, Filipinas conduce por la derecha, aunque en realidad, el tráfico se movió por la izquierda durante gran parte del área colonial estadounidense y solo después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial el país cambió al lado derecho de la carretera. La mayoría de los automóviles tienen transmisión manual (palanca de cambios) y los modelos con transmisión automática son mucho más costosos.

Las carreteras en Filipinas varían, desde las autopistas de Luzón hasta las carreteras de grava sin sellar en las provincias más pobres. La columna vertebral del sistema son las carreteras nacionales de uno y dos dígitos, que conecta la mayoría de las grandes ciudades. Las dos rutas más importantes son la Asian Highway 26 (AH26), que corre de norte a sur de Laoag a Zamboanga en el sentido de las agujas del reloj a través del valle de Cagayan, Bicol, el este de Visayas y el este de Mindanao, y la ruta 1 , a menudo llamada Maharlika Highway , que es esencialmente la misma. ruta como AH26, pero se divide en el sur de Metro Manila. Es importante no combinar la AH26 y la Ruta 1: la AH26 sigue las autopistas cerca de Manila e incluye rutas secundarias a la ciudad de Cebú y Cagayán de Oro.. A pesar de su importancia, muchos tramos rurales son indivisos de dos carriles.

Los filipinos son famosos por sus hábitos de conducción (o la falta de ellos). El tráfico a menudo se detiene en seco, especialmente en las grandes ciudades (Metro Manila en particular), y el claxon es un hecho muy común. Cuando no hay tráfico, el exceso de velocidad, los virajes bruscos y los adelantamientos imprudentes ocurren con regularidad, especialmente en carreteras rurales desoladas. El tráfico de automóviles compite con el tráfico de autobuses y jeepney, que empujan los bordillos de las aceras para conseguir más pasajeros, especialmente en áreas sin paradas de autobús designadas: el sistema de comisión de "límites" que determina los salarios de los conductores de autobuses y jeepney según la cantidad de pasajeros no ayuda a la situación del tráfico en muchas ciudades. Las motocicletas frecuentemente se mueven entre el tráfico y se acumulan en el paso de peatones, aumentando el riesgo de accidentes. Sin embargo, los semáforos, aunque se ignoraron con frecuencia en el pasado,

Distancias y tiempos de viaje

Filipinas no es un país grande y no tiene carreteras que atraviesen cientos de kilómetros a través de la naturaleza, pero las distancias son fáciles de subestimar, con patrones de población densos, falta de desvíos o carreteras de alta velocidad, interiores accidentados y el significado de la naturaleza archipelágica del país. velocidades más lentas, paso frecuente a través del centro de ciudades o pueblos, carreteras sinuosas de montaña y transbordadores. Tómelo por ejemplo, viajar desde Manila en automóvil a cualquiera de los principales centros regionales de Luzón puede ser factible en un día, pero un viaje por carretera entre islas, digamos un viaje de Manila a Davao, puede llevar más de un día, con transbordadores. . Incluso dentro de provincias o islas más pequeñas, los viajes por carretera de un lado a otro de la provincia pueden ser más largos a pesar de la distancia.

From	Carreteras / rutas clave	Distance	Hora	Grades
Manila- Baguio	Manila North Road (ruta 2) y Kennon Road (ruta 54)	250 km (160 millas)	4-5 horas	Tramos de autopista hasta Pangasinan.
Manila- Vigan	Manila North Road (Ruta 2)	405 km (252 millas)	7-8 horas	Tramos de autopista hasta Pangasinan.
Manila- Laoag	Manila North Road (Ruta 2)	485 km (301 millas)	9 hours	Tramos de autopista hasta Pangasinan.
Manila- Tuguegarao	Autopista Maharlika (Ruta 1 / AH26 )	457 km (284 millas)	10-12 horas	Segmentos de autopista hasta Malolos.
Manila- Legazpi	Autopista Maharlika (Ruta 1 / AH26 )	490 km (300 millas)	10-12 horas	Segmentos de autopista hasta Batangas.

Itineraries

• Asian Highway 26 : la principal carretera norte-sur que corre en el sentido de las agujas del reloj desde Laoag hasta la ciudad de Zamboanga, con espuelas a la ciudad de Cebú desde Leyte y Cagayan de Oro desde la ciudad de Davao .
• Carretera Halsema: la carretera principal de norte a sur que atraviesa las Cordilleras de Luzón y tiene el punto más alto del sistema de carreteras de Filipinas.
• Kennon Road : una carretera sinuosa que conecta Baguio con Rosario
• Ternate – Nasugbu Road - Carretera escénica entre Ternate en Cavite y Nasugbu en Batangas . Atraviesa las últimas selvas tropicales de las tierras bajas de Luzón en las proximidades del paisaje protegido del monte Palay-palay / Mataas na Gulod y la franja de centros turísticos de Nasugbu.

Carreteras

Las carreteras en Filipinas varían mucho en calidad, desde las autopistas pavimentadas de varios carriles de Luzón hasta los estrechos caminos de tierra de las áreas montañosas remotas, lo que puede complicar el viaje en automóvil.

La mayoría de las carreteras en las zonas urbanas se construyeron durante la época colonial española o estadounidense y, por tanto, no son aptas para el automóvil. Los caminos rurales abiertos son difíciles de encontrar, y aquellos en las regiones densamente pobladas pueden tener casas construidas cerca de la carretera. Los caminos de montaña están llenos de curvas y, a menudo, son propensos a deslizamientos de tierra, y los barrancos pueden no estar completamente protegidos por barandillas u otras barreras de seguridad. Si bien la mayoría de las carreteras en Filipinas son estrechas, más adecuadas para un peatón y vehículos pequeños, las carreteras principales a menudo tienen dos carriles y normalmente están pavimentadas con asfalto u hormigón, y las carreteras de varios carriles son comunes cerca de las principales ciudades.

La red de carreteras de Filipinas se centra en Manila. Fuera de Luzón, las redes de carreteras de las islas más grandes convergen en la ciudad o ciudades más grandes (por ejemplo, la ciudad de Cebú para la provincia de Cebú , la ciudad de Iloilo para Panay y Puerto Princesa para Palawan ), mientras que las islas más pequeñas (como Marinduque , Catanduanes y Camiguin ) generalmente tienen una carretera que rodea toda la isla. Filipinas tiene una carretera que forma parte de la Red de Carreteras Asiáticas : la Carretera Asiática 26 , también conocida localmente como la Carretera Maharlika . La carretera comienza en Laoag y termina enCiudad de Zamboanga , atravesando Luzón, Samar, Leyte y Mindanao.

Las carreteras en Filipinas se pueden dividir en tres tipos básicos:

• Vías rápidas : autopistas totalmente separadas a nivel, generalmente con peaje. Las motocicletas solo están permitidas si tienen un motor de cilindrada superior a 400 cc. Las señales son negras sobre amarillo ( ), aunque las autopistas solo están señalizadas si forman parte de AH26.
• Carreteras nacionales: carreteras interurbanas que no cumplen con los estándares de las autopistas. Puede variar desde caminos de grava sin sellar en provincias subdesarrolladas hasta caminos anchos y divididos en ciudades. Los letreros son negros sobre blanco ( ). Normalmente marcados y firmados, aunque los de menor importancia no tienen números de ruta y, por lo tanto, no están firmados. Algunos tienen peaje, como Kennon Road, que conduce a Baguio , y Halsema Highway, la principal carretera norte-sur de las Cordilleras.
• Carreteras locales : todas las demás carreteras que no son mantenidas por el gobierno nacional. Estos a menudo son mantenidos por provincias, ciudades / municipios y barangays, aunque en algunas áreas (como carreteras en subdivisiones cerradas y comunidades planificadas), estos son mantenidos por entidades privadas.

