http://www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr
DISCLAIMER: ADS IN THIS
PUBLICATION ARE PUBLISHED AS A SERVICE TO OUR READERS.... THEIR
PUBLICATION
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AIR FORCE OR DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE ENDORSEMENT OF THE PRODUCTS OR SERVICE...
RAO: WE WOULD LIKE FOR EVERY MILITARY RETIREE, DEPENDENT, WIDOW(ER), ACTIVE DUTY OR OTHER AMERICANS TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN RECEIVE ASSISTANCE AT OUR OFFICE.... WE DON'T HAVE MONEY; HOWEVER, WE CAN HELP OR KNOW PEOPLE WHO CAN... AS AREA EMBASSY WARDEN AND RAO DIRECTOR, MOST PROBLEMS CAN BE RESOLVED HERE OR WITH A REFERRAL (THIS ALSO APPLIES TO AMERASIANS CHILDREN).... IN GENERAL, IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO, THE RAO IS A GOOD PLACE TO START... AS YOU HAVE NOTICED, WE USE MANY OF THE SAME ARTICLES OVER EACH MONTH WITH UPDATES; OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE NEWCOMERS WITH COMPLETE DATE & TO UPDATE THE "OLE TIMERS"... WE HAVE MANY READERS THAT ARE ASKING ABOUT THEIR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER BEFORE PUBLICATION; THESE ARE THE MEMBERS WHO STAY CURRENT... ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN, WE HAVE OTHERS WHO DO NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NEWSLETTERS UNTIL THEY HAVE A PROBLEM... THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THE ENTIRE NEWSLETTER WITH BACKGROUND DATA TO BECOME AWARE OF THE SERVICE THAT ARE AVAILABLE...
RAO SATELLITES: WE HAVE ESTABLISHED RAO SATELLITES AT BACOLOD, CAGAYAN DE ORO, CEBU, DAGUPAN, DAVAO, LAOAG, LA UNION & LEYTE...... ALSO WOULD LIKE TO ESTABLISH SAME IN PALAWAN & OTHER LOCATIONS....... IF INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT THE RAO... RESPONSIBILITY OF RAO SATELLITES WOULD BE TO:
RAO BUSINESS: WHEN WE FIRST OPEN IN THE MORNINGS, THERE IS USUALLY A LINE OF PEOPLE WAITING.... WE MUST TAKE CARE OF EMERGENCIES FIRST; THEREFORE, THE BEST TIME FOR ROUTINE SERVICE IS BETWEEN 1030-1300 HRS... WE DON'T WANT TO KEEP YOU WAITING WITH ALL THAT COLD SAN MIGUEL & BUD NEXT DOOR...
RAO SCHOLARSHIPS: THANKS TO DONATIONS, WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE ONE SCHOLARSHIP THIS SCHOOL YEAR… WOULD LIKE TO INCREASE THIS BY NEXT SEMESTER IF WE RECEIVE SUFFICIENT DONATIONS… OUR FOUNDATION IS TAX EXEMPT (REF OUR WEB SITE) IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THE RAO SCHOLARSHIP, DROP BY THE RAO OR MAIL US A CHECK…
RAO “MINI” LIBRARY: WE HAVE A SELECTION OF POCKETBOOKS AND MAGAZINES THAT CAN BE CHECKED OUT UPON REQUEST… ALSO HAVE A SET OF ENCYCLOPEDIAS; HOWEVER, OUR COPY IS OVER TEN YEARS OLD… WE ALSO PROVIDE POCKETBOOKS AND MAGAZINES TO OUR CHAMPUS PARTICIPATING HOSPITAL… IF YOU HAVE EXCESS BOOKS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE, PLEASE SEE ME AT THE RAO…
RETIREE NEWS ON LINE: If you have missed your afterburner and would like to keep current with all usaf retiree information just pull up afpc web www.afpc.randolph.af.miland click on retiree news... All the other services have their own web, Army www.odcsper.army.milNavy www.bupers.navy.milCoast guards www.uscg.mil Marines www.manpower.usmc.mil
SCHOOLS IN ANGELES CITY: WE HAVE FOUR VA APPROVED SCHOOLS IN OUR AREA: ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION (AUF), MCARTHUR HIGHWAY ANGELES CITY, E-MAIL: auf@auf.edu.ph / auf@hotmail.com; WEBSITE: www.auf.edu.ph; HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY (HAU), STO. ROSARIO ST. ANGELES CITY, E-MAIL: hau@hau.edu.ph; WEBSITE: www.hau.edu.ph; (LIBRARY) univ_libr@hau.edu.ph; REPUBLIC CENTRAL COLLEGE (RCC), PLARIDEL ST. ANGELES CITY, TEL (63 45) 888 2853 AND SYSTEM PLUS, STA. ISABEL BLDG. MCARTHUR HIGHWAY BALIBAGO ANGELES CITY, E-MAIL: joleen@mail.ange.sequel.net… FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN, THERE ARE SEVERAL SCHOOLS TO SELECT FROM AND MOST ALL TEACH IN ENGLISH… SCHOOLS ARE RATED VERY GOOD AND CAN ACCOMMODATE YOUR NEEDS FROM KINDERGARDEN TO A PHD… AUF ALSO HAS A MEDICAL SCHOOL… COST OF THE SCHOOLS ARE $700-2,000. IN OUR AREA PER YEAR DEPENDING ON COURCES AND SCHOOLS SELECTED… EXAMPLE A MASTER DEGREE WOULD COST BETWEEN $400-700. DEPENDING ON THE UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE SELECTED…
MILITARY RETIREES ARE URGED TO READ PENSION ADS CAREFULLY: “RETIRED MILITARY MEMBERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE ARE COMPANIES THAT WILL OFFER A LARGE LUMP SUM OF CASH IN EXCHANGE FOR RETIREMENT PENSION CHECKS… RETIREES BEWARE! THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE NAVAL PERSONNEL COMMAND RETIRED ACTIVITIES BRANCH: “WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER PAYING MORE THAN 50% IN INTEREST ON A LOANS?? THAT’S RIGHT, 50%! LIKE MOST PEOPLE, PROBABLY NOT… YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THERE ARE COMPANIES THAT WILL OFFER TO GIVE A LARGE LUMP SUM OF CASH IN EXCHANGE FOR YOU TO PURCHASE LIFE INSURANCE FROM THEM AS WELL… IN AN ACTUAL OFFER, THE RETIRED PAY OF AN O-4 WAS $2557 PER MONTH… HE WAS OFFERED $75,237 LUMP SUM AND WOULD HAVE TO AGREE TO PAY BACK $191,258 OVER AN EIGHT YEAR PERIOD! YOU DO THE MATH… THESE COMPANIES APPEAR TO BE OPERATING LEGALLY AND COMPLY WITH FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS… BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN IT IS A GOOD DEAL! BEWARE AND BE CAREFUL...” BUCKLEY ANGB COLORADO
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: BET YOU THOUGHT THAT YOU GOT AWAY FROM THIS TERMINOLOGY WHEN YOU RETIRED… SORRY, CAN'T LET YOU OFF THAT EASY… AS MOST REMEMBER FROM PINATUBO DAYS, IT PAYS TO BE PREPARED FOR NATURAL OR MAN MADE DISASTERS… THE PHILIPPINES HAS ITS SHARE OF EARTHQUAKES, VOLCANOS, TYPHOONS AND WE MUST PLAN ACCORDINGLY… WITH VOLCANOS AND TYPHOONS, WE SHOULD HAVE AMPLE WARNING AND STOCK UP ON SUPPLIES SUCH AS NONPERISHABLE FOODS, DRINKING WATER, FLASHLIGHTS WITH EXTRA BATTERIES, CANDLES, MEDICATION, COOKING GAS, FULL TANK OF FUEL FOR YOUR VEHICLE AND OTHER SUPPLIES YOU WOULD NORMALLY NEED FOR ABOUT TEN DAYS… ALWAYS SHOULD MAINTAIN A FEW DAYS OF EMERGENCY SUPPLIES IN CASE OF EARTHQUAKE'S OR MAN MADE DISASTERS… WE SHOULD ALSO PLAN ON HAVING EXTRA FUNDS OR CREDIT CARDS IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES… REALIZE THIS IS SOMETIMES HARD TO DO ON A TIGHT BUDGET; HOWEVER, THIS IS WHERE A CREDIT CARD COULD COME IN HANDY… SHOULD ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FAMILY'S PASSPORTS UP TO DATE AND NEWBORNS REGISTERED WITH THE EMBASSY… HARD TO DO THESE THING DURING EMERGENCIES... NOTIFICATION SYSTEM DURING EMERGENCIES; WE HAVE ARRANGEMENT WILL CABLE TV TO USE CHANNEL 3 DURING EMERGENCIES TO KEEP YOU INFORMED… IF POWER IS OUT, WE WILL PASS ON THIS INFORMATION TO ALL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS… OUR OFFICE WILL BE OPEN, WORKING WITH U.S. EMBASSY AND THE LOCAL GOV’T TO PROVIDE INFORMATION/SERVICES AS REQUIRED…
ANNUAL ALLIEN REGISTRATION: IPHILIPPINE
DRIVERS LICENSE RENEWAL: THERE
HAS BEEN SEVERAL CHANGES IN THE DRIVER LICENSE RENEWAL PROCESS
OVER THE PAST COUPLE O
LAND
TRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO): EMPHASIS
IS NOW BEING PLACED ON EARLY WARNING DEVICES (EWD)... TO AVOID
A FINE AND POSSIBLE DRIVING PRIVILEGES SUSPENSION IT WOULD BE
WISE TO HAVE THE EWD IN YOUR VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES AND DON’T
FORGET TO KEEP SEAT BELTS BUCKLED OR BE READY TO DONATE...
APPEARS THAT IF YOU COMPLY WITH THE ABOVE, KEEP YOUR
REGISTRATION CURRENT, OBTAIN LICENSE PLATES ASAP AFTER
PURCHASE OF A VEHICLE AND WEAR A HELMET IF RIDING A
MOTORCYCLE/ SCOOTER THERE SHOULD NOT BE TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH
LOCAL POLICE... ACCORDING TO THE LTO, DAU, TOURIST WITH VALID
DRIVERS LICENSE FROM COUNTRY OF ORIGIN ARE ALLOWED TO DRIVE IN
THE PHILIPPINES UP TO 90 DAYS FROM DATE OF ARRIVAL... BE SURE
TO CARRY YOUR PASSPORT & DRIVERS LICENSE FOR PROOF... MUST
BE A PERMANENT RESIDENCE TO OBTAIN A PHILIPPINE
DRIVER'’S LICENSE...
JOBS: WE HAVE A LISTING ON OUR
BULLETIN BOARD, (ALL
OVERSEAS)… HOPE TO HAVE LOCAL JOBS IN THE FUTURE…
FEDERAL JOB
INFORMATION: THE ARMED FORCES NEWS HAS
ADVISED THAT FEDWEEK ESTABLISHED A FEDERAL JOB SEARCH CHANGE
ENGINE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE VERY INFORMATIVE.... THE WEB
SITED IS http://www.fedweek.com
AND CLICK ON FEDERAL JOB SEARCH SECTION... WE DID AND THE COST
IS $24.00 PER
YEAR OR $12.00 FOR
A ONE MONTH ISSUE...
WORK PERMITS
FOR FOREIGNERS:
IF YOU ARE GOING TO WORK IN THE PHILIPPINES, BE
SURE TO OBTAIN A WORK PERMIT FROM THE PHILIPPINE DEPT. OF LABOR AND
EMPLOYMENT... FAILURE TO DO SO COULD JEOPARDIZE YOUR VISA
STATUS... DROP BY THE OFFICE FOR ADDITIONAL DATA ON THIS
SUBJECT....
BULLETIN BOARD: WE HAVE A RAO
VOLUNTEER (CHIEF
WILLIAMS) THAT SPENDS A LOT OF TIME KEEPING OUR BULLETIN
BOARD CURRENT AND I HOPE MORE RETIREES/WIDOWS/AMERICAN
CITIZENS WILL TAKE TIME TO READ… FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE
ACCESS TO THE INTERNET, WE POST ALL ITEMS OF INTEREST PLUS
CORRESPONDENCE FROM SOCIAL SECURITY, VA, U.S. EMBASSY, DOD, ALL MILITARY
BRANCHES AND JOB DATA…
WEBSITES: http://www.balibago.com (BALIBAGO) / http://www.swaggy.com (SWAGMAN) / http://www.angeles2.com\board (SOUL GARDEN) / http://www.theville.com (MARGARITAVILLE): THESE
WEBSITES MAY BE OF INTEREST TO ANYONE WHO PLANS TO VISIT THE
ANGELES CITY AREA… WEBSITES INCLUDE: HOTELS,
TRANSPORTATION, NIGHTLIFE, AND SEVERAL OTHER SUBJECTS… ANGELES
CITY AREA IS GROWING (FAST) AND OBSOLETE SERVICE AND SHOPPING
IS A THING OF THE PAST… WE HAVE VERY GOOD TELEPHONE SERVICES
(WITH A CHOICE) AND SHOPPING FOR A CAR, HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES,
COMPUTERS, GROCERY AND MODERN BANKING IS ROUTINE AND ENJOYABLE
IN MOST CASES…
THINKING ABOUT
OPENING A BUSINESS IN THE PHILIPPINES??: YOUR FIRST STOP SHOULD BE
WEB http://www.sec.gov.ph
... THE PHILIPPINE SECURITY AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS
PUBLISHED THE FOLLOWING DO’S AND DON’TS FOR INVESTORS;
1.
Be wary of
unexpected telephone calls, letters, or even personal visits
from people who offer quick- profit schemes that require your
immediate investment.
2.
Be suspicious of
“inside information,” hot tips, and rumors that supposedly
will give you a big advantage over other, less knowledgeable
investors.
3.
Turn down money
request accompanied by high-pressure warning like “Tomorrow
will be too late”, “Positioning is important” or “act now
before there will soon be long waiting lists of others who
want to take advantage of this golden opportunity.”
4.
Be wary of schemes
that give emphasis on recruitment of members or “downlines”,
particularly if the product being offered is overpriced, as
the same may be a disguised pyramid scheme...
5.
Do not engaged in
foreign currency trading unless you fully understand the
mechanics or dangers of currency trading and can afford to
lose your money (margin or security deposit). There is no such
thing as guaranteed return in currency trading.
6.
Ask for a
prospectus, offering circular, financial statement, or other
similar document before you even consider investing. Then read the small
print carefully, particularly on refund, and make sure you
understand the terms thoroughly before signing any kind of
commitment.
7.
When in doubt, make
no promises or commitment, no matter how tentative. Remember, “if it
sounds too good to be true, it usually is.” It is far better
to wait and lose an opportunity than to take the plunge and
lose everything.
8.
Before making a
commitment, get an opinion from lawyer, stockbroker,
accountant, or the appropriate government office.
9.
Always demand
official receipts in the name of the corporations or entities
you are dealing with.
10. Note that a Primary
SEC Registration only grants juridical personality. It does not
automatically give a company the authority to engage in all
types of business activities such as lending, selling of
securities and investment contracts, investment taking, etc. To confirm that the
company or individual is properly licensed to conduct the
business in question and has no history of violating the law,
get in touch with the SEC...
AIR TRAVEL: IN
ADDITION TO THE INTERNET, SHOULD CHECK OUR NATI0NAL NEWSPAPERS
FOR SPECIALS... THE MANILA BULLETIN HAS A LISTING ON SUNDAY
AND THE INQUIRER ON MONDAYS... HAVE NOTICED PRICES AT AROUND $100.00 (ROUND TRIP)
TO HONGKONG TO INCLUDE HOTEL AND LESS THAN $200.00 TO BANGKOK
TO INCLUDE HOTELS... OTHER PACIFIC RIM SPECIALS ARE ALSO VERY
ATTRACTIVE... COST TO THE STATES AND AUSTRALIA IS ALSO VERY
REASONABLE... ALWAYS GOOD TO SHOP AROUND BEFORE MAKING A
DECISION... WE KEEP THE SPECIALS POSTED ON OUR BULLETIN
BOARD...
PHILIPPINE TAX: HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL
INQUIRES CONCERNING TAX IN THE PHILIPPINES.. INCOME/RETIREMENT
RECEIVED FROM ABROAD IS NOT TAXABLE IN THE PHILIPPINES;
HOWEVER, PHILIPPINE INCOME IS SUBJECT TO TAXES... IF YOU PLAN
TO OPERATE A BUSINESS IN THE PHILIPPINES I RECOMMEND YOU
OBTAIN THE SERVICE OF A LOCAL ACCOUNTANT... U.S. TAX: WE HAVE MOST ALL THE
FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS AND CAN REFER YOU TO CPA IF YOU NEED
ASSISTANCE...
