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| Delegates are advised to check visa requirements before traveling. |
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| Climate And Dress |
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| The climate is warm but equable with temperatures ranging from 78ºF/25ºC to 90ºF/32ºC Humidity is about 77%. March to May are hot and dry months. Lightweight summer clothing (preferably natural fabric) is recommended. Modest dress is required for churches and mosques. Business suit or barong tagalog for gentlemen and cocktail dress (long or short) for ladies will be adequate for the Opening Ceremony, Business Sessions and Gala Dinner. |
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| Currency |
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| The basic unit is the Philippine Peso (P). Bank notes are P20, P50, P100, P200, P500 and P1,000. Coins are 25c, P1, P5 and P10. |
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Foreign Exchange
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Foreign exchange is available at most banks and at
Central Bank-authorized foreign exchange dealers like major department stores and banks. |
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| Credit Cards |
| Credit and charge cards such as MasterCard, Visa, and Diners are widely accepted at most establishments. Should any shop insist on adding any surcharge, contact the relevant credit card company involved. |
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| Banks |
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| Banks are open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm from Monday to Friday. |
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Business Hours |
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Private and government offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm or from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Most malls and supermarkets are open daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
There are 24-hour convenience stores and drugstores. |
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Phones |
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| Mobile phones may be used by visitors if their service provider uses GSM roaming. Alternatively, an unlocked mobile phone (or even a new phone) can be used for purchasing a SIM card with reloadable prepaid credits from any of the country's three major providers (Smart, Globe and Sun) at major malls. Call rates vary per provider. Public phones accept P1, P5 and P10 coins. Local call rates are P1.50. National and international rates vary and need a pre-paid landline card. |
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Tipping |
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| Tipping P20 to P100 for hotel staff and P20 for doormen is recommended. Tip 10% of the bill when dining. This is optional on bills with 10% service charge. Tips for taxi drivers come from the rounded-up fare. |
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Transportation |
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Light Rail Transit (LRT1). The fare from the first five stations
(starting from Monumento) is P12. For stations thereafter, the fare is P15 to any station. The same rates apply to the route from Baclaran going Monumento. Runs elevated along Taft and Rizal Avenues from Parañaque in the south to Caloocan in the north. The lead coach is only for women, senior citizens, children and disabled persons.
Metro Rail Transit (MRT/LRT3). Fare is P9.50 from the North Avenue station. For stations thereafter, an additional 50c per station applies. P100 prepaid cards valid up to two months are available. Some areas are elevated, some are underground along EDSA.
Taxis provide comfortable, hassle-free travel at a reasonable cost. They can be flagged down 24 hours a day on most roads, but are best taken at hotels or malls with well-marked taxi-stands. They can ply from Manila to any point in Luzon. Taxis are metered with flag down at P30 for the first 500 meters and P2.50 for every succeeding 250 meters. Maximum of four passengers.
Jeepneys ply strategic points and major thoroughfares. Fare is P5.50 for the first 4 kms and 50c per succeeding km. Up to 20 passengers per jeepney.
Buses. No-air-conditioned buses cost P6 for the first 4 kms and P1.25 per succeeding km. Air-conditioned buses cost P10 for the first 4 kms and P1.00 per succeeding km. |
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Language |
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| English and Filipino (the national language) are generally understood in most parts of the city. Outside Luzon, English will suffice. |
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Electricity |
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| The local voltage is 220-240 AC, 50 Hertz. Most hotels can provide a transformer to convert it to 110-120 AC, 60 Hertz. |
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Drug
Abuse |
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| Drug abuse is viewed seriously in the Philippines. It is an offense to manufacture, traffic, import, export, cultivate or possess any form of drugs. Severe penalties apply to drug abusers and traffickers. |
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Smoking |
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Smoking is banned inside lifts,
theatres, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants,
shopping centers and covered areas.
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