CORREGIDOR STATUS FOR TOURISTS - REPORT 16 FEB 2021 ONWARDS

[EXO]

LATEST INFORMATION ON GETTING TO CORREGIDOR

As of 24 January 2022, the ferry provider from MOA to Corregidor has ceased their operation until further notice.




Available access right now is as follows:

OPTION 1: Speedboat  service that brings tourists to the island at P6,000.00 per pax please see attached details. /Limited to 15 pax only

(Please be noted We require 15 confirmed reservations for the Speedboat to push through. if the reservation doesn't meet the required number we will refund or you can use it for the next trip.)

Inclusions:
• Roundtrip speedboat transfer (Mnl-Corre-Mnl)
• Historical tram tour with English Tour guide
• Island Entrance Fee
• Buffet Lunch

***FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS
To reserve your slot, kindly email details to [e-mail]
1. Complete Name, Age, Gender, Address, and Contact Number
2. Travel Date
3. Type of Tour (historical)
4. Nationality

* Advance payment is required to confirm your booking.

***Rates are subject to change without prior notice

ITINERARY

Terminal: REALSHIP Bay Terminal, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd Malate Manila
Landmark: Near Coastguard CCP sub-station
Check-in 6:30am
Boarding 7:00am
ETD Manila 7:30am
ETD Corregidor 9:00am
Guided Tour including lunch 9:00am – 2:00pm
ETD Corregidor 2:10pm
ETA Manila 4:00pm

OPTION 2: Via BATAAN
Please refer to the LGU’s own travel requirements.

1. GUEST OWN ARRANGEMENT:
• Boat transfer Brgy Mountain Dew Villa Carmen Mariveles Bataan to Corregidor
o Mr. Albert 09159209035
2. GROUND ARRANGEMENT
· Mandatory entrance fee P 300.00 per person
· Mac Arthur Lodge P 1,000.00 per room per night ( good for 2 pax)
· Tram Island Tour P 7,500 with tour guide for 10pax only (excess of 10, additional 500/pax max of 18pax per tram) advance booking is required ( optional)
· Camping Fee: without Tent P 200.00 per person

2. MEAL REQUIREMENTS (We require advance order two (2) days before your arrival.)

o PLATED FILIPINO BREAKFAST P 250.00 (One Round Coffee or Hot Tea) •

o PLATED LUNCH OR DINNER P 350.00 (Rice, Soup, Vegetables, Coffee or Tea and Service Water)

o BUFFET LUNCH OR DINNER P 650.00 (Rice, Soup, Coffee or Tea and Service Water) (Max. of 25 pax)

o AM/PM SNACK P 200.00 w/ Soft drinks or Bottled water

CORREGIDOR ISLAND’S SAFETY TRAVEL PROTOCOL
In compliance with the government guidelines on the resumption of tourism-related activities, and to ensure that our patrons and guests can safely visit the historical island of Corregidor, we have created a protected environment that will give confidence to both first-time and returning visitors.
We enforce the following procedures in our new normal set-up that conforms to the Minimum Public Health Standards subject to regular updates following the IATF Guidelines, DOT Memorandum Circulars, and specific requirements imposed by the concerned LGU.
1. Prior reservation is required. Email to [e-mail];
2. Medical certificate or negative covid test result is mandatory for visiting tourists; We accept VACCINATION CARD in lieu of the mentioned test.
3. Age restrictions: Children, ages 5 and above allowed complete with medical certificate or negative covid test result
4. Physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette.
5. Wearing of face masks (no face mask);
6. Temperature screening upon arrival;
7. Filling-up of health declaration and visitor’s contact tracing form using QR code or manual form;
8. Bring your disinfectant sprays or hand sanitizers.
9. Guest/s that manifests symptoms shall be put in the designated isolation area

CANCELLATION / NO SHOW / REVISION / FORCE MAJEURE:
• Cancellation of the reservation after the signing of the agreement will be subject to a cancellation fee equivalent to 70% of the total tour package.
• Cancellation/No-show on the expected tour shall be charged equivalent to 100% of the total tour package.
• No-show guests and or decrease in the number of pax on the day of the tour shall be considered consummated Tour
• Force majeure – Both parties shall not be liable for failure to comply with this agreement due to force majeure including, but not limited to: labor disputes, natural disaster, or other causes beyond the control of both parties.

