Philippine Embassy informs Filipino travelers of Malaysia’s new registration procedure for foreigner

An August 11, 2011 press release by the Department of Foreign Affairs

The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur wishes to inform all Filipino travelers to Malaysia that all foreigners are now required to undergo Malaysia’s National Enforcement and Registration System (NERS), the biometric finger print registration of foreigners, upon entry to Malaysia.

Malaysia’s NERS took effect on June 1, 2011.

In the new procedure, which applies to all foreigners entering Malaysia through designated checkpoints, travelers are required to place their two index fingers on the glass plates of the electronic fingerprint scanning machines at immigration counters.

Biometric data of travelers will be captured, will be kept in the Department of Immigration’s database and will be used for verification process upon exiting the country.

Under the new system, all foreign nationals aged 12 years and above must submit to the biometric procedure.

Malaysia had amended its Immigration Law and Regulations to support and enforce the new biometric registration requirement at entry points.

http://www.gov.ph/2011/08/11/philippine-embassy-informs-filipino-travelers-of-malaysias-new-registration-procedure-for-foreigners/

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Philippine Embassy in London issues advisory to Filipino community in light of riots

An August 10, 2011 press release by the Department of Foreign Affairs

The Philippine Embassy in London issued on Tuesday an advisory to the Filipino community in the United Kingdom to be vigilant and to exercise due caution in light of the riots that occurred around London and in other UK cities over the past days.

“The Embassy urges all Filipinos to stay away from high street areas, to avoid large gatherings and to avoid joining or going to places of riots or get involved in any public disturbance,” Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Reynaldo A. Catapang said.

The Embassy has also called on the Filipino community leaders and members to contact the local police immediately and/or the Embassy if there are any untoward incidents in their respective areas or to report any information on Filipinos who may have been injured or seriously affected by the riots.

The Embassy remains in close contact with UK authorities and Filipino community leaders and is closely monitoring events and developments.

It has also activated a round-the-clock monitoring team to continuously ascertain the situation.

The Embassy may be contacted through its trunk line, 0207451780; or emergency mobile number, 07802790695; as well as mobile numbers 07809737672, 07542095133, 07553203793, and 07817479313.

http://www.gov.ph/2011/08/10/philippine-embassy-in-london-issues-advisory-to-filipino-community-in-light-of-riots/

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DFA Office of Consular Affairs Reiterates Warning Against Passport Fixers

08 August 2011 -   The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reiterates its warning to the public against unscrupulous individuals who charge exhorbitant fees in exchange for passport assistance and other consular services.

This is in light of a recent apprehension and eventual arrest of nine (9) persons for violation of Pasay City Ordinance No. 624, "An Ordinance Prohibiting Fixing in Government Offices in Pasay City". The DFA Office of Intelligence Services (DFA-OIS) coordinated with the Pasay City Police on the said matter when a civic-oriented applicant reported a similar case to the DFA Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA).

Even if there has been a significant decrease in the presence of fixers along Libertad-Harrison streets, the DFA informs the public that there are still fixers who have been capitalizing on their knowledge of the application procedures to convince would-be victims who are mostly first timers from the provinces or newly-arrived overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), to give in to their offer of assistance for a fee.

In view of these illegal activities carried out by these unscrupulous individuals, the DFA strongly advises the public not to deal or transact any business with these people. Likewise, it urges the public to report immediately any instance they need to the security officers available in the area or to the nearest police station.

The DFA strongly urges the public to go through the legitimate application process and to avoid fixers at all costs.

The DFA is ready to assist all applicants with their concerns and issues in passporting and other consular matters.

For more information and inquiries, please contact (632) 556-0000, (632) 737-1000 or e-mail epassport@dfa.gov.ph or passport.oca@yahoo.com . END

http://dfa.gov.ph/main/index.php/newsroom/dfa-releases/3546-dfa-office-of-consular-affairs-reiterates-warning-against-passport-fixers

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FLY All-you-Can!

Are you already fed up of the on going promos
eat all you can,
drink all you can,
surf all you can
text and call you can....etc

why not try these..FLY ALL YOU CAN.

This is the latest Philippine airlines promo. Fly all you can to all their domestic destinations. for an amazing rate of  7,070 pesos ticket rate...this is a great deal for all the travel enthusiasts. Imagine, FREE 15kg luggage allowance, FREE snacks on board, newest airbus aircrafts, and most of all its the flag carrier.

You should buy the ticket during this period-August 8-14, 2011
and you should fly within this period-August 8-Nov15,2011

Its 7weeks of non stop flying.
Hurry grab your tickets now.
Visit the website for more info www. philippineairlines.com

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Boracay Travel TIPS.(part1)

If you're going to boracay for the first time, here's what you need to know.


1. There are 2 airports to reach the boracay island.

       First one is the CATICLAN airport which has shorter travel time to reach the island 2mins multicab ride to jetty port,30mins ferry ride to boracay island and 5-15mins travel via multicab or van to your hotel.

      Second one is the KALIBO airport which is way farther than caticlan airport. It will  take you 90mins bus or van ride to the jetty port, 30mins ferry to boracay island, and 5-15mins travel via multicab or van to your hotel.

     These two airport has its own advantage and disadvantages. Kalibo airport caters to larger aircrafts such as airbus while the caticlan airport on caters to small aircraft only such as MA60 or as small as 19seater plane. So choose wisely if you're afraid of flying on a smaller planes. Kalibo bound airplanes also offer much lower airfares than the Caticlan bound planes. Promo fares to kalibo go as low as 599 for one way. So if you're a backpacker or budget conscious traveller, this is your route.But if budget is not an issue, better take the Caticlan route. Bus fare from kalibo to caticlan jetty port costs around 200-300 per way, while a multicab from the caticlan airport to the jetty port costs only 20-50pesos per person.

2. There are 3 main stations at the Boracay Island. Based on my observation, here is what you can see on these locations.

  Station 1 is where  you can see the famous Willy's rock. A rock located in the middle of the beach but is accessible by foot especially during low tides. Station 1 has the best high end hotels, this is also where lots of activities are held such as concerts,sportsfests,etc.

   Station 2 is where you can find the D' Mall. Here lies variety of restaurants for food lovers, souvenir shop for buying of the pasalubong, and lots of bar to party with.

   Station 3 is where low cost hotels are located. This is also where the talipapa(market) is located. Another option for buying fresh seafoods and souvenirs.

3. Activities
   Island Hopping tour(group) - bound to crystal cave, snorkelling and fish feeding. Some tour operators also offer buffet dinner together with the fee. so calify with your tour guide if the island hopping tour they are offering includes dinner.   Usually costs around 700-1500 per person depending on your contact tour guide.
   Island hopping tour(private) -  bound to crystal cave, snorkelling and fish feeding, if time permits will bring you to Puka beach. Private boat costs aroung 1500-3500 depending on the size of the boat and persons to go on board.  This tour does not include lunch but the boatman can bring you where the best lunch can be serve.
   Snorkelling gear and environmental fee also not included in both tours.
 
Other activities that are not to be missed are the following
   Banana boat ride- best for groups of 4 above
   Fly fish-alternative to banana boat if you're only 2persons.
   Helmet diving-costs around 800up per person
   Dinner cruise
   Parasailing
   Jetski rental
   Motorbike rental to go around the other side of boracay

......stay tuned for the 2nd part of this feature...

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