TRAVEL IN THE
PHILIPPINES: SHOULD ALWAYS CHECK OUR
BULLETIN BOARD OR THE U.S. EMBASSY WEB SITE www.usembassy.state.gov/manila
FOR TRAVEL RESTRICTION BEFORE PLANNING TRIPS... GENERALLY, TRAVEL IN THE
PHILIPPINES IS CONSIDERED SAFE; HOWEVER,THERE HAS BEEN
KIDNAPPINGS ON THE ISLANDS SOUTH OF MINDANAO PLUS MILITARY
OPERATIONS ARE ONGOING...
PHILIPPINES -- CONSULAR
INFORMATION SHEET:
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The
Philippines is a developing democratic republic located in
Southeast Asia. The archipelago consists of more than 7,000
islands, of which 880 are inhabited. The major island
groupings are Luzon in the north, the Visayas in the center,
and Mindanao in the south. Tourist facilities are available
within population centers and the main tourist areas. English
is widely spoken in the Philippines, and most signs are in
English.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizens may enter the Philippines without a visa upon presentation of their U.S. passport, which must be valid for at least six months after entry, and a return ticket to the United States or an onward ticket to another country. Upon arrival, immigration authorities will annotate the U.S. passport with an entry visa valid for 21 days. If you plan to stay longer than 21 days, you must apply for an extension at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration and Deportation; Magallanes Drive; Intramuros, Manila, Philippines http://www.immigration.gov.ph). There are special requirements for the entry of unaccompanied minors. A Passenger Service Charge, currently 550 Pesos (approximate USD equivalent $11.00), must be paid in Philippine Pesos when departing the country from international airports. For further information on entry/exit requirements, please contact the Embassy of the Philippines at: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.; Washington, D.C. 20036 (telephone: (202) 467-9300), or via the Internet at http://www.philippineembassy.usa.org. In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian if not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.
SAFETY/SECURITY: Although much of the
Philippines is hospitable to travel, a number of
security-related incidents highlight the risk of travel in
certain areas due to incidents of kidnapping, bombings, and
other violence and criminal activity. The Philippine
government has been engaged on and off in negotiations with
Communist and Muslim rebel groups. Nonetheless, rebel activity
and armed banditry in certain areas of the Philippines still
pose security concerns. The Communist Party of the Philippines
and its terrorist military arm, the New People's Army, remain
active throughout the country and have issued public threats
against U.S. citizens and interests in the Philippines.
Americans are urged to exercise caution when traveling
throughout the country and are specifically warned to avoid
hiking or camping in the vicinity of Mt. pinatubo in
Pampanga Province. In Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago,
kidnappings, bombings, violence, and insurgent activity make
travel hazardous in many areas. The terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group
(ASG) has kidnapped several Americans and other foreign
tourists since April 2000. Some were freed after substantial
ransoms were paid, some escaped or were rescued by military
action, and some were killed. Other kidnapping gangs operate
in the same general area and have abducted a number of
foreigners for ransom. Americans should defer travel to
isolated beach resorts in the southern portion of the
Philippines. Americans should also avoid travel to the
central, southern and western areas of the island of Mindanao,
including Zamboanga City and General Santos City, as well as
to the islands of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and Jolo located in the
Sulu archipelago in the extreme southwest of the Philippines
as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the
United States, U.S. citizens and interests may also be at
increased risk of terrorist actions from foreign or domestic
extremist groups in the Philippines. There are periodic
reports of plans for possible terrorist acts aimed at U.S.
Government facilities or personnel, public and private
institutions, and transportation carriers. The U.S. Embassy
takes all such threats seriously. The State Department reminds
all Americans traveling or living abroad of the need to remain
vigilant with regard to personal security issues and to always
follow some very basic and important security countermeasures:
do not establish a pattern or routine in movement and travel;
vary the times and routes taken to the extent possible;
maintain a low profile; and immediately report any unusual
activity, to include possible surveillance, to the Philippine
Police and the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy. The Embassy
recommends that all travelers to the Philippines visit the
Department of State web site at http://www.state.gov for
the latest security and travel information. Travelers are also
encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Manila at tel.
(63)(2) 523-1001 for an update of the current security
situation, especially if planning to travel outside the Metro
Manila area.
CRIME INFORMATION: As
in many of the major metropolitan areas in the United States,
crime is a serious concern in Metro Manila. As a rule of
thumb, Americans are advised to exercise good judgment and
remain aware of their surroundings. Reports of confidence
games, pick-pocketing and credit card fraud are common. If
someone offers you a deal that is too good to be true, it
probably is. Be wary of unknown individuals who attempt to
befriend you, especially just after you have arrived in
country. A number of recent robberies and assaults involving
the "date rape drug" (known locally as Ativan) have occurred;
the drug is generally administered to unwitting visitors via
food or drink. It is best not to accept food, drink or rides
in private vehicles from strangers even if they appear
legitimate. A number of recent kidnappings and violent
assaults, especially of foreigners, in the Metro Manila area
has occurred, although Americans have not been specifically
targeted in such crimes. There have also been reports of
vehicles with foreign passengers being robbed by gunman while
driving to and from the international Airport. It is best not to
flaunt your nationality and to maintain a low profile. Avoid
wearing large amounts of jewelry, and do not carry large
amounts of money. Visitors should use safety deposit boxes at
hotels. Taxis are the recommended form of public
transportation; however, the following safeguards are
important: do not enter a taxi if it has already accepted
another passenger, and request that the meter be used. If the
driver is unwilling to comply with your requests, it is best
to wait for another cab. It is also a good idea to make a
mental note of the license plate number should there be a
problem. When driving in the city, make certain that the doors
are locked and the windows rolled up. All other forms of
public transportation, such as the light rail system, buses,
and "jeepneys" should be avoided for both safety and security
reasons. Visitors
should also be vigilant when using credit cards. One common
form of credit card fraud involves the illicit use of an
electronic device to retrieve and record information,
including the PIN, from the card's magnetic strip. The
information is then used to make unauthorized purchases. To
limit your vulnerability to this scam, never let your card out
of your sight. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport
should be reported immediately to the local police and to the
nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If you are the victim of a
crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local
police, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate
for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example,
assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family
members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred.
Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is
solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular
officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice
process and to find an attorney if needed. U.S. citizens may
refer to the Department of State's pamphlet, "A Safe Trip
Abroad," for ways to promote a trouble-free journey. The
pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of
Documents; U.S. Government Printing Office; Washington, D.C.
20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs,
or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Adequate medical care is
available in major cities, but even the best hospitals may not
meet the standards of medical care, sanitation, and facilities
provided by hospitals in the United States. Medical care is
limited in rural and more remote areas. Most hospitals will
require a down payment of estimated fees at the time of
admission. Serious
medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical
evacuation to the United States can cost several thousands of
dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals in the Philippines
often expect immediate cash payment for health services. A
list of doctors and medical facilities in the Philippines can
be found on the web page of the U.S. Embassy in Manila at http://www.usembassy.state.gov/manila.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The
Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with
their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to
confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will
cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S.
medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred
outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is
purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not
provide payment for medical services outside the United
States. However, many travel agents and private companies
offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses
incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical
evacuations. When making a decision regarding health
insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors
and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing
service and that a medical evacuation to the United States may
cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who
require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties.
When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, please
ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas
healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for
expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include
coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of
remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical
emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is
provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular
Affairs brochure, "Medical Information for Americans Traveling
Abroad," available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home
page: http://travel.state.gov
or by auto f ax at (202) 647-3000.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations
and other health precautions, such as safe food and water
precautions and insect bite protection, may he obtained from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for
international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747);
fax l-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC's Internet
site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel.
For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad,
please consult the World Heath Organization's website at http://www.who.int/en.
Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/iht.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: Travel
within the Philippine archipelago is possible by boat, plane,
bus, or car. Few tourists rent a car to drive, as the road
system is crowded and drivers are undisciplined. Driving off
the national highways and paved roads is particularly
dangerous, especially at night, and should be avoided. To
avoid overcrowded or unsafe transport, Americans should
exercise caution in planning travel by older, inter-island
ferryboats or other public conveyances. While in a foreign
country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that
differ significantly from those in the United States. The
information below concerning the Philippines is provided for
general reference only, and it may not be totally accurate in
a particular location or circumstance. Safety of Public
Transportation: Fair Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor Availability of
Roadside Assistance: Poor
For additional general information about road safety,
including links to foreign government sites, please see the
Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html.
For specific information concerning Philippine driver's
permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance,
please contact the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. at
tel. (202) 467-9300 or via the Internet at http://www.philippineembassy.usa.org.
Please see also related information from the Philippine
Department of Tourism at http://www.tourism.gov.ph
and http://www.dotpcvc.gov.ph.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of the
Philippines' civil aviation authority as Category 1 -- in
compliance with international aviation safety standards for
oversight of the Philippines' air carrier operations. For
further information, travelers may contact the Department of
Transportation within the United States at tel. (800)
322-7873, or visit the FAA's Internet Website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some
foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of
air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on
specific carriers, travelers may contact the DOD at tel. (618)
229-4801.CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Philippines customs authorities
may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary
importation into or export from the Philippines of items such
as firearms and currency. It is advisable to contact the
Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C. or one of the
Philippine consulates in the United States (Chicago, Honolulu,
Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco) for specific
information regarding customs requirements.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While
in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that
country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ
significantly from those in the United States and may not
afford the protections available to the individual under U.S.
law. Penalties for breaking the law can he more severe than in
the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating
Philippine laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested,
or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking
in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can
expect jail sentences and fines. Capital punishment is
possible for certain drug-related crimes. Fraud, swindling and
"bad debts" are also serious criminal offenses in the
Philippines, as is the illegal recruitment of Philippine
citizens for employment overseas. The Philippine government
also has strict laws against the possession of firearms, and
several foreigners have been sentenced to life imprisonment
for bringing firearms into the country. Americans who are
arrested overseas should immediately ask to contact a U.S.
Embassy representative.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: MARRIAGE IN THE PHILIPPINES: A
foreigner who wishes to many in the Philippines is required by
the Philippine Government to obtain from his/her Embassy a
"Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage" before
filing an application for a marriage license. Because there is
no national register of marriages in the United States, the
U.S. Embassy cannot provide such a certification. As a result,
the Philippine government will accept an "Affidavit in Lieu of
a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage" in its
place. Americans may execute this affidavit at the U.S.
Embassy in Manila any day, Monday-Friday, between 8:00 a.m.
and 9:00 a.m. except for Philippine or American holidays. The
American must present his/her U.S. passport. There is a fee of
$30.00 or its peso equivalent for the affidavit, payable in
cash only. Philippine authorities will not accept any
substitute document initiated in the United States. U.S.
military personnel should contact their personnel office
before traveling to the Philippines regarding Department of
Defense joint service regulations. Execution of the affidavit
by a U.S. consular officer is a natural act and, as such, the
consular officer is authorized by U.S. law to refuse to
perform the service if the document will be used for a purpose
patently unlawful, improper, or inimical to the best interests
of the United States (see 22 C.F.R. section 92.9b). Entering
into a marriage contract for the principal purpose of
facilitating immigration to the United States for an alien is
an unlawful act, and the U.S. Code provides penalties for
individuals who commit perjury in an affidavit taken by a
consular officer. The Marriage Application Process: Once an
American citizen has obtained from the U.S. Embassy an
"Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to
Contract Marriage," he/she may file an application for a
marriage license at the office of the Philippine Civil
Registrar in the town or city where one of the parties is a
resident. The U.S. citizen applicant must present: (a) the
affidavit; (b) the divorce decree(s) or death certificate(s),
if applicable, required to verify civil status and legal
capacity to contract marriage; (c) their U.S. passport; and
(d) documentation regarding parental consent or advice, if
applicable. (Persons aged 18 to 21 must have written parental
consent to marry in the Philippines; those aged 22 to 24 must
have received parental advice. Philippine law prohibits
marriage for persons under the age of 18.). A judge, a
minister or other person authorized by the Government of the
Philippines can perform the marriage. Marriage to a U.S.
citizen confers neither citizenship nor an automatic
eligibility for entry to the United States. An immigrant visa
is required for a foreign spouse to live in the United States.
Questions about filing an immigrant visa petition to bring a
foreign spouse to the United States should be directed to the
nearest office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service,
the State Department's Visa Office (telephone: (202) 663-1225)
or, while in the Philippines, to the U.S. Embassy Immigrant
Visa Unit at http://www.usembassy.state.gov/manila/wwwh3023.html.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: The Philippines is a
volcano-, typhoon- and earthquake-prone country. During the
rainy season (May to November), there are typhoons and flash
floods. Flooding can cause road delays and cut off bridges.
Typhoons in the vicinity of the Philippines can interrupt air
and sea links within the country. Volcanic activity is
frequent, and periodically the Government of the Philippines
announces alerts for specific volcanoes. Earthquakes can also
occur throughout the country. General information about
natural disaster preparedness is available via the Internet
from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For
information on international adoption of children and
international parental child abduction, please refer to our
Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html
or
telephone at (202) 736-7000. Under Philippine law, the mother
and father of a child are held to exercise parental control
jointly, and child custody cases are considered civil
disputes. Parental abduction is not a crime. For specific
information on child custody cases in the Philippines, please
consult the web page of the U.S. Embassy in Manila at http://www.usembassy.state.gov/manila.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULAR AGENCY LOCATION: Americans living in or
visiting the Philippines are encouraged to register with the
Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and
obtain updated information on travel and security within the
Philippines. The U.S. Embassy is located at: 1201 Roxas
Boulevard; Manila, Philippines tel. (63)(2) 523-1001. The
Consular American Citizen Services (ACS) section's fax number
is (63)(2) 528-6300 and the ACS web page is at http://www.usembassy.state.gov/manila/wwwh3004.html.
The U.S. Consular Agency in Cebu provides limited services for
U.S. citizens. The Consular Agency address is: Third Floor,
PCI Bank; Gorordo Avenue; Lahug, Cebu City, tel. (63)(32)
231-1261. This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated
January 21, 2000, to add or update sections on Entry/Exit
Requirements, Safety/Security, Crime Information, Medical
Facilities, Medical Insurance, Other Health Information,
Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, Customs Regulations,
Special Circumstances: Marriage in the Philippines, and
Children's Issues.
CLARK
TRAVELING ON A
BUDGET: FOR TRAVEL ENTHUSIASTS ON A
TIGHT BUDGET, HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON HOW TO CUT COSTS ON A
TRIP:
AIR TAXI
SERVICES:
THE OLD AERO CLUB AT CLARK NOW HAS AIR TAXI
SERVICE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST TO MOST LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT
THE PHILIPPINES... REF WEB SITE www.dreamtrekspampanga.com
FOR DETAILS... ALSO THERE IS ANOTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR
LOCAL TOURS BY CALLING 0915 704 4057/(045) 331 7181 AND ASK
FOR JIMMY...
THE FEDERAL
LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM IS SPONSORED
BY THE U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, INSURED BY JOHN HANCOCK AND METLIFE...
PROGRAM IS NOT SUBSIDISED BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT BUT
OFFERED TO ELIGIBLE
MEMBERS AT A VOLUME RATE SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN THE GOING
PRICE... THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES COVERAGE THAT IS NOT NORMALLY
COVERED BY TRICARE/MEDICARE/FEHB... TYPICALLY IT IS PROVIDED
BY HOME HEALTH AIDS/OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO MEMBERS WHO
NEED ONGOING OR EVEN LIFELONG CARE... THE TYPE AND AMOUNT OF
CARE TO BE PROVIDED IS BASED ON HOW MUCH COVERAGE YOU DESIRE
(WOULD LIKE TO PAY)... EXAMPLE; A 60 YEAR OLD MEMBER WOULD BE
REQUIRE TO PAY $93.20 PER MONTH FOR PLAN “A” OR PLAN “C” WOULD
BE $170.40 PER MONTH... WEB SITE www.LTCFEDS.com PROVIDES
AN INTERACTIVE WEB TO GIVE YOU EXACT COST... FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
WOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENROLL THEMSELVES, SPOUSE, CHILDREN AND
PARENTS WHERE RETIREES WOULD ONLY BE ALLOWED TO PURCHASE FOR
THEMSELF AND SPOUSE ACCORDING TO THE DATA THAT WE HAVE
RECEIVED...
EXPAT HEALTH
CARE (PHILIPPINES ONLY): IF
YOU DO NOT HAVE HEALTH CARE INSURANCE
(CHAMPUS-TRICARE/CHAMPVA/VA OR OTHER PHILIPPINE RECOGNIZED
INSURANCE) YOU CAN STILL OBTAIN MEDICAL CARE AT A VERY
REASONABLE COST... BLUE CROSS PHILIPPINES WILL INSURE UP TO P1,500,000.00 TO 75
YEARS OF AGE... REF WEB www.bluecross.com.ph...