• Payment may be made thru Landbank of the Philippines:
Account Name: CORREGIDOR FOUNDATION INC.
Account No.: 3752100119

Should you have other concerns and clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact us at telephone number [phone] / 0977 6434819

Thank you
Melody Bondoc
Sales & Marketing Officer
Corregidor Foundation Inc.
Rm. 10 Bay Terminal, CCP Complex,
Roxas Blvd Malate Manila
Tel # [phone]
Mob # [phone]
website: www.corregidorisland.com.ph

[Karl Welteke]

The first Flag, 16th Feb. 1945 on Corregidor, Anniversary 2022 Detail



Zf545. The dramatic image of the WWII image of Paratroopers raising the first US flag on Corregidor on the 16th Feb. 1945. T/5 Frank Guy Arrigo accompanied by Pfc Clyde I. Bates raised the flag. Photo – courtesy of Corregidor.org



Zf544. The first Flag, 16th Feb. 1945 on Corregidor, Anniversary Detail is connecting the 48 Star Flag to the new metal flagpole Topside on Corregidor on the 77th Anniversary, the 16th Feb. 2022.

Corregidor Friends

The first Flag, 16th Feb. 1945 on Corregidor, Anniversary Detail has returned to the home bases, today the 18th of Feb.

We have to take care of personal and family matters before we send, post pictures and report. So, this is a short Statement.

The three visitors were Mr. Gerald Randy Anderson, the creator of the Hell Ships Memorial in Subic Bay: Rhonie Dela Cruz, the owner of the Bamban Historical Society and Bamban Museum of History; and I.

We received a very friendly and comradely reception by CFI, their staff and all the other people on the island.

The CFI Staff had everything prepared helped us get up there, we went as a team and together we held the flag raising ceremony. CFI then opened the museum and the souvenir shop per our request.

We took a lot of pictures and many will be posted later but for this presentation it will be only one. You will notice that the flagpole has been changed to a metal one. The on-island supervisor Mr. Fidel Delosa showed me some pictures of the old power pole was completely rotten and was falling apart.

Notice, I have a shirt on with the Army on it. That is to honor all the Rock Force Personnel but particular the Army. I had one particular Paratrooper on my mind, Dick Adams, a hell of a great WWII Soldier, Hooyah! Dick, don’t know whether the Army uses that term but you know what it means.

The Bamban Historical Society and Bamban Museum of History is a lot more experienced and posted much already at this Facebook page. www.facebook.com/bambanmuseum/

Our food preparation was more than outstanding, the former proprietor of the MacArthur Café, really cooked as some outstanding and plenty of cuisine meals. Her name is Miss Jhing.

The weather was outstanding and the water condition in the North Channel was calm every day.

The CFI staff did not tell me and so it came to a very pleasant surprise, many areas and trails, roads are cleared for people and even vehicles.

The areas, trails, roads I noticed are:

-Roads and batteries to Battery Wheeler and Cheney.

-The hospital, all around, the external steps between the wings and some areas inside are blocked for safety.

-The road around the Commissary to the hospital is cleared, which last year was blocked.

-A mower was cutting grass Bottomside and the Topside Parade Ground.

-The shortcut trail from Middleside down to road was super cleared and another short section was added and that connected to a trail that was not used during my 20 years of visiting. It is trail that runs from the Middleside trail thru or around the Stockade Level, the Spanish Fort and ends at the War Memorial entrance near the hotel. I’m sure I didn’t cover them all.

I also had a look at the 3 Philippine Scout grave stones, all cleaned up and readable.

We three visitors were happy campers and like to thank the CFI organization for teaming up with us and helping us in more ways than one, Salamat Po to all the CFI Staff and all the Corregidor residents.

[Karl Welteke]

Visit Corregidor from Bataan.

Forget the hassle of traveling to Manila. Forget to have about 15 passengers, having to book the 15 passenger craft available thru the Corregidor Foundation (CFI). Forget the long boat ride. Also remember, the Corregidor Inn is temporarily closed and the ferry service from the Mall of Asia area is not available anymore because the operator, Sun Cruises, gave it up.

