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Cars 4 Rental Information on Philippines

General

Area: 300,000 sq km (115,831 sq miles).

Population: 77,925, 894 (official estimate 2001).

Population Density: 259.8 per sq km.

Capital: Manila. Population: 1,581,082 (2000).

GEOGRAPHY: The Philippines lie off the southeast coast of Asia between Taiwan and Borneo in the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea. They are composed of 7107 islands and islets (7108 at low tide), 2773 of which are named. The two largest islands, Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south, account for 65 per cent of the total land area and contain 60 per cent of the country’s population. Between the two lie the Visayas Islands.

Government: Republic since 1987. Gained independence from the USA in 1946. Head of State and Government: President Maria Gloria Macapagal Arroyo since 2001.

Language: Filipino, based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is widely spoken, Spanish less so. There are over 111 cultural and racial groups, each with its own language or dialect; in 1990 there were 988 languages.

Religion: Roman Catholic 84 per cent; the rest are made up mostly of Muslims, other Christian denominations, Buddhists and Taoists.

Time: GMT + 8.

Electricity: 220 volts (110 volts in Baguio) AC, 60Hz. 110 volts is available in most hotels. Flat and round two- and three-pin plugs are in use.

Telephone

IDD is available to main towns. Country code: 63. International calls to the smaller towns must be booked through the operator. Outgoing international code: 00.

Mobile telephone

GSM 900/1800 network. Operators include Digitel (website: www.digitelone.com), Globe Telecom (website: www.globe.com.ph) and Smart Gold GSM (website: www.smart.com.ph). Coverage is limited to Manila and other main urban areas.

Fax

All 3- to 5-star hotels, most government offices and most businesses have facsimile services.

Telegram

Telegrams can be sent from Eastern Telecommunications Philippines Incorporated offices.

Internet

ISPs include Cyber Space (website: www.cyberspace.com.ph), Internet Manila (website: www.i-manila.com.ph) and Inter.net Phillipines Inc (website: www.ph.inter.net). Visitors can access their e-mail from Internet cafes across the country

Post

Airmail to Europe takes at least 5 days. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700.

Press

There are about 17 daily newspapers. English-language daily newspapers include the Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Philippine Star.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

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Money

Currency: Philippine Peso (P) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of P1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of P5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25 and 10 centavos.

Currency exchange: Always use authorised money-changers or banks in Manila. Outside the capital there is a shortage of facilities for changing foreign currency and rates may get progressively worse the further one goes from the city. It is advisable to carry a sufficient amount of Philippine pesos when travelling to other provinces.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in major establishments throughout the big cities of The Philippines. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Travellers cheques and major foreign currency may be cashed in all commercial banks and Central Bank dealers. They are also accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.

Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is limited to P10,000; any amount above this must be authorised by the Central Bank of The Philippines. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited, but must be declared over P10,000.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Philippine Peso against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Aug ’03 Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May '04
£1.00= 87.87 93.86 101.74 99.49
$1.00= 55.08 55.31 55.89 55.70

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600.

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Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required
Yellow Fever No 1
Cholera 2 No
Typhoid and Polio 3 1
Malaria 4 N/A

1: A yellow fever or typhus vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving within 6 days from infected areas. A certificate is also required by those arriving from small pox or plague infected areas.

2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to The Philippines, unless travellers arrive from infected areas. However, cholera is a risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix for further information.

3: Vaccination against typhoid is advised.

4: Malaria risk exists throughout the year in areas below 600m, except in the Provinces of Bohol, Catanduanes, Cebu and Manila. No risk is considered to exist in urban areas or in the plains. The malignant falciparum strain is present and is reported to be resistant to chloroquine.

Food & drink: Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic in the south. Avoid swimming and paddling in stagnant fresh water; swimming pools that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Dengue fever and filariasis occur and plague is carried by insects. Hepatitis B is highly endemic. Hepatitis A may occur. Japanese encephalitis occurs rarely in western Luzon, Mindoro and Palawan from April to November and throughout the year in other areas, with the highest risk from April to January. Chikungunya fever is particularly common in urban areas of the central islands, such as Manila. Gonorrhoea resistant to penicilin is common in The Philippines, particularly in Manila and Cebu City.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: There is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK and health insurance is, therefore, essential. Approximately three-quarters of the hospitals are private.

