There are two major things you need before you process any requirements needed to go to Baguio City:
PATIENCE
MONEY
But you need PATIENCE more than the money. LOL
Kidding aside, the first thing you need to know is that you have to register on either of these two websites:
The difference between these two websites is that if you are a tourist for pleasure or vacation, you should register at the VISITA website. All other kinds of travelers should register at the HDF website. This is a requirement because, at the last checkpoint going to Baguio, they will ask for your registration from these websites.
On either website, the first thing you should do is make an account and fill up the necessary forms (Travel details like your schedule, destination, personal information, and travel history). The last time we traveled to Baguio, our main reason is to visit my grandparents so we registered at the HDF website.
This is what the HDF website looks like:
The first thing that you should do is to log in or make an account:
Once you have an account, you will be redirected to this page:
Assuming you are going to Baguio, click the HDF Form (the green box):
A pop-up box will appear where you have to fill-up all your travel details:
On the last step, you would have to upload these papers:
COVID SHIELD (Travel Authority issued by the PNP in the place of origin)
BARANGAY MEDICAL CLEARANCE (Issued by the barangay where you are permanently residing)
MEDICAL CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE/TRAVEL AUTHORITY (Issued by the city hall where you are permanently residing)
RT-PCR or RAPID ANTIGEN TEST (Conducted within 72 hours prior to entry into the City)
The Barangay Medical Clearance and the Medical Clearance/Travel Authority from the city hall is not really a requirement on the website but it boosts your possibility of being approved to enter the city. And the police in every checkpoint sometimes check these papers so better get these than be sorry.
We originally planned to get tested before leaving our place but we found out that it's P4,000-P5,000 per person. We don't want to shell out that kind of money before even leaving the house so we opted to get tested in Baguio City. The Triage in Baguio City offers tests that only cost P1,300 per person. Way cheaper than the P4,000!
Upon exit on the TPLEX, we met our first checkpoint. The police checked our COVID SHIELD and let us through. Kenon Road was closed and only open for local residents so we went through Marcos Highway. We passed another checkpoint and they also checked our COVID SHIELD again.
The last checkpoint is much closer to Baguio and this is where they asked us where we came from. When they learned that we are from Batangas City, they directed us to a building where we need to go down from the car and present all our papers, QR Code from the website, and ID to the police. It's better to print out your QR code or take a screenshot of it before leaving the house. Cellular data was not so great inside the building.
Once they made a copy of our papers, they asked us to wait for an escort going to the Triage Center (they also informed us that they will be keeping our ID's and we can only get it once we are done in the Triage Center).
Once in the Triage, they measured our temperatures and we filled up a form for contact tracing and then we were instructed to wash our hands before going inside a cubicle where 2 attendants are waiting to interview travelers.
It actually feels like we are being interviewed for a USA VISA. LOL. Anyway, the interviewer asked us these questions:
What is our purpose for traveling to Baguio City?
What website did we register?
How long are we going to stay?
Where are we going to stay?
Have we been tested for RT-PCR?
When we answered no to the last question, they informed us if we will avail of the test in the Triage which only cost P1,300. We said yes and we were again directed to another tent where we have to fill up more papers asking for our personal information (this time, the form is quite long).
We submitted the form to the person in charge, she collected our payment and asked us to adjust our face mask to cover our mouth just in case we sneeze while she performs the test.
It's a good thing the staff is very friendly, she made my nervousness and fear a little bit bearable. I was actually so scared. LOL
I have to admit I overreacted. The pain is bearable and I'm not going to say that there's no pain. Being plugged into the nose has some pain, people. But if I did not video myself being tested, I would never know that the girl is twisting the tester inside my nose. All I felt is that there's a foreign object going inside my nose. After a second or two, the test is done.
The requirement is for all travelers to be tested but my mom asked (or begged? LOL) the interviewer if she can be excluded from doing the test since we are all leaving in the same house and rode in the same car. The interviewer agreed but asked her to do an X-RAY worth P180.
After 5-10 minutes, the result came out and we are NEGATIVE! We are actually scared of the process more than the result. LOL
There are no written guidelines on the protocols or rules going to Baguio City. You might have a different experience from us depending on your interviewer.
The Tourism Industry has one of the biggest loss because of the pandemic and a lot of local business has closed because of the nationwide lockdown. We can start the ball rolling again in Tourism but always travel responsibly. Research the local guidelines where you are going and obey all safety protocols. Wear your mask and always stay safe!
Watch my vlog about the requirements of going to Baguio City: