Philippines Travels Guide is an independent resource. We are not affiliated with any government agency, tourism board, or commercial entity. This page explains where our data comes from and how we approach accuracy.
Our Approach
We compile information from public data, government websites, expat community discussions, and personal research. Where specific claims are made (prices, visa rules, safety data), we try to cite the source inline or note the date the information was last verified.
Travel conditions, prices, and regulations change. We do our best to keep content current, but this site should be used as a helpful starting point — not as a substitute for official sources. For important decisions (visa applications, property purchases, healthcare), always verify directly with the relevant authority.
Primary Sources
Numbeo — Crowdsourced cost-of-living database. Useful for comparisons but based on user-submitted data, not official surveys. We reference Numbeo for directional cost comparisons, not exact figures.
1987 Philippine Constitution, Article XIV, Section 7 — English is designated as an official language alongside Filipino. Proficiency levels vary by region and age group.
TomTom Traffic Index (2025) — Manila congestion level of 45%. Rankings and methodology are TomTom's; we cite their figures rather than making independent traffic claims.
Official Gazette of the Philippines — Executive Order No. 86 was signed in 2025. As of early 2026, some implementation details were still being finalized. We note this caveat wherever the DNV is mentioned.
Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) — SRRV deposit amounts, age requirements, and categories. PRA updates these periodically. Our site provides a simplified summary and always directs readers to verify with PRA directly.
Numbeo Crime Index — Crowdsourced safety perceptions, not official crime statistics. We use qualified language ("generally regarded as safe," "scores well on crowdsourced indexes") rather than absolute safety claims.
Cebu Pacific Route Map — Route counts and domestic destinations. Airlines add and remove routes; verify current availability before booking.
Government & Official Resources
- Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) — SRRV visa
- Bureau of Immigration — Visa extensions, entry rules
- Department of Foreign Affairs — Passport, consular services
- Tourism Philippines — Official tourism promotion
- Philippine Statistics Authority — Census, economic data
Community Sources
This site does not publish testimonials or composite quotes. Community forums such as r/Philippines_Expats are used as early signal for what to verify — never as a source. The themed cards on our homepage link to the pages where each figure is verified and dated. (An earlier "Community Voices" section of composite quotes was removed in September 2026.)
Price & Date Accuracy
All prices on this site include an "as of [month] 2026" note or a "verify current rates" qualifier. Exchange rates fluctuate. We use approximate USD conversions based on rates at the time of writing. Always check current exchange rates before making financial decisions.
Each page carries its own verification date; there is no single site-wide review date. As of September 2026, core visa, safety, and cost pages are re-verified on a 30-day cycle.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this site are affiliate links (Expedia, Klook, Booking.com, Agoda, Amazon, Wise, SafetyWing, Yesim, NordVPN). If you book or purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not influence our recommendations. Full disclosure is on every page with affiliate links.
Corrections
If you find an error on this site, please email philippinestravelsguide@gmail.com. We take accuracy seriously and will update or correct information promptly.