Security Briefing: Transportation Safety

The information below has been excerpted from the following: 1) the US Department of State's "International Travel" website (travel.state.gov/travel/), 2) the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's "Smartraveller" website (www.smartraveller.gov.au), and 3) the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office's "Foreign Travel Advice" website (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/). Additional information is available from these sources. World Trade Press annually assesses the information presented on this page.

United States: Department of State International Travel Information

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS

While in the Philippines, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning the Philippines is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Travel within the Philippine archipelago is possible by boat, plane, bus, or car. Few U.S. citizens rent cars to drive, as the roads are more crowded and drivers are less disciplined than those in the United States. It is particularly dangerous to drive off the national highways and paved roads, especially at night, and you should avoid doing so. There have been five major inter-island ferryboat accidents in the last two years, one  with significant loss of life. The safety record is such that U.S. government employees are advised not to take inter-island ferry boat services unless they are the only means of transportation available. There have also been a series of bus accidents as a result of poor bus maintenance. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid overcrowded or unsafe transport and to exercise caution in planning travel by inter-island ferryboats or other public conveyances.

For specific information concerning Philippine driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, please contact thePhilippine Embassy in Washington, DC, at tel. (202) 467-9300 or one of the Philippine consulates in the United States (Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco). Please also see related information from the Philippine Department of Tourismand the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of the Philippine’s Civil Aviation Authority as not being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of the Philippines’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page. 

Australia: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Travel Advice

A significant number of casualties and widespread damage occurred when Typhoon Haiyan struck the Visayas region of the Philippines on 8 November 2013. Essential services are being restored in affected areas. Before visiting these areas you should check with your tour operator or travel agent for information on any continuing disruptions.

Sea travel in the Philippines is hazardous. You should not travel on ferries unless no other means of travel are available. Ferries are often overloaded, lack necessary lifesaving equipment and are not adequately maintained. Storms can develop quickly. More than 900 people were rescued and there were a number of fatalities when a ferry sank while travelling from General Santos City to Iloilo in September 2009. In June 2008, a ferry travelling between Manila and Cebu capsized during a typhoon. Around 800 passengers and crew died. For further information, please refer to our Travelling by boat page

Standards maintained by search and rescue services, transport services and tour operators, including adventure activities such as scuba diving, may not be comparable to those in Australia. Check operators' credentials and safety equipment beforehand and ensure your travel insurance policy covers your planned activities.

Piracy occurs in the coastal areas of the Philippines. For more information about piracy, see our piracy bulletin. The International Maritime Bureau issues piracy reports on its website.

For information on road safety, see our page on road travel.

Airline safety

Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) assesses the safety of all aircraft flying within, to and from Australia. CASA has certified Philippine Airlines to operate flights between Australia and the Philippines. CASA cannot assess the safety of any Philippine carriers operating within the Philippines or to other countries.

The European Union has imposed an operating ban on all carriers licensed in the Philippines, with the exception of Philippine Airlines. The European Union (EU) website has a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU.

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO. The FAA has determined that the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is not in compliance with ICAO safety standards for the oversight of Philippine air carrier operations. For more information, visit the FAA website.

For further information on aviation safety and security, please refer to our air travel page.

United Kingdom: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Foreign Travel Advice

Air travel

A list of incidents and accidents can be found on the website of the Aviation Safety Network.

The FCO can’t offer advice on the safety of individual airlines. However, the International Air Transport Association publishes a list of registered airlines that have been audited and found to meet a number of operational safety standards and recommended practices. This list is not exhaustive and the absence of an airline from this list does not necessarily mean that it is unsafe.

In 2009 the International Civil Aviation Organisation carried out an audit of the level of implementation of the critical elements of safety oversight in the Philippines.

With the exception of Philippine Airlines (PAL), all air carriers from the Philippines have been refused permission to operate services to the EU due to safety concerns.

Sea travel

Avoid travel on ferries if possible. Ferries are often overloaded, lack necessary lifesaving equipment, are not adequately maintained and have incomplete passenger manifests. Storms can develop quickly.

Major accidents, which involved ferries, and resulted in large loss of life occurred in 2008 and 2009. Two large ferries sunk in 2013, the most recent off the coast of Cebu City in August 2013. These incidents caused a substantial number of casualties and injuries.

There is a high level of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around Philippine waters.

Maritime rescue services in the Philippines may be limited.

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