CUSTOM:
In order to ease customs examination, tourists are advised to fill in the Baggage and Currency Declaration Form before getting off the plane. Personal belongings, a moderate amount of clothing, jewelry and toiletries for normal use and a small quantity of perfume are allowed in, duty free. Apart from the items listed, tourists are also permitted to bring in duty free personal belongings, 40 sticks of cigarettes (2 packs) or two tins of pipe tobacco, and up to one liter of alcohol. Balikbayans have separate rules and should check with the Consulate in their home city. As for cars and other vehicles, these items are allowed duty-free entry as long as they have Carnets de Passages in Douanes and a letter from the Philippine Motor Association. They must show guarantee that the exportation of the car is within a year from the date of arrival or else face the payment of duties and taxes. Articles like illegal drugs, firearms and obscene pornographic media are strictly prohibited in the country.
In order to ease customs examination, tourists are advised to fill in the Baggage and Currency Declaration Form before getting off the plane. Personal belongings, a moderate amount of clothing, jewelry and toiletries for normal use and a small quantity of perfume are allowed in, duty free. Apart from the items listed, tourists are also permitted to bring in duty free personal belongings, 40 sticks of cigarettes (2 packs) or two tins of pipe tobacco, and up to one liter of alcohol. Balikbayans have separate rules and should check with the Consulate in their home city. As for cars and other vehicles, these items are allowed duty-free entry as long as they have Carnets de Passages in Douanes and a letter from the Philippine Motor Association. They must show guarantee that the exportation of the car is within a year from the date of arrival or else face the payment of duties and taxes. Articles like illegal drugs, firearms and obscene pornographic media are strictly prohibited in the country.
It is a prerequisite for tourists carrying more than $10,000 or its equivalent in any foreign country's currency to declare the amount at the Central Bank counter situated at the customs area. Violation of such rule may lead to seizure, sanctions & penalties.
Visitors entering & leaving the Philippines are permitted to own up to 10,000 pesos in banknotes or other form in local currency. Any
violation of this rule may lead
to its seizure and civil
penalties and / or criminal
prosecution. (BSP Circular
98-1995)
CURRENCY:
The currency or monetary unit of the Philippines is the peso (P). One peso is divided into 100 centavos (c). Coins are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 25 centavos as well as P1, and P5 . Bill denominations are : 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1, 000 pesos.
Banknotes can be found in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 pesos. Foreign currencies such as the US dollar, pound sterling, Deutsche mark, French franc, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar and the Japanese yen are all readily exchangeable. Apart from the peso, the US dollar is largely acceptable outside Manila.
Most major international credit cards like Amex, MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa, and Travelers check preferably American Express are widely recognized and accepted by most large hotels, restaurants and department stores in the Philippines. Personal checks drawn on foreign banks are generally not accepted. A word of advice to the travelers - do avoid exchanging currencies with street moneychangers - Exchanging money anywhere else is illegal and laws are strictly enforced. Foreign currency may be exchanged at your hotel and in large department stores, banks and authorized money changing shops.
HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES:
When visiting the Philippines, it is necessary to have a certificate of vaccination against contagious diseases for those coming from infected areas, except for children below 1 year old who may be subjected to isolation when necessary. Visitors are requested to check with their travel agents on this issue before departure as regulations may change without prior notice. As a precautionary measure, it is also advisable to take anti-malaria drugs when traveling in remote areas of the country.
Although it is generally safe to drink water in Metro Manila, however, it would be wise to consume mineral or bottled water which is available everywhere, especially when visiting the provinces.
When traveling to the Philippines, it is wise to buy medical insurance, as payment must usually be guaranteed before treatment. Listed below are names and addresses of major Manila hospitals:
Cardinal Santos Medical Center
Wilson Street, San Juan, Metro Manila.
Tel: 727-0001.
Makati Medical Center
2 Amorsolo corner de la Rosa streets,
Makati City, Metro Manila.
