Question & AnswerQ&A (DOT)
The Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Bureau of Immigration (BI), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are involved in the implementation.
The program aims to capitalize on the Philippines' advantage as a country using English as a second language and to attract more foreign tourists to learn English in local universities and language centers through an aggressive promotional campaign.
Objectives include making the Philippines a prime destination in Asia for learning English, combining English courses with vacation activities, cultural immersion, increasing visitor arrivals especially from certain countries, offering effective English learning methods, and encouraging academe participation.
A Tour Operator is a Philippine-registered and accredited entity such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation engaged in arranging and booking transportation and/or accommodation and handling inbound tours.
Accreditation is recognition by the DOT given to a duly registered Philippine tour operator authorizing them to handle ESL tours.
A Language Training Center is a Philippine corporation registered with the SEC that offers TESDA-registered English courses regularly, ESL programs, and is authorized by BI to admit foreign students.
An SSP is a permit issued by the Bureau of Immigration allowing bona fide foreign tourists to study non-degree courses for less than one year at BI-authorized schools with TESDA-registered programs.
They must seek accreditation from the DOT, pay required fees, get a certificate of accreditation, and be listed in DOT's accredited tour operators list which is shared with DFA monthly.
They must submit a letter of intent to DOT, provide company profile, TESDA Certificate of Program Registration, BI authorization to admit foreign students, and agree to ESL rules and regulations.
DOT can revoke accreditation, recommend delisting to BI and DFA, and violators can be blacklisted, barred from participation, and face administrative and criminal sanctions.
TESDA can cancel their certificate of registration, BI can revoke their authorization to admit foreign students, and those enrolling unauthorized aliens may face penal sanctions.
BI allows entry of ESL tour groups with DOT-accredited operators, requires submission of tour participant lists prior to arrival, manages deportation for non-compliance, and revokes authorizations for non-compliant language centers.
It is a letter from a tour operator holding them liable to the Philippine Foreign Service Post for ensuring that all tour members leave the Philippines with the group and for any related administrative fines or repatriation expenses.
They must submit a contract with a Philippine tour operator authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post, a Letter of Guarantee, and other documentation proving legitimate existence.
They must maintain a dedicated ESL tour program webpage with information about the center, courses, fees, additional services, tour packages, and enrollment procedures, linked to the DOT homepage.