ALSO CYBERCARE LOCATED NEAR THE CLARK FRIENDSHIP GATE HAS OVER
50 PHYSICIANS/SPECIALIST WHO WILL PROVIDE OUTPATIENT MEDICAL
CARE TO EXPATS/THEIR DEPENDENTS FOR ONLY P250 PER VISIT (NO
AGE LIMIT)... THE P250
TOKEN SERVICE FEE WILL ALSO INCLUDE A FREE SNACK BAR... HARD
TO BEAT... IF LOW ON CASH YOU ARE ALSO AUTHORIZED TO USE THE
ANGELES CITY OR SAN FERNANDO GENERAL HOSPITAL (GOV’T HOSP-NO
FRILLS) AND MOST IS FREE EXCEPT MEDICINE...
MEDICAL DATA FOR
RETIREES WHO ARE CONSIDERING A MOVE TO THE PHILIPPINES: AS
YOU MAY GATHER BY READING OUR NEWSLETTER/WEBSITE, I AM VERY
PROUD OF THE IMPROVEMENTS MADE IN OUR DAILY LIFE SINCE CLARK
AIR BASE CLOSED BACK IN ’91… DURING THE PINATUBO ERUPTION AND
THE AGONIZING COUNTDOWN TO CLARK’S CLOSURE, I WAS QUITE
NERVOUS ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF BEING LEFT WITHOUT BASE SUPPORT
AND OUR CITY WAS BURIED IN 6-8’ OF VOLCANIC SAND WITH OUR
BRIDGES OUT, MANY BUSINESSES WERE CLOSED AND SURVIVAL WAS THE
NAME OF THE GAME… SOMEHOW, WE GOT THROUGH THE INITIAL SHOCK
AND GRADUALLY ESTABLISHED SOME OF THE SERVICES THAT WE HAD
BEEN ACCUSTOMED… THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY A JOINT EFFORT OF
THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN
COMMUNITY WHO WERE DETERMINED TO MAKE THE BEST OF AN ALMOST
IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION… MEDICAL SUPPORT WAS OUR PRIMARY CONCERN
AND THIS IS WHERE ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION MEDICAL CENTER
(AUFMC) CAME THROUGH MUCH BETTER THAN WE COULD HAVE EVER
HOPED… MANY AUFMC PHYSICIANS HAD BEEN TRAINED AT THE CLARK
REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AND THIS JOINT ENDEAVOR PRODUCED
BENEFITS THAT WE STILL ENJOY TODAY… SOME OR OUR
RETIREES-FAMILIES FOUND THEY HAD THE SAME PHYSICIAN DOWNTOWN
THAT THEY HAD ON CLARK… IN ADDITION, THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNIVERSITY HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED EQUIPMENT FROM A HOSPITAL
THAT WAS CLOSING IN THE UNITED STATES AND WE WERE IN PRETTY
DARN GOOD SHAPE… WITH THE HELP OF THE CLARK MEDICAL STAFF AND
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE AUF PRESIDENT & STAFF, WE WERE
ABLE TO GET AUFMC AUTHORIZED AS AN CHAMPUS PARTICIPATING
HOSPITAL WHICH SOLVED MANY OF OUR MEDICAL & FINANCIAL
PROBLEMS… WE HAVE SINCE ADDED TWO NEW HOSPITALS IN OUR AREA
AND TRICARE CLINICS AND HAVE SOME OF THE BEST MEDICAL CARE IN
THE PACIFIC RIM... AUFMC
TOOK CARE ABOUT 90% OF OUR MEDICAL NEEDS, THE REST WAS BEEN
TAKEN CARE OF BY MAJOR HOSPITALS IN MANILA AND U.S. HOSPITALS
IN THE PACIFIC AREA… THE VA HAS PROVIDED CARE TO OUR MEMBERS
WITH SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY WHICH I WOULD ESTIMATE THAT COVERS ABOUT
30% OF OUR MEDICAL NEEDS… AUFMC & MT. CARMEL PROVIDES VA
CARE AS WELL AS TRICARE STANDARD (CHAMPUS)… THE VA HAS A MAJOR
CLINIC IN MANILA AND HAS A “FEE BASIS PROGRAM” WHICH PROVIDE
CARE IN AREAS OUTSIDE OF MANILA… IN GENERAL, WE HAVE GOOD
MEDICAL SUPPORT… FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SEVERE MEDICAL PROBLEMS
AND ARE THINKING ABOUT MOVING HERE SHOULD TAKE INTO
CONSIDERATION THE CAPABILITY WE HAVE AND THE MEDICAL PROGRAMS
AUTHORIZED IN THE UNITED STATES VS HERE… EXAMPLE, WE DO NOT
HAVE MILITARY BASES AND MEDICARE IS NOT AUTHORIZED OUTSIDE OF
U.S. TERRITORY… IN A NUTSHELL, IF YOU HAVE SEVERE MEDICAL
PROBLEMS, YOU SHOULD LOOKS AN OPTIONS BEFORE MOVING HERE… IF
YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TRICARE AND HAVE STATESIDE INSURANCE, I
WOULD SUGGEST YOU CHECK WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY TO
DETERMINE IF COVERAGE IS EXTENDED TO OUR AREA (NEED IN
WRITING)… HOPE THIS WILL GIVE YOU MORE OF AN INFORMED OPINION
BEFORE YOU PACK AND YOU CAN ALWAYS CONTACT ME BY E-MAIL, FAX, AND LTR FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION… WELCOME TO OUR PARADISE...
MEDEVAC POLICY: YOKOTA
AIR BASE HAS ESTABLISHED POLICIES TO SUPPORT THE PHILIPPINES
WITHIN THEIR BUDGET....
SERVICE IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND WILL BE LIMITED TO SAVING LIFE,
LIMB OR EYESIGHT.... RETIREES, DEPENDENTS & WIDOWS(ER)
THERETO ARE
ELIGIBLE FOR THIS MEDEVAC
SERVICE.... WE CANNOT REQUEST MEDEVACS FOR TERMINALLY
ILL PATIENTS OR WHEN MEDICAL CARE IS AVAILABLE IN THE
PHILIPPINES.... PLEASE NOTE THAT COST OF CARE LOCALLY CANNOT
BE A FACTOR WHEN REQUESTING THIS SERVICE....
HEALTH CARE
INSURANCE FOR AMERICANS WHO DO NOT HAVE U.S. GOV’T OR
PRIVATE INSURANCE: MOST HEALTH CARE INSURANCE
PROGRAMS IN THE PHILIPPINES DO NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE AFTER AGE
65 OR THE COST IS PROHIBITIVE... SUGGEST YOU CHECK WEB SITE www.bluecross.com.ph (BLUE
CROSS)... WEB SITE IS INTERACTIVE AND YOU MAY FIND THE SERVICE
AFFORDABLE... ALSO NOTICED THE COVERAGE APPEARS TO BE
ADEQUATE... THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR BLUE CROSS BUT
PUBLISHED AS A SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY...
ALL YOU NEED TO
KNOW ABOUT MEDICARE (BY KEVIN G. SIMPSON): “MEDICARE IS A GOVERNMENT
HEALTH INSURANCE
PROGRAM
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? MEDICARE
IS AUTOMATICALLY AVAILABLE TO ALL PERSONS-REGARDLESS OF INCOME
WHO MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
·
THEY ARE 65 OR
OLDER AND ELIGIBLE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY, WIDOWS, OR RAILROAD
RETIREMENT (RR)
BENEFITS.
·
THEY ARE DISABLED
AND HAVE BEEN RECEIVING SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INCOME,
WIDOW’S, RR DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR AT LEAST 24 MONTHS OR;
·
THEY HAVE END STAGE
RENAL DISEASE. INDIVIDUALS 65 OR OLDER WHO ARE U.S.
CITIZENS (AND NOT
AUTOMATICALLY ELIGIBLE) OR PERMANENT LEGAL ALIENS WHO HAVE
RESIDED IN THE UNITED STATES CONTINUOUSLY FOR FIVE OR MORE
YEARS ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE.
HOW AND WHEN TO ENROLL?
TO ENROLL IN MEDICARE, YOU
NEED TO FILE AN APPLICATION WITH THE LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY
OFFICE... ALTHOUGH ENROLLMENT IS AUTOMATIC FOR PERSONS
ELIGIBLE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INCOME, IT IS STILL
ADVISABLE TO CONTACT THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE TO BE SURE.
SENIORS MAY ENROLL IN MEDICARE AS EARLY AS THREE MONTHS BEFORE 65TH BIRTHDAY... WORKING SENIORS AND THEIR SPOUSES,
WHO ARE COVERED UNDER
THEIR EMPLOYER’S GROUP HEALTH PLAN IF THE COMPANY HAS 20 OR
MORE EMPLOYEES MAY ENROLL IN MEDICARE WITHIN SEVEN MONTHS
FOLLOWING DISENROLLMENT FROM THE EMPLOYER’S GROUP HEALTH PLAN... INDIVIDUALS WHO
DON’T ENROLL WHEN INITIALLY ELIGIBLE MAY ALSO ENROLL BETWEEN
JANUARY AND MARCH 31 OF EACH YEAR....
WHAT DOES MEDICARE COST? MEDICARE
PART A IS FREE FOR ALL ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.... THERE IS A
MONTHLY MEDICARE
PART A PREMIUM OF PERMANENT
LEGAL RESIDENTS AND CITIZENS WHO ARE NOT AUTOMATICALLY
ELIGIBLE FOR THE BENEFIT. EVERYONE MUST PAY A MONTHLY MEDICARE
PART B PREMIUM.... INDIVIDUALS
WHO DO NOT ENROLL WHEN INITIALLY ELIGIBLE MUST PAY A PENALTY
OF 10 PERCENT FOR EACH YEAR THEY DELAY THEIR ENROLLMENT, IF
THEY ARE NOT COVERED UNDER AN EMPLOYER’S PLAN...
WHAT DOES MEDICARE COVERS? MEDICARE COVERS REASONABLE
AND NECESSARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES BUT DOES NOT COVER
CUSTODIAL OR LONG TERM CARE, EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES, AND MOST
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS...
MEDICARE PART A:
· IMPATIENT HOSPITAL CARE: MEDICARE COVERS PART
OF THE COST OF UP TO 90 DAYS OF HOSPITAL CARE PER BENEFIT PERIOD. THE
CARE RECIPIENT PAYS
A DEDUCTIBLE FOR
EACH BENEFITS PERIOD...
MEDICARE PAYS THE FULL COST FOR DAYS 2 THROUGH 60 AND PART OF
THE COST FOR DAYS 61 THROUGH
90 IS PAID BY THE PATIENT IN THE FORM OF CO- PAYMENT... MEDICARE ALSO PAYS
PART OF THE COST FOR 60 ADDITIONAL HOSPITAL DAYS IN AN INDIVIDUAL’S
LIFETIME, “LIFETIME RESERVE” DAYS... MEDICARE PAYS FOR
THESE DAYS AFTER THE INDIVIDUAL HAS EXHAUSTED HIS OR HER MEDICARE COVERAGE
THROUGH DAY 90... THE
PATIENT PAYS A DAILY CO-PAYMENT FOR THESE DAYS...
·
NOTE: A
BENEFIT PERIOD BEGINS WHEN A MEDICARE PATIENT IS ADMITTED TO
THE HOSPITAL AND ENDS WHEN THE PATIENT HAS BEEN OUT OF THE
HOSPITAL OR SKILLED NURSING FACILITY FOR 60 CONSECUTIVE
DAYS...
·
SKILLED NURSING
FACILITY CARE:
MEDICARE COVERS UP TO 100 DAYS OF CARE IN A
MEDICARE-CERTIFIED SKILLED NURSING FACILITY PER
BENEFIT PERIOD.... IN
ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS COVERAGE, INDIVIDUALS MUST
REQUIRE DAILY SKILLED SERVICES AND BE HOSPITALIZED FOR AT
LEAST THREE DAYS
IN THE 30 DAYS PRIOR TO ADMISSION TO AN SNF.... MEDICARE
COVERS DAYS 1 THROUGH 20 IN FULL, BUT THERE IS A DAILY
CO-PAYMENT FOR DAYS 21 THROUGH 100
·
HOME HEALTH CARE: MEDICARE GENERALLY
COVERS UP TO 35 HOURS PER WEEK OF SKILLED NURSING AND HOME
HEALTH AIDE SERVICE, AS WELL AS KILLED THERAPY SERVICES FOR
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HOMEBOUND AND REQUIRE INTERMITTENT SKILLED
SERVICES. TO BE
ELIGIBLE FOR COVERAGE, YOU MUST RECEIVE CARE FROM A
MEDICARE-CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH AGENCY AND HAVE A DOCTOR’S
ORDER FOR CARE. MEDICARE PAYS THE FULL COST OF THIS CARE... THERE IS NO
DEDUCTIBLE OR CO-PAYMENT.
·
HOSPICE CARE: MEDICARE
COVERS CARE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE TERMINALLY ILL AND WHO OPT FOR
HOSPICE CARES INSTEAD OF HOSPITALIZATION... INDIVIDUALS MUST
RECEIVE CARE FROM A MEDICARE, CERTIFIED HOSPICE. THERE IS A 5 PERCENT
CO-PAYMENT FOR EACH MEDICATION.
MEDICARE PART B:
BEFORE MEDICARE WILL COVER
SERVICES UNDER PART B, YOU MUST SATISFY A $100 DEDUCTIBLE AND
PAY OUT-OF-POCKET (OR THROUGH INSURANCE) FOR THOSE SERVICES... ONCE YOU HAVE MET
THIS $100 DEDUCTIBLE, MEDICARE PAYS FOR 80 PERCENT OF THE
MEDICARE-APPROVED CHARGE… MEDICARE PROVIDERS WHO ACCEPT
“ASSIGNMENT” MAY NOT CHARGE THEIR PATIENTS MORE THAN
MEDICARE’S APPROVED CHARGE FOR THEIR SERVICES... (MEDICARE PAYS 80
PERCENT AND THE CARE RECIPIENT OR A MEDIGAP POLICY PAYS THE
REMAINING 20 PERCENT)...
IT IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO ASK PROVIDERS WHETHER THEY
WILL ACCEPT ASSIGNMENT.
***
ALONG WITH THE 2.6% INCREASE IN
COLA, MEDICARE PART B WILL INCREASE FROM $50.00 TO $54.00
PER MONTH EFFECTIVE JAN
2002... MILITARY RETIREES AND SPOUSES OVER AGE 65 MUST
BE ENROLLED IN MEDICARE PART B TO RECEIVE FULL TRICARE FOR
LIFE (TFL) BENEFITS... IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE FULL TFL
BENEFITS AFTER AGE 65, PLEASE CONTACT OUR SOCIAL SECURITY
OFFICE IN MANILA (U.S. EMBASSY) BETWEEN 02 JAN AND 31 MAR 2002 FOR
ENROLLMENT... VERY IMPORTANT FOR TFL MEMBERS... EFFECTIVE DATE
WILL BE 01 JUL EACH YEAR FOR LATE ENROLLEES...
PART B MEDICARE
NOTE: IF YOU ARE NOT
AN AMERICAN CITIZEN OR COMPLETED THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE UNITED STATES, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY
BENEFITS UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE UNITED STATES FOR ONE FULL
MONTH... THE PURPOSE OF THIS ENROLLMENT IS TO QUALIFY YOU FOR
TRICARE FOR LIFE BENEFITS...
MEDICARE PART
“D”: SOME OF OUR MEMBERS WITH
STATESIDE SOCIAL SECURITY ADDRESS HAVE BEEN RECEIVING
INFORMATION VIA MAIL CONCERNING PART “D” MEDICARE...
THIS IS A NEW PHARMACY PROGRAM FOR MEDICARE THAT COST AROUND $37.00 PLUS PER
MONTH TO ENROLL AND IS NOT BENEFICIAL OR RECOMMENDED FOR
TRICARE OR CHAMPVA ELIGIBLE MEMBERS... TRICARE FOR LIFE (TFL) MEMBERS MUST
HAVE MEDICARE PART A & B; HOWEVER, PART “D” IS OPTIONAL,
CANNOT BE USED OVERSEAS AND AS STATED ABOVE THE PROGRAM WOULD
NOT BE BENEFICIAL TO TRICARE/CHAMPVA MEMBERS...
MEDICARE CARD: I
EMERGENCY
MEDICAL CARE: VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU
SEEK EMERGENCY TREATMENT AT ONE OF OUR LOCAL HOSPITAL THAT YOU TRUST WITH YOUR
LIFE. WE KEEP
HAVING FUNERALS FOR MEMBERS WHO DO NOT TAKE PNEUMONIA, HIGH
BLOOD PRESSURE, DOG BITES AND STROKES, ETC. SERIOUSLY... THE SMALL CLINIC
NEXT DOOR MAY BE GOOD TO TREAT SOCIAL DISEASES; HOWEVER, I
RECOMMEND THE BEST HOSPITAL AVAILABLE FOR LIFE THREATENING
MATTERS. THIS
SHOULD BE PLANNED IN ADVANCE
& ADVISE YOUR DOMESTIC HELP/HONEY-KO...
