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General Information
Business & Banking Hours
- Private and government offices operate usually between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. Some offices are working on Saturdays half to full day. Sundays the offices are closed.
- Shopping malls, department stores and supermarkets are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
- There are 24-hours convenience stores and drugstores.
- Banks are opened from 9 a.m. to 3.p.m. from Monday to Friday.
Shops are opening usually at 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. 7 days a week.
Climate
- March to May the hot and dry summer, with temperatures ranging from 22º to 32° Celsius.
- June to October is rainy.
- November to February is cool, with temperatures ranging from 22º to 28° Celsius.
- Humidity between 65 to 90 percent.
- Click on the following links for the actual weather or typhoon reports.
Clothing
- Overall light, casual clothing and sturdy walking shoes are recommended and accepted considering the climatic conditions. In mountain region warmer garments are recommended.
- For official meetings or affairs, suit or the native Barong is dictated.
- When visiting churches or temples, dictates that shorts and "light" clothing be avoided.
Currency
Currency Regulations: visitors carrying more than US$ 3,000.00 are requested to declare the amount at the Central Bank of the Philippines counter situated at the airport customs area. Foreign currency taken out upon departure must not exceed the amount brought in. Please keep all exchange receipts for record purpose. Departing passengers may not bring out more than Peso 1,000.00 in local currency.
International credit cards such as VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express are accepted in major establishments in key cities.
The Peso is the unit of currency, with Peso 1.00 = 100 centavos. The following nominations are available:
- Coins: 10, 25 and 50 centavos, 1, 2 and 5 Pesos. By 2001 a new 10 Peso coin will be introduced.
- Notes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 Pesos
- US Dollar are widely accepted and changed. However, due to circulation of fake dollars strict controls are being implemented by banks and money changers.
- Major currencies like Swiss Francs, French Francs, British Pounds etc. can be changed at all major banks and most money changers. Money changers can be found at various places in Metro Manila and major destinations as well as in the provinces. Their exchange rate usually is better than those from the hotels. It is recommended to check several money changers for the best rate prior to exchanging.
- The exchange rates change usually three times daily at 11 am 2 pm and 5 pm. The best rates are available in the morning. Exchange rates can be checked with our Currency Converter.
- Money transfers within the Philippines or from / to abroad is possible through e.g. Western Union or NS Ocana or bank to bank which usually is fast available.
Custom Regulations
To facilitate customs examination, visitors are advised to fill in the Baggage and Currency Declaration Form before disembarking. Visitors are allowed to bring in the following items duty free:
- Reasonable quantity of clothes, jewelry and toiletries.
- 400 cigarettes or two tins of tobacco.
- Two bottles of wine or spirits of not more than one liter each.
Dining Charges
A Government Tax ranging from 10% to 13,5% is charged by most hotels and restaurants. A 10% service charge is normally included. Tipping is traditional. The standard practice is 10% of the total cost.
Economy
- Agriculture is the main contributor to the Gross National Product, producing rice, sugar, coconut, tobacco, abaca, corn and vegetables.
- Rattan and bamboo are well known from the light designs of the furniture industry finding their way into exports.
- Fiber, resin, gum, tan bark, teak and mahogany products from forests, minerals and the fishing resources are other areas of income.
Electricity
- The current is set at 220 - 240 Volts AC, however a lot of buildings still have outlets as well for 110 - 120 volts. It is recommended to inquire first prior to plugging in your electrical device.
Entry Regulations
- Except for stateless persons and those from countries with the Philippines has no diplomatic ties, all visitors with valid passports may enter the country without visas and stay for 21 days provided that they have tickets for onward journey.
- Holders of Hong Kong and Taiwan passports must have special permits. Visas and special permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies and consulates.
Geography
- Total land area: 300,000 square kilometers
- Total length: 1,854 kilometers from north to south
- Total span: 1,107 kilometers at widest point
- Highest mountain: Mt. Apo in Mindanao with 2,954 meters
- Deepest see bed: 10,8670 meters (world second deepest) (compare Mt. Everest with 8,796 meters!)
- Coastline: the longest discontinuous coastline in the world with 334.539 kilometers
Health Regulations
- A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required for travelers coming from infected areas.
- Travelers with infected diseases are subject to quarantine. Children under one year of age are subjected to isolation when necessary.
Language
- The national language is Tagalog. The way it is written it is pronounced.
- The business language is English. Communication in English is possible basically all over the country.
- A lot of people of the upper class are still speaking Spanish as their family links back to old Spanish times or as they are of Spanish origin.
- Asides in the Philippines 2,000 regional languages are spoken!
Location
- The time zone is GMT plus 8 hours.
- The country is located between latitude 21 degrees and 5 degrees north of the equator and longitudes 16 degrees and 127 degrees east of the Greenwich Meridian Line. It is actually part of a great cordillera, half drowned, extending from Japan to Indonesia.
Mailing
- The postal service is efficient.
- Door to door courier services are available in all major cities.
Media
- Local as well as International newspapers and magazines are available in the market. Most newspapers are in English.
- There are five commercial-run, one government-run and one religious-run television stations. Cable TV is available in many hotels and resorts.
- Foreign publication are sold at major hotels, resorts, malls, and bookstores in Metro Manila and key cities.
Political System
- The Philippines is a democratic republic and consist of the executive represented by the President, the legislative formed by Senate and Congress and the Judicial represented by the Supreme Court.
Population
- Approximately over 80 million of which approximately 15 % live in Metro Manila.
Religion
- All over Asia the Philippines is the only country dominated by Christianity.
- Approximately 90 percent of the population belong to Christians of which 85% are belonging to the Roman Catholic Church.
- Aside Protestants, Iglesia ni Kristo, Aglipay Church (local sect) and Islam cover the rest.
- Islam is mostly found in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago.
Safety
- Beware of strangers who are over friendly and offering help as they may not have good intentions.
- Only hire tour guides recommended by the hotels or resorts management.
- Make use of safety vaults at hotels / resorts for your documents and valuables.
- Avoid showing expensive jewelry or lots of cash in public as it may attract thieves.
- Change money at banks or at recommended money exchangers.
- When leaving vehicles check all hand carried items.
- The Department of Tourism has a 24 hour hotline providing assistance. You can call at 524-2384 and 524-1703
Telecommunication
- The international country code for the Philippines is 63. the local area code for Metro Manila is 2.
- International direct dialing, fax transmission and e-mail services are available in most hotels and resorts or through operators.
- Internet Cafes are becoming more and more popular.
- Prepaid phone cards and also Internet cards are available in the market.
- Cellular phone for prepaid cards can be purchased at relatively acceptable prices phone cards can be bought in prepaid nominations of 100, 250 and 500 Pesos.
Water
Although many guides state that water quality in general is considered potable, it is recommended as safety precaution to boil water.
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Last Updated -
Sunday, July 07, 2002
