Marcos relaxes travel rules for PH officials to Taiwan

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has relaxed long-standing travel restrictions for most Philippine government officials visiting Taiwan and receiving Taiwanese delegations.

The new guidelines, issued through Memorandum Circular No. 82 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on April 15, amend the implementation of Executive Order No. 313 which was issued in 1987 under President Corazon Aquino.

Under the updated policy, only the President, Vice President, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Secretary of National Defense are subject to travel restrictions; other officials may visit Taiwan for economic purposes using ordinary passports and must inform the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) before their trip.

Officials can host Taiwanese delegations for economic talks if MECO is notified at least five days in advance, but signing any official agreements with Taiwanese entities still requires prior approval from the DFA and, when necessary, the Office of the President.

The move aims to boost economic opportunities while maintaining security concerns amid China's increased military activities around Taiwan.

Raphael J. Cortez, who teaches diplomacy at De La Salle College of St. Benilde in Manila, said the relaxed official travel restrictions would let the Philippines and Taiwan boost trade ties, although it could also worsen Philippine-China relations.