Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE TYPHOON THREAT
Typhoons regularly rip across the Philippines - typically between July and November - and as
Typhoon Yolanda
(known internationally as Haiyan) proved in 2013, the effects can be
catastrophic and deadly. Though you should always take typhoon warnings seriously (and
check weather reports during typhoon season), there's no need to be unduly paranoid for
your own safety: the sad truth is that in the Philippines it's mainly poor neighbourhoods that
bear the brunt of storms. Most modern hotels and buildings are built to withstand fierce
typhoons, and you'll usually be given plenty of notice if a typhoon is heading your way - if it's
a big one, go somewhere else and make sure you're nowhere near a ferry or boat when it hits.
Though strong winds can be dangerous, flooding, ocean storm surges and landslides are the
main cause of most damage and fatalities - if you are not in areas usually affected by any of
these you should be fine. Note also that the aftermath of storms can dramatically affect
transportation and the services in smaller villages and towns, though Filipinos are a resilient
bunch and tourist services are often up and running remarkably quickly after a storm.
For
weather warnings
visit
W
pagasa.dost.gov.ph or
W
weather.com.ph. If you want to
volunteer or help in the aftermath of a typhoon, approach of
cial charities such as Care (
W
care
.org), Save The Children (
W
savethechildren.org) and the Philippine Red Cross (
W
redcross.org.ph).
best to be on your guard in these areas if you're
approached by people who seem unusually keen to
offer you assistance, especially in bars.
Drug laws
in the Philippines are stringent and
the police are enthusiastic about catching offenders.
No one, foreigner or otherwise, caught in possession
of hard or recreational drugs is likely to get much
sympathy from the authorities. Carrying 500 grams
or more of marijuana is deemed to be tra
cking
and carries the death penalty, while a lesser amount
will usually result in a prison sentence.
The 24-hour
emergency number
throughout
the Philippines is
T
0117.
the biggest problem for North American travellers).
Plugs
have two flat, rectangular pins, as the US and
Canada.
Power cuts
(known locally as “brownouts”)
are common, especially in the provinces. If you are
worried about using valuable electrical equipment
in the Philippines - a laptop computer, for instance
- you should plug it into an automatic voltage
regulator (AVR), a small appliance that ensures the
voltage remains constant even if there is a sudden
fluctuation or surge in the mains.
Entry requirements
Most foreign nationals do not need a visa to stay
in the Philippines for up to
thirty days
, though a
passport valid for at least six months and an onward
plane or ship ticket to another country are required.
Your thirty days can be extended by 29 days
(giving a total stay of
59 days
) at
immigration
o
ces
in Manila or around the country (see
relevant chapters). The charge for this is around
P3030, and you may be asked if you want to pay
a P500 “express fee” that is supposed to guarantee
the application is dealt with within 24 hours. If
you don't pay the fee, the process can take at least
a week. Note that it pays to be presentably dressed
at immigration o
ces, as staff might refuse to
serve you if you turn up wearing a vest, shorts or
flip-flops.
Many travel agents in tourist areas such as Malate in
Manila and Boracay offer a
visa extension service
,
saving you the hassle of visiting immigration centres.
Whatever you do, don't be tempted to use one of the
fixers that hang around immigration o
ces, particu-
larly in Manila. The “visa” they get you is often a dud
Customs
Visitors are allowed to bring in four hundred
cigarettes (or fifty cigars or 250g of pipe tobacco)
and two bottles of wine and spirits not exceeding
one litre each. If you arrive with more than
US$10,000 in cash (unlikely) you are meant to
declare it, and you won't be allowed to take out
more than this sum in foreign currency on leaving.
Note that not more than P10,000 in local currency
may be taken out of the country, though this is
rarely, if ever, enforced.
Electricity
Wall sockets in the Philippines usually operate at 220
volts (similar to Australia, Europe and most of Asia),
although you may come across 110 volts in some
rural areas - it's best to ask before plugging in appli-
ances. Most mobile phones, cameras, MP3 players
and laptops are dual voltage (older hair-dryers are
