“To go home or not to go home?” That’s the question.
I am based in Cebu due to work and study for more than 15 years and going home to my hometown, Dipolog City is one of the things I committed to do on a yearly basis. Except of course, during the height of pandemic last 2020. Well, this month I resigned from from my previous company because I got a job opportunity abroad and wanted to go home and be with my family before I fly out on the 4th quarter of 2021. However, travel restrictions and protocols like 14 days mandatory quarantine are somehow discouraging for a returning resident like me. At any rate, these challenges won’t stop me from visiting my hometown. The answer seemed pretty obvious.
It’s my first time traveling outside Cebu since the pandemic’s start. As part of the requirements for non-APOR or returning resident of Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte’s capital, I secured the following documents before my trip, to wit: Negative result of RT-PCR test, Certificate of Acceptance/Letter of LGU Coordination and Vaccination Card. Despite these records, one must still undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine.
How to Secure the Travel Requirements of Dipolog City
I’ve been bombarded with a lot of questions regarding what, where and how I secured my travel requirements going to Dipolog City if one is from Cebu City. So, here are some information I gathered based on my actual experience (as of September 2021). For the current travel requirements, please visit the Facebook Page of TaskForce Covid19: Zamboanga del Norte and refer to the latest Executive Order posted online.
1.) RT-PCR Test
There are different types of tests for Covid-19 but for purposes of traveling to Dipolog City, the requirement is none other than the gold standard RT-PCR test. Since it is my first time to have myself tested for Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) for Covid 19, I did some research on where I could take the test in Cebu for two factors – (1) fast result and (2) less costly. There is a free Covid19 test given by some health care providers in Cebu like Sotto Hospital but there is no slot available at the time I inquired.
So, I booked an appointment at Prime Care Cebu in APM Centrale. The RT-PCR swab test fee amounted to Php 3,360 and results released within 24 hours. This was my first ever swab test and to be honest, the procedure went smooth albeit I had some weird feelings while the swab was inserted on my nose. (LOL If you know what I mean.)
Please note that the RT-PCR result must be dated 5 days at most prior to travel.
2.) Valid ID with picture
I showed my Passport as my ID in all ports and points of inspection. It was also used for booking of ticket and letter of acceptance.
3.) Vaccination Card
If you are already vaccinated, you have to make your vaccination card handy. As per my experience, I submitted a digital copy of my vaccination card for purposes of securing the letter of acceptance. It doesn’t give you a free pass or a special treatment like lesser quarantine time, whatsoever.
4.) Letter of Acceptance
Also known as Certificate of LGU Coordination, securing a Letter of Acceptance is a must for travelers entering Zamboanga del Norte. To request for entry to Dipolog City, you may contact the Incident Commander of local IATF and concerned LGU of destination. This letter will then interpose no objection of the traveling individual, provided all the requirements are fully complied with as follows:
- Negative RT-PCR result
- Place of origin is not under ECQ, MECQ or any form of lockdown
- Prior coordination with the barangay concerned
- Compliance with prevailing health and safety protocols
5. Ticket
Of course, you need to have a ticket, whether it’s a sea, land or air travel. The LGU will not look for this but the ports do. I chose a boat trip going home since it is cheaper and faster. And by faster, I mean it travels directly form Cebu to Dipolog City without the need to spend overnight in a hotel if you choose flying out via plane. Yeah, it’s kind of a bummer that there are no more flights operating directly from Cebu to Dipolog in all local airlines.
Quarantine Tips
Looking for a quarantine facility in Dipolog City was not easy at all. You have to know first what type of quarantine arrangement would you like to have, whether home, hotel or a dedicated LGU facility like schools. I chose hotel for the reason that it would be best for everyone. I booked 14 days in Antonio’s Pension House as it was the only accommodation that will accept guests for the two weeks mandatory quarantine. Contact Number: (065) 908-215
The room has basic amenities and wifi is only available at the lobby area. I was confined in a room with no one else around. I have the place all to myself as I was the only person who booked for isolation that time. My parents and siblings would deliver home-cooked meals and some grocery items I need for my quarantine. However, they cannot go upstairs and go inside my room and restricted at the lobby area only. I was even surprised to know that a food delivery app is already available in Dipolog, which I love by the way.
After a week, I realized that I can actually spend my quarantine at home, provided it was coordinated with the LGU and the DOH guidelines are complied with. My mom went to the Office of the Barangay Health Center and the barangay health worker filled up a form called Home Care Checklist after inspection of the facility. So, I was transferred to our residential house where I stayed in a separate room outside the main dwelling where I got isolated for 1 week.
During my 2-week quarantine, it dawned on me some realizations such as looking after your mental health and spending time with your loved ones. You cannot go out for two weeks and thinking what is happening outside. You get to a point where you’d ask yourself “how to survive a 2-weeks quarantine”. Of course, there’s social media and movie marathon who actually saved my sanity. I realized that there a lot of ways people can actually make use of the vacant time while on quarantine.
When I get out from the grueling two-week quarantine, I made sure to spend quality time with my family. I even have myself tested again for Covid-19 to make sure I have no Covid-19 and my family will have a peace of mind being around me. I booked a slot for a RT-PCR test in Red Cross (paid Php 2,800 for the swab test fee and Php 500 for the service charge / Contact Number: 0951-303-1124). I got the result after 24 hours and thank God I’m negative for SARS-CoV-2. My family and I rejoiced and went on to enjoy a fun family trip for the first time for 2021.
See my Dipolog City Photowalk 2021 here: Dipolog City’s New and Familiar Destinations
Conclusion
All in all, I had fun with my Dipolog City pandemic travel experience, from securing the requirements, mandatory quarantine and spending with my family. Everything is really worth it.
I hope this travel guide can help you decide whether or not you’d want to go home or visit Dipolog City during the on-going pandemic with some of my first-hand experience. Should you have clarifications or questions, feel free to leave a comment. Keep safe!