Tel: 815-9911.
Manila Doctor's Hospital
667 United Nations Avenue,
Ermita, Manila.
Tel: 524-3011.
St. Luke's Medical Center
279 Rodriguez Boulevard,
Quezon City, Metro Manila.
Tel: 723-0301.
Medical Center Manila
1122 General Luna Street,
Ermita, Manila City.
Tel: 523-8131.
SECURITY:
As any other countries in the world, a traveler should always be extra careful with their belongings. In case of emergencies, here are some of the addresses and telephone numbers to contact:
The Tourist Assistance Unit (TAU) operates 24 hours to assist tourists in trouble. Tel: 524-1660, 524-1728 or 523-8411 and ask for TAU.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is located at T.M. Kalaw Street, Rizal Park, Manila.
The Philippine National Police Headquarters is at Camp Crame, EDSA, Metro Manila. Tel: 723-0401
Police (Manila): 166
Ambulance / Fire: 160
In the event that your credit cards are lost, you should report immediately to:
American Express
Tel: Manila 815-9366
Diners Club
Tel: Manila 890-5421
VISA & PASSPORTS:
Nationalities visiting to the Philippines must hold a passport that is valid for a period of not less than six months & beyond the contemplated period of stay. Everyone, except for the stateless persons, nationals from restricted countries and those originating from countries with which the Philippines has no diplomatic ties, are allowed into the country without visas. They are permitted to stay for up to 21 days provided they hold a round-trip ticket or ticket to port of origin or to next port of another destination. Visas and special permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies or consular offices overseas.
Fill up the form, provide a photocopy of your passport, visa, latest arrival card, valid extension of stay, if any and other pertinent documents which will support your application.
In getting application, do remember to dress up appropriately and not in shorts and flip-flops.
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE:
Generally, Filipinos are friendly and nice people. Their courteous and hospitable nature is extended to all visitors except, of course, for those with bad intentions. On the other hand, there are quite a few things that you should observe in order to experience the warmth of the Filipinos. Listed below are few pointers on dos and don'ts of the country's social etiquette:
• Don't get paranoid or annoyed if people stare at you because they find you interesting and wanted to take a good look at you.
• Don't be so punctual. If you are asked to attend a social function, you would be considered a polite guest if you arrived at least 30 minutes earlier than the arranged time.
• Do greet the elderly if they are present at any social function as a sign of respect to them.
• Do taste a bit of the food being offered. If you like it, don't forget to leave some food on the plate to show you've had a lot.
• Do remember to remove your shoes before entering someone's home.
• Don't remain quiet in the company of Filipinos unless you want to show them that you are unhappy, bored or dislike somebody's presence.
CURRENCY:
The currency or monetary unit of the Philippines is the peso (P). One peso is divided into 100 centavos (c). Coins are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 25 centavos as well as P1, and P5 . Bill denominations are : 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1, 000 pesos.
Banknotes can be found in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 pesos. Foreign currencies such as the US dollar, pound sterling, Deutsche mark, French franc, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar and the Japanese yen are all readily exchangeable. Apart from the peso, the US dollar is largely acceptable outside Manila.
Most major international credit cards like Amex, MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa, and Travelers check preferably American Express are widely recognized and accepted by most large hotels, restaurants and department stores in the Philippines. Personal checks drawn on foreign banks are generally not accepted. A word of advice to the travelers - do avoid exchanging currencies with street moneychangers - Exchanging money anywhere else is illegal and laws are strictly enforced. Foreign currency may be exchanged at your hotel and in large department stores, banks and authorized money changing shops.
HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES:
When visiting the Philippines, it is necessary to have a certificate of vaccination against contagious diseases for those coming from infected areas, except for children below 1 year old who may be subjected to isolation when necessary. Visitors are requested to check with their travel agents on this issue before departure as regulations may change without prior notice. As a precautionary measure, it is also advisable to take anti-malaria drugs when traveling in remote areas of the country.
Although it is generally safe to drink water in Metro Manila, however, it would be wise to consume mineral or bottled water which is available everywhere, especially when visiting the provinces.
When traveling to the Philippines, it is wise to buy medical insurance, as payment must usually be guaranteed before treatment. Listed below are names and addresses of major Manila hospitals:
Cardinal Santos Medical Center
Wilson Street, San Juan, Metro Manila.
Tel: 727-0001.
Makati Medical Center
2 Amorsolo corner de la Rosa streets,
Makati City, Metro Manila.
Tel: 815-9911.
Manila Doctor's Hospital
667 United Nations Avenue,
Ermita, Manila.
Tel: 524-3011.
St. Luke's Medical Center
279 Rodriguez Boulevard,
Quezon City, Metro Manila.
Tel: 723-0301.
Medical Center Manila
1122 General Luna Street,
Ermita, Manila City.
Tel: 523-8131.
SECURITY:
As any other countries in the world, a traveler should always be extra careful with their belongings. In case of emergencies, here are some of the addresses and telephone numbers to contact:
The Tourist Assistance Unit (TAU) operates 24 hours to assist tourists in trouble. Tel: 524-1660, 524-1728 or 523-8411 and ask for TAU.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is located at T.M. Kalaw Street, Rizal Park, Manila.
The Philippine National Police Headquarters is at Camp Crame, EDSA, Metro Manila. Tel: 723-0401
Police (Manila): 166
Ambulance / Fire: 160
In the event that your credit cards are lost, you should report immediately to:
American Express
Tel: Manila 815-9366
Diners Club
Tel: Manila 890-5421
VISA & PASSPORTS:
Nationalities visiting to the Philippines must hold a passport that is valid for a period of not less than six months & beyond the contemplated period of stay. Everyone, except for the stateless persons, nationals from restricted countries and those originating from countries with which the Philippines has no diplomatic ties, are allowed into the country without visas. They are permitted to stay for up to 21 days provided they hold a round-trip ticket or ticket to port of origin or to next port of another destination. Visas and special permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies or consular offices overseas.
- Nationals from the following countries are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa [see list]
- Visa Required Nationals based on Foreign Service Circular No. 22-10 dated 22 February 2010 [see list]
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Nationals who are subjects of deportation/blacklist orders of the Department and the Bureau of Immigration shall not be admitted to the Philippines. Further inquiries may be addressed to the Visa Division (Telephone numbers: 834-4854, 834-3707, and 834-4810), Department of Foreign Affairs, 2330 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City or to any Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad.
Extensions of Stay:
Visitors intending to extend their stay [see extensions & fees] should get an application form from the Visa Extension Section located at the ground floor Annex building, Bureau of Immigration, Manila and from its offices in Makati, Angeles, Cebu City and San Fernando (La Union). Fill up the form, provide a photocopy of your passport, visa, latest arrival card, valid extension of stay, if any and other pertinent documents which will support your application.
In getting application, do remember to dress up appropriately and not in shorts and flip-flops.
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE:
Generally, Filipinos are friendly and nice people. Their courteous and hospitable nature is extended to all visitors except, of course, for those with bad intentions. On the other hand, there are quite a few things that you should observe in order to experience the warmth of the Filipinos. Listed below are few pointers on dos and don'ts of the country's social etiquette:
• Don't get paranoid or annoyed if people stare at you because they find you interesting and wanted to take a good look at you.
• Don't be so punctual. If you are asked to attend a social function, you would be considered a polite guest if you arrived at least 30 minutes earlier than the arranged time.
• Do greet the elderly if they are present at any social function as a sign of respect to them.
• Do taste a bit of the food being offered. If you like it, don't forget to leave some food on the plate to show you've had a lot.
• Do remember to remove your shoes before entering someone's home.
• Don't remain quiet in the company of Filipinos unless you want to show them that you are unhappy, bored or dislike somebody's presence.