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Climate

Tropical climate tempered by constant sea breezes. There are three distinct seasons: the rainy season (June to September), cool and dry (October to February), and hot and mainly dry (March to May). Evenings are cooler. Typhoons occasionally occur from June to September.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens are worn throughout most of the year, with warmer clothes useful on cooler evenings. Rainwear or umbrellas are advisable for the rainy season.

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Passport

Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required
British Yes 1 Yes
Australian Yes 1 Yes
Canadian Yes 1 Yes
USA Yes 1 Yes
OtherEU Yes 1 Yes
Japanese Yes 1 Yes

PASSPORTS: Passports valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond intended length of stay required by all.

Note: (a) Holders of Certificates of Identity, Travel Documents ('Titre de Voyage'), Documents of Identity, Taiwanese Passports and all stateless persons do require visas. (b) All children of Filipino nationality must hold individual passports. (c) Immigration Officers at ports of entry may admit those with passports only valid for at least 60 days after intended length of stay, at their discretion.

VISAS: Required by all except the following:
(a) 1. bona fide foreign tourists (including business travellers) for stays of less than 21 days provided holding passports valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond period of stay and return or onward tickets (except nationals of Afghanistan*, Albania, Algeria*, Bangladesh, Belize, Bosnia & Herzegovina, China (PR), CIS, Croatia, Cuba, East Timor*, Egypt*, Estonia, Georgia, India*, Iran*, Iraq*, Jordan*, Korea (Dem Rep), Latvia, Lebanon*, Libya*, Lithuania, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), Nauru, Nigeria*, Pakistan*, Sierra Leone, Serbia & Montenegro, Slovenia, Sri Lanka*, Sudan*, Syrian Arab Republic*, Tonga, Vanuatu, Yemen* and holders of Palestinian* passports who do require a visa even if staying less than 7 days);
(b) transit passengers continuing their journey to a third country within 72 hours provided holding onward or return documentation (some nationals are required to leave by the same or first connecting aircraft; enquire at Embassy for details).

Note: (a)* Nationals of these countries must apply for a Temporary Visitor Visa in their country of origin or place of legal residence. (b) All tourists wishing to stay longer than 21 days need a visa.

Types of visa and cost: Temporary Visitor: £22 (3 month single-entry); £43 (6 month multiple-entry); £65 (1 year multiple-entry). Restricted nationals (3 months): £30. Minors must pay P3,120.00 to the Immigration Officer at ports of entry.

Validity: 59 days from date of issue; multiple-entry: between 6 months and 1 year from date of issue. Visas normally allow stays of up to 59 days. Extensions are possible at the discretion of the Bureau of Immigration Office, with additional payment to the Emigration Clearance Certificate and corresponding Legal Research Fee.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: (a) One application form. (b) One passport-size photo signed on the bottom front, taken in the last 6 months. (c) Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended period of stay. (d) Proof of means of support during stay, either by bank statement or letter of employment. (e) Fee, in cash or postal order only. (f) If applying by post, a registered, stamped, self-addressed envelope is required and the application should be signed by a notary or commissioner of oaths. (g) Onward or return tickets. (h) Business travellers also require a letter from the sponsoring Filipino company or from their employer, stating the purpose of the visit. (i) Proof of financial capability, eg latest bank statement, employment certificate etc. (j) Minors (under 15 years) must be accompanied by, or joining, parents to/in the Philippines. They must submit to the Immigration Officer at port of entry, an affidavit of request and consent by either parent/legal guardian (authenticated by relevant Embassy), and a clear photocopy of data page of passport of both minor and their parent(s).
Application for a non-immigrant visa should be made in person.

Working days required: 2. Visas can be collected between 1600 and 1700.

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