COST OF MEDICAL
CARE: LIKE
MOST OTHER PLACES, HEALTH CARE IS NOT GETTING ANY CHEAPER. IF YOU
HAVE INSURANCE, THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL USUALLY MONITOR THE
COST; HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE PAYING THE BILL AND THE MEDICAL
CONDITION IS NOT AN EMERGENCY, IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO ASK
YOUR PHYSICIAN/SURGEON ABOUT THE COST... TOO LATE TO COMPLAIN
AFTER THE PROCEDURE HAS BEEN COMPLETED... HOSPITAL COST AT OUR
CHAMPUS PARTICIPATING HOSPITAL (AUFMC) IS COMPUTERIZED AND
THEY WILL PROVIDE A DAILY READOUT UPON REQUEST... PLEASE NOTE THAT THE
PROFESSIONAL FEES ARE NOT PART OF THE HOSPITAL COST & YOU
WILL BE BILLED SEPARATELY BY YOUR ATTENDING
PHYSICIAN(S)/SURGEON... THE
HOSPITAL DOES NOT HAVE CONTROL OVER THIS COST AND THAT IS A
GOOD REASON WHY YOU SHOULD FIND OUT BEFOREHAND… ANYTIME YOU
THINK YOU WERE OVERBILLED, PLEASE CONTACT ME...
EMERGENCY
MEDICAL CARE FOR LOCAL NATIONALS/FOREIGNERS WITHOUT FUNDS: HELPING ANYONE WITH A
MEDICAL EMERGENCY IS NATURAL FOR
MOST AMERICANS; HOWEVER, YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF SOME
OF THE LOCAL CUSTOMS... IF
YOU TAKE ANYONE TO THE HOSPITAL/EMERGENCY ROOM, BE SURE TO
INFORM THE HOSPITAL THAT YOU ONLY PROVIDED ASSISTANCE AND WILL
NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY BILLS UNLESS YOU DESIRE TO PAY… IF YOU ARE
GOING TO PAY THE BILL, THERE IS ANGELES GENERAL HOSPITAL
LOCATED AT PAMPANG, EMERGENCY DISTRICT HOSPITAL LOCATED AT
MABALACAT AND SAN FERNANDO PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL WHICH ARE
CONSIDERED GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND THE BILL WILL BE LESS
PAINFUL....
HEALTH CARE IN
ANGELES CITY: IF YOU ARE TRICARE
STANDARD/CHAMPVA, AN ACTIVE DUTY DEPENDENT, MILITARY RETIREE/
DEPENDENT/WIDOW; WE HAVE OUTSTANDING MEDICAL SERVICES
AVAILABLE... HAVE SEVERAL HMO’S TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE
WITHOUT ANY COST TO YOU AND ONE EVEN PROVIDES FREE FUNERAL
SERVICES IF YOU ARE A MEMBER (REF WEB www.cybercareink.net...
THIS
ALSO INCLUDES CHAMPVA DEPENDENTS/ WIDOWS... VA MEDICAL CARE:
IF YOU ARE RATED BETWEEN 0-100% VA SERVICE
CONNECTED, THE VA, MANILA WILL PROVIDE ALL YOUR SERVICE
CONNECTED CARE PLUS FREE OUTPATIENT-PHARMACY BENEFITS TO
NONSERVICE CONNECTED VETERANS... NOTE: TRICARE PRIME
MEMBERS SHOULD DISENROLL PRIOR TO SEEKING MEDICAL CARE HERE...
PROVIDERS DO NOT NORMALLY ACCEPT TRICARE PRIME MEMBERS BECAUSE
THEY CANNOT GET PAID DIRECTLY (TRICARE POLICY)... IF ENROLLED
IN TRICARE PRIME, YOU WILL NORMALLY BE REQUIRED TO PAY YOUR
BILL AND SUBMIT YOUR OWN CLAIM... PLEASE SEE ME UPON ARRIVAL
FOR A BRIEFING ON MEDICAL CARE AND OTHER SERVICES
AVAILABLE....
ANGELES GENERAL HOSPITAL
(GOV'T HOSP):
LOCATED NEAR THE PAMPANG
PUBLIC MARKET AREA, ANGELES CITY... THIS IS A GOOD
NO-FRILLS GOV’T HOSPITAL FOR PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD BETTER. THE EQUIPMENT,
SERVICE FOR COMFORT OF THIS HOSPITAL CANNOT BE COMPARED TO AUF
MEDICAL CENTER NOR WAS THAT THE INTENTION... EXAMPLES; YOU CAN
HAVE AN AIRCON SEMI PRIVATE ROOM (4 BEDS) FOR P170.00 PER DAY
OR ABOUT $6.50 PER DAY (CHEAPER THAN A HOTEL... MEDICINE MUST
BE PAID AS YOU USE BASIS...
WE HAD ONE PATIENT WHO STAYED ABOUT A WEEK IN THIS
HOSPITAL AND HIS TOTAL BILL WAS LESS THAN $100.00... IF ONE IS
NOT AUTHORIZED CHAMPUS/VA/NOR HAVE INSURANCE AND LIVE ON A
LIMITED BUDGET, THIS MAY BE A GOOD ALTERNATIVE... WE'VE HAD SEVERAL
MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE NOT SEEKED MEDICAL ATTENTION
BECAUSE OF COST... HOPE YOU WILL TAKE THESE ALTERNATIVES
SERIOUSLY... WE
HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE HOSPITAL STAFF TO CONTACT US
WHEN AMERICANS ARE ADMITTED AND WE WILL MONITOR YOUR HOSPITAL
STAY... NOTE: MONITOR DOES NOT
MEAN THAT WE ARE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A DAILY SUPPLY OF SAN
MIGUEL…
EMERGENCY VA
CARE: THE VA CLINIC IN MANILA
MUST BE NOTI
MEDICAL RECORDS
STORAGE: UNDER
A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) SIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT
OF DEFENSE (DOD) AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, MEDICAL RECORDS OF ALL
MILITARY MEMBERS RETIRING STARTING 1 MAY 1994, ARE TRANSFERRED
DIRECTLY TO THE DVA RATHER THAN THE NATIONAL PERSONNEL RECORDS CENTER UNDER THE MOU...
·
IF THE MEMBER
INITIATES A CLAIM DURING OUT-PROCESSING THROUGH THE MILITARY
PERSONNEL FLIGHT OF THEIR BASE, THEIR MEDICAL RECORDS ARE
TRANSFERRED DIRECTLY TO THE VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL OFFICE
(VARO), NEAREST THEIR FUTURE ADDRESS...
·
FOR THOSE NOT
INITIATING A CLAIM, THEIR MEDICAL RECORDS ARE TRANSFERRED
DIRECTLY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SERVICE MEDICAL
RECORDS CENTER, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI...
·
OFFICIALS STRESS
THAT THE ABOVE IS APPLICABLE ONLY TO MEMBERS WHO
RETIRED AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE
(1 MAY 94) AND AFFECTS ONLY MEDICAL RECORDS… IT DOES NOT
AFFECT THOSE OTHER STORED BY THE NATIONAL PERSONNEL RECORDS
CENTER, LOCATED IN ST. LOUIS AND IT DOES NOT AFFECT THE
MEDICAL RECORDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO RETIRED OR SEPARATED BEFORE
1 MAY 94. MEMBERS WHO WANT COPIES OF THEIR MEDICAL RECORDS FROM VA-SMRC, NEED TO WRITE TO: VA-SMRC
YOU CAN INQUIRE BY
TELEPHONE TO DETERMINE THE LOCATION OF YOUR RECORDS BY CALLING
VA-SMRC AT (314) 538-5070;
HOWEVER, RECORDS CANNOT BE FORWARDED AS RESULT OF A PHONE
CALL. REQUEST
MUST BE IN WRITING. IN
DEALING WITH VA-SMRC AND OTHER AGENCIES, OFFICIAL EMPHASIZED
THAT INDIVIDUALS ALWAYS INCLUDE THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. WITHOUT THE SSAN,
LOCATING RECORDS IS ALWAYS MORE DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES
IMPOSSIBLE. REFERENCE
KABP, TEX, JUNE 96 NEWSLETTER...
HOW TO SURVIVE
A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE: “Since many people are alone
when they suffer a heart attack, without help, the person
whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel
faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing
consciousness. However,
these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and
very vigorously. A
deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough
must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep
inside the chest. A
breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds
without let-up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt
to be beating normally again.
Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing
movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing
pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart
attack victims can get to a hospital. Tell as many people
as possible about this. It
could save their lives.” SOURCE: Retiree Report SAFB
HIGH BLOOD
PRESSURE/HYPERTENSION: WE ARE HAVING MORE PEOPLE
HOSPITALIZED THAN NORMAL FOR FAILING TO MANAGE HIS/HER BLOOD
PRESSURE… ONCE YOU HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED AS HAVING HYPERTENSION,
YOU SHOULD STAY ON YOUR MEDICATION UNTIL YOUR PHYSICIAN
ADVISES YOU OTHERWISE… WITH A PROPER DIET AND EXERCISE
PROGRAM, ONE CAN PREVENT THIS PROBLEM IS MOST CASES AND THE
ONES WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE CAN LOWER THEIRS… JUST NEED TO
MAKE AN EXERCISE PROGRAM PART OF YOUR DAILY SCHEDULE AND EAT
PROPERLY (NOT A LIQUID DIET)… EVERYONE THAT HAS HIGH BLOOD
PRESSURE SHOULD HAVE A BLOOD PRESSURE KIT AND MONITOR AT LEAST
WEEKLY TO INSURE YOUR MEDICATION IS STILL EFFECTIVE…
TB
(TUBERCULOSIS): A
VERY HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THE PHILIPPINE POPULATION IS AFFECTED
WITH THIS PROBLEM; THEREFORE, EVEN WITH THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF
PRECAUTION, ONE STANDS A VERY GOOD CHANCE OF EXPOSURE… ANNUAL PHYSICAL
EXAMS PLUS HAVING EVERYONE IN YOUR QUARTERS CHECKED INITIALLY
WOULD BE REDUCE ONES CHANCES OF INFECTION CONSIDERABLY…
DENGUE FEVER (H-FEVER):
IF YOU KEEP UP WITH THE MAJOR NEWSPAPERS AND
LOCAL NEWS, YOU HAVE PROBABLY HEARD ENOUGH ABOUT DENGUE FEVER…
IN EVENT YOU HAVEN’T HEARD ABOUT THIS “BUG”, THIS IS A
SERIOUS PROBLEM IN THE PHILIPPINES AND OTHER COUNTRIES HERE IN
ASIA… DENGUE FEVER IN THE INITIAL FORM IS USUALLY NO MORE
SERIOUS THAN THE FLU WITH BASICALLY THE SAME SYMPTOMS;
HOWEVER, IF IT SHOULD DEVELOP INTO THE HEMORRAHAGIC FORM, THIS
IS VERY SERIOUS AND LIFE THREATENING… THIS MOST SEVERE FORM IS
ASSOCIATED WITH LOSS OF APPETITE, VOMITING, HIGH FEVER,
HEADACHE, ABDOMINAL PAIN AND BLEEDING… THE INITIAL STAGE OF
DENGUE IS CHARACTERIZED BY RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF FEVER THAT
LAST FROM FIVE TO SEVEN DAYS, WITH INTENSE HEADACHE, JOINT,
MUSCLE PAIN AND RASH… THE RASH MAY DEVELOPS ON THE FEET OR
LEGS USUALLY THREE TO FOUR DAYS AFTER THE FEVER STARTS… IF ONE
HAS THESE SYMPTOMS, IT’S TIME TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR… CULPRIT: A DAY BITING
MOSQUITO… (AEDES HEGYPTI)
HOW TO PREVENT: THIS MOSQUITO THRIVES IN
FRESH STANDING WATER AND THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM
THIS TYPE OF MOSQUITO IS TO ELIMINATE THE BREADING GROUND…
THIS MUST BE A COMMUNITY PROJECT TO BE TRULY EFFECTIVE, AS
THIS TYPE MOSQUITO WILL NORMALLY TRAVEL FROM 50 TO 200 METERS
FROM THE BREADING GROUNDS… IF ANYONE IS DIAGNOSED WITH DENGUE
FEVER WITHIN 200 METERS FROM YOUR QUARTERS, IT IS SAFE TO
ASSUME YOU COULD ALSO BE THE NEXT VICTIM AND SHOULD TAKE
NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS… YOU
AND YOUR NEIGHBORS SHOULD:
NOTE: THE DENGUE
CARRYING MOSQUITO (AEDES) ARE NOT ALL INFECTED BY THE DENGUE
VIRUS; THEY ARE JUST CARRIERS… WHEN THE MOSQUITO BITES A
PERSON WITH DENGUE FEVER THEY BECOME CARRIERS…
RABIES: LOT
OF PROBLEMS WITH RABIES HERE IN THE PI DUE TO STRAY DOGS... ACCORDING TO THE
NEWSPAPERS, WE HAVE OUR SHARE HERE IN PAMPANGA AND THE
SURROUNDING PROVINCES. DOGS
ARE THE BIG PROBLEM IN MOST AREAS; HOWEVER, YOU SHOULD ALSO
BEWARE OF CATS OR EVEN BATS.
IF BITTEN BE SURE TO CLEAN THE WOUND THOROUGHLY WITH
SOAP AND WATER AND CHECK IN AT THE BEST HOSPITAL AVAILABLE. AUFMC HAS THE
NEW TYPE VACCINE...
IF YOU HAVE PETS, BE SURE TO KEEP THE RABIES SHOTS UP
TO DATE. WE HAVE
A GOOD VET LOCATED ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE RAO PLUS THERE
ARE MANY MORE IN THE AREA...
GENERIC DRUGS: ACROSS
THE COUNTER DRUGS SUCH AS ASPIRIN AND VITAMINS CAN BE
PURCHASED AT A
PRESCRIPTION
DRUGS: PRESCRIPTION DRUGS SHOULD
ONLY BE PURCHASED FROM AN AUTHORIZED PHARMACY AND NEVER OFF
THE STREET... SOME OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE BEEN DUPED INTO
PURCHASING VIAGRA/OTHER AS A GOOD DEAL FROM UNAUTHORIZED
SOURCES AT A DISCOUNT... PHILIPPINE MEDICATION IS USUALLY
INDIVIDUAL WRAPED OR SOLD BY BOTTLE, SEALED AND THE LABEL WILL
INDICATE DATE MFR, EXPIRATION DATE AND CONTENTS UNLESS YOU
PURCHASE A PARTIAL BOTTLE OF MEDICATION... THESE STREET DRUGS
MAY NOT ONLY BE INEFFECTIVE BUT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AND
SHOULD BE AVOIDED... IF YOU SHOULD SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE
RECEIVED FAKE/ILLEGAL DRUGS PLEASE CONTACT PHILIPPINE DEPT OF
HEALTH (DOH) AT E-MAIL ADDRESS
bfod@doh.gov.ph
PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATION: IN ADDITION TO HOSPITAL
PHARMACIES WE
HAVE TWO
WELL-RESPECTED DRUG STORES HERE;
MERCURY &
MANSON. LOT
OF NEWS REPORTS CONCERNING
FAKE DRUGS AND ONE CANNOT BE TOO CAREFUL....
FAKE MEDICINES
(PHILIPPINES): AS MOST ARE AWARE
THERE IS A LOT OF FAKE MEDICINE FLOATING AROUND THE
PHILIPPINES AND HARD TO AVOID UNLESS YOU USE ONE OF THE BETTER
PHARMACIES... SHOULD NEVER PURCHASE DRUSGS OFF THE STREET
(EVEN VIAGRA) AND IF YOU SUSPECT YOU HAVE RECEIVED FAKE DRUGS
CONTACT THE “FAKE-MED HOTLINE” AT 1-800-10FAKEMED TOLL FREE
FROM ANYWHERE IN THE PHILIPPINES...
VIAGRA: APPROVED IN THE
PHILIPPINES… THIS IS ALSO TRICARE STANDARD AUTHORIZED FOR
TREATMENT OF IMPOTENCE… ANY
CERTIFIED PHYSICIAN CAN WRITE THE PRESCRIPTION FOR SIX TABLETS
PER MONTH TO COVER THREE MONTHS WITH THREE REFILLS WHICH WOULD
BE A ONE YEAR SUPPLY (ANY ADDITIONAL “TREATMENT” WOULD BE AT
YOUR EXPENSE)… THIS
WOULD BE AN OUTPATIENT PRESCRIPTION; THEREFORE, ONE WOULD BE
REQUIRED TO ABSORB THE TRICARE STANDARD DEDUCTION BEFORE
RECEIVING REIMBURSEMENT…
SOURCE: TRICARE…
MAIL ORDER
PHARMACY: NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE
PHILIPPINES... MUST HAVE U.S. CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS WITH A DEA
LICENSE WHICH WE DO NOT HAVE...
PHARMACY CLAIMS
(IF YOU ORDER VIA THE INTERNET): Claims for drugs obtained
through Internet services are not reimbursable. The reason for
denial of these claims is Internet pharmacies offer mail order
services. Under
Title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 199.21
(c), there are four TRICARE authorized categories of providers
of pharmacy services: MTFs,
network retail providers, non-network retail providers and the
mail service pharmacy program.
The mail service pharmacy program is currently the
National Mail Order Pharmacy.
Other mail order pharmacy providers are not authorized
under the CFR. (THEMS)
VITAMINS/MINERAL
SUPPLEMENTS: PURE GOLD DUTY FREE,
CLARKFIELD AND SM MALL SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA...
DRUG ENTRAPMENT: DON’T
BE A SUCKER… AN AMERICAN CITIZEN BECAME A GUEST OF THE ANGELES
CITY JAIL FOR VIOLATING THE DANGEROUS DRUG ACT WHILE
PURCHASING A “JOINT” FROM A FRIENDLY STREET PUSHER ON FIELD
AVENUE… THIS IS WHAT ONE COULD REFER TO AS A DOUBLE SUCKER;
ONCE FOR PURCHASING DRUGS AND SECOND FOR TRUSTING A PUSHER…
HOPE HE DIDN’T SELL HIM ANY “GOLD” RINGS AS WELL… THERE IS A
LOT MORE WAYS OF HAVING FUN IN ANGELES CITY THAN BEING
INVOLVED IN DRUGS…
DENTAL
INSURANCE: NOT RECOMMEND FOR THE
PHILIPPINES... IF YOU GOING STATESIDE, SEE ME FOR A
BRIEFING... DENTAL
SERVICES HERE ARE INEXPENSIVE COMPARED TO THE STATESIDE COST…
PHYSICAL
EXAMINATIONS: FREE
AT SEVERAL OF OUR TRICARE PARTICIPATING CLINICS...
PNEUMONIA
VACCINE: YES,
THERE IS SUCH A THING… IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF
HEART/LUNG/CHRONIC ILLNESS PROBLEMS, MAY BE WISE TO CONSULT
YOUR PHYSICIAN ABOUT THIS VACCINE... FREE AT CYBERCARE CLINIC
TO THEIR TRICARE MEMBERS...
RH NEG-BLOOD: SEEMS
LIKE MOST OF OUR REQUIREMENT FOR WHOLE BLOOD LATELY HAS BEEN
FOR RH NEG… ABOUT 99.9 PERCENT OF THE FILIPINOS HAVE POSITIVE
BLOOD AND MANY OF OUR RETIREES ARE UNABLE TO GIVE BLOOD FOR
ONE REASON OR ANOTHER… WOULD LIKE ALL OUR MEMBERS OR OTHER
FOREIGNERS WHO HAVE RH NEG BLOOD TO REGISTER AT OUR MAIL ROOM…
ALL BLOOD SHIPPED INTO THIS COUNTRY MUST COME IN THROUGH THE
PHILIPPINE RED CROSS AND BE TESTED BEFORE BEING SHIPPED TO THE
HOSPITAL CONCERNED… THIS TAKES A WHILE (TOO LONG) AND WE NEED
TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT… THE ONLY OTHER SOURCE IS THE AMERICAN
ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES WHICH ARE LOCATED IN MANILA AND
THEY ARE VERY LIMITED… EVERYONE WHO HAS RH NEG BLOOD SHOULD
GET TO KNOW AT LEAST TWO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME BLOOD
TYPE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY… YOUR LIFE COULD WELL DEPEND ON
THIS DECISION…
BLOOD DONORS: WE
HAVE HUNDREDS OF
RETIREES JUST IN ANGELES CITY ALONE PLUS DEPENDENTS; HOWEVER,
WHEN SOMEONE IS IN NEED OF BLOOD, WE HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT
TIME FINDING A SUITABLE DONOR.
THIS PAST MONTH WE NEEDED TWO UNITS OF COMMON TYPE
BLOOD; HOWEVER WE COULD NOT FIND ONE ACCEPTABLE DONOR, ONE BIG
PROBLEM IS THAT ONE IS DISQUALIFIED IF YOU HAVE DRINKED ANY
ALCOHOL WITHIN TWENTY FOUR HOURS, ON MEDICATION, ETC. THIS DISQUALIFIES
OVER 90% OF OUR RETIREES AND THEN IT IS HARD TO GET THE OTHER
TEN PERCENT TO GIVE... AS
WE HAVE FOUND OUT IN THE PAST, WE CANNOT RELY ON THE BLOOD
BANKS HERE IN THE PI; THEREFORE, WE MUST COME UP WITH OUR OWN
SOLUTION(S).... RECOMMENDED THAT WE USE A BUDDY SYSTEM... EACH RETIREE SHOULD
KNOW AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME BLOOD TYPE THAT HE/SHE
CAN DEPEND UPON TO HELP IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY... SHOULD YOU HAVE TIME
TO PLAN AN OPERATION, YOU CAN GIVE YOUR OWN BLOOD PLUS YOUR
BUDDY GROUP CAN HELP BUILD UP A SUPPLY PRIOR TO THE
OPERATION... THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT IF YOU HAVE RH NEG
BLOOD... AS A RULE, FILIPINOS DO
NOT HAVE RH NEG BLOOD AND ONE MUST RELY ON THE BUDDY SYSTEM...
NEED FOR ALL MILITARY RETIREES/ DEPENDENTS/WIDOW(ER) TO WHO
CAN GIVE BLOOD TO
SIGN UP AT THE FPO ASAP... VERY
IMPORTANT... OUR CHAMPUS PARTICIPATING HOSPITAL (AUFMC) ALSO
HAS A BLOOD DONOR PROGRAM ESTABLISHED (GIVE NOW - RECEIVE
LATER)... SEE BULLETIN BOARD FOR DETAILS...
AMERICAN RED
CROSS (ARC): PLEASE USE PHILIPPINE RED
CROSS TEL. NO. (63)
(2) 527-0856 / 527-8384 97 (main line)…
TRICARE EXPLANATION O
TRICARE
TRICARE MAIL ORDER PHARMACY: E
CHAMPVA: FOR DEPENDENTS OF VETERANS
WHO DID NOT RETIRE FROM THE U.S. MILITARY AND HAVE A PERMANENT
AND TOTAL SERVICE CONNECTED CONDITION/DISABILITY... THIS PROGRAM
USED TO TERMINATE LIKE TRICARE WHEN ONE REACHED AGE 65; HOWEVER, ALL
THIS CHANGED ON 05 JUN 2001 WHEN THE PRESIDENT SIGNED INTO LAW A
NEW PROGRAM CALLED CHAMPVA FOR LIFE WHICH WILL BECOME
EFFECTIVE 0CT 1, 2001 (SEE
WEBSITE www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr ATTACHEMENT #3)...
***
REFERENCE THE
CHAMPVA HANDBOOK... THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
CHAMPVA BENEFITS, PROVIDING THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CHAMPUS
(TRICARE) OR MEDICARE PART A AS A RESULT OF REACHING THE AGE OF
65:
·
THE SPOUSE OF CHILD
OF A VETERAN WHO HAS BEEN RATED BY AN VA REGIONAL OFFICE AS
HAVING A PERMANENT AND TOTAL SERVICE-CONNECTED
CONDITION/DISABILITY...
·
THE SURVIVING SPOUSE
OR CHILD OF A VETERAN WHO DIED AS A RESULT OF A VA RATED-SERVICE
CONNECTED CONDITION; OR WHO, AT THE TIME OF DEATH, WAS RATED
PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLED FROM A SERVICE – CONNECTED
CONDITION; AND
·
THE SURVIVING SPOUSE
OR CHILD OF A PERSON WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND NOT DUE TO
MISCONDUCT WITHIN 30 DAYS OF ENTRY INTO ACTIVE MILITARY
SERVICE...
TO FILE FOR CHAMPVA,
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FROM WEB SITE http://www.va.gov/hac/champva/champva.html
OR SEE ME AND MAIL
TO: CHAMPVA CENTER
P.O. BOX 65023
DENVER, CO 80206-5023
SHOULD RECEIVED YOUR
REPLY/CHAMPVA CARD WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS...
SUBJ: CHAPTER 30 DIRECT DEPOSIT (VA)
1. PURPOSE. THIS IS TO
ANNOUNCE THAT DIRECT DEPOSIT IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR VETERANS AND
SERVICE PERSONS RECEIVING CHAPTER
30 EDUCATION BENEFITS.
2.
NOTIFICATION
LETTERS. THEN HINES BENEFITS DELIVERY CENTER WILL BEGIN NOTIFYING PERSONS WHO RECENTLY RECEIVED CHAPTER 30 BENEFITS
OF THE NEW DIRECT DEPOSIT CAPABILITY. THESE NOTIFICATION LETTERS WILL BE ISSUED OVER A 6-MONTH PERIOD.
3.
MANILA OFFICE CAN PROCESS CHAPTER 30 DIRECT DEPOSIT REQUEST USING THE CADD (CHANGE ADDRESS) COMMAND AS THEY DO NOW FOR C & P BENEFITS. IN ADDITION, THE RPOS CAN ENTER 30 DIRECT DEPOSIT INFORMATION AS PART OF AWARD PROCESSING....
SUBJ: AGENT ORANGE &
TYPE II DIABETES: VIETNAM
VETERANS MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY
IF THEY HAVE “ADULT ONSET DIABETES MELLITUS”. MUST HAVE SERVED IN
VIETNAM BETWEEN THE PERIOD OF JAN 9, 62-MAY 7, 1975 OR HAD PORT
CALLS/TDY DUTY IN VIETNAM DURING THAT PERIOD...
FEE-BASIS CARE
FOR TREATMENT OF SERVICE CONNECTED CONDITION (PHILIPPINES
ONLY): THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC HAS A FEE-BASIS PROGRAM
FOR ELIGIBLE VETERANS LIVING IN PROVINCIAL AREAS OUTSIDE THE
METRO MANILA AREA... THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE
QUALITY MEDICAL CARE TO VETERANS FOR THEIR SERVICE CONNECTED
DISABILITIES IN A TIMELY MANNER AND AT A LOCATION EASILY
ACCESSIBLE TO THE VETERAN.... IF SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
PROGRAM, THE VETERAN WILL BE REFERRED BY HIS/HER PRIMARY CARE VA
PHYSICIAN TO AN ACCREDITED FEE-BASIS PHYSICIAN IN THEIR
COMMUNITY... FEE-BASIS PHYSICIANS HAVE BEEN GRANTED CLINICAL
PRIVILEGES BY THE VA TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE ON BEHALF OF THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS... APPOINTED
FEE-BASIS PHYSICIANS WILL BE EXPECTED TO MANAGE THE CARE FOR
SERVICE CONNECTED CONDITIONS WITHIN THE GUIDELINES SPECIFIED BY
THE OUTPATIENT CLINIC... REGULAR UPDATES ON THE STATUS OF CARE
PROVIDED AS WELL AS TREATMENT PLANS WILL BE COMMUNICATED TO THE
VA, OPC THROUGH MEDICAL REPORTS SUBMITTED AFTER EACH
CONSULTATION... IF SELECTED FOR THE PROGRAM, THE VETERAN WILL NO
LONGER BE REQUIRED TO VISIT THE CLINIC FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT,
UNLESS OF COURSE, THE VA OPC FEELS IT BECOMES NECESSARY... BE
ASSURED THAT ALTHOUGH WE MAY ENTRUST YOUR CARE TO AN ACCREDITED
FEE-BASIS PHYSICIAN, THE VA OUTPATIENT CLINIC WILL CONTINUE TO
PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUR CARE... IF YOU ARE
INTERESTED AND WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM, PLEASE
CONTACT THE VA AT 833-4566... DATA PROVIDED BY THE VA CLINIC,
MANILA…
NON-SERVICE
CONNECTED VA CARE IN THE PHILIPPINES: MORE
GOOD NEWS IN PARADISE; IF YOU ARE RATED WITH “0”% OR HIGHER FOR
SERVICE CONNECTED BENEFITS, YOU ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR VA
CLINIC/PHARMACY NON SERVICE CONNECTED BENEFITS EFFECTIVE 01 MAR 02... MUST
CONTACT THE VA CLINIC FOR AN APPOINTMENT (02) 833-4566/7/8/9
DURING NORMAL VA DUTY HOURS... WILL BE AUTHORIZED TO USE THE
DAILY VA TRANSPORTATION IF YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT... SEE ATTACHMENT #2 WEBSITE www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr FOR DETAILS...
OVERDUE VA
DIVIDENDS: ACCORDING
TO THE ARMED FORCES NEWS, THERE IS A WEB SITE YOU CAN CHECK TO
DETERMINE IF YOU MAY HAVE VA DIVIDENDS DUE FROM WW1,WW2 OR KOREA
AT http://insurance.va.gov/index.htm
IF YOUR NAME IS LISTED, CONTACT THE VA INSURANCE CENTER TO CLAIM
YOUR BENEFITS… THIS IS NOT A SCAM WHERE YOU PAY ANYONE
ANYTHING-JUST SEE IF YOUR NAME IS LISTED FOR THE TIME FRAME
ABOVE…
EMERGENCY VA
SERVICE CONNECTED MEDICAL CARE: VA
PATIENTS ARE ALLOWED TO USE VA CONTRACT HOSPITALS (SEE LIST
BELOW)
·
UNIVERSITY OF SANTO
TOMAS - ESPANA, MANILA
·
MANILA DOCTORS
HOSPITAL – ERMITA, MANILA
·
SAN JUAN DE DIOS
HOSPITAL – PASAY CITY
·
ST. LUKES MEDICAL
CENTER – QUEZON CITY
·
VETERANS MEMORIAL
MEDICAL CENTER – QUEZON CITY
·
PHILIPPINE HEARTH
CENTER – QUEZON CITY
·
JAMES R. GORDON
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL – OLONGAPO CITY
·
CEBU DOCTORS HOSPITAL
– CEBU CITY
·
CHONG HUA HOSPITAL –
CEBU CITY
·
SUBIC LEGEND HEALTH
AND MEDICAL CENTER – OLONGAPO CITY
·
SPECIALIST GROUP OF
HOSPITALS – DAGUPAN CITY
·
SAINT LOUIS
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF THE SACRED HEART – BAGUIO CITY
·
ANGELES UNIVERSITY
FOUNDATION MEDICAL CENTER – ANGELES CITY
·
MOTHER SETON HOSPITAL
– NAGA CITY
·
ST. JOHN HOSPITAL
(RENAL DIALYSIS UNIT) – ILOCOS SUR
·
LORMA MEDICAL CENTER
– SAN FERNANDO, LA UNION
·
MAKATI MEDICAL CENTER
(PSYCHIATRIC WARD)
·
MT. CARMEL HOSPITAL – ANGELES SAN FERNANDO
HIGHWAY
·
DEE WHA LIONG
EMERGENCY VA
SERVICE CONNECTED MEDICAL CARE IN ANGELES CITY: FOR THOSE WITH SERVICE
CONNECTED DISABILITIES AND REQUIRE EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT
AT VA EXPENSE, THE FOLLOWING HOSPITALS IN THE ANGELES CITY AREA
ARE AUTHORIZED VA CONTRACT HOSPITALS:
·
ANGELES UNIVERSITY
MEDICAL CENTER (AUF)
·
DEE HWA LIONG
FOUNDATION MEDICAL CENTER
·
MOUNT CARMEL
MEDICAL CENTER
·
VETERANS WITH
100% SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITIES: IF YOU DID NOT RETIRE FROM
THE U.S. MILITARY, YOU ARE STILL AUTHORIZED SEVERAL BENEFITS…
CHAMPVA: IF RATE
100% PERMANENTLY DISABLED (SERVICE CONNECTED), YOUR FAMILY MAY
BE AUTHORIZED CHAMPVA WHICH WORKS A LOT LIKE TRICARE
STANDARD/CHAMPUS EXCEPT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE VA CLINIC
FOR OUTPATIENT CARE AND OUR TRICARE PARTICIPATING HOSPITAL FOR
INPATIENT CARE… ALSO ALLOWED TO USE OUR POSTAL FACILITIES PLUS
OTHER PRIVILEGES WHEN YOU VISIT MILITARY BASES… NEW: ADDED A WHEEL CHAIR
RAMP AT OUR POST OFFICE… WILLING TO HELP ANYWAY WE CAN WITHIN
OUR BUDGET, JUST ASK IF YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE
CORRECTED…
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIAL VETERANS BENEFITS (SVB):
1. BE AGE 65 OR OLDER ON
DECEMBER 14, 1999, THE DATE THIS LAW WAS ENACTED;
2. BE A WORLD WAR II
VETERAN (THIS INCLUDES VETERANS OF THE ACTIVE MILITARY, NAVAL OR
AIR SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES DURING WORLD WAR II, THE PERIOD
BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 16, 1940 THROUGH JULY 24, 1947. IT ALSO INCLUDES
FILIPINO VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II WHO SERVED IN THE ORGANIZED
MILITARY FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES WHILE THE FORCES WERE IN THE
SERVICE OF THE U.S. ARMED FORCES, OR SERVED IN ORGANIZED
GUERILLA FORCES UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE U.S. MILITARY DURING
THE PERIOD BEGINNING JULY 26, 1941 THROUGH DECEMBER 30, 1946.);
3. HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE
FOR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) FOR DECEMBER 1999, THE
MONTH IN WHICH THIS LAW WAS ENACTED;
4. FILE AN APPLICATION
FOR SVB;
5. BE ELIGIBLE FOR SSI
FOR THE MONTH IN WHICH HE/SHE FILES AN APPLICATION FOR SVB; AND
6. HAVE OTHER BENEFIT
INCOME (SUCH AS ANNUITY, PENSION, RETIREMENT OR DISABILITY
BENEFITS) THAT IS LESS THAN 75 PERCENT OF THE SSI FEDERAL
BENEFIT RATE.
7. ANY PAYMENTS RECEIVED
FROM THE PHILIPPINES, VA WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM THIS BENEFIT…
MILITARY-CIVIL
SERVICE RETIREMENT AND CONCURRENT DISABILITY PAY (CDP): “THOSE WHO COMBINED THEIR
MILITARY TIME WITH THEIR CIVIL SERVICE TIME IN ORDER TO ENHANCE
THEIR CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENTS MAY BE ELIGIBLE
COMBAT-RELATED
SPECIAL COMPENSATION PROGRAM:
LOT OF
PEOPLE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM HAVE NOT FILED FOR THERI
BENEFITS... QUALIFICATIONS:
“With the inception of the CRSC program on June 1, 2003,
the following eligibility requirements were established:
1. Retirees had to apply
to their respective branch of service to be approved for CRSC.
2. Retirees had to be in
receipt of VA compensation.
3. Retirees had to be in
receipt of military retired pay or be in a suspended pay status
due to receipt of VA compensation.
4. Retirees had to have
an approved combat-related VA disability rating of 60% or
greater. Retirees
having an approved combat-related disability associated with a
Purple Heart had to have a rating of 10% or greater.
5. Retirees had to have
20 years of active service or, for reservists, 7,200 reserve
points in order to be eligible.
n
Effective January 1,
2004, CRSC eligibility was extended to retirees with
combat-related VA disability ratings between 10% and 50%. Additionally,
reservists needed only 20 years of qualifying service (supported
by documentation from the applicable branch of service such as a
20-year letter, retirement orders or a statement of service) in
order to be eligible. The
other eligibility requirements remained unchanged. Please note that
qualified reservists will not receive CRSC until they begin to
receive retired pay at age 60.
n
Temporary Early
Retirement Authorization (TERA) retirees are not eligible to
receive CRSC unless they have returned to active duty and
accumulated enough service time to meet the 20-year requirement
before retiring for the second time.
n
You may be eligible
for the new compensation if you have a combat-related VA
disability, but in order to receive CRSC payments you must have
an offset to your retired pay for VA disability compensation. Therefore, you must
have a VA rating and be receiving disability compensation in
order to receive CRSC payments.
n
Due to the
combat-related nature of the Purple Heart, it would be unusual
for a recipient not to have a combat-related VA disability
rating. You may
want to contact the VA to ensure that an error was not made in
the determination of your combat-related disability rating. If your combat-related
disability rating is approved and you meet the qualifying
criteria, you may be entitled to receive CRSC payments.
You can obtain an
application form on the Department of Defense (DoD) website at http://www.dod.mil/prhome/docs/DD2860T.pdf. The DoD has provided
additional guidance for help in filling out the application. You can also call or
request an application from the services listed below. Completed applications
must be mailed – they cannot be submitted electronically.
ARMY: Department of the
Army U.S. Army Physical Disability Agency Combat-Related Special
Compensation (CRSC) 200 Stovall Street Alexandria, Virginia
22332-0470 Toll-free: (866)
281-3254
NAVY AND MARINE
CORPS: Department of Navy
Naval Council of Personnel Boards Combat-Related Special
Compensation (CRSC) Branch 720 Kennon Street S.E. Suite 309
Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5023
Toll free: (877)365-2772
AIR FORCE: United States Air
Force Personnel Center Disability Division (CRSC) 550 C Street
West, Suite 6 Randolph AFB TX
78150-4708 Toll free:
(866) 229-7074”
KOREAN DEFENSE
SERVICE MEDAL: CONGRESS HAS AUTHORIZED THIS
NEW MEDAL AND SHOULD BE AVAILABLE AT THE BEGINNING OF JUNE...
THOSE CURRENTLY ON ACTIVE DUTY WILL RECEIVE THE METAL VIA THEIR
UNITS... THOSE RETIRED OR OUT OF SERVICE MAY APPLY THROUGH THEIR
FORMER SERVICE BRANCHES WHEN THEY HAVE THE PROCEDURES FOR
APPLYING COMPLETED.. ELIGIBLE MEMBERS ARE THOSE WHO SERVED ON
SOUTH KOREAN LAND OR ADJACENT WATERS (WITH IN 12 MILES) SINCE JULY 28, 1954... METAL
MAY ALSO BE AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY... SOURCE: ARMED SERVICES PRESS
SERVICES...
USA
VA ANNOUNCEMENT
VA SCHOOLS: IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO
RETIRE/RETIRED MOVE TO THE PI AND PLAN TO ATTEND SCHOOL, YOU
NEED TO TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE... VERY
IMPORTANT TO COORDINATE YOUR SCHOOL APPLICATION WITH THE
VA AND YOUR VISA REQUIREMENTS WITH THE PI EMBASSY/CONSULATE
BEFORE YOU DEPART.... THERE ARE OVER 200 VA APPROVED SCHOOLS
THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES... WE HAVE FOUR HERE IN ANGELES CITY; ANGELES UNIVERSITY
FOUNDATION (AUF),
HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY (HAU),
REPUBLIC CENTRAL COLLEGES (RCC) AND SYSTEM
PLUS... ONCE YOU ARRIVE, SEE US…
VA PENSION: SOME OF OUR PEOPLE MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR
NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED-DISABILITY SUPPORT… THE FOLLOWING VA DATA IS QUOTED FOR
YOUR INFORMATION "VETERANS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR SUPPORT IF THEY
HAVE LIMITED INCOME WHEN THEY HAVE 90 DAYS OR MORE OF ACTIVE
MILITARY SERVICE, AT LEAST ONE DAY OF WHICH WAS DURING A PERIOD
OF WAR. THEIR DISCHARGE FROM
ACTIVE DUTY MUST HAVE BEEN UNDER CONDITIONS OTHER THAN
DISHONORABLE... THEY
MUST BE PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLE FOR REASONS TRACEABLE
NEITHER TO MILITARY SERVICE NOR TO WILLFUL MISCONDUCT... PAYMENTS ARE MADE TO
QUALIFIED VETERANS TO BRING THEIR
TOTAL INCOME,
INCLUDING OTHER RETIREMENT OR SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME, TO AN
ESTABLISHED SUPPORT LEVEL..
COUNTABLE INCOME
MAY BE REDUCED BY
UNREIMBURSED MEDICAL EXPENSES.
PENSION IS NOT PAYABLE TO THOSE WHO HAVE ASSETS THAT CAN
BE USED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE
MAINTENANCE"… IF YOU THINK YOU ARE QUALIFIED, YOU MAY CONTACT VA OFFICE AT THE U.S. EMBASSY, MANILA...
VA DEATH PENSION: SURVIVING
SPOUSES AND UNMARRIED
CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18, OR UP TO AGE 23 IF ATTENDING A VA APPROVED SCHOOL OF DECEASED
VETERANS WITH WARTIME SERVICE MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A
NON-SERVICE-CONNECTED PENSION
BASED ON
NEED... THE
VETERAN MUST HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED UNDER CONDITIONS OTHER THAN
DISHONORABLE AND MUST HAVE HAD 90 DAYS OR MORE OF ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE, AT LEAST ONE DAY OF
WHICH WAS DURING A PERIOD OF WAR, OR A SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY JUSTIFYING DISCHARGE FOR DISABILITY... IN GENERAL, IF YOUR AMERICAN SPOUSE PASSED AWAY AND DID
NOT LEAVE YOU WITH MEANS
OF SUPPORT, YOU MAY
BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS BENEFIT… MUST
HAVE BEEN MARRIED TO THE VETERAN OVER ONE (1) YEAR/HAVE A CHILD
AS A RESULT OF SUBJECT RELATIONSHIP… IN SIMPLE TERMS; IF YOU ARE A WIDOW(ER) AND NOT
RECEIVING A U.S. GOV’T
CHECK, SEE ME…
VA BENEFITS: IF OVER 65 YEARS OF AGE AND
SERVED HONORABLY DURING A PERIOD OF WAR (DID NOT HAVE TO BE IN A
COMBAT ZONE) AND MEET SERVICE AND INCOME REQUIREMENTS YOU MAY BE
ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A VA PENSION REGARDLESS OF CURRENT PHYSICAL
CONDITION... IN A NUTSHELL IF YOU MET THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS AND
ONLY RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS/A SMALL INCOME LESS THAN
THE AMOUNT ESTABLISHED BY CONGRESS YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE VA...
THIS IS NOT A FEW BENEFIT; HOWEVER, WE HAVE FOUND SOME ELIGIBLE
MEMBERS WHO DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS POLICY….
*
HOW TO APPLY FOR
A VA BENEFITS: “Like all veterans, Vietnam
veterans are eligible for monthly payments, called disability
compensation, from VA if they are suffering with any
service-connected illnesses or injuries. The disability must
have been incurred or aggravated during active military service. Vietnam veterans also
have special access to disability compensation for illnesses or
injuries related to exposure to Agent Orange and other
herbicides used in Vietnam.
Furthermore, the service of the of the veteran must have
been terminated from military service through separation or
discharge under conditions that were other than dishonorable...
Disability compensation varies according to the degree of
disability and the number of dependents. Benefits are not
subject to Federal or state income tax. The receipt of
military retirement pay, disability severance pay, and
separation incentive payments known as SSB and VSI (Special
Separation Benefits and Voluntary Separation Incentives) also
affects the amount of VA compensation paid... The disability
ratings range from 0 to 100 percent (in increments of 10
percent). For
example, in 2004, a veteran with a disability rating 10 percent
receives $106; a veteran with disability rating of 50 percent
gets $646; and a veteran who is
totally disabled and evaluated at 100 percent receives
$2, 239 monthly... Veterans with disability ratings between 30
and 100 percent are also eligible for monthly allowances for a
spouse ranging from %38 to $127, and for each child, $19 to $65. (The amount depends on
the disability rating)... A Veteran who is in need of regular
aid and attendance of another person, or who is permanently
housebound may be entitled to additional benefits. VA must make the
determination before the veteran can get these benefits....
PRESUMPTIVE
SERVICE-CONNECTION – Unlike most
veterans, any veteran who served in Vietnam between January 9,
1962, and May 7, 1975, and has one or more of the diseases on
the list of presumptive conditions that VA maintains must be
presumed by VA to have been exposed to herbicides, and therefore
that his or her disease is service-connected. The current list is
printed and described in the next article... This list and
information about the diseases associated with Agent Orange are
available online at www.va.gov/AgentOrange
MUST APPLY TO BE
CONSIDERED – Compensation is not
automatically given to any veteran. VA veterans service
representatives (VSR) can provide the necessary application and
assist veterans who need help in completing it. VSR’s are located at
all VA Regional Offices, Tel # (02) 528-2500 or 1-800—1-888-5252 FOR LOCAL VA HELP: VFW POST 2485; CECIL
JOHNSON AND AMERICAN LEGION POST 10; JESSE FOSTER...
OTHER BENEFITS – In addition to the
compensation program described above, individual veterans may be
eligible for the full range of other benefits offered by VA,
including education and training, vocational rehabilitation,
home loan guarantees, life insurance, pension, burial benefits,
and more...
ILLNESSES
PRESUMPTIVELY SERVICE CONNECTED TO DATE – The following
health conditions are presumptively recognized for service
connection. Vietnam
veterans with one or more of these conditions do not have to
show their illness(es) is (are) related to their military
service to get disability compensation. VA presumes that their
condition is service-connected...
1. Chloracme (must occur
within 1 year of exposure to Agent Orange).
2. Non-Hodgkin’s
lymphoma
3. Soft tissue sarcoma
(other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or
mesothelioma).
4. Hodgkin’s disease
5. Multiple myeloma
6. Respiratory cancers,
including cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus (no
time limitation).
7. Prostate cancer
8. Acute and subacute
transient peripheral neutropathy (must apear within 1 year of
exposure and resolve within 2 years of date of onset).
9. Type 2 diabetes
10. Chronic lymphocytic
leukemia
CONDITIONS
RECORNIZED IN CHILDREN OF VIETNAM VETERANS –
1. Spina bifida (except
spine bifida acculta) .
2. Certain other birth
defects in the children of women Vietnam veterans.” BASIC SOURCE: USAF
VA IMPROVES VGLI
INFORMATION ACCESS: THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HAS ANNOUNCED THAT VETERANS NOW
CAN ACCESS THEIR VETERANS GROUP LIFE INSURANCE ACCOUNTS AT ANY
TIME FROM ANY COMPUTER OR TELEPHONE... USING A SECURE WEBSITE,
THE VGLI ONLINE ACCOUNT ACCESS SYSTEM ALLOWS VETERANS TO OBTAIN
BASIC INFORMATION ON THEIR ACCOUNT THROUGH THE INSURANCE WEBSITE
AT www.insurance.va.gov
... VETERANS CAN VIEW THEIR CURRENT AMOUNT OF COVERAGE, PREMIUM
RATE, AND BILLING METHOD, AS WELL AS CHANGE THEIR BILLING
ADDRESS... IN THE FUTURE, ADDITIONAL ONLINE TOOLS WILL ALLOW
THEM TO CHANGE THEIR METHOD AND FREQUENCY OF PAYMENT.. ALSO
AVAILABLE ON VA’s INSURANCE WEBSITE IS A LIFE INSURANCE
CALCULATOR THAT WILL PREDICT THE AMOUNT OF LIFE INSURANCE NEEDED
BASED ON FINANCIAL INFORMATION THE VETERAN PROVIDES... VETERANS
ALSO CAN OBTAIN ACCOUNT INFORMATION BY TELEPHONE THROUGH A NEW
TOLL-FREE VGLI INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE SYSTEM AT
1-800-419-1473... ARMED
FORCES NEWS
VA PATIENTS USING
PARTICIPATING HOSPITALS: THE VA WILL PAY
VA CLAIM/MEDICAL
QUESTION VIA E-MAIL: THIS APPLIES TO THE
PHILIPPINES ONLY… HEALTH CARE ISSUES: manlopc.inqry@vba.va.gov GREAT SERVICE… HOPE ALL TAKE
ADVANTAGE WHEN YOU HAVE QUESTIONS…
VA QUESTIONS
ANSWERED ELECTRONICALLY: RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING DATA
FROM HQAFPC/DPPT, RAFB, TEX:
THE DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IS NOW ANSWERING QUESTIONS
ELECTRONICALLY ON ITS CUSTOMER SERVICE PAGE AVAILABLE VIA THE
INTERNET (VA HOME PAGE) http://www.va.gov/. INSTRUCTION: POINT AND CLICK ON
“PUTTING VETERANS FIRST.”
TO ASK A QUESTION, POINT AND CLICK ON “CONSUMER AFFAIRS
PAGE” BUTTON.....
TOLL
MyPay IMPROVES
RETIREE, ANNUITANT ELECTRONIC PAY SERVICES: MEMBERS OF THE RETIREE
COMMUNITY CAN ENJOY IMPROVED SERVICES FROM “myPay” TO MANAGE
THEIR PAY ACCOUNT INFORMATION MORE EASILY AND MORE SECURELY THAN
EVER BEFORE.. FORMERLY KNOWN AS E/MSS, myPay WILL ALLOW RETIREES
AND ANNUITANTS AS WELL AS ACTIVE, RESERVE, AND GUARD MEMBERS AND
CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES TO TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR PAY ACCOUNTS
ON-LINE... THE NEW IMPROVED SERVICE WITH myPay, CUSTOMERS WILL
BE ABLE TO PERFORM THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES BY SIMPLY USING
THEIR EXISTING E/MSS PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (PIN):
·
VIEW AND PRINT TAX
STATEMENTS
·
CHANGE FEDERAL AND
STATE TAX WITHHOLDINGS
·
UPDATE BANK ACCOUNT
AND ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER INFORMATION
·
MANAGE ALLOTMENTS
·
EDIT ADDRESS
INFORMATION
·
PURCHASE U.S. SAVINGS
BONDS
EASY -- ACCORDING TO DFAS
OFFICIALS, myPay’s NEW DESIGN WILL HELP CUSTOMERS FIND THE
INFORMATION THEY WANT AND COMPLETE ANY TRANSACTION WITH JUST
THREE CLICKS... AVAILABLE NEARLY 24 HOURS A DAY, myPay WILL MEAN
NO WAITING IN LINES OR ON THE PHONE... IT WILL ALSO IMPROVE
CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE BY PROVIDING CLEAR CONFIRMATION MESSAGES...
