Everything You Need To Know About Ilocos Norte's New Travel Guidelines

Ilocos Norte: the home of iconic heritage sites, popular tourist spots, and remarkable cuisine that just makes you want to visit over and over again. The province, which has always been a favorite summer destination, is one of the many tourist attractions that had to close down because of the pandemic.

Luckily, the government and its tourism office has now eased COVID-19 travel restrictions to the place and tourists from around the Philippines are now allowed entry. With this, safety protocols and new travel guidelines of Ilocos Norte have also been released to maintain a safe and enjoyable trip for all. Craving to tick off this lovely itinerary off your travel bucket list this year? Read below and check out the new travel guidelines of Ilocos Norte!

After restricting tourism to those coming from Region I and its neighboring provinces, Ilocos Norte finally allowed guests from all over the Philippines. A list of health and safety protocols and updated guidelines and requirements were released by the province’s tourism office last March 3, 2021 which took effect starting March 4, 2021. Planning to visit the home of heritage sites anytime soon? Here’s the requirements and protocols that you need to comply with.

1. Philippine residents of all ages are allowed to enter Ilocos Norte.

2. All tourists must register at https://ilocosnorte.ph and must present a valid ID and confirmed booking from accredited accommodation establishments or travel agencies.

3. Tourists must also get a QR Code from SafePass (https://www.facebook.com/safepassportal/).

4. Tourists from GCQ and MGCQ areas requiring special attention must present an RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours or take an antigen test upon arrival. Tourists from MGCQ areas must take an antigen test upon arrival.

5. After getting tested, tourists must proceed to the tourist triage for validation of health declaration and other documents, antigen testing, and the issuance of the Tourist Triage Card.

1. Test Result

• Tourists from modified general community quarantine areas (MGCQ) and general community quarantine areas (GCQ) requiring special attention - negative RT-PCR result taken within 72 hours or antigen test upon arrival

• Tourists from MGCQ - antigen test upon arrival

2. Registration

• Register at ilocosnorte.ph & SafePass to get your QR Code.

3. Accomodation

• Accredited accommodation or travel agency booking confirmation

4. Identification

• Valid ID

1. Register online to pre-schedule your RT-PCR Test at https://www.tpb.gov.ph/rtpcrphtravel/ .

2. Submit a copy of a valid government-issued ID, confirmed accommodation booking, and proof of transportation.

3. Families and groups can be scheduled together.

Philippine Children’s Medical Center - PhP750 (subsidy)

University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital - PhP900 (subsidy)

Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center Testing Facility (Ilocos Norte) - PhP3,500

PINILI Visitor Center (Ilocos Norte Tourist Triage South) - PhP800

• LV & JV Pasalubong (Brgy. Bagar, Candon City)

• Marsha’s Delicacies (Brgy. Cabalanggan, Bantay)

• Petron Gas Station (Brgy. Poblacion, Sto. Domingo)

• San Esteban Tourism and Youth Development Center

• Clean Fuel Gas Station (Subusub, Rosario)

• Caltex Gas Station (Camp One, Rosario)

• Kambak Restaurant (Namboongan, Santo Tomas)

• Rosebowl Restaurant (Pagdalagan Sur, Bauang)

• Petron Gas Station (Northway Plaza, San Fernando)

• Riverfarm Seafood Restaurant (Baroro, Bacnotan)

• Villa d’ El-lita Resort (Ipet, Supiden)

To get the complete list of accredited accommodation establishments and travel agencies and for more information, visit Ilocos Norte Tourism’s official website or Facebook page.

Want to get the latest travel advisory in Ilocos and the country’s top destinations? Go to Yoorekka!