Recently the “Tree Amigos” from Central Luzon done it; here is our experience. We were Mr. Gerald Randy Anderson Sr., the creator of the Hell Ships Memorial in Subic Bay, Mr. Rhonie Dela Cruz, the owner of the Bamban Historical Society and Bamban Museum of History and Karl Welteke, resident of Olongapo City.



Zf549. The Three Amigos. We visited Corregidor between the 14th and 18th of Feb. 2022 to commemorate the raising of the first US Flag on Corregidor by the Rock Force, the paratroopers in particular after the surrender of the Philippines to the invading Imperial Japanese Military. We called this event: “First Flag, 16th Feb. 1945 on Corregidor, 77th Anniversary Detail”. This image is cutesy of the Bamban Historical Society and Bamban Museum of History



Zf445. The dramatic image of the WWII image of Paratroopers raising the first US flag on Corregidor on the 16th Feb. 1945. T/5 Frank Guy Arrigo accompanied by Pfc Clyde I. Bates raised the flag. Photo – courtesy of Corregidor.org



Step #1 Contact CFI, here is all the contact information:

Melody Bondoc
Sales & Marketing Officer
Corregidor Foundation Inc
Rm. 10 Bay Terminal, CCP Complex,
Roxas Blvd, Malate, Manila
Tel # [phone]
Mob # [phone]
Email: [e-mail]


Or visit our forum page, this very page, start at the top; all the requirements are in writing!



Zf455. The location of the CFI Office and where the 15 passenger boat/craft leaves from, right here and you can park here.



Zf456. The CFI Office in Manila at the CCP Complex.

Boats are available from the South East Corner of Bataan, from the Villa Carmen and the boat COOP of Cabcaben. We chose Villa Carmen, it is easier to get to by car.
They charged us for each trip, (two different days) 3000 pesos, so the total was 6000 pesos divided between 3 passengers.

This is the Villa Carmen boat contact information from CFI: Boat transfer Brgy Mountain Dew, Villa Carmen, Mariveles, Bataan to Corregidor, Mr. Albert 09159209035



ZF550. The location of boat service to Corregidor from Villa Carmen, big picture.



ZF551. The location of boat service to Corregidor from Villa Carmen, big picture.



Zf552. So the bill from CFI for 3 people, 4 nights was 19,950 peso and 6,000 more for the boat service. Although the Corregidor Inn is not available CFI has rooms at 1000 peso (2 people) one night. I had three beer some days, that cost 270 peso (3 SM Light bottles)

Three pictures that show the boat crossing to Corregidor from Bataan.



Zf232. The Villa Carmen beach area they do have a plank to enter the boat but I prefer to get my feet wet and just have slippers on. This picture id from last year, 2021; but it shows the Villa Carmen beach situation.



Zf553. Mr. Rhonie Dela Cruz, the owner of the Bamban Historical Society and Bamban Museum of History on his smart phone. While on Corregidor he posted several entries in his Facebook account, click here: www.facebook.com/bambanmuseum



Zf235. We are crossing the North Channel of the Manila Bay harbor entrance and sometime it has real ship traffic. This picture is from last year, 2021.



Zf554. This is the boat landing at the North Shore at Bottomside on Corregidor Island, the former Fort Mills. The landing should be improved; it is sometime a hairy situation to get on and off these banca boats. And yes, sadly, the trash problem in Manila Bay is not under control yet.

[Karl Welteke]

Corregidor is open!

Randysubic (member of the Corregidor Proboard forum), beirutvet (member of the Corregidor Proboard forum), his brother in law and I visited Corregidor between the 14th to the 17th of June 2022.

We visited by boat from Bataan.

Why don’t you try it?

Yes, visiting Corregidor is not easy or cheap. But look at our experience, maybe it will work for you.

First thing: communicate with the Corregidor foundation (CFI), here is the information.

Melody Bondoc
Sales & Marketing Officer
Corregidor Foundation Inc.
Rm. 10 Bay Terminal, CCP Complex,
Roxas Blvd Malate Manila
Tel # [phone]
Mob # [phone]
website: www.corregidorisland.com.ph
Email: [e-mail]


Do know, because of the virus from Reed China not many visitors are coming yet, so, CFI HAS NO SCHEDULED BOAT RUNS TO CORREGIDOR as of now.