SECURE – myPay WILL
COMBINE STRONG ENCRYPTION AND SECURE SOCKETS LAYER TECHNOLOGY
WITH THE USER’S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND PIN TO SAFEGUARD
INFORMATION FROM UN-AUTHORIZED ACCESS, OFFICIALS EXPLAINED...
CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE BEEN USING E/MSS CAN CONTINUE TO USE THEIR
PIN AT http://mypay.dfas.mil
.. MILITARY RETIREES AND ANNUITANTS WHO NEED A NEW PIN SHOULD GO
TO THE WEBSITE AND CLICK ON “Need new PIN?” IT WILL BE SENT
THROUGH THE MAIL... ALL CUSTOMERS WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT myPay MAY
CALL CUSTOMER SUPPORT AT 1 (800) 390-2348, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
BETWEEN 7 A.M AND 7:30 P.M. EASTERN TIME... SOURCE: AFTERBURNERS
DFAS LAUNCHES
MYPAY ENHANCEMENTS: MYPAY ACCESS JUST SEEMS TO
GET BETTER AS TIMES GO ON... ADDED SERVICES:
1. CAN ASSIGN A
“RESTRICTED ACCESS PIN” TO A DESIGNATED INDIVIDUAL TO VIEW THE
INFORMATION, BUT CANNOT MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE ALLOTMENTS OR
ACCOUNT INFORMATION...
2. CAN ADD A PERSONAL
E-MAIL ADDRESS SO USERS ARE NOTIFIED OF PAY CHANGES AND OTHER
ITMES OF INTEREST...
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A
DFAS PIN YOU CAN REQUEST FROM DFAS BY PHONE, LTR OR BY USING
THEIR INTERACTIVE WEB https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.asp
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE DROP BY OUR OFFICE... THIS IS AVAILABLE
TO ALL MILITARY RETIREES AND ANNUITANTS PLUS ACTIVE DUTY
PEOPLE... DFAS
DFAS MYPAY USERS:
IF YOU
HAVE A PIN TO ACCESS YOUR DFAS RECORDS YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A
HARDCOPY OF YOUR 1099R
(TAX) OR THE ANNUAL RETIREE ACCOUNT STATEMENT UNLESS YOU SELECT
THE HARDCOPY OPTION... TO SELECT THE HARDCOPY LOG ON TO MYPAY
AND CLICK YOUR OPTION... ALL MEMBERS SHOULD RECEIVE A SIMILAR
NOTICE FROM DFAS WITH INSTRUCTIONS...
DFAS CAUTIONS
AGAINST LOOK-ALIKE SITES: WHEN ACCESSING MYPAY FOR THE
1ST TIME BE SURE YOU HAVE THE OFFICIAL DFAS WEB...
APPEARS THAT LOOK-ALIKE SITES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO OBTAIN
PERSONAL DATA FROM UNSUSPECTING DFAS CUSTOMERS... THE DFAS WEB
IS http://mypay.dfas.mil
DFAS PIN:
IF YOU
WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE INTERACTIVE DFAS WEB SITE http://emss.dfas.mil TO
CHANGE SELECTED PAY DATA YOU MUST OBTAIN A PIN FROM DFAS…
LOST OR DELAYED
GOV’T CHECKS: SHOULD CONSIDER DIRECT
DEPOSIT INCLUDING INCOME TAX CHECKS OR USE THE FPO SYSTEM IF YOU
STILL DESIRE A CHECK… IF
YOU DO NOT TAKE THIS WARNING SERIOUSLY, DON’T GET EXCITED THE
NEXT TIME YOUR CHECK IS LATE OR MISSING… TO RESOLVE THIS TYPE OF PAY PROBLEM, ONE
MUST CONTACT DFAS AT (216) 522-5898 OR WRITE TO DFAS, U.S.
MILITARY RETIREMENT PAY, P.O. BOX 7130, LONDON, KY 40742-7130, TEL # 1 (800) 31-1080
OR FAX # 1 (800) 469-6559… IF YOU CANNOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM
WITH DFAS, SEE ME…
ALLOTMENTS: NEW POLICY… RETIREES CAN NOW
HAVE SIX DISCRETIONARY ALLOTMENTS
WITH A MAXIMUM OF 15 ALLOTMENTS (DISCRETIONARY AND
NON-DISCRETIONARY).. YOU
CAN WRITE OR FAX YOUR ALLOTMENT TO DFAS-CL, BOX 99191, CLEVELAND , OHIO
44199-1126 OR FAX
800-469-6559.. (WE
CAN ACCESS 800 NUMBERS, NOT FREE)... WE HAVE ALLOTMENTS FORMS AT
THE RAO OR YOU CAN WRITE OUT
YOUR REQUEST.. BE
SURE TO INCLUDE NAME, SSN, AMOUNT OF ALLOTMENT, WHOM TO SEND TO AND SIGN
YOUR REQUEST…
DEFENSE FINANCE
AND ACCOUNTING CENTER (DFAS): The written correspondence
address change from Cleveland, Ohio, to London, KY, has
created some confusion among members of the military retiree
community and also among members of agencies trying to assist
them. It’s also created a new way of doing business which
hasn’t been fully explained.
Here’s how it works and why:
The
London, KY, address is simply a drop box, a collector of
documents and the staff there, in turn, images the documents so
they can be electronically transmitted to the Defense Finance
and Accounting Service-Cleveland Center. As a result of this
imaging process, it’s more important than previously for a
certain amount of consistency.
We’re going to put this information out every way we can,
but we want you to understand it so you can better help
individuals in your area. The
following are suggestions from this office, not DFAS, based upon
many years' experience with transmittal of documents:
·
Ensure documents
being sent to the DFAS mail center in Kentucky are standard size
(8.5 by 11 inches); make enlargements or reductions when
necessary before mailing them;
SOURCE: USAF RAO PROGRAM
LETTER, 14 ARPIL 2003...
DFAS CORRESPONDENCE
ADDRESS: NEED FOR ALL TO CONSIDER
HAVING AN FPO ADDRESS FOR YOUR DFAS CORRESPONDENCE… HAVE MANY
PROBLEMS IN DELIVERY OF SERVICE PUBLICATIONS (EXAMPLE
AFTERBURNER, SHIFT COLORS, ARMY ECHOES, ETC.) VIA/THE LOCAL
POSTAL SYSTEM… IN ADDITION MANY OF THE 1099R FORMS DID NOT MAKE
IT TO THE INTENDED RECIPIENT AND WE HAD TO REQUEST DUPLICATE
COPIES… OUR LOCAL MAIL IS GETTING MORE RELIABLE; HOWEVER, THERE
IS A LIMITED NUMBER OF LINES THAT PUBLICATIONS LIKE THE
AFTERBURNER CAN USE (ANY ADDRESS OVER THREE LINES IS OMITTED)…
IF YOU ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO USE A LOCAL ADDRESS, PLEASE KEEP
THE CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS TO THREE LINES IF POSSIBLE… WE CAN
CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS WITH DFAS AT THE RAO ON REQUEST… ALSO DON’T
FORGET TO GET YOUR PAY GOING DIRECT DEPOSIT BEFORE THE END OF
THIS YEAR… WE CAN SPEED UP THE PROCESSING TIME IF YOU WILL
PROVIDE US A COMPLETED COPY OF YOUR DIRECT DEPOSIT APPLICATION
(DFAS ONLY)…
DFAS CLEVELAND
SUPPORT: WE REQUESTED THAT DFAS ALLOW
US SPECIAL ACCESS TO RESOLVE PAY PROBLEMS FOR OUR MEMBERS HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES.. THEY AGREED TO PROVIDE
US DATA ON A PRIORITY BASIS VIA FAX/TEL FOR ANY PAY PROBLEM THAT CANNOT BE RESOLVED BY THE
INDIVIDUAL VIA NORMAL CHANNELS..
IF YOU HAVE AN URGENT PAY PROBLEMS AND CANNOT RESOLVE IT,
SEE ME AT THE RAO. DFAS ADVISED THAT WE
SHOULD DO OUR PART TO INSURE ALL DATA PROVIDED TO DFAS IS
CORRECT SUCH AS CORRESPONDENCE/DIRECT DEPOSIT/CHECK ADDRESSES... IN OTHER WORDS, DFAS
CANNOT HELP IF THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO CONTACT OR WHERE TO SEND YOUR
PAY… THEY ALSO REQUESTED THAT ALL OUR MEMBERS CONSIDER DIRECT
DEPOSIT WHICH WOULD ELIMINATE
MOST PROBLEMS... IF
YOU STILL INSIST ON A CHECK, I SUGGEST YOU USE THE FPO. THE ADDRESS DATA BELOW
SHOULD BE USED WHEN CONTACTING
DFAS:
PAY/CORRESPONDENCE
CHANGES: TELEPHONE
NO. 1-800-321-1080
DFAS
FAX NO.
1-800-469-6559
E-MAIL: dfas_cleveland@cleveland.dfas.mil
U.S. MILITARY RETIREMENT PAY
YOU CAN USE CHECKMARK FOR 800 ACCESS IF A CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
P.O. BOX 7130
CHANGE
MARK ENVELOPE “CHANGE
OF ADDRESS” /ALLOTMENT /1099R /PAY
LONDON, KY 40742-7130
INQUIRY INDICATE AT LEFT BOTTOM SECTION OF ENVELOPE. THIS WILL
SPEED UP YOUR REQUEST..
ALL SBP MATTERS:
DFAS
TELEPHONE NO. 1
(800) 321-1080
U.S. MILITARY ANNUITANT PAY
FAX NO.
1 (800) 982-8459
P. O. BOX 7131
LONDON, KY 40742-7131
NON-ANNUITANTS: SEND ADDRESS CHANGE REQUEST
TO HQ AFPC/DPPRAR, 550 C STREET WEST STE 11, RANDOLPH AFB TX 78150-4713
BANK BENEFICIARY
SIMPLIFIED: A VERY LARGE PERCENTAGE OF OUR RETIREES HAVE USED
BANK OF COMMERCE, BALIBAGO FOR BANKING SERVICES SINCE BEFORE
CLARK AIR BASE CLOSED AND THEY HAVE NOW ADDED A SIMPLIFIED
BENEFICIARY DESIGNEE(S) FORM.... AS MOST MAY BE AWARE IF YOU
HAVE MONEY IN A BANK AND HAVE NOT APPOINTED A BENEFICIARY OR
HAVE A WILL YOUR FUNDS MAY NOT GO TO THE PERSON YOU DESIRE AT
TIME OF DEATH... IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A JOINT ACCOUNT, THIS FORM
IS NOT REQUIRED; HOEVER, IF YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON LISTED ON
YOUR BANK ACCOUNT, I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU COMPLETE A
BENEFICIARY FORM... WE HELPED BANK OF COMMERCE DEVELOP THIS
SIMPLIFIED BENEFICIARY FORM AND
UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE OTHER LOCAL BANKS HERE HAVE OR
CONSIDERING A SIMILAR FORM... LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF A
REAL PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THIS BENEFICIARY FORM BEING
IMPLEMENTED... A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE HAD OVER $50,000.00 IN A
BANK AND WANTED TO LEAVE THE MONEY TO HIS LIVE-IN PARTNER OF
OVER 20 YEARS AND NEVER GOT AROUND TO MAKING ARRANGEMENTS DUE TO
THE PAPERWORK INVOLVED... ONCE HE PASSED AWAY HIS LIVE IN
PARTRNER WAS LEFT WITHOUT ANY FUNDS OR MEANS OF SUPPORT AND TOO
OLD TO DANCE... WITH THIS NEW SYSTEM YOUR BENEFICIARY CAN BE
DESIGNATED WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AND HOPEFULLY THIS TYPE OF
PROBLEM WILL NOT BE REPEATED...
BANK LOANS IN THE
PHILIPPINES: WE’VE HAD SEVERAL INQUIRES
CONCERNING PURCHASE OF CARS
& REAL PROPERTY IN THE PHILIPPINES… IF ONE CANNOT PAY
CASH OR OBTAIN FUNDS OUTSIDE OF THE PHILIPPINES, THIS IS NOT
RECOMMENDED… INTEREST RATES HERE ARE HIGH… GOOD PLACE FOR
SAVINGS BUT NOT FOR LOANS… EXCEPTION: OUR LOCAL FORD
DEALER WILL GIVE FAVORABLE RATES…
DIRECT DEPOSIT IN THE
PHILIPPINES:
WE HAVE
AROUND 15 DIRECT DEPOSIT BANKS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND YOU ARE
ALLOWED TO HAVE U.S. DOLLAR ACCOUNT WHICH IS GREAT; HOWEVER,
THIS IS NOT WITHOUT LIMITATIONS... EXAMPLE; THE DIRECT DEPOSIT
ACCOUNT CANNOT BE JOINT AND YOU CANNOT WRITE DOLLAR CHECKS
UNLESS YOU MAINTAIN A MINIMUM BALANCE OF $2,000.00 UP DEPENDING
ON THE BANK... THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS TO KEEPING YOUR STATESIDE
CREDIT UNION/BANK WHICH ARE NOT AVAILABLE HERE AND I RECOMMEND
YOU KEEP THE ACCOUNTS... ANYONE CAN OPEN A REGULAR U.S. DOLLAR
ACCOUNT HERE AND MOST BANKS WILL ACCEPT U.S. PERSONAL CHECKS TO
OPEN ACCOUNTS... THE ONLY DRAW BACK IS A 21 WORKING DAYS
CLEARING TIME EVEN THOUGH MOST CHECKS CLEAR WITHIN 7 DAYS...
EVEN WITH THIS INCONVENIENCE, THE LOCAL SYSTEM CAN WORK VERY
WELL; ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS
WRITE YOUR FIRST CHECK FOR A TWO MONTHS SUPPLY OF MONEY
AND WHEN YOU HAVE USED HALF OF THE FUNDS DEPOSITED, WRITE
ANOTHER CHECK TO REPLACE THE WITHDRAWN FUNDS... THIS WILL
PROVIDE YOU WITH CLEARED MONEY FOR NORMAL USE PLUS ADDITIONAL
CLEARED FUNDS FOR EMERGENCIES... SEE ME FOR ADDITIONAL
DETAILS...
LOCAL BANKS: GET
A LOT O
WESTERN UNION
FINANCIAL SERVICES: IF
YOU NEED TO RECEIVE EMERGENCY FUNDS, YOU CAN DO SO AT DATACOM
(TEL OFFICE) IN DAU OR THE ANGELES CITY TEL OFFICE NEAR THE
ABACAN BRIDGE... YOU
GET YOUR MONEY ON THE SPOT ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION I AM
RECEIVING... COST IS RATHER PAINLESS CONSIDERING THE SERVICE
RENDERED... NOTE: CANNOT
SEND FUND INT’L; HOWEVER, DOMESTIC SERVICE IS AVAILABLE… WESTERN
UNION IN DOWNTOWN ANGELES IS LOCATED AT AMGLO BLDG., RIZAL
COR. JESUS ST., ANGELES CITY PHONE # (63 45) 322 8570
AND AT THE ARCADE ON THE CORNER OF FIELDS AVE. & MCARTHUR
HIGHWAY, BALIBAGO, ANGELES CITY…
TRAVELERS’ CHECKS: NOT
RECOMMENDED FOR THE PHILIPPINES.. MOST BANKS AND HOTELS WILL NOT
ACCEPT TRAVELERS CHECKS AND THE ONES THAT DO GIVE AN UNFAVORABLE
EXCHANGE RATE... SUGGEST YOU USE ATM CARDS WHEN TRAVELING IN THE
PHILIPPINES... IF YOU BRING EXTRA CASH, MOST HOTELS HAVE SAFETY
DEPOSIT BOXES AVAILABLE FOR MONEY/OTHER VALUABLE ASSETS... S.M.
