Common ASEAN visa pushed in Davao gab

DAVAO CITY – The 10 member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are pushing for the implementation of a common entry visa for tourists coming to the region.

"Actually, the common visa for the ASEAN has been agreed upon in principle. All we need to do now is draw up the mechanisms to harmonize the different visa requirements of each ASEAN member-country," said Belen Anota, assistant secretary for consular affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Anota heads the Philippine delegation to the fourth meeting of ASEAN immigration directors-general and consular affairs heads at the Marco Polo Hotel here.

"We will come up with results by tomorrow when this meeting adjourns. We are just ironing out certain kinks in the harmonization of visa requirements," she added.

Of the 10 ASEAN member-countries, Anota said only Myanmar and Laos are still requiring visas. – Edith Regalado, Rey Arquiza