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A valid passport. Except for stateless persons and those from countries with which the Philippines has no diplomatic relations, all visitors may enter the country without visas and may stay for 21 days provided they have tickets for onward journey: EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES
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PHILIPPINE EMBASSY
(MALAYSIA)
Address:No.1 Changkat Kia Peng
50450
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: (603) 2148 4233;
2148 4654
Fax: (603) 2148 3576
Website:
http://www.philembassykl.org.my
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY (BANGKOK)
Address:
760 Sukhumbit Road, opposite Soi30/1,
Prakanong Bangkok
10110, Thailand
Tel: (662) 259 0139; 259-0140
Fax:
(662) 259 2809
Website: http://www.philembassy-bangkok.net/
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY
(JAKARTA)
Address:
#6-8 Jalan Imam Bonjol Menteng Jakarta Pusat 10310
Republic of Indonesia
Tel (6221)
3100334
Email:phjkt@indo.net.id
CUSTOMS
To facilitate
Customs examination, visitors are advised to fill in the
Baggage Declaration Form before disembarking. Visitors
carrying more than US$ 3,000 are required to declare the
amount at the Central Bank of the Philippines counter situated
at the Customs area. Foreign currency taken out upon departure
must not exceed the amount brought in. Departing passengers
are not allowed to bring out more than PhP 1,000 in local
currency.
HEALTH REGULATIONS
A
certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required
for travelers coming from infected areas. Children less than
one year old are exempted but may be subject to isolation when
necessary.
AIRPORT FACILITIES
The international airports have adequate traveler facilities: tourist information & assistance counters, hotel & travel agency representatives, banks & ATMs, postal service, telephone booths, and medical clinics, among others. Baggage carts and porter services are available free of charge.
AIRPORT FEES
PHP750 for international departure and PHP200 for local departure (paid in Philippine pesos only). Departing passengers for international destinations are advised to check with airport or tourist information counters (Tel. Nos. (632) 524-1703; 832-2964) the departure fees which may change without notice.
MEDICAL SERVICES
Hospitals in the country are equipped with modern facilities to meet any medical need. In some remote towns and cities, clinics and health centers provide emergency medical attention. Most hotels and resorts provide medical assistance.
BUSINESS AND BANKING HOURS
Private and government offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. or from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Most commercial
establishments are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.
Banks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Mondays to
Fridays, with automated teller machines (ATM) operating 24
hours.
CREDIT CARDS
International
credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, Dinners Club, and
American Express Card are accepted in major establishments.
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LOCAL TRANSPORT |
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ACCOMMODATIONS
De luxe, standard, economy, pension-type, and special interest accommodations are available.
DINING OUT
Filipino food is exotic,
tasteful blend of Oriental, European, and American culinary
influences. There is a wide variety of fresh seafood and
delectable fruits. First class restaurants offer gourmet
specialties as well as Filipino cuisine.
ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE
Metro
Manila is the center of entertainment and cultural activities.
The premier venue for the performing arts is the
Cultural Center of the Philippines. The hubs of nightlife
activities are the Remedios Circle in Malate, Ayala Center and
The Fort at Bonifacio City in Makati, Timog and Tomas Morato
Avenues in Quezon City, and Eastwood in Libis, Quezon
City.
For visitors who want to try their fortunes at
the gaming tables, there are casinos in Metro Manila and in
the cities of Angeles, Olongapo, Tagaytay, Cebu, Davao,
Bacolod, and Laoag. See http://www.newpagcor.com/ for listing of
gaming facilities.
WHAT TO WEAR
· Light clothes
· Warmer garments for
mountain regions.
TIPPING
Optional on bills
that include 10% service charge.
COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
International and national direct dial phone and
facsimile service, mobile phone sites, internet and e-mail
facilities, and worldwide courier delivery service is widely
available. Postal system is efficient.
Most national
dailies are in English. Foreign publications are sold at major
hotels, malls, and bookstores in Metro Manila and key cities.
There are 7 national television stations which broadcast
mainly in Filipino. Cable TV is availably in most hotels in
Manila and in many parts of the country.
TOURS AND SPECIAL INTEREST
ACTIVITIES
Tour
packages, from day trips to five-day programs, are special
ways of discovering the Philippines and its wealth of culture.
Special interest activities include golfing, game-fishing,
diving, white-water rafting and other aqua-sports, trekking,
spelunking, and safari trips.
Information on tour
itineraries may be obtained from the Philippine Tour
Operators Association, tel. (632) 893-0284, or from the
Tourist Information Center located at the ground floor of the
DOT Bldg. on T.M. Kalaw Street, Manila, tel. (632) 524-2384 /
524-1703.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
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New Year's Day |
1 January |
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Edsa Revolution Day |
25 February | |
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Maundy Thursday and |
Movable (March / April) | |
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Araw ng Kagitingan |
9 April | |
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Labour Day |
1 May | |
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Independence Day |
12 June | |
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Benigno Aquino Day |
27 August | |
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National Heroes Day |
Last Sunday of August | |
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All Saints Day |
1 November | |
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Andres Bonifacio Day |
30 November | |
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Christmas Day |
25 December | |
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Jose Rizal Day |
30 December |
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
24
Hour Tourist Assistance
(632) 524 1728
(632) 524
1660
Tourism Information Center
(632) 524 1703
General Assistance
Directory Assistance (local)
114
National Operator
109
International Operator
108
Direct Dialing Assistance
112
Emergency Medical Care & Ambulance Services
National Emergency Assistance
117
Ace Score
749 5477
Life Arrows
(632) 727 8321
Hospitals & Medical Services
Makati Medical Center
2 Amorsolo corner Dela Rosa
Street, Makati City
Tel: (632) 815-9911
Cardinal Santos Medical Center
Wilson Street, San Juan,
Metro Manila
Tel: (632) 727-0001
Manila Doctor’s Hospital
667 United Nations Avenue,
Ermita, Manila
Tel: (632) 524-3011
St. Luke’s Medical Center
279 Rodriguez Boulevard,
Quezon City
Tel: (632) 723-0301
Medical Center Manila
1122 General Luna Street, Ermita,
Manila
Tel: (632) 523-8131
Police and Fire Services
Police
166 or 167
Fire Brigade
160-16
Fire Services - Makati Area
(632) 843 3834
Civil Defense Operations Center
911-5061
National Poison Control Information Service
524 1078
Other Emergency Numbers
Manila Electric Company
(632) 631-1111
Manila Water Services
1627
Maynilad Water Services
1626
Streetwatch
117
Bantay Bata (Child Abuse)
163
Womenlead (Women’s Legal Education, Advocacy and Defense
Foundation Inc.)
(632) 436-6738
