The Philippines Travel Advisories Update Civil Unrest and Disease Outbreaks

With millions of people planning to visit the Republic of the Philippines during the summer of 2025, the United States government has recently updated various travel advisories.

On May 8, 2025, the Department of State reissued its Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to civil unrest in some areas of the Philippines. This advisory says do not travel to:

The Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea and Marawi City in Mindanao,

And reconsider visiting other areas of Mindanao this year.

Due to these risks, the State Department wrote that U.S. government employees working in the Philippines must obtain special authorization to travel to these areas.

If you visit the Philippines in 2025, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive digital alerts and help locate you in an emergency.

Last month, the U.S. Embassy Manila announced 'Beat the Summer Rush – Renew Your Passport Today.'

Appointments for routine consular services are currently available with little to no wait at the U.S. Embassy and the Consular Agency in Cebu.  As summer approaches, demand will rise, making it harder to schedule convenient times. Apply now to avoid the busy season!

From a health risk perspective, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has included the Philippines in two Travel Health Advisories in 2025.

The CDC's dengue advisory was issued in April, and a global measles advisory was issued in March.

While dengue vaccines are unavailable in the U.S., MMR vaccines are readily offered at travel clinics and pharmacies.

Furthermore, the CDC says international travelers should check the list of routine vaccines and medicines and visit a healthcare provider at least a month before departing abroad this summer.