Airports in Philippines

Airports in Philippines

Airports in the Philippines

Immigration at the airport in Clark Freeport Zone

Did not go to the bureau of immigration office yesterday. Decided, instead, to go try to talk to an immigration officer at the airport. This airport is located inside the Clark Freeport Zone near Angeles City on the island of Luzon in the Philippines.
Located about 80 kilometers North of Manila.

Arriving at the newer terminal of Diosado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) at Clark Freeport Zone.

Only people arriving and departing are permitted inside the airport terminal here and at other airports in the Philippines. There are open air covered seating areas outside the terminal buildings.

Covered, open air, waiting area for those who come to greet arriving passengers at DMIA.

We went up to a guard at the door and asked if we could talk to an immigration officer. He said "yes, please wait over in the seating area."

Click - Official DMIA Airport Website

Instead we went to the Mini Stop convenience store inside the open air ticketing section. Sat down and drank cold drinks and ate some snacks.

Beware of excess "fees" when flying from the Philippines

We then proceeded to the seating area across from the main entrance to the terminal.
About 45 minutes later, when immigration was finished processing an arrival and then a departure, I was admitted in to speak to an officer.

I asked "I want to know what is required to take my little girl, who was born in the Philippines, with me on a flight to the USA. He told me that, for a child who was born to you in the Philippines, to depart with a parent it is best to show the child's Philippine and US passports and that there would be "a fee of 8,000 Pesos if it is her first time to leave the Philippines."
To his credit he did qualify his answer by telling me, "it would be a good idea to go and inquire at the main Philippine Immigration office in Manila."

After researching the subject on the Internet I decided not to inquire at the main Immigration office. In fact, when we finally left the Philippines, from Ninoy Aquino International Airport, there was no 8,000 peso fee. So, it appears, if we had departed from DMIA we may have been charged an additional 8,000 pesos!

A friend of ours was about to fly to Singapore from DMIA. He was told there was an additional fee to depart the airport. He said, "Show me the regulation in writing." They could not and he proceeded without paying the "additional fee." Be careful and try not to pay "fees" which are not required by law.

For all the requirements for a child to travel alone or with someone other than his or her parent or parents to a foreign country from the Philippines visit the
Department of Social Welfare and Development website.

I am told that a child, who has received his or her Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America official certificate, must use his or her US passport to enter the USA. When we arrived at Dallas International Airport in Texas we went through Immigration and Customs. I showed her US Passport and that is all that was required.

If you are planning to fly to the USA with your children be sure that you will have everything you need to take to the airport. It would be best to see a lawyer or an immigration attorney or to visit the US Embassy in Manila and the main Philippine Bureau of Immigration office in Manila and ask exactly what you will need to depart the Philippines with your child or children.

Driving from Clark Freeport Zone and SM City Clark to Magalang

When we left the airport we did not get to the play area at a mall. Instead we stopped and parked the car at an outdoor playground near the Air Force barracks. Our daughter had a good time climbing and sliding. But, that was after I lifted her into a Huey helicopter that was on permanent display in the park. There are other planes on display there also. Took pictures of her "flying" while sitting in the front right seat and holding the "stick". Then a few more pictures of her sitting on the floor in the doorway with her feet hanging over the edge. I had seen many choppers leaving my base, in Vietnam, with brave troops sitting there with rifles in their hands and feet hanging out of the craft. I'm sure there was room in the craft but I guess they chose to show off a little.

By now it was almost 5:30 pm so we headed home. Read about our nerve wracking drive home to our apartment. Another typically challenging drive.

More about Airports and Flying in the Philippines

Refer to this list of airports in the Philippines. There you can find out about provinces and cities you may want to visit while you are in the Philippines by clicking on city, province and airport names.

Read about flying in the Philippines.

Read about flying from Manila to the USA via Japan.

Read about flying to Singapore on Seair.

Safest seats are in the rear of the airplane.

If you are considering buying real estate in the Philippines.

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This article will be expanded. Please check back for more information about airports and immigration in the Philippines. This page last updated June 4, 2022.