TABLE OF CONTENTS. Sixty-fourth session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Pages 1. Logistical arrangements for the WHO Regional Committee...4 Date and place of the sessioné...4 Contact informationé...5 Languages of the Regional CommitteeÉ...6 IdentificationÉ... 6 Travel and transport arrangementsé...6 Hotel a ccommodations..é WHO Regional Office and its services...9 LocationÉ...9 Smoke-free policyé...9 Banking facilitiesé...9 Information technology servicesé...10 Internet loungeé...10 Medical services.é...11 CafeteriaÉ...11 LibraryÉ Information on the Philippines and Manila...12 Entry requirementsé...12 Health regulationsé...12 CustomsÉ...12 Climate and clothingé...13 Electricity and wateré...13 Local timeé...13 Public facilitiesé...13 Local transporté...14 SafetyÉ...14 Shopping and entertainmenté...15 Telephone and facsimileé...15 TippingÉ

4 1. LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE WHO REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC Date and place of the session The sixty-fourth session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee will be held in Manila, Philippines, from 21 to 25 October 2013 at the main Conference Hall of the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, located at the corner of United Nations and Taft avenues, Ermita, Manila. The meetings will run from 09:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00 daily, with 15-minute coffee breaks during each period. 4

5 Contact information All correspondence to the Secretariat should be addressed to: Secretariat Office World Health Organization Regional Office United Nations Avenue 1000 Manila, Philippines Telephone: (+63 2) ; (+63 2) Facsimile: (+63 2) ; (+63 2) ; (+63 2) address: 5

6 Languages of the Regional Committee The official languages of the Regional Committee are Chinese, English and French. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in the official languages. English and French are the working languages. Identification For identification and security, representatives should wear identification badges at all times during sessions and social functions. Badges will be provided at designated hotels prior to the meeting. Travel and transport arrangements Arrival Ninoy Aquino International Airport is the main international gateway to the Philippines. The airport is located between Pasay City and Para aque City, about 11 kilometres south of Manila. WHO will assist all representatives upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and will provide transport to designated hotels. If representatives do not notify WHO of their expected arrival times to be met at the airport, they may take a yellow airport metered taxi available in front of the main arrival area. The fare is 70 pesos (flagdown rate for the first 500 metres) plus four pesos for every 300 metresñroughly 400 pesos to any of the designated hotels. 6

7 For easy identification upon arrival at the airport, representatives are requested to wear the lapel labels provided with this booklet. Luggage tags also have been provided. If representatives flight plans change after they have registered online, please forward revised itineraries to the Regional Office to ensure airport transportation. Online registration is available at: rcm/register Departure WHO will provide transportation from designated hotels to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Upon reconfirmation of flights, travellers will be provided with a transport flier indicating the pick-up arrangement to the airport and an embarkation card (for international travel only). The completed embarkation card should be submitted at the immigration counter in the airport. Please note that all passengers embarking for international travel must pay a terminal and security fee of 550 pesos at the airport. 7

8 Hotel accommodations The following hotels have been designated as official hotels for representatives: Hotel name Star Distance to Type of Daily room rates and address rating conference room (net of tax) site In local currency (PhP) In US$ Manila Hotel One Rizal Park 0913 Manila, Philippines Tel.: (+63 2) Fax: (+63 2) Website: com.ph 5-star 10 minutes by car Superior deluxe Single/twin Sunset suite (New wing) Sunrise suite (New wing) Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel & Casino United Nations Avenue corner Maria Orosa Street Manila 1000, Philippines Tel.: (+63 2) Fax: (+63 2) Website: ph/waterfront/manilapavilion-hotelcasino/ 4-star 5 minutes walking distance Deluxe room Single/double Ambassador room Single/double Ambassador suite Single/double Rate of exchange is Philippine pesos to one US dollar (as of June 2013). Room rates include buffet breakfast. The Manila Hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to/from WHO. In order to allow WHO to hold a sufficient number of rooms, representatives are advised to register online no later than 15 September Rooms will be subject to availability. Rates may not be guaranteed beyond this date. Online registration is available at: 8

9 2. WHO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC AND ITS SERVICES Location Please see contact information on page 5. Banking facilities Smoke-free policy The Regional Office is a smoke-free environment. The policy stipulates no smoking on the premises during all WHO meetings and associated functions. Marsman Drysdale Travel Inc., the Regional Office's on-site travel agency, will assist in the encashment of travellerõs cheques. Its office is open from 08:00 to 17:00. The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Banco de Oro (BDO) are a short walk from WHO. BPI is open from 09:00 to 16:30 while BDO is open from 08:30 to 17:30, Monday to Friday. Peso is the Philippine currency. Corresponding denominations include: Coin centavos : 5, 10 and 25 Coin Pesos : 1, 5 and 10 Bank notes : 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 pesos Exchange rate as of June 2013 is Philippine pesos to one US dollar. International credit cards are accepted by the majority of tourist establishments. Automated teller machines (ATMs) are available 24 hours a day. There is an ATM at the guard house at the United Nations Avenue entrance to WHO. An ATM is also accessible at the Manila Hotel, and many are located along United Nations Avenue near WHO. 9

10 Information technology services The Regional Office has a wireless network, which allows representatives and guests to access the Internet. The wireless network can be accessed from multiple hot spots on the premises and supports wireless standards a, b and g with Wireless Protected Access II (WPA2) security protocols for increased user security and protection. Upon request to the Enquiry Desk located at the foyer of the WHO Conference Hall, a time-limited user ID and password will be provided. Internet lounge The Regional Office has a free Internet lounge adjacent to the Conference Hall on the second level. The lounge has a limited number of computers and is open during the meetings. 10

11 Medical services A nurse is on duty to provide first aid, prescribed injections and simple treatments in the clinic of the Regional Office, room 202-A of the main building, telephone number (+63 2) , from 08:00 to 17:00. In addition, a regional staff physician will be on duty Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 17:00. There is a hospital near the Regional Office: Manila Doctors Hospital 667 United Nations Avenue, Manila Telephone: (+63 2) (across the street) Cafeteria The WHO cafeteria serves breakfast, snacks and lunch, as well as beverages. It is open from 06:00 to 18:00. Library The WHO Library is on the first and second floors of Building 4 of the Regional Office and is open from 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday. 11

12 3. INFORMATION ON THE PHILIPPINES AND MANILA Entry requirements Representatives and other participants are required to have a passport valid for at least six months and an entry visa, if required, for the Philippines. Nationals of some countries and areas may enter the Philippines visa-free for stays of a maximum of 59 days. If you are uncertain about Philippine visa requirements, please check with the nearest consulate or embassy of the Philippines, or check the link below: Representatives having difficulty obtaining a visa should immediately communicate with: Administrative Services Officer Telephone: (+63 2) Facsimile: (+63 2) rcm@wpro.who.int Health regulations Yellow fever vaccination is required for visitors arriving from infected areas, except children under one year of age. Visitors from infected areas may be subject to isolation if necessary. Customs Visitors may bring in a laptop and other IT equipment for personal use. 12

13 Climate and clothing The climate is tropical with temperatures ranging from 25¼C to 32¼C. The rainy season extends from mid-may to mid-november, when it is advisable to have a light raincoat or umbrella. Humidity is high (65%90%) all year. Light clothing is recommended. Offices, hotels and shops are air-conditioned, and visitors sometimes may feel the need for a light jacket or a sweater. For official functions, a business suit or national costume is suggested. Electricity and water The standard power supply in Manila is 220 volts, but 110 volts is also available in most hotels. The frequency of electrical current is 60 kilohertz. Tap water is chlorinated and generally potable, but bottled water is recommended. Local time Local time is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Manila does not use daylight saving time. Public facilities Business Weekdays Saturdays Sundays/ national holidays Banks 09:00 16:00 Most closed Closed Government offices 08:00 17:00 Closed Closed Post offices 08:00 17:00 Closed Closed Shopping malls 10:00 21:00 Open Open 13

14 Local transport Manila's public transportation system consists of buses, taxis, jeepneys and light rail systems. Most taxi drivers understand and speak English. The minimum flag down rate is 40 pesos and 3.50 pesos per succeeding kilometre. There are several car-for-hire companies operating in the city. For security reasons, when possible, request assistance from the hotel concierge. It is not advisable to use bicycle carts (pedicabs), horse-drawn carriages (calesas) or jeepneys. Safety As in all large cities, visitors should observe reasonable security precautions to guard against the danger of falling victim to theft or fraudulent practices, such as spurious requests for financial assistance, offer of goods and services or to exchange foreign currency. Therefore, prudence and sound judgement should be practised at all times, whether in the hotel, on the street, in a taxi or simply answering or making telephone calls. In case of any emergency, the Regional Office's 24-hour telephone numbers are (+63 2) and (+63 2)

15 Shopping and entertainment Times Plaza, a small shopping centre located at the corner of United Nations and Taft avenues, across the street from the Regional Office, has a small number of restaurants and stores. Robinson's Place, a shopping mall within walking distance of the Regional Office, has a large variety of shops, boutiques, restaurants and specialty stores. There are modern shopping centres in Makati and Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, which are about 30 to 45 minutes by car from the Regional Office. These commercial centres have a large number of restaurants, modern air-conditioned cinemas, food, department stores and assorted outlets for electrical equipment and appliances, furniture, clothing, pharmaceuticals, jewellery, books, etc. The stores are generally open from 10:00 to 21:00. Telephone and facsimile The country code for the Philippines is 63 and the city code for Manila is 2. International direct dialling (IDD) is available in Manila and other major cities. The outgoing international code is 00. Fax services are available at the Registry unit (Room 112-G) of WHO and at major hotels and business centres. Tipping Tipping is expected for many services. The standard practice is 10% of the bill when dining. Tipping is optional on bills that already include a 10% service charge. 15

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