Como los números de ruta se introdujeron recientemente, rara vez se utilizan como referencia; en cambio, las autopistas se denominan por la abreviatura de su nombre completo, y las carreteras nacionales se denominan genéricamente "Carretera / Carretera Nacional" u otro nombre común, estén o no firmadas.

Los mapas y atlas de carreteras están disponibles en las librerías de todo el país, y aplicaciones como Google Maps y Waze proporcionan una navegación paso a paso más o menos precisa con actualizaciones de tráfico en tiempo real. Ambos son muy útiles al conducir, especialmente cuando se conduce solo.

Autopistas

Luzón tiene una red de autopistas , en su mayoría de cuatro a ocho carriles; las dos más importantes son las autopistas North Luzon (NLEx) y South Luzon (SLEx). Las vías rápidas están conectadas a la red de carreteras nacionales y carreteras provinciales que conectan con las principales ciudades y provincias. La mayoría de las vías rápidas están controladas por dos grandes empresas, San Miguel y Metro Pacific, desde 2016.

Si bien el exceso de velocidad se ha reducido con la introducción del radar fotográfico, es posible que algunas secciones de la autopista sigan siendo inseguras. Tenga cuidado con los velocistas, los peatones y los animales callejeros en general, y los que lanzan piedras en las zonas rurales oscuras. Los incendios de pasto durante la estación seca o las fuertes lluvias durante la estación del monzón también pueden hacer que el tráfico se detenga debido a la visibilidad reducida.

Name	Distance	Provincias atendidas	Tasa de peaje más lejana	Route numbers	Operador	Grades
Autopista del norte de Luzón (NLEx)	76 km (47 millas)	Metro Manila ; Bulacan ; Pampanga	45 ₱ (Balintawak-Marilao, tarifa plana); ₱ 191 (Bocaue-Santa Inés, Mabalacat)	E1 (sin firmar)	Metro Pacífico	Sección Balintawak-Malolos parte de AH26.
Enlaces NLEx Mindanao Avenue, Karuhatan y Valenzuela	11 km (6,8 millas)	norte de Metro Manila	45 ₱ (tarifa plana)	E5 (sin firmar)
Autopista del sur de Luzón (SLEx)	48 km (30 millas)	Metro Manila ; Laguna	₱ 214 (plazas de peaje de Nichols a Calamba); ₱ 25 (plazas de peaje de Calamba a Ayala Greenfield)	E2 (firmado solo en el segmento AH26)	San Miguel	No hay cobro de peaje en dirección norte en la plaza de peaje de Calamba.
STAR Tollway (Carretera Arterial del Sur de Tagalo)	42 km (26 millas)	Batangas	$ 67	E2 (sin firmar)		No se cobran peajes en la plaza de peaje de Santo Tomas en dirección sur, ni en la plaza de peaje de Balagtas en dirección norte.
Ruta aérea	20 km (12 millas) (Paco, Manila-Alabang solamente)	Metro Manila	₱ 164 (Nichols-Alabang), ₱ 260 (peaje Nichols-SLEX Calamba)	E2 (firmado solo en el segmento AH26)
Autopista NAIA (NAIAx)	5,4 km (3,4 millas)	Metro Manila	45 ₱ (tarifa plana)	E6 (sin firmar)
Autopista Muntinlupa-Cavite (MCX)	3 km (1,9 millas)	Metro Manila ; Cavita	17 $	E2 (sin firmar)	Ayala	La tarifa de peaje en dirección oeste se agrega a la tarifa en su punto de entrada en SLEX.
Autopista Manila-Cavite (CAVITEx)	12 km (7,5 millas)	Metro Manila; Cavita	₱ 24 (peaje Las Piñas, tarifa plana); ₱ 64 (peaje de Kawit, tarifa plana)	E3 (sin firmar)	Metro Pacífico
Autopista Subic-Clark-Tarlac (SCTEx, incluida la Autopista Subic-Tipo)	100 km (62 millas) (incluida la autopista Subic-Tipo)	Bataan , Pampanga , Tarlac	₱ 296 (línea principal SCTEx)	E4 (Subic-Mabalacat); E1 (Mabalacat-Tarlac City), ambos sin firmar
Autopista Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Unión (TPLEx)	77 km (48 millas)	Tarlac , Pangasinan	270 $	E1 (sin firmar)	San Miguel
Autopista Cavite-Laguna (CALAEx / CALAx)	10 km (6.2 mi) (Mamplasan, Biñan –Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road, tramo Silang únicamente)	Cavite , Laguna			Metro Pacífico

La tabla anterior está actualizada al 30 de octubre de 2019, pero también hay muchos proyectos de autopistas en curso, que ampliarán aún más la lista.

Las vías rápidas no existen fuera de Luzón, pero hay propuestas o proyectos en curso para construirlas, como el tercer puente entre las islas Cebú y Mactan en las Visayas, y la autopista circular alrededor de la ciudad de Davao en Mindanao.

Peajes

Todas las autopistas tienen peajes, ya sea a distancia o de tarifa plana, que generalmente se pagan en efectivo o mediante el cobro de peaje electrónico (ETC). La aceptación de la tarjeta sigue siendo limitada: a partir de 2019, solo las autopistas operadas por Metro Pacific aceptan tarjetas de crédito, débito y de valor almacenado, e incluso entonces la aceptación se limita a las tarjetas MasterCard y Visa sin contacto, PayMaya y la tarjeta Beep de Metro Manila . Los peajes son bastante baratos, especialmente para viajes dentro de los 100 km (62 millas) de Manila. Si pierde la tarjeta o el boleto emitido al ingresar, o usa los carriles ETC sin una etiqueta o transpondedor válido, debe pagar una multa que es la tarifa desde su punto de entrada más la tarifa más lejana.

Las autopistas filipinas utilizan uno de los dos sistemas ETC:

• Barrido automático (etiqueta RFID): SLEX, STAR, Skyway, NAIAX, TPLEX y MCX
• Easytrip (transpondedor) - NLEX, SCTEX y CAVITEX

Es posible obtener un sistema ETC para su automóvil si la empresa de alquiler no le proporciona uno, a veces con un pequeño depósito requerido. Una vez que solicite una etiqueta / transportador ETC, se puede utilizar en cualquier autopista del país. Sin embargo, si registró su vehículo en el sistema Autosweep y desea usarlo en el sistema Easytrip, primero debe registrarlo. Las instrucciones detalladas se proporcionan en la página web de la Junta Reguladora de Peaje (TRB) .

Servicios

Las autopistas de larga distancia tienen áreas de servicio , que pueden ser tan simples como una estación de servicio con una tienda de conveniencia, un restaurante de comida rápida y servicios de reparación de automóviles, o tan amplias como una con múltiples restaurantes, tiendas y tiendas outlet de fábrica, o incluso una completa. centro comercial. Las áreas de servicio se ubican a intervalos regulares a lo largo de las autopistas; por ejemplo, atravesará un área de servicio a lo largo de la autopista North Luzon Expressway cada 20 km (12 millas).

