Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG). If I had known this, I would have prepared PHP5,240 for extra fixed expenses during my travel to the Philippines and not be shocked by the sudden big amount of pesos I had to spend upon arriving at the airport. In Ringgit Malaysia, that would be about 400! On Dec 13 last year, I flew to the Philippines with my two nieces – aged 10 then – and my mom. It was a relaxing aeroplane journey until we had to go through immigration at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). It was 11.08pm then. Tired and couldn’t wait to go to our hotel. “Daughters?” asked the immigration officer as he skimmed through my passport and my nieces’ passport. “No. My nieces. I’m their aunt.” “Their parents, ma’am?” “Parents not travelling along. I have the authorisation letter.” The immigration officer took the letter and skimmed through. He then said something foreign. “Sorry? I don’t understand.” “Waiver…need to pay immigration, ma’am.” *** One important thing I learnt upon our arrival at NAIA:...