I understand CFI does have a boat but a minimum of 17 people have to make confirmed bookings. In other words it can only be done if you have or are able to organize a large group of 17 people.

Boats, still with virus restriction of 4 people per boat, are available in the SE corner of Bataan, at the Barangay Cabcaben and at Villa Carmen.

I have been using Villa Carmen boats for the last 19 years and became a loyal customer. Here is the contact information: 0977 670 3487





#1. Boat transfer: Brgy Mountain Dew Villa Carmen Mariveles Bataan to Corregidor. The price of 4000 peso is for the daytrip, because the boat has to wait there until the day party wants to return, and remember the boats have a 4 persons restriction per boat because of the virus from Red China.






#2. This is the Lady, I know her 19 years now from my over 60 trips to Corregidor.





#3. A recent change, a gate has been erected and I was able to park my car there.

The Brgy. Cabcaben also has boats, if interested, ask CFI for the contact information!




#4. Corregidor is in site from Villa Carmen, the boats load nearby here over the beach and I usually wear flip-flops. I drive the car down here to offload and unload our personal gear.




#5. The boat landing area on Corregidor inside the North Mine Dock, Bottomside and the north side of the Corregidor Island, at the former Fort Mills of the Manila Bay Harbor Defense Command.


Because we stayed overnight, meaning we have to have two boat rides on different days, Villa Carmen charged us 3000 peso per boat for each ride. That was 6000 peso total which we 4 people divided up between our self.





#6. This was our invoice for the 3 day stay, 4 people. I spend 640 additional pesos for beer etc. Add the boat cost and that was our cost for this trip.


Also ask CFI about the latest government’s protocol on mitigation of the virus, as to what safety measures are to be observed:





#7. Here is another problem, the island is about 5 miles long and over 500 feet high and has only one expensive transportation option. It is not listed on this board but it is 5000 peso for two hours with the former day tour tourist trolleys. So we walked, one time we hitched a ride with a construction contractor who happened to be on the island and one time we were able to coordinate (bum) ride with the CFI who happened to go our way. Walking down the hill is not so bad but walking up can be a killer. I’m a 80 year young “binata” though!

[Karl Welteke]

Mabuhay from Corregidor Foundation Inc!
18th July 2022

(Note from Karl: The Corregidor Foundation sent this information to one of our Corregidor Proboard members on the 18th July 2022)

Dear Valued Guest,

We want to take this opportunity to thank you for your usual patronage and interest in the historical shrine of Corregidor Island. But it is with deep regrets that our Manila-Corregidor-Manila trips are not yet available until further notice. Should you wish to push through with your island visit, another way to get there is via Bataan where you will need to go through a land trip from Manila to Bataan, then another 25-minute boat ride to cross to Corregidor. Refer to details below.

Via BATAAN (advance booking is required)
Please refer to the LGU’s own travel requirements.

1. GUEST OWN ARRANGEMENT:
• Kindly contact Mr. Albert at 0915-920-9035 to arrange boat transfers from Brgy. Mountain Dew, Villa Carmen, Mariveles, Bataan to Corregidor Island
2. ISLAND GROUND ARRANGEMENT
• Mandatory Entrance Fee - P300.00 per head
• Tram Island Tour - P7,500.00 with tour guide, good for 10pax only (in excess of 10, additional P500.00/pax - maximum of 30pax per tram) advance booking is required
• Mac Arthur Lodge - P1,000.00/night (single/double occupancy)
• Tent Pitching - P200.00 per person (bring your own tent)
3. MEALS (Advance booking is required. Guests may also bring their own food)
• Plated Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner - P350.00 per person/meal
• Buffet Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner - P650.00 per person/meal (minimum of 25 pax)
• AM or PM Snacks - P250.00 per person/meal
CORREGIDOR ISLAND’S SAFETY TRAVEL PROTOCOL