The áreas de descanso básicas , las que solo tienen estacionamiento y baños (y nada más), solo existen SCTEX entre Floridablanca y Porac en Pampanga .

También hay plazas de aparcamiento (desvíos o apartaderos ) a lo largo de las autopistas, que normalmente se financian cada 5 km (3,1 millas), pero solo son útiles para revisiones periódicas de vehículos o averías de emergencia. Está prohibido estacionar allí por más de 20 minutos, comer, beber, dormir o tirar basura allí.

Carreteras náuticas filipinas

El sistema de Carreteras Náuticas de Filipinas se compone de tres rutas compuestas por carreteras y rutas de transbordadores de subida y bajada (RO / RO) que conectan las principales islas de Filipinas por carretera, lo que reduce el costo de conducción (y, en última instancia, , reduciendo el costo de envío de mercancías entre islas). El sistema comienza en Luzón, corre en dirección norte-sur a través de Visayas y termina en Mindanao. El rotes es útil para conducir a destinos turísticos al sur de Manila: por ejemplo, es posible conducir tanto a Puerto Galera como a Boracay desde Manila a través de la Carretera Náutica Occidental. Las carreteras náuticas de Filipinas están señalizadas y el Departamento de Turismo [1] dispone de un mapa de la red y de los horarios de RO / RO.

By bus

Si bien Filipinas es un archipiélago, los buses son un modo popular de transporte de larga distancia en el país por tierra, especialmente en las islas grandes. Se puede llegar a la mayoría de las ciudades y pueblos en autobús.

Viajar en autobús es una forma barata y popular de viajar por Filipinas. Si bien los aviones son mucho más rápidos, los problemas de seguridad en los aeropuertos, así como las frecuentes demoras, hacen que los autobuses sean aún más útiles y eficientes. Los autobuses tienen salidas más frecuentes, pero tampoco son puntuales, ya que las estaciones de autobuses a menudo se encuentran en lugares congestionados en las ciudades, y no es raro que un autobús salga antes o después de lo previsto ya que los últimos pasajeros han subido.

Hay dos categorías principales de autobuses, los autobuses provinciales , que recorren las provincias para conectar todas las ciudades o pueblos importantes, y los autobuses urbanos, que son menos comunes ya que la mayoría de los lugares tendrían jeepneys en su lugar. También puede encontrar autobuses turísticos , que pueden ir desde los servicios de transporte que ofrecen algunos hoteles hasta los que se alquilan para viajes en grupo.

Companies

Muchos autobuses, tanto urbanos como provinciales, son operados por muchas empresas privadas con franquicias de la Junta Reguladora y Franquicia de Transporte Terrestre (LTFRB), en lugar de unos pocos operadores estatales o nacionales. Algunos de los operadores de autobuses provinciales más grandes con una amplia cobertura en la mayoría de las regiones del país, organizados por la región a la que sirven principalmente, son:

• Victory Liner Y Five Star : viaja a la mayoría de los destinos en Pangasinan y Cagayan Valley , así como a Baguio .
• Genesis Transport - Compañía principal en Luzón Central . También opera un servicio de autobús del aeropuerto entre el Aeropuerto Internacional Clark y el Aeropuerto Internacional Ninoy Aquino , así como servicios rápidos de lujo entre Manila y Baguio.
• ALPS the Bus - Una empresa con sede en Batangas , que opera autobuses desde su terminal principal en Cubao a destinos en Batangas, Bicol y Visayas.
• DLTB - Un renacimiento de la histórica Compañía de Autobuses Batangas-Laguna-Tayabas (BLTB), operan muchas rutas a las principales ciudades y pueblos de CALABARZON , Bicol y Visayas del Este .
• El clima es Líneas de autobuses Philtranco Y Amihan : Philtranco opera principalmente rutas a Bicol , Samar y Leyte , y Mindanao , así como una ruta a Zambales y otra a la ciudad de Iloilo . Amihan compite con DLTB en las rutas a Bicol.
• Yanson Group of Bus Companies (YGBC): una empresa con sede en Bacolod que domina las operaciones de autobuses regionales e interurbanos en Visayas y Mindanao. Opera autobuses a través de sus cinco afiliadas, así como empresas adquiridas con sede en la provincia de Cebu . La mayoría de sus flotas provienen de fabricantes chinos, pero muchas han sido renovadas y remodeladas.
  • Ceres Transport Y Gold Star : recorridos de media distancia entre Manila y la ciudad de Batangas , así como viajes entre islas desde Manila a Mindoro , la ciudad de Iloilo y Bacolod .
  • Ceres Liner : opera la mayoría de las rutas en las Visayas, excepto en Bohol, Leyte y Samar.
  • Tránsito rural : sale de Cagayán de Oro a ciudades y pueblos de Zamboanga , Bukidnon , la ciudad de Davao y las provincias de Cotabato.
  • Bachelor Express : sirve a la mayoría de las rutas en el este de Mindanao, con centros en la ciudad de Davao y Butuan .
  • Mindanao Star : servicios entre las ciudades de Davao y Cotabato a través de Kidapawan .

Autobuses provinciales

Los autobuses provinciales forman la columna vertebral del transporte interurbano y regional, y aunque los jeepneys pueden ocupar su lugar en muchos servicios, la mayoría de los lugares dentro de la ruta turística deben ser alcanzados por al menos una o más rutas de autobuses provinciales.

Hay cinco clases de autobuses provinciales, que se basan en la comodidad, el número de asientos y la tarifa. La clase del autobús debe indicarse en el parabrisas, pero algunos no la tienen anunciada en absoluto. De peor a mejor:

• Ordinario (económico): disposición 2-3 (6 en la fila más trasera), con asientos 38-41 de madera, duros o tapizados. Se detiene con mayor frecuencia. El vehículo puede variar desde un taxi colectivo grande o minibús hasta un autocar de tamaño completo. Algunos autobuses pueden tener dos puertas o la parte delantera alberga el asiento del conductor. Mayormente caluroso, lleno de gente y peligroso.
• Aire acondicionado (económico con aire acondicionado, también reducido a AC or A / C ) - Disposición 2-3 (6 en la fila más trasera) con asientos tapizados. No hay otros lujos excepto el aire acondicionado, y también se detiene con frecuencia como los autobuses normales.
• Deluxe (economía semirrápida, a veces llamada clase ejecutiva por algunas empresas): disposición 2-2 (5-6 en la fila más trasera) con 36-38 asientos tapizados. Omite algunas paradas servidas por aire acondicionado o autobuses comunes, pero el servicio es sencillo.
• Super deluxe (segunda clase): disposición 2-2 (6 en la fila más retrasada) con 34 asientos reclinables. Se detiene solo en las principales ciudades y pueblos. Puede tener baños, pantallas de entretenimiento personal y mantas.
• Lujo (primera clase): diseño 2-1 con 26 asientos totalmente reclinables, que se pueden convertir en camas en viajes nocturnos. Se detiene solo en las principales ciudades y pueblos, pero es más raro que en el súper lujo.

Las rutas de autobuses regionales generalmente funcionan con autobuses de clase ordinarios y con aire acondicionado. Los autobuses de lujo se encuentran en rutas de media y larga distancia, mientras que las clases de lujo con aire acondicionado súper lujo y lujo quedan relegadas a las rutas de larga distancia.

Urban buses

Solo unos pocos lugares en Filipinas han autobuses urbanos , y para la mayoría de las ciudades, los jeepneys son un elemento básico, ya que pueden circular por las calles más pequeñas. A diferencia de la mayoría de los sistemas en la mayor parte del mundo, los autobuses urbanos están a cargo de empresas privadas, algunas de las cuales son filiales o subsidiarias de las empresas de la red provincial de autobuses. Los autobuses urbanos recorren amplias avenidas y las rutas a menudo conectan los suburbios.

En los autobuses urbanos, solo hay dos clases:

• Con aire acondicionado - Disposición 2-3 o 2-2 (6 asientos en la fila más trasera), con asientos tapizados. El más cómodo.
• Ordinario - Disposición 2-3 (6 asientos en la fila más trasera), con asientos de madera, duros o tapizados. Más barato, pero está abarrotado, caluroso y, a menudo, peligroso. Algunas compañías han eliminado esta clase de autobús debido a la seguridad, y los pocos en los que puede viajar sirven a los suburbios de clase baja.

La cantidad de asientos para pasajeros en los autobuses urbanos varía según el vehículo, independientemente de la clase, pero la mayoría debe tener espacio para 38 (para un autocar 2-2 AC, un piso bajo o uno ordinario) o 41 (para un autocar 2-3 AC ). Los asientos siempre miran hacia la parte delantera del autobús en la mayoría de los vehículos, pero los vehículos más nuevos de piso bajo tendrán asientos tipo banco y espacio para estar de pie en la parte delantera y asientos 2-2 en la parte trasera.

La mayoría de los operadores de autobuses urbanos utilizan autobuses de larga distancia, pero con ligeras y sutiles modificaciones en las horas pico y las paradas frecuentes. Los autobuses de piso bajo están disponibles lentamente, comenzando con algunos operadores intraurbanos y extendiéndose lentamente a todos los demás operadores de autobuses urbanos.Un autobús premium operado por UBE ExpressLos autobuses exprés están disponibles desde 2016. Servicio de autobús punto a punto premium de marca (o simplemente como P2P ) del gobierno de Filipinas, estos autobuses, con comodidades de lujo solo disponibles en rutas provinciales de larga distancia, brindan conexiones más rápidas con los distritos comerciales centrales , suburbios o incluso ciudades provinciales, y tienen pocas o ninguna parada a lo largo de la ruta. Las tarifas son una cantidad fija y, si bien son caras para un filipino de clase trabajadora, son más cómodas que los autobuses con aire acondicionado que se encuentran ampliamente disponibles. Los autobuses P2P solo están disponibles en Manila y las regiones y provincias circundantes (denominadas colectivamente "Área metropolitana de Manila" (GMA) o "Mega Manila") a partir de 2020.

Los boletos de autobús urbano siempre se compran al conductor, pero algunos operadores pueden utilizar métodos sin contacto. Algunas compañías de autobuses urbanos, en su mayoría las que operan flotas de piso bajo completamente ultramodernas, tienen tarifas completamente fijas, como BGC Bus (que sirve a Bonifacio Global City o BGC en Taguig ) y MyBus (que corre entre Cebu City y Lapu-Lapu en Cebu ).

Tarifas y emisión de boletos

Las tarifas están reguladas (y son las mismas en todo el país) y generalmente se basan en la distancia. Los sistemas de tarifas son:

• Autobús urbano : combinación de sistemas basados ​​en kilometraje y zonales. ₱ 12 ( ₱ 10 en clase ordinaria) durante los primeros 5 km, aumentando gradualmente en ₱ 2,25 (ordinario: ₱ 1,75 ) por kilómetro adicional después de eso.
• P2P : tarifa fija, independientemente de la distancia, y el doble de la tarifa equivalente en los servicios con todas las paradas.
• Bus provincial : Zonal, calculado para cada 5 km. Aire acondicionado: ₱ 7.75 ; ordinario ₱ 8,50 ; de lujo: ₱ 8.25 ; super deluxe: ( ₱ 8.75 / 5km; lujo: ₱ 11 ). Se aplican recargos adicionales para paradas de comida y transbordadores, y deben indicarse en el boleto.

Las matrices de tarifas se pegan dentro del autobús cerca del conductor, pero no confíe en ellas, ya que las tarifas generalmente se redondean al ₱ 5 más cercano . Para personas mayores, estudiantes y personas discapacitadas, hay un descuento del 20% disponible siempre que presente una identificación con foto válida al conductor o vendedor de boletos.

Obtener entradas es sencillo. Los boletos de autobús provinciales se compran a bordo a través del conductor o se compran en mostradores u oficinas de la empresa en las principales estaciones de autobuses. Para viajes de larga distancia, también puede reservar un boleto con anticipación, ya sea en línea o a través de una oficina de la empresa en la terminal. Los boletos de autobús urbano generalmente se compran al conductor, aunque en algunos operadores en Metro Manila, es posible pagar con una tarjeta sin contacto. Los boletos son válidos solo para un viaje de un punto a otro, por lo que la transferencia a otro autobús requiere la compra de otro.

Estaciones de autobuses

La mayoría de los autobuses salen y llegan a terminales propiedad de la empresa para servicios fuera de Mindanao, por lo que los traslados pueden resultar molestos. Esto está cambiando a medida que los gobiernos locales están invirtiendo en estaciones de autobuses centralizadas, con conexiones al transporte local.

A bordo

El aire acondicionado puede ser muy frío, así que traiga una chaqueta liviana, un suéter o una manta para abrigarse. Esto generalmente es útil si realiza un viaje nocturno en las clases sencillas que tienen A / C. Algunas empresas ofrecen mantas para su uso en viajes nocturnos.

Muchos autobuses tienen TV o audio a bordo, que a menudo son ruidosos, así que considere llevar tapones para los oídos.

El WiFi a bordo está cada vez más disponible en los autobuses, aunque las velocidades son muy variables y, a menudo, lentas. Los asientos delanteros están asignados a personas con discapacidad, ancianos, mujeres embarazadas o estudiantes, por lo que debes intercambiar asientos como cortesía. En un viaje de larga distancia, debe hacerlo incluso si su boleto reservado le asigna un asiento delantero.

Las reglas sobre alimentos y animales vivos varían de una compañía a otra, así que verifique cuidadosamente. Por lo general, se permiten alimentos y bebidas, pero se desaconseja comer alimentos sucios y algunos transportistas los prohíben. En los autobuses comunes, las reglas a menudo son relajadas, por lo tanto, espere viajar con un lugareño que lleve un pollo vivo.

El equipaje voluminoso generalmente se guarda debajo de los autobuses, pero los de las provincias más pobres pueden tener una baca en el techo o incluso llevarlos a bordo.

stay safe

Los viajes en autobús en Filipinas suelen ser peligrosos, especialmente con los autobuses provinciales. Los autobuses se ven involucrados en muchos accidentes, desde simples choques frontales o traseros con otro tráfico, hasta vehículos que caen de acantilados o laderas de montañas en las sinuosas carreteras de montaña del país. Algunos consejos son:

• Pregunte a los lugareños o cuáles son los operadores más seguros de una determinada ruta.
• Evite tomar autobuses comunes , que a menudo están abarrotados y sobrecargados, y es posible que el vehículo ya no sea apto para circular.
• Evite los autobuses nocturnos forever that sea ​​posible, ya que se involucran en muchos choques mortales. Es posible que los autobuses en rutas nocturnas no tengan un segundo conductor y que el conductor haya consumido drogas para mantenerse despierto.

Los delitos en los autobuses son poco comunes en las rutas provinciales, pero más en los autobuses urbanos y en las rutas provinciales de media distancia, donde los pasajeros de pie son normales. Los carteristas son el delito más común a bordo de los autobuses, pero también ocurren robos por distracción.

Tenga cuidado también con las estafas en las estaciones de autobuses. Una estafa común involucra a porteadores falsos, que lo llevarán a tiendas o restaurantes con precios excesivos.

Los autobuses han sido blanco de algunos incidentes terroristas en la década de 2000. Si bien el último gran atentado con bomba que involucró a un autobús ocurrió en 2014, sigue siendo un riesgo, especialmente en Mindanao. Si ve algún pasajero sospechoso o equipaje desatendido, notifique al conductor, a la policía o al personal de seguridad de inmediato.

By train

Travel

By plane

Algunas de las aerolíneas locales sonPhilippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific, Airphil Express, Zest Airways and South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR).

Boat

En coche y jeepney

Para facilitar el tráfico en Metro Manila, no se permiten vehículos una vez a la semana, dependiendo del número de automóviles de placas.

Día	El último dígito del número de placa de automóvil
Monday	1, 2
Tuesday	3, 4
Wednesday	5, 6
Thursday	7, 8
Friday	9, 0
Fines de semana y festivos	no hay restricciones

By bus

By train

Metro Manila tiene 3 líneas de metro de tren (LRT1, LRT2, MRT3).

Languages

Las Filipinas tienen dos idiomas oficiales: inglés y filipino. El filipino está principalmente basado en la lengua tagala (pariente del malayo), con influencias españolas e inglesas fuertes. Hay unos 3 millones de personas de habla hispana.

El tagalo es la lengua hablada en Luzón central y regiones Tagalog del Sur así como la Región de Capital Nacional (NCR) o Metro Manila. En las provincias Luzón del Norte, el ilocano es la lengua hablada más común . Las provincias de Pangasinan y Pampanga también tienen su propia lengua. Adicional al sur del Metro Manila está la Región Bicol donde es usado el bicolano. En las Islas del Sur de Bisayas y Mindanao, el cebuano es la lengua más común. Otras lenguas minoritarias en el sur incluyen Hiligaynon y Waray.

Hay algunos otros grupos étnicos que residen en el país, en particular en más áreas urbanizadas como Manila. El grupo más grande es los chinos - muchos de los cuales han asimilado seemlessly con la sociedad filipina. Otros grupos incluyen a los coreanos, japonés, del Medio Oriente, y los europeos/norteamericanos que comprenden los otros grupos principales.

La comunicación no sería demasiado fastidio para el viajero de habla inglesa, ya que mucha gente tiene conocimientos del idioma. Filipinas también tiene uno de los porcentajes más altos de hablantes realmente bilingües y multilingües en el mundo, superando otras naciones oficialmente bilingües/multilingües y territorios en Asia, como Malasia, Singapur, y Hong Kong. El inglés es extensamente usado por todo el país pero a niveles diferentes, en particular en las grandes ciudades . También es extensamente usado en el gobierno, los medios, y en el comercio. Los signos de la calle y las vallas publicitarias estarán probablemente en inglés, pero los mensajes de servicio público pueden estar en el filipino. El inglés es una asignatura obligatoria en todas las escuelas (públicas y privadas) desde la escuela primaria a la universidad. Además, se ha vuelto a introducir en los institutos públicos la enseñanza del castellano con la ayuda del gobierno español. Prácticamente cada uno que usted encuentre entenderá el inglés, aunque no lo hable con fluidez. De hecho, el inglés es el idioma oficial de negocios.

Muchas palabras españolas sobreviven en muchas de las lenguas locales aunque sobre todo en la forma corrompida. (Algunas lenguas locales como el Chabacano son completamente variantes del español.) El español ya no se entiende extensamente pero se puede viajar por la ciudad con un poquito del idioma cervantino, ya que aproximadamente el 45 % de todas las palabras usadas en el discurso diario es de procedencia española. Sin embargo, el español todavía es hablado con soltura por una población selecta

Sleep

Hoteles de 5 estrellas están disponibles en las principales ciudades como Metro Manila, Cebú y Davao.También hay hoteles para los viajeros mochileros, como el "Go Hotel".

Security

Al igual que los destinos más turísticos, a los visitantes se les aconseja estar alerta contra los carteristas. Filipinas es generalmente seguro para los turistas. No obstante a los turistas no se les recomienda visitar las islas más al sur de Mindanao, donde hay un conflicto entre el gobierno nacional y separatistas islámicos.

Cualquiera que visite Filipinas siempre debe prestar atención a la seguridad. Los rebeldes islamistas de las islas del sur han llamado la atención recientemente sobre sí mismos, incluso a través de ataques en Manila. Además, la tasa de delitos capitales también es alta, las armas de fuego están más extendidas entre la población que en Europa y los secuestros se repiten una y otra vez. En la vida cotidiana, las numerosas fuerzas armadas de protección que han instalado puestos de control en centros turísticos y de negocios recuerdan repetidamente la tensa situación. Los centros turísticos como Cebu o Boracay se consideran relativamente seguros, mientras que no se recomienda viajar a las regiones del sur (por ejemplo, Mindanao). También hay varias áreas prohibidas en Manila (especialmente después del anochecer).

Cuando tome un taxi en Manila con equipaje, asegúrese de que el maletero y las puertas estén bloqueados y las ventanas laterales estén cerradas. Los numerosos atascos de tráfico, en particular, son una invitación para que los numerosos delincuentes menores accedan y se sumerjan en la multitud a la velocidad del rayo.

Además de la amenaza de violencia, también hay varias enfermedades peligrosas en Filipinas, incluida la malaria (el área metropolitana de Metro Manila se considera libre de malaria) y el dengue. Es mejor buscar el consejo de un médico antes de la salida. No existe prevención ni tratamiento para el dengue; La prevención de la malaria debe considerarse de manera crítica y solo debe practicarse si (durante la temporada de lluvias) viaja a regiones que están particularmente en riesgo de contraer la malaria (partes de Palawan y Mindanao).

En la transición de años de dictadura, abandono y estancamiento económico hacia la democracia y el desarrollo, Filipinas sufre de delincuencia, corrupción e insurgencias en curso. Si bien los gobiernos extranjeros y los medios de comunicación exageran las amenazas, el país es, en general, pacífico, excepto en algunas regiones que experimentan insurgencias de bajo nivel. Los niveles de delincuencia en las principales ciudades son relativamente comparables a los de las ciudades estadounidenses.

El país tiene uno de los que tiene más muertes por desastres naturales conocidos por la humanidad: terremotos, ciclones tropicales (tifones), inundaciones y enfermedades tropicales.

Filipinas tiene ingresos bastante bajos: los trabajos no calificados generalmente pagan entre 100 y 200 dólares al mes e incluso muchos buenos trabajos cuestan menos de 500 dólares. Más o menos todos los viajeros serán percibidos como ricos según los estándares locales. Esto lo convierte en un objetivo principal para ladrones, estafadores, prostitutas y funcionarios corruptos. Don't make it worse by showing a Rolex, iPhone and Nikon or pulling out a stack of ₱ 1000 bills when paying a restaurant bill.

The Philippine penal system The legal system tends to be slow and prison conditions are bad and dangerous. A person falsely accused can spend a long time in jail before being acquitted. Bail is often denied especially foreigners. Foreigners sometimes receive shorter sentences than expected. For misdemeanors, foreigners typically serve only a few weeks before being deported. However, for serious crimes, a foreign national will be sentenced to a long prison term, followed by deportation.

Application of the law

Policeman

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is responsible for law enforcement in the country, and its officers are mostly identifiable through their dark blue uniforms. Some officers would wear a light blue collared shirt (with the PNP insignia across the chest) or a T-shirt (with PULIS printed on the back), this includes those stationed at smaller tourist spots and Community Police Precincts (PCPs). The traffic law enforcement branch of the PNP, the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), which patrols national highways and rural checkpoints, wears the same uniform as most officers, but may wear a reflective vest. Police vehicles are generally white in color, with many variations depending on the local division, but most should have the word PULIS or PULISYA on the front and a white license plate with red text.

All police officers have authority at the national level. Many can speak English, but as one enters the province, mastery of English can be terrible. Many are easily accessible, but some are not well paid and may ask for bribes.

Transit police

In addition to the PNP Highway Patrol Group, many cities and municipalities have their own traffic police force, which also enforces national traffic regulations and local traffic laws. The traffic police are usually called transit agents or traffic assistants . Uniforms vary by municipality, but many wear hats and pants with reflective stripes, and some wear a vest for greater visibility. Many of them have a negative reputation for bribery, but this is changing.

While its constituent cities have their own traffic police, Metro Manila has a region-wide traffic law enforcement authority, the Manila Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA), which has officers patrolling the main thoroughfares. MMDA officers wear bright blue uniforms and are mostly courteous and trained. Most now serve traffic control roles at major intersections and traffic bottlenecks, and only a few write fines for traffic law violations. In addition, they also enforce regional ordinances against smoking, spitting, urinating in public, littering, and reckless crossing.

Barangay tanod

Besides the police, the barangays also have tanod , or village watchers, who are responsible for policing the neighborhood. Most of them are unarmed, but some are armed with a bolus , a kind of machete. There is no standard uniform, but many wear a shirt with a vest, usually one that bears the barangay name, on top. Tanod - especially those at highway outposts - are helpful and accessible, and can give directions in case you get lost.

Private security guards

Private security guards are common in most establishments, especially in shopping malls, banks, transportation terminals, and government offices, and will mostly be dressed in a white or navy blue shirt and black pants. Female security may have the same uniform as men, but some would wear a black pencil skirt and stockings. Some guards may have a black badge cap. Most of them are friendly and approachable, but some are poorly trained, corrupt, and sleep-deprived (many of them work night shifts to protect companies from midnight robbery).

Crime

Crime, along with impunity and corruption within the police force, has increased since the return to democracy, and although the rate is relatively high by Western standards, it mostly occurs in crowded or hectic areas of large cities. . The most common crimes reported are pickpocketing, purse snatching, and muggings, which typically involve people carrying valuables such as cash, designer bags, and personal items. Beware the budol-budolscam, where victims are hypnotized to follow thieves' demands; it is common in Manila, but foreigners are rarely attacked. Being involved in a crime will also introduce you to the cumbersome Philippine compensation system, where a bribe is required for a case to be brought, but they are slowly disappearing under anti-corruption campaigns. Women should travel in a group and avoid traveling alone at night.

The theft of smashing and grabbing in parked cars (the modus operandi basag-kotse ) is common, even in guarded parking areas, so don't leave anything of value inside the car, especially on the dash.

Distraction robbery is rare, but it does happen; Such cases often involve dropping a coin ( laglag-barya ) or intentionally sticking used gum on the bus seat, disorienting the victim while an accomplice steals the victim's belongings. In restaurants, a common scam involves staged drink spills.

It is common for motorcyclists (especially those who ride in tandem) to steal their purse. Sometimes they will drag the bag along with the person for a few meters. Be careful when carrying expensive bags as it may attract the attention of thieves. Avoid wearing jewelry, especially earrings or rings, when you go to crowded areas.

Avoid getting into fights or confrontations with the locals . Filipinos are generally smaller than Westerners, but being outnumbered by a group of three or even a mob is an absolute problem. The police, despite being able to communicate in English in general, will not intervene on behalf of a foreigner in an altercation with locals. Fighting with locals is a common cause of deportation of foreigners from the Philippines. Too avoid raising your voice , which can be taken for anger and even make the other person violent; some simple arguments ended in murder for causing the person to lose face and induce murderous rage ( pagdidilim ng paningin). Drunk locals can get violent and insane, and bar fights are not uncommon, especially with East Asians. Filipinos are generally peace-loving people; show hiya (save face, literally "shame") is better than getting in trouble.

The syndikato (organized crime syndicates) are a good subject for movies or TV dramas, but despite being feared by the public, they do not target ordinary people and tourists do not have to worry about them. Some groups from the Chinese triad are also present in the Philippines, mainly focused on illegal drugs, human trafficking, and illicit gambling.

Road trip

More than 11,000 people die from traffic accidents in the Philippines each year, and many crashes involve motorcycles and tricycles., especially on rural roads. Reckless driving, poor road maintenance, lax traffic enforcement, a mix of new and dilapidated vehicles on the streets, bureaucracy and corruption in the licensing and registration process, and a lack of driver education all contribute. dangerous driving environment. Crossing the street is risky as pedestrian crossings are rarely followed. Driving at night is more dangerous as signs, markings, delineators or lights are missing, and some drivers do not dim their headlights. While the government has tried to improve the situation by simplifying the licensing process, installing signs and CCTV at crash hotspots, placing random checkpoints along rural roads, and introducing speed guns to police to catch the speed drivers ( kaskasero), Remains to be seen. Driving is a dangerous experience for foreigners, but many get around without incident. It is recommended to rent a car with a driver, but it is not necessary.

Safety on provincial buses may not be up to international standards. Try to travel with reputable companies and avoid "ordinary" class buses whenever possible.

Beware of jeepneys, vans, taxis, and tricycles Unlicensed ( colorum ). Licensed vehicles have yellow and black license plates, operator information, and a marked service area or route; The vehicles colorum they have private vehicle license plates (either black or green text on a white background, or green text on a sky blue background) and have no additional markings. Legitimate vehicles traveling outside of your marked route or service area without permission are also considered colorum . Avoid riding in one of them unless they are the only ones available, as they tend to be overloaded, drivers can charge higher rates, and passengers are not insured in the event of being involved in an accident.

Corruption

Since the end of the Marcos era, corruption has been the most serious problem in the country, and kotong culture ("bribery"), also aided by meager salaries of officials, widespread bureaucracy and patronage, prevails within the Philippine police or bureaucracy. While corruption was reduced under the Duterte administration, it remains to some extent, but giving a bribe is now risky.

Corruption at the airport persists, mainly at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Immigration officers can welcome you to a "Merry Christmas", even in August, and then ask you for "gifts" or a tip. A more serious form of corruption is exit withholding order scam , where dishonest immigration officials may say that you cannot leave the country because you have been issued an exit withholding order (criminal travel warrant) for some crime that Really You didn't commit, and the airport security staff will come and hold you in their office until you bribe them. This rarely happens to foreigners, but it could happen to returning Filipinos. It is easy to avoid by clarifying that a part of your name (especially the middle name) does not match those that are on the black list.

The Philippine police have a bad reputation for bribery and street corruption. Police officers or traffic attendants have been known to extort bribes, even for minor infractions (such as littering in public or minor traffic infractions), and some foreigners have been the victims of corrupt police officers. The fines for minor infractions are very easy to get around, ranging from $ 300 to 500But the police may even ask for higher amounts or threaten to go to your station and speak to a superior. The police may even ask you for a bribe before filing a formal complaint, but this is no longer common. Body cameras and more widespread video surveillance cameras are curbing corruption at the street level, and thanks to the prevalence of smartphones and social media, you can grab one and record them, so you can have any evidence to the contrary if they do. something corrupt. If the vehicle in which you are traveling stops, it is the driver's responsibility to handle the situation and it is best that you do not get involved.

The bureaucracy is also plagued with corruption and red tape, and arrangements in government offices, especially driver's licenses, are not uncommon. Acting courteously, asking for a receipt, and smiling will avoid problems when dealing with bureaucracy. Consider calling the civil service complaint hotline 8888 or write a polite letter of complaint if you have problems with the repairmen or with a certain official.

Carry your passport, or a photocopy of both your identification page and your visa, at all times as random police or immigration checks are not uncommon.

Begging

Begging for money (and handing money to beggars) has been illegal since the Marcos era, but you may find many beggars in almost every medium and large city in the Philippines. Beggars range from street children, homeless ( palaboy , sometimes called fat taong for its greasy and messy appearance) and people who handle application envelopes in buses and jeepneys.

Nomadic Bajau women and children (or Badjao, also known as the "sea gypsies") also beg in port cities, but can be found further inland. In some regions, "Badjao" has become synonymous with beggars.

Travelers

While women are respected in Philippine culture, crimes against women remain prevalent. Attitudes towards women remain conservative and many Filipino men openly display machismo. While foreign women are rarely raped, there is the potential for strangers to grope you, harass you by male passersby, and rob you when you are traveling alone in a taxi.

While wearing shorts, miniskirts, and other revealing clothing is fine in most parts of the country (except in Muslim-majority regions), it makes you a target for opportunistic crimes, and some places have banned the wearing of any indecent clothing to fight. rape and street harassment. A good rule of thumb is to observe the Philippines; in some areas they will show a lot of skin, but in others they will be covered. Foreign women do not need to go as far in any direction as local girls, but they must go in the same direction.

Homosexuality

Despite prevailing conservative customs, the Philippines is very tolerant of homosexuals and is the most LGBT-tolerant nation in Asia. Some cities, municipalities and provinces have passed ordinances that protect gay people, but some places, such as the Muslim-majority city of Marawi, have ordinances that punish homosexuality. LGBT people They will be fine in the country, but you shouldn't be too intrusive - a couple kissing in public can get stares or even verbal profanity. The country people, the Moors (Filipino Muslims) and the elderly are more conservative and will condemn it. Violence against gays and lesbians is rare.

Sex and prostitution

Many Filipinos are eagerly looking for wealthy men, both Filipino and foreign, as boyfriends or husbands. Foreign men are almost all wealthy by local standards and will generally find themselves much more in demand than at home.

Prostitution is illegal in the Philippines, but it is a thriving business. The country has several hundred thousand prostitutes. By no means are they all professionals; a woman with a typical low-paying job can double her income if she sleeps with one or two men a week, and some do it most weekends.

There are periodic crackdowns on prostitution and the penalties for those arrested are severe: high fines, possibly imprisonment, and probably deportation with a ban on returning to the country. Corrupt policemen can target foreigners for large bribes, and prostitutes have been known to cheat their clients with such schemes or cheat their clients in other ways. Also, like anywhere, sexually transmitted diseases are a great risk.

The most common form of prostitution establishment is generally called girls bar or bikini bar in the Philippines, but similar places in Thailand are called go-go bars and some travelers use that term here. It is also quite common to visit these clubs just to enjoy the show, a large number of scantily clad dancers competing to capture the attention of customers.

Enforcement of laws against sexual abuse of children (Republic Law No. 7610), including child pornography, and against trafficking in persons is more vigorous than enforcement of laws on prostitution, and the penalties are more severe . For people arrested on those charges, bail is rarely given, and foreigners will almost certainly be denied, so even someone who eventually gets past the charge will generally spend months in jail. As in any prison, child molesters can expect a hard time from other inmates and little help from guards.

The age of consent is 12 years as of 2019. Anyone caught with someone younger than that (not necessarily having sex, just caught with her in a private place) will be charged with rape and must await a severe sentence imprisonment, followed by deportation. Having sex with someone who is under 18 and 10 years younger than you is also illegal and is likely to lead to jail time and deportation. There are also several other laws that make the situation quite complex; For a foreign visitor, it is safest to stay away from anyone under the age of 18.

Aside from Philippine law, there is another rather serious legal risk. Most Western countries have laws that prohibit sexual relations with children even outside the country; a child molester could be prosecuted at home for actions in the Philippines. In these cases, it is the rules of the accusing country that apply; For example, a tourist under the age of 23 who has sex with a 13-year-old boy might be legal under Philippine law, but it is highly unlikely that a home court will find it acceptable.

In the case of human trafficking, the penalties go up to life imprisonment.

Drugs

The Philippines has a negative reputation for illegal drugs and, due to its lax application and less severe penalties (i.e. no death penalty), has become a base for illegal drug operations abroad, generally involving Chinese ethnic groups escaping harsh drug laws in China or Taiwan. . There is also a sizable minority of other foreign nationalities involved in drugs in the Philippines, such as West Africans and Mexicans who try to smuggle drugs even in transit.

Marijuana and shabu (crystalline methamphetamine) are widely used in the country. However, they are also illegal and the penalties are very harsh - you may very well receive a long prison sentence followed by deportation. Even the possession of drug paraphernalia, such as the small glass or steel tubes ("tooters") used to administer shabu, could lead to arrest. Bail is rarely granted for drug offenses, almost never for trafficking or possession of shabu, so even people who eventually get over the charge are likely to spend months in jail.

The authorities routinely raid laboratories and drug stores, especially those that produce or sell shabu. Under President Duterte, shabu dealers (and sometimes users) are being shot in the streets without trial or arrest; it is not clear to what extent other people involved in drugs may be at risk.

High-value party drugs like ecstasy (MDMA) or designer drugs like "fly high" are common in the nightlife of big cities like Manila and Cebu. Rave parties are also hotspots for party drugs and spiked drinks. Police treat these drugs harshly and the effects of their use can be fatal.

Methamphetamine ( shabu ) is a powerful stimulant and notoriously unpleasant substance, best avoided for many reasons. An overdose kills instantly and overstimulation tends to burn the body, especially the heart, so long-term use can kill even without an overdose. As the song goes, "Speed ​​kills!" Also, the material is very addictive. In addition, the drug changes the personality of habitual users, giving them a pronounced tendency towards paranoia and aggressiveness.

Natural disasters

The Philippines has many deaths related to natural disasters, the second most in the world after China. Risks include typhoons, monsoon rains, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.

Monsoon rains and floods

Heavy rains, caused by local thunderstorms, typhoons or monsoon winds, are part of the Philippine climate. Densely populated cities are not safe from the effects of rain and strong winds. In some flood-prone areas, local governments have installed flood detection systems to assist in the evacuation of areas in case a flood is expected. In any area, the best sources of information are the local media, municipal or provincial governments, and local residents.

The southwest monsoon ( habagat ) between the end of May and the beginning of October causes the most heavy rains, and floods are common at times, especially when a typhoon makes them stronger. The northeast monsoon ( amihan ) January to March can also bring heavy rain. Many vehicles can get stuck in floods made worse by high tide and clogged drainage.

Even during the southwest monsoon, the sun may still be shining most of the time, but it may be wise to bring an umbrella, especially when observing cumulonimbus cloud formation. Consider dual-purpose items; A hat or an umbrella can protect both from the tropical sun and the rain.

Typhoons

Typhoons are quite common, generally arriving from the Pacific, crossing parts of the country, and then heading towards mainland Asia. Heavy rains and high winds, which usually occur together, can cause extensive damage, and side effects such as storm surges on the coast or landslides in the mountains can also be serious. Typhoons often cover a wide area, affecting entire islands or large regions.

A typhoon has two names in the Philippines, one assigned by an international weather observing agency and the other by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA. For example, in 2013, the typhoon with the strongest winds ever to make landfall, and the most destructive tropical storm in recent history, made landfall in Samar and devastated several other areas; It was known as "Typhoon Haiyan" internationally and "Typhoon Yolanda" in the Philippines.

Typhoons are a threat on land, but there are also risks at sea, where they can capsize a ship. Ships and ferries are unable to navigate once typhoon warning signal n is activated. 2. When a typhoon is expected, be cautious and cancel your trip.

Flights are also often canceled due to high winds caused by typhoons. You may want to schedule connecting flights a few days apart so that if your first flight is canceled, you can take a later one and still make your connection.

Tornadoes

The Philippines also has tornadoes ( ipo-ipo or buhawi ), although they are not as frequent as in the United States. One can form without warning, especially from a simple storm. Some are waterspouts, formed in the sea. Most houses and buildings in the Philippines are made of concrete, so serious damage is limited to peeling roofs, broken windows, and small debris. Makeshift structures are the most prone to damage, just as they are highly susceptible to typhoons.

Earthquakes and Tsunamis

The Philippines is located in a geologically unstable area between the continental Eurasian plate and the subducting Philippine marine plate, and is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. There is a high probability that any part of the Philippines will be affected by earthquakes.

The earthquakes ( lindol / linog ) are frequent, but most of them are weak and rarely noticeable, and some can even trigger tsunamis (explained later). The last big one occurred in October 2013, when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake shook the island of Bohol, destroying homes, knocking down centuries-old churches, killing more than 200 and also damaging some structures in neighboring Cebu province. Many buildings and structures are not designed to standards or are not adapted to withstand strong earthquakes, and improvised or poor construction remains a problem.

Earthquakes can occur anywhere in the Philippines, but the highest risk area is Metro Manila and southern Luzon, where the Valley Fault System . The west valley fault it can move at any moment and cause a 7.2 magnitude earthquake (called the "Big One") that can cause around 100,000 deaths and injuries. Routine drills are being conducted in the areas surrounding the fault to ensure that people in those areas are prepared in the event of a disaster.

Tsunamis are a major hazard in coastal areas. Although rare, be prepared to evacuate coastal areas once a tsunami is about to hit. Most coastal areas are tsunami-prone areas, especially those near the underwater trenches that can cause tsunamis.

Volcanoes

Volcanoes can be a hazard in the Philippines due to its location on the Ring of Fire, and most areas are prone to volcanic eruptions. There are 50 volcanoes in the Philippines and half of them are classified as active. The last high-profile eruption was Mount Pinatubo in 1991. It spewed ash and lahar that affected millions in the surrounding provinces and caused a global drop in temperature. Mayon, in Albay, known for its perfect cone, is one of several active volcanoes that pose a danger with its frequent eruption. The Taal volcano in Batangas, the smallest volcano in the world, is also dangerous when signs of an impending eruption appear in its caldera lake.

The most active volcanoes are tourist destinations, and volcano safety rules are apply when hiking or climbing. When volcano warnings are issued, pay close attention to scheduled trail closures and never attempt to enter designated exclusion zones.

Civil conflict

The Philippines has been fighting with insurgent groups such as the Islamic separatists in Mindanao and the Communists, under the New People's Army (NPA), throughout its history.

Non-essential travel to western Mindanao, which includes the Sulu Archipelago, the Zamboanga Peninsula and the mainland provinces of Bangsamoro, is discouraged as the security situation is much worse due to terrorism, piracy and Islamist insurgencies. While the situation has improved somewhat since the siege of Marawi and the 2019 plebiscites, it remains uncertain.

The rest of Mindanao remains safe, but some countries still have warnings discouraging travel to the rest of the region due to violent crime and terrorism, and travel insurance or consular assistance may be limited if you travel there. The sparsely populated region of Caraga (which has the island of Siargao) is much safer than the rest of mainland Mindanao, but the jungle is also home to communist rebels and is also one of the poorest regions in the country.

In other parts of the country, communist rebels under the New People's Army (NPA) are a problem inland. They set up illegal checkpoints along rural roads and extort money from passing motorists, but they don't disturb ordinary commuters, targeting mostly buses and cargo trucks.

Terrorism

Terrorist acts directed against tourist destinations are rare, but there have been several high-profile attacks, usually bombings, in the past, such as the Rizal Day bombings of 2000, the SuperFerry bombing of 2004, the Valentine bombings of 2005 and the Davao City Night Market in 2016. bombing. Since then, there have been no major bombings, except for sporadic incidents within Mindanao. While security has been increasingly invasive in light of those incidents, with airport-like procedures when entering shopping malls, public transportation terminals, and the like, there's no need to be paranoid.

The bomb jokes they are treated as a criminal act, punishable by 6 months in prison.

Political violence and protests

The political situation in the Philippines can become volatile during election periods and protests and political violence can occur. Foreign tourists in those periods are strongly discouraged from joining political demonstrations, especially during those periods, and avoiding the areas where they occur.

Demonstrations and protests are common. La mayoría de las manifestaciones ocurren alrededor de la calle Mendiola en el cinturón universitario de Manila, alrededor de Malacañang, pero también pueden ocurrir en cualquier espacio abierto o área alrededor de las oficinas gubernamentales. Muchas manifestaciones se dispersan pacíficamente, pero algunas pueden terminar como enfrentamientos violentos con la policía antidisturbios. Evite ir a un lugar donde se lleve a cabo una protesta. Además, los extranjeros tienen prohibido unirse a las manifestaciones, lo que se castiga con la cárcel y la deportación .

Firearms

Como legado colonial estadounidense, Filipinas tiene una fuerte cultura de armas y las leyes de propiedad de armas más permisivas de Asia, pero eso no significa que pueda llevar cualquier arma libremente al país para cualquier propósito. Filipinas tiene leyes estrictas sobre armas, por lo que debe obtener una licencia para poseer una, y el proceso implica verificaciones de antecedentes, como antecedentes penales y capacidad mental. También se requiere un permiso para llevar cuando se trae una pistola o pistola. Todas las armas de fuego deben declararse en la aduana al entrar y salir.

external links

• Wikipedia has an article on Philippines.w:Filipinas
• Wikimedia Commons houses multimedia content about PhilippinesCommons.