Filipinos have visa-free access to 69 countries and territories, ranking the Philippine passport 78th in terms of travel freedom, Nico Waje reported on Unang Balita on Monday.
Citing the 2024 global index of a citizenship and residence advisory firm, the report said the top spot was occupied by Singapore, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Japan.
Seafarer Marvin Riego said he could not feel the travel freedom of the Philippine passport compared to other passports.
“Kung ikukumpara sa mga kalapit po nating bansa tulad ng Singapore na pinakamalakas pong passport, napag-iiwanan na po tayo sa ASEAN pa lang po,” he said.
(When compared to the passports of other countries like Singapore, the Philippine passport is lagging behind even among Association of Southeast Asian Nation countries.)
Singapore passport has been the consistent No. 1 in the global passport index for many years.
On why the Philippine passport is lagging behind other passports, traveler Tristan Pasion surmised this may have something to do with the “mindset” of other nations.
“Kasi ‘yung mindset ng ibang lahi, nagpupunta lang ‘yung mga Pilipino doon agad tingin nila trabahador. Hindi sila nagpupunta roon para maging tourist. Kaya ganon sila kahigpit,” he said.
(The mindset of other nations is Filipinos go abroad as workers and not as tourists, that is why they are strict on them.) —KBK, GMA Integrated News