MALL IN THE SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA WILL ACCEPT TRAVELERS CHECK
WITH PROPER ID…
DEBIT CARDS/SHARE
CHECK/PLASTIC CHECK: THIS IS SOME OF THE TERMS
THAT STATESIDE BANKS USE FOR YOU TO ACCESS YOUR CHECKING
ACCOUNT... RECOMMEND THAT ANYONE WITH A STATESIDE BANK ACCOUNT
ASK YOUR BANK FOR THIS CARD IF YOU DON’T HAVE ALREADY... THIS IS
ONE OF THE MOST INEXPENSIVE WAY OF OBTAINING FUNDS IN A FOREIGN
COUNTRY ON DEMAND WITHOUT WAITING WEEKS FOR YOUR CHECK TO
CLEAR... MOST STATESIDE BANKS ONLY CHARGE YOUR ACCOUNT $1.00 PER
TRANSACTION AND EQUITABLE/PCI BANK LOCATED AT PURE GOLD ON CLARK
FIELD PROVIDES THIS SERVICE FOR OUR AREA... LOT LESS EXPENSIVE
THAN ATM CARDS...
CREDIT CARDS: THIS IS A EXCELLENT MEANS OF
TRANSACTING BUSINESS IF USED CORRECTLY... THE “USED CORRECTLY”
TERM IS USUALLY THE PROBLEM... CREDIT CARD INTEREST RATES VARY
FROM BANK TO BANK AND ARE USUALLY IN THE 9-24% RANGE WITH 9% BEING PRETTY GOOD
AND 24% BEING VERY
EXPENSIVE... MOST CREDIT CARDS OFFER ZERO INTEREST FOR THE FIRST
30 DAYS AND IF ALL POSSIBLE PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE IN FULL
DURING THIS GRACE PERIOD... HAD ONE RETIREE TO CONTACT ME
CONCERNING A CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT THAT EXCEEDED $10,000.00 AND
HIS INTEREST WAS OVER $250.00 PER MONTH... HE COULD NOT AFFORD
TO PAY OVER $250.00 MONTHLY AND AT THAT RATE, THE BILL WOULD BE
“EVERLASTING” OR AT LEAST UNTIL HIS FUNERAL... BE CAREFUL WITH
CREDIT CARDS OR THE ONLY OUT OTHER THAN DEATH MAY BE BANKRUPTCY
WHICH DOES NOT HELP YOUR CREDIT RATING...
CASHING SAVING
BONDS IN COUNTRIES WITHOUT A U.S.
CASHING BONDS ON
BEHALF OF A CHILD: Can I cash bonds registered
in my daughter's name if: (1) I'm not named as co-owner, or (2)
I'm listed as the beneficiary and my daughter is living? Yes, if the
child is too young to sign the request for payment and
understand the transaction, payment can be made to either parent
with whom the minor lives (or to whom legal custody has been
granted). The request would be made on the back of the bond as
follows: "I certify
that I am the parent of Jane Doe with whom Jane Doe resides (or
to whom legal custody has been granted). She is ___ years old
and is not of sufficient understanding to make this request.
John Doe on behalf of Jane Doe"
Local financial institutions that redeem savings bonds
can pay bonds in the circumstances outlined above. When a local
institution is unwilling to use this optional authority to
redeem bonds, the signature of the person requesting redemption
can be guaranteed or certified at a bank or financial
institution, and the bond is sent to the nearest Federal Reserve
Bank that handles savings bonds.
Note: If your child is old enough to understand the
transaction and sign the request for payment, she can cash the
bond herself if she provides the required identification. If a child's
name is the primary name on a savings bond and a parent is the
secondary name on the bond, can the parent redeem that bond
solely? Yes,
assuming the bonds are in the child's and parent's names as
co-owners, such as, "John Doe, Jr. OR John Doe, Sr." www.savingsbonds.gov
CONVERTING PAPER
U.S. SAVING BONDS TO ELECTRONIC SECURITIES: “U.S.
Saving Bonds owners with Treasury Direct electronic account will
now have the options of converting any paper Series E, Series EE
and Series I bonds they hold to equivalent electronic securities
through the Bureau of the Public Debt’s Smart Exchange program. Individual owners of
Treasury Direct accounts are beginning to receive invitations to
trade in their paper E, EE or I bonds for conversion tot
electronic securities... Smart Exchange is initially operating
on an invitation-only basis to ensure that the conversion
process is completed in as timely a fashion possible...
According to Van Zeck, Commissioner of the Public Debt,
“Exchanging paper for electronic securities marks another step
in moving savings bonds from a paper-based, labor-intensive
program to an all-electronic product... Bond owners who take
advantage of Smart Exchange may have all their savings
securities, whether originally bought in paper or electronic
form, in a single account that can be accessed at any time, day
r night.” Owners of
paper savings bonds will not be required to trade in their
securities, but may choose to do so once they have opened a
Treasury Direct account and have received an invitation to
submit bonds for conversion... Account may be opened online by
going to Public Debt’s Web site www.treasurydirect.gov...
Account
holders may buy and redeem electronic Series EE and I bonds
using Treasury Direct, as well as manage their holdings – 24
hours a day, 7 days a week – over the Internet... Later this
year, Public Debt plans to begin offering marketable bills,
notes and TIPS through Treasury Direct, providing account
holders the flexibility to directly hold and manage a wide range
of Treasury securities in a Treasury Direct account... Public
Debt is initially inviting a limited number of current Treasury Direct account holders
to exchange their paper for electronic securities... To ensure
that customers are not without access to their bonds for an
extended period of time, Public Debt will extend additional
invitations to account holders at a pace that supports timely
processing... There are more than 300,000 current Treasury
Direct accounts with approximately 2,500 new accounts being
opened weekly.”
S O S: DO
YOU REMEMBER ALL THE GRIPPING IN THE CHOW LINE ABOUT THAT S O S
AGAIN.. GUESS WHAT IS THE
CLARK PX STORES
(DUTY FREE): YES WE CAN
SHOP AT ALL DUTY FREE STORE ON CLARK... CANNOT GET MUCH
BETTER... WHEN I FIRST HEARD THIS, I THOUGHT COL. MURPHY WAS
BACK IN THE AREA… FOR
THOSE WHO DON’T REMEMBER COL. MURPHY, HE WAS THE GUY THAT GAVE
US COMMISSARY & PX PRIVILEGES ON CLARK PLUS A LOT MORE… HE
IS NOW A RETIREE ALSO….
SPACE A: WE HAVE
BEEN BLESSED WITH A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF SPACE-A AND EXPECT
THE TREND TO CONTINUE... AS MOST ARE AWARE WE DO NOT HAVE A
TERMINAL FOR YOU TO WAIT AT ANYMORE; HOWEVER, WE HAVE A BETTER
SYSTEM; TEXT MESSAGES AND E-MAIL... AUTHORIZED MEMBERS ARE
ALLOWED TO SIGN UP VIA E-MAIL
clrkmilasstgrp@hotmail.com OR CEL PHONE # 0917 924 7284 AND
WILL RECEIVE AUTOMATIC UPDATES VIA YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS/TEXT
MESSAGE... ALSO REF OUR WEB www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr
AND CLICK ON SPACE A FOR ADDITIONAL DATA... RETIRED LIFE IN THE
PHILIPPINES JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER...
SPACE-A TRAVEL
HANDBOOK (NOT FREE): I RECOMMEND
THIS HANDBOOK TO ANYONE WHO MAY BE THINKING ABOUT USING THE
SPACE-A PROGRAM... REF WEB SITE:
www.spaceatravel.com FOR ORDERING DATA...
WE ALSO HAVE THE ORDER FORMS IN OUR OFFICE AND A COPY OF THE NEW
SPACE A BOOK... COST IS $25.00 PLUS $3.00 SHIPPING &
HANDLING FEE... AIR FORCE RETIREE NEWS...
ARMED FORCES
RETIREMENT HOME GOES ON THE WEB AT http://www.afrh.com: YOU CAN
OBTAIN THEIR HOMEPAGE AT THE ABOVE WEB OR YOU CAN CALL THE NAVAL
HOME AT 1-800-332-3527 OR USSAH AT 1-800-442-9988. 800 NUMBERS ARE NOT
FREE OUTSIDE THE U..S.
ARMED FORCES
RETIREMENT HOME: NEW
GUIDELINES – SEE
ATTACHMENT #7 WEBSITE www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr...
U.S. MILITARY
ENLISTMENT: MUST
BE BETWEEN 17-34 YEARS OF AGE, GOOD HEALTH, HIGH SCHOOL GRAD OR
HIGHER, AMERICAN CITIZEN OR GREEN CARD HOLDER… THE U.S. MILITARY
SCREENING TEST FOR THE USAF, ARMY & NAVY IS GIVEN AT OUR RAO
AT 0945 HRS ON THE SECOND AND FORTH SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH… WILL
NEED TO SEE YOUR U.S. PASSPORT/GREEN CARD AND SCHOOL
TRANSCRIPT... WE HAVE OVER ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND AMERICANS LIVING
IN THE PHILIPPINES AND I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN GETTING
THE WORD OUT…
ARMED SERVICES
VOCATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY (ASVAB): IF
YOU ARE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN OR CURRENT GREEN CARD HOLDER AND
WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE U.S. MILITARY, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU
REVIEW THE ASVAB GUIDE... THE BOOKS SELL FOR $19.95 IN THE
UNITED STATES; HOWEVER, WE HAVE A MASTER CD-ROM AND WILL MAKE
YOU A COPY FREE; HOWEVER, YOU MUST PROVIDE THE BLANK CD (SEE US
FOR CD SPECIFICATIONS)... REMINDER: WE TEST ON THE 2ND
AND 4TH SAT OF EACH MONTH AT 0945 HRS... CAN ALSO
REVIEW ON WEB www.march2juccess.com
LOCATING AIR
FORCE/NAVY RETIREES/ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERS: THE AIR FORCE MAY NOT
RELEASE HOME OR OVERSEAS ADDRESSES BUT WILL FORWARD A PERSONAL
LETTER… SEAL YOUR LETTER IN A STAMPED ENVELOPE… ENTER YOUR
RETURN ADDRESS (INCLUDING RETIRED GRADE) AND SEND YOUR LETTER
AND ADDRESSEES NAME, GRADE AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR SERVICE
NUMBER IN ANOTHER ENVELOPE TO:
AFPC/MSIMDL, 550 C
STREET WEST STE 50 RANDOLPH AFB TX 78150-4752... (IF THE
ADDRESSEE’S SSN/SN IS NOT AVAILABLE, THE LOCATOR NEEDS THE MOST
RECENT AIR FORCE BASE ASSIGNMENTS/DATES, ETC TO HELP LOCATE
ADDRESS)… FOR A REPLY ABOUT THE STATUS OF YOUR LETTER PROVIDE A
STAMPED SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE. LOCATOR SERVICE – FREE TO
RETIREES – IS LIMITED TO ONE ADDRESS PER REQUEST… NAVY IS THE
SAME PROCEDURE EXCEPT USA… NAVY ADDRESS: COMMANDING OFFICER NRPC
(CODE N33) 4400 DAUPHINE STREET NEW ORLEANS, LA 70149 7800… MARINE CORPS ADD: HQ MARINE CORPS CMC
(MMSR-6) 3280 RUSSELL ROAD QUANTICO, VA 22134... COAST GUARD ADD: COMMANDING OFFICER (RAS)
COAST GUARD HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES AND INFORMATION CENTER
444 S.E. QUINCY STREET TOPEKA, KS 66683-3591…
NOTE: THE U.S. ARMY DOES NOT
PROVIDE THIS SERVICE ANYMORE (REF ARMY ECHOES).
APPLICATION RULES
CHANGE FOR AIR FORCE CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS: APPLICANTS
CAN ACCESS THE NEW “JOB KIT” AT https://ww2.afpc.randoph.af.mil/resweb
THOSE WITHOUT COMPUTER, ACCESS CAN SEND RESUM’E AND SUPPLEMENTAL
DATA TO HQ AFPC/DPCTDC, ATTN:
RECRUITMENT CALL CENTER, 550 C STREET WEST SUITE 57,
RANDOLPH AFB TX 78150-4759...
AFPC/DPPR
WEB SITE: IF YOU
WOULD LIKE TO FIND AN USAF RAO ADDRESS TO INCLUDE AN INTERACTIVE
E-MAIL/WEB SITE JUST CLICK ON WEB
www.afpc.randolph.af.mil AND CLICK RETIREE
NEWS… THIS WEB ALSO HAS A GREAT DEAL OF VERY IMPORTANT
INFORMATION FOR RETIREES AND THOSE WHO ARE ABOUT TO RETIRE/RAO
ADDRESSES/ETC…
ACTIVE DUTY
PERSONNEL (PHILIPPINES): WHEN
ENROLLED IN TRICARE PACIFIC PRIME, YOUR MEDICAL BENEFITS COVERS
YOU WHEREEVER YOU TRAVEL OVERSEAS.... IF YOU REQUIRE EMERGENCY
MEDICAL CARE WHILE ON LEAVE OR DEPLOYMENT, WHILE IN THE
PHILIPPINES, YOU CAN OBTAIN TREATMENT VIA INT’L SOS BY CALLING
(02) 637-0707... ISOS PROVIDES A CASHLESS AND CLAIMLESS SERVICE
FOR ALL ACTIVE DUTY IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC COUNTRIES... ACTIVE
DUTY FAMILY MEMBERS MAY ALSO USE THE SERVICE BUT THEY MUST PAY
UP-FRONT AND CONTACT THEIR SERVICING TRICARE SERVICE CENTER TO
ASSIST THEM IN FILING THEIR CLAIM (WHEN YOU GET BACK TO YOUR
BASE)... PLEASE NOTE IF YOU MUST PAY ISOS (UP-FRONT) FOR YOUR
MEDICAL SERVICE IT CAN BE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN LOCAL
CLINIC/S/HOSPITALS...
FINAL PERMANENT
CHANGE OF STATION (PSC): SEEMS LIKE
A LOT OF OUR OLE TIMERS HAS BEEN TRANSFERRING TO THE CLARK
CEMETERY LATELY AND WE HOPE TO MAKE THE TRANSFER LESS STRESSFUL
FOR THOSE REMAINING... FIRST, EVERYONE USUALLY NEED A WILL AND
WE HAVE AN ATTORNEY ON RETAINER WHOM CAN HELP... IF YOU TRY AND
WRITE YOUR OWN WILL OR NOT HAVE ONE, CHANCES ARE YOUR ASSETS
WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED AS YOU WOULD HAVE DESIRED... HAVING
BENEFICIARY FOR YOUR BANKS ACCOUNTS WOULD ALSO HELP OR SOME
BANKS OFFER A “PEFERRED” JOINT BANK ACCOUNT WHICH WILL ALLOW YOU
TO CONTROL YOUR BANK ACCOUNT WHILE HAVING THE OTHER PERSON TO
REQUIRE TWO SIGNATURES (YOURS & HER/HIS)... ONCE DECEASE
THIS PERSON WOULD HAVE TOTAL CONTROL OF YOUR BANK ACCOUNT WHICH
WOULD HELP CONSIDERABLE UNTIL BENEFITS (IF ANY) ARE BEING PAID
(SOMETIME UP TO SIX MONTHS).... SHOULD ALWAYS PLAN ON HAVING AT
LEAST $1,100.00 FOR YOUR FUNERAL (MINIMUM COST FOR A DECENT
FUNERAL)... IF YOUR BANK DOES NOT OFFER THE ABOVE SERVICE
(BANKING) SEE ME AND I WILL RECOMMEND BANKS THAT WILL HELP...
FORMS: IF
YOU NEED USAF OR DD FORMS, WE HAVE THESE ON OUR COMPUTER AND CAN RUN YOU A COPY UPON REQUEST.... AS USUAL, WE NORMALLY HAVE IRS FORMS AROUND THE FIRST OF JAN...
STATE TAX FORMS: IF
YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR STATE TAX FORMS, THESE CAN BE DOWNLOADED
FROM WEBSITE http://www.sisterstate.com/
www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/forms_pubs/ftaframes….
COLD WAR
RECOGNITION CERTIFICATE: IF YOU
SERVED BETWEEN SEPT 2, 1945 AND DEC 26, 1991, YOU ARE ELIGIBLE…
WILL NEED A COPY OF YOUR 214/WD AGO FORM 53-55/OATH
OFFICE/RE-ENLISTMENT CONTRACT (DD FORM 4)… ANY ONE OF THESE
DOCUMENTS IS SUFFICIENT TO QUALIFY… CHECK WEBSITE http://147.103.18.232/sampletter OR ORDER BY MAIL (SAMPLE LETTER ATCH)
SEE WEBSITE www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr ATTACHMENT # 10)...
IRS CERTI
IRS PUBLICATION
915: IF YOU
ARE A CURRENT GREEN CARD HOLDER AND 30% WITHOLDING TAX IS BEING
TAKEN OUT OF YOUR U.S. SSA BENEFITS, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO RECOVER
YOUR MONEY AND HAVE THE TAX DISCONTINUED... IRS PUB 915 TAX IS
QUOTED FOR YOUR INFORMATION... “Lawful permanent
residents. For
U.S. income tax purposes, lawful permanent residents (green card
holders) