Manila mess ‘avoidable’

PETALING JAYA: Travel bodies are asking why Malaysians were allowed to fly to the Philippines without the Covid-19 digital certificate mutual recognition issue between both countries being resolved first.

Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association president Paul Paw said the Manila airport controversy, where seven Malaysians were stranded, was strange considering that Malaysians had no problem entering countries in the Middle East, United Kingdom and Europe using the MySejahtera vaccination certificate.

“There has to be transparency and clarity on this issue because before someone boards a plane, his passport, visa and now the vaccination status are checked. So, how did this happen?

“No one wants to fly and end up being denied entry and told to fly back. It is not just a hassle but a waste of money,” he said when contacted.

Paw said the Manila episode served as a lesson to be prepared for any eventuality when travelling during the pandemic.

He was commenting on the fiasco involving seven Malaysians stranded at the Manila airport because Malaysia and Philippines failed to recognise each other’s MySejahtera and VaxCertPH digital vaccination certification.

After some quick diplomatic intervention, the Malaysians were allowed to enter Manila yesterday.

The Star reported that Manila had been requesting for recognition of its VaxCertPH since September but Putrajaya was slow in responding.

Malaysian Indian Tour & Travel Association (MITTA) deputy president Datuk Aruldass Arulandu said there had been no problems for those travelling to the Middle East or Europe, hence for such an issue to arise among Asean nations is unsettling.

“What is the point of getting 90% of the population vaccinated when your certification is not recognised? I know of people who have been going abroad for official purposes and who are now worried.

“I am supposed to be going to Manila myself but given what has happened, I will postpone it until the matter is fully resolved,” he said

Aruldass said industry players were no longer in the loop on guidelines or new policies as the government preferred to do broad public broadcasts.

Mitra Travel tour manager Adam Mikhail advised travellers to be more vigilant before planning a trip.

The tour agency which handles packages to the Philippines said it had advised customers to be thoroughly prepared with both digital and hardcopy prints of their vaccination certificates.

“We are living in uncertainty and my advice is triple check everything because we have to adapt to the new normal,” he said.