In compliance with the government guidelines on the resumption of tourism-related activities, and to ensure that our patrons and guests can safely visit the historical island of Corregidor, we have created a protected environment that will give confidence to both first-time and returning visitors.
We enforce the following procedures in our new normal set-up that conforms to the Minimum Public Health Standards subject to regular updates following the IATF Guidelines, DOT Memorandum Circulars, and specific requirements imposed by the concerned LGU.
1. Prior reservation is required. Email to [e-mail];
2. Medical certificate or negative covid test result is mandatory for visiting tourists; We accept VACCINATION CARD in lieu of the mentioned test.
3. Age restrictions: Children, ages 5 and above allowed complete with medical certificate or negative covid test result
4. Physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette.
5. Wearing of face masks (no face mask);
6. Temperature screening upon arrival;
7. Filling-up of health declaration and visitor’s contact tracing form using QR code or manual form;
8. Bring your disinfectant sprays or hand sanitizers.
9. Guest/s that manifests symptoms shall be put in the designated isolation area
CANCELLATION / NO SHOW / REVISION / FORCE MAJEURE:
• Cancellation of the reservation after the signing of the agreement will be subject to a cancellation fee equivalent to 70% of the total tour package.
• Cancellation/No-show on the expected tour shall be charged equivalent to 100% of the total tour package.
• No-show guests and or decrease in the number of pax on the day of the tour shall be considered consummated Tour
• Force majeure – Both parties shall not be liable for failure to comply with this agreement due to force majeure including, but not limited to: labor disputes, natural disaster, or other causes beyond the control of both parties.

PAYMENT MAY BE MADE THRU LANDBANK OF THE PHILIPPINES:
Account Name: CORREGIDOR FOUNDATION INC.
Account No.: 3752-1001-19

Should you have other concerns and clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact us at telephone number [phone] / 09776434819.

[Karl Welteke]

How To Visit Corregidor Island, Philippines In 2022

From: kevinsoundmixer



I was with kevinsoundmixer and here are 12 screen captures from this video. I think he done a real good job, it is only 6:56 minutes long and you will like it. Please pass that information around to people who would like to visit Corregidor.



Z005. Corregidor. This is a screen capture of the YouTube video: How To Visit Corregidor Island, Philippines In 2022, from kevinsoundmixer;



Z006. Marianito Malacaman cont info. This is a screen capture of the YouTube video: How To Visit Corregidor Island, Philippines In 2022, from kevinsoundmixer;



Z007. Vila Carmen entrance. This is a screen capture of the YouTube video: How To Visit Corregidor Island, Philippines In 2022, from kevinsoundmixer;



Z008. Villa Carmen contact info. This is a screen capture of the YouTube video: How To Visit Corregidor Island, Philippines In 2022, from kevinsoundmixer;



Z009. Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI) contact info. This is a screen capture of the YouTube video: How To Visit Corregidor Island, Philippines In 2022, from kevinsoundmixer;



Z010 in transit to Corregidor on a Villa Carmen boat. This is a screen capture of the YouTube video: How To Visit Corregidor Island, Philippines In 2022, from kevinsoundmixer;



Z011. Our boat is approaching the boat landing area on Corregidor, the former Fort Mills. This is a screen capture of the YouTube video: How To Visit Corregidor Island, Philippines In 2022, from kevinsoundmixer;



Z012. Going thru registration, temperature check and virus vaccination record check. This is a screen capture of the YouTube video: How To Visit Corregidor Island, Philippines In 2022, from kevinsoundmixer;



Z013. Kevinsoundmixer, the producer of this video. This is a screen capture of the YouTube video: How To Visit Corregidor Island, Philippines In 2022, from kevinsoundmixer;



Z014. We are checking in the CFI rooms, of the former MacArthur Café. For this event one has to make reservation with CFI. This is a screen capture of the YouTube video: How To Visit Corregidor Island, Philippines In 2022, from kevinsoundmixer;



Z015. We preordered and prepaid for our meals during our 3 days stay on Corregidor. For these events one has to make reservation with CFI. This is a screen capture of the YouTube video: How To Visit Corregidor Island, Philippines In 2022, from kevinsoundmixer;



Z016. Kevinsoundmixer borrowed a motorbike went to Battery Grubbs and caught this nice sunset shot. This is a screen capture of the YouTube video: How To Visit Corregidor Island, Philippines In 2022, from kevinsoundmixer;

[Karl Welteke]

Update to visit Corregidor, stay overnight and arrive from Bataan..

Uploaded/replaced 12 images in the1st entry, dated 22nd Feb. 2021 to the forum to replace missing pictures in this forum URL: corregidor.proboards.com/thread/2317/corregidor-status-tourists-report-onwards They had disappeared because of my fault.

There are more pictures missing because of my fault, they will replaced also.

After reviewing these forum pages I find that the information as to how to contact the Corregidor Foundation, how to contact the Villa Carmen boat service and how to execute a visit is still all valid information.

Two sample pictures have been attached to awake your interest in this awe inspiring WWII History.



Z048. This is the east end of the “Mile Long Barracks”, the growth of brush and frees, next to and touching the walls, worries me. Brushes and trees are also growing inside at the east end. I believe they contribute to the destruction of the concrete.




Z051. This structure became a casualty of the virus from abroad but also because of other reasons. This was the Dining Tent built by Sun Cruises for the Corregidor visitors because the Corregidor Inn underwent a massive and expensive renovation. The tourists had to be fed here and it is located Topside on Corregidor.

[EXO]

UPDATE: LATEST INFORMATION ON GETTING TO CORREGIDOR

As of  6 March,  banca transport from Bataan to Corregidor is being limited by direction of the Coast Guard. 

This limitation is anticipated as being temporary,  awaiting compliance by the operators with licence conditions and payment of fees. *


This is not based on any official source, for the information reaching us is anecdotal only. The Coast Guard appears to have suspended banca operations to Corregidor so as to check compliance. As always,  the "safety of the passengers and visitors to Corregidor is of utmost concern," but the immediate effect has been to choke the tourist trade to Corregidor severely. 

It's the Coast Guard stationed in Corregidor that gave the order to those banca operators lacking CPC (Certificate of Public Convenience) that they were not allowed to dock or approach the island.

During my recent visit to Corregidor, I noticed no Coast Guard boat capable of emergency rescue in inclement circumstances available on Corregidor. 

On March 1, 2023 forty-two local and foreign tourists, who were stranded on Corregidor Island, Cavite due to strong gale winds, were rescued, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). I do not have any official sources, but I will quote an article as published in the Inquirer.Net on 6 April.

In a statement on Tuesday, PCG said the tourists have been stranded on the island since Sunday, February 26.



A sales and marketing officer from the Corregidor Foundation Inc. sent a letter to the PCG Command Center to seek assistance for the stranded tourists, it added.



Upon receipt of the letter, the coast guard said it immediately dispatched BRP Capones on Tuesday morning.



The stranded tourists were “safely disembarked” at Pier 15, South Harbor in Manila and later brought to Palm Coast, Marina Parañaque.

I am interested in the communication and timing issues which appear to have arisen.  Communication by letter?  

A noteworthy circumstance occurred in 2008 when 113 tourists were stranded off Corregidor when their boat, "Ocean Jet" stalled.  Sun Cruises, which was at pains to emphasize that it was not the operator of the vessel, had chartered it only on the day that the incident occurred. 

The present suspension of banca traffic between Bataan and Corregidor  further exacerbates the parlous economic state of the tourist trade there. Regular Corregidor day tours have never recovered from the damage done during the recent pandemic.  Sun Cruises no longer trades, and the Corregidor Inn is no longer operated on a day to day basis. 

There being no public pronouncement on the suspension of banca traffic, there is unlikely to be any public pronouncement as to its resumption. 

I have not sought comment from Corregidor Foundation Inc. 

* corrections made 11 April.
_____

* Information lately received (effective 6 April 2023) is that Willie Labrador, who had been running a larger banca, has stopped operating as the licensing and registration fees were too high, and the boat needed work to comply.   No other details available.  

 


 

[EXO]

ASK ABOUT OUR THREE HOUR TOURS!

[EXO]

LATEST INFORMATION ON GETTING TO CORREGIDOR - FROM BATAAN

Information obtained on 19 April is that banca traffic from Villa Carmen is 'back to normal'. 


P.S. CFI are conducting regular tours again. Check out corregidorisland.com.ph