Editorial Policy

1. Independence

Backpack Philippines is editorially independent. No affiliate partner, advertiser, tourism board, or third party pays to influence what we publish, how we rank recommendations, or what we say about a place or service.

2. Honest Sourcing

Every guide states its sources. We distinguish between:

• Official sources — visa rules (Bureau of Immigration), fares (airline/ferry operators), entrance fees (municipal/DENR listings).
• Ground reports — photos and observations contributed from the Philippines, clearly labeled.
• Aggregated traveler data — reviews and forum reports we synthesize into practical advice.

3. No Fabricated Experience

We do not invent travel histories, fake author personas, or claim firsthand experience we don't have. Our authority comes from thorough research and transparent sourcing — not a made-up backstory. This is deliberate: fabricated experience is exactly the kind of thing that erodes reader trust and, frankly, gets websites penalized.

4. Recommendations and Affiliates

We may earn a commission when you book through an affiliate link. This never changes our recommendation: we recommend services because we believe they're genuinely useful, not because they pay more. Affiliate links are disclosed on the pages that use them.

5. Corrections and Updates

If we publish something wrong, we correct it and note the update. Prices and facts are revisited on a schedule described in our update policy. If you spot an error, please contact us.