Philippines
Time
GMT plus eight hours
Climate
The Philippines has a tropical climate with relatively abundant rainfall and gentle winds. There are three pronounced seasons: the wet or rainy season from June to October, the cool, dry season from November to February, and the hot, dry season from March to May.
Temperature in Manila ranges from 21oC to 32oC with a 27oC average. The coolest month is January and the warmest is May. Both temperature and humidity levels reach the maximum in April and May.
Entry requirements
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Passports / Visas
British visitors require a full British passport. No visa is required for stays of up to 21 days. Visitors wishing to stay for longer than 21 days require a visa as do those taking up employment. Visas can be obtained from the Philippine Embassy in London and are usually processed within 3 working days. There are special non-immigrant visas issued to foreign nationals who are employed by enterprises registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Board of Investments (BOI), as well as foreigners temporarily assigned to work on government projects. They will enjoy multiple entry privileges, and will be exempt from registration with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and immigration fees. For businessmen looking to make longer-term investments in the Philippines, the government grants a special visa for employment generation (SVEG). This sets guidelines to allow foreigners indefinite stay in the Philippines on conditions of investment in legal and sustainable business in the country employing at least 10 Filipinos.
Customs
Personal effects are allowed duty-free. Visitors may import motorcycles and boats duty-free for stays of up to one month; longer stays require a bond guaranteeing re-export.
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Currency advice/regulations
Physical import and export of local currency up to P5,000 is allowed. Amounts exceeding this amount require authorisation from the Central Bank of the
No restrictions on foreign currency, but amounts over US$25,000 must be declared on arrival and only up to the declared amount can be exported.
Outside the capital, there is a shortage of facilities for changing foreign currency. It is therefore advisable to carry a sufficient amount of local currency when travelling to provinces.
Travellers cheques and major foreign currency may be cashed in large commercial banks and central bank dealers in Metro Manila, and they are also accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. Always use authorised money changers or banks.
Travelling to and in Philippines
Travel routes to the Philippines
Most major international airlines fly to the Philippines. Ninoy Aquino (MNL) airport is the international airport and is 12km south-east of Manila. Departure tax is Php750 for international departures from Manila. Children under two years of age and transit passengers are exempt. In addition to Ninoy Aquino there are international airports on other islands.
How to get to & from the airport
Some of the larger international hotels provide free transport direct to the hotel into central Manila. Before departure it is advisable to check with your travel agent about hotel courtesy buses or cars.
Taxis are readily available and take between 30 minutes and 1 hour. Cost should be between Php200-Php300.
Travelling in the Philippines
There are regular internal flights to the country's 80 domestic airports. The road system in the Philippines is extensive. Major roads are driveable but conditions can be difficult. Hire cars (with and without drivers) may be arranged via hotels. There is a very limited rail service.
Within Manila taxis are the most convenient way around and are widely available both on the streets and at hotels. Hotel taxis tend to be more expensive (PhP250 per hour) but are safer and more reliable. A limited light rail transit system (LRT) operates in Manila.
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Health (for visitors)
You are advised to contact your GP for medical and inoculations advice.
It is essential to take out full medical insurance when visiting the Philippines as there are no reciprocal healthcare agreements between the UK and the Philippines and the cost of private medical care is very high. Medical services in the Philippines are generally good with many doctors having been trained in the USA. Major international medicines are widely available in the major cities and urban areas. Medical care in rural areas is basic. All drinking water should be boiled. Bottled mineral water is widely available. Dress codes
National dress, often worn by men in the office or at any formal occasion, is the barong or embroidered native shirt worn outside the trousers. Reflecting
Social customs/useful tips
It is customary to shake hands on meeting and taking leave. If people have an academic or professional title (e.g. doctor, director) they should be addressed by their title. Senior citizens should be treated with particular respect. Shoes should be removed before entering someone's home.
Central to Filipino values is the concept of maintaining ‘face'. Anything which appears to constitute a slight to a Filipino can have serious consequences. Criticism, however mild, of anyone present is to be avoided. New ideas need to be carefully introduced. A strong personal element to relationships, including those of business and state, makes refusal of frequently proffered hospitality offensive. It can be common to receive a positive answer to a question when the appropriate answer is negative. Reciprocity of hospitality is also required. Despite the appearance of extensive westernisation, conservative values usually apply.
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Religious matters are taken seriously, but so is superstition to the extent that no building displays a thirteenth floor. Belief in witches happily co-exists alongside more mainstream religions.
Punctuality is aimed at, but not always achieved. Tips of about 10 per cent for most services are considered standard. Gift-giving, on the smallest pretext, is widely practised, although the gift itself may be inexpensive.
Old-style chivalry towards women reigns supreme, disguising the extent to which women's dominance at home translates into effective control of the Filipino male. Male visitors will be offered companions as a matter of course, but should not extend this apparent availability into loose behaviour with women outside the bounds of the sex industry.
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The most important tradition is that of utang na loob, or a lifelong debt of gratitude. This is not just a matter of mutual back-scratching. It is a deeply felt belief that even small favours can never be fully repaid, so that complex networks of loyalties develop, providing a hidden structure to relationships.
Another important tradition is that of pakikisama, or co-operating with the team view. Group identification is all-important, reaching back to one's class at school, or to one's village of origin. Approval of the group is often needed before any serious decision is reached. In this context, the supreme importance of family links can be seen, and the paramount significance of family honour understood.
Security
Widespread poverty makes robbery the most common crime. Changing money at a black-market operator will probably deliver you into the hands of pickpockets outside. Foreigners are rarely targetted for more violent crimes.
Public holidays
Fixed dates
1 Jan (New Year's Day), 9 Apr (Bataan and Corregidor Heroes' Day), 1 May (Labour Day), 12 Jun (Independence Day), 1 Nov (All Saints' Day), 30 Nov (Bonifacio Day), 25 Dec (Christmas Day), 30 Dec (Rizal Day), 31 Dec (New Year's Eve).
Variable dates
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, National Heroes' Day (last Sun in Aug), Eid al Fitr.
Easter is a major holiday in the
The Islamic year contains 354 or 355 days, with the result that Muslim feasts advance by 10–12 days against the Gregorian calendar. Dates of feasts vary according to the sighting of the new moon, so cannot be forecast exactly.
Islamic year 1426: 10 February 2005 to 30 January 2006.
Working hours
Working hours vary. Some banks and offices open for a half day on Saturday and, in the Manila area, many shops open for a half day on Sunday.
Banking
Mon–Fri: 0900–1600. Automated banking systems exist (24 hours).
Business
Mon–Fri: 0800–1800; Sat: 0830–1200.
Government
Mon–Fri: 0800–1700
Shops
Mon–Sat: 1000–1930. Most tourist shops open on Sundays.
Electricity supply
The electricity supply is either 220 or 110 volts AC/60 cycles. Plugs are generally the two flat pin variety. Adapters for UK plugs are readily available.
Weights and measures
Metric system, with some local units still in use.
