Venue: WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific Manila, Philippines The First Regional Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres in the Western Pacific will be held in Manila, Philippines, from 13 to 14 November 2014 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 Regional Office is adjacent to the Light Rail Transit s (LRT1) United Nations Avenue Station, next to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and across the Manila Doctors Hospital. WHO Office for Western Pacific Region Identification For identification and security, participants should wear identification badges at all times during sessions and social functions at the meeting venue. Badges will be provided at the time of registration for the Forum. Smoke-free policy The WHO Regional Office is a smoke-free environment. The policy stipulates no smoking on the premises during all WHO meetings and associated functions. Services available at the venue: Internet and wireless services The Regional Office has a wireless network in place, 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 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g 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. 1
The Regional Office also 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 meeting. Facsimile (Fax) services are available at the Registry Unit (Room 112-G) of WHO 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. Medical services A nurse is on duty can 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) 528 9621, from 08:00 to 17:00. In addition, a regional staff physician will be on duty during the meeting dates 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) 524 3011 (across the street) Currency and Banking facilities Marsman Drysdale Travel Inc., the WHO Regional Office s on-site travel agency. It can assist in the encashment of traveler s checks and for money exchange (only for conversion from US dollars to Philippine pesos). Its office is open from 07:30 to 15:00. Foreign currency can also be exchanged at banks, airports and exchange desks of designated hotels. 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 There is an ATM at the guard house at the United Nations Avenue entrance to WHO. 2
Information on Manila and the Philippines Entry requirements Health Regulations Participants are required to have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry to the Philippines and an entry visa, if required, for the Philippines. Nationals of some countries and areas may enter the Philippines and stay up to 30 days without a visa. If you are uncertain about Philippine visa requirements, please check with the nearest consulate or embassy of the Philippines, or check the link below: www.dfa.gov.ph/index.php/site-administrator/visa-information 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 enter the Philippines with a laptop and other IT equipment for personal use. Participants are advised to ensure that all electronic gadgets or battery powered devices (mobile telephones, tablets, e-books, laptops, etc.) are fully charged and in working order for inspection. This is in compliance with the security regulation of NAIA. Climate and clothing The climate is tropical with temperatures ranging from 25 C to 32 C. The rainy season extends from mid-may to mid-november, during which time 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. Currency The official currency of the Philippines is Peso ( ). The corresponding denominations include: Bank notes : 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 pesos Coin Pesos : 1, 5 and 10 Coin centavos : 5, 10 and 25 Exchange rate as of July 2014 is 43.5087 Philippine pesos to one US dollar. International credit cards are accepted by the majority of tourist establishments. ATMs are available 24 hours a day at all banks, some shops and designated hotels. 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. Although Manila tap water is generally potable, bottled water is recommended for drinking. 3
Telecommunications The country code for the Philippines is 63. The city code for Manila is 2. The international direct dialling (IDD) code for outgoing calls is 00. 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 16:30 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 Local transport Manila s public transportation system consists of buses, taxis, jeepneys, and mass transit systems. Light Railway Transit 1 (LRT 1) with routes from Monumento to Baclaran, LRT 3 with routes from Claro M. Recto to Marikina, and the Metro Railway Transit 2 (MRT 2) with routes along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA). There is an LRT1 station (UN Avenue Station) just next to WHO Regional Office. Most taxi drivers understand and speak minimal English. The minimum flag down rate is 40 pesos and 3.50 pesos per succeeding kilometre. Fares are higher during heavy traffic times. There are several car-for-hire companies operating in the city. For security, please, request assistance from the hotel concierge in arranging transport. Avoid bicycle carts (pedicabs), horse-drawn carriages (calesas) or jeepneys. No Public Smoking Policy in Metro Manila Metro Manila prohibits smoking in public places, such as health facilities, educational institutions and recreational facilities, elevators and stairwells, public transportation and public facilities airports, ship terminals and bus stations, government buildings, gasoline stations, restaurants and conference halls, with the exception of designated smoking rooms. Safety As in all large cities, visitors should observe reasonable security precautions to guard against theft or fraudulent practices, such as spurious requests for financial assistance or bad-faith offers of goods and services, including foreign currency exchange. Prudence and sound judgement should guide your actions at all times, whether in the hotel, on the street, in a taxi or simply talking on the telephone. 4
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, gift shops, restaurants and specialty stores. There are also modern shopping centres in Makati, Mandaluyong, and Manila, which are about 30 to 45 minutes by car from the Regional Office. These commercial centres also offer a wide variety of restaurants, modern cinemas, department stores and outlets for electrical equipment, appliances, furniture, clothing, pharmaceuticals, jewellery, books, etc. The stores are generally open from 10:00 to 21:00. Tipping The standard practice is 10% of the bill when dining. Smaller tips are optional (but recommended) on bills that already include a 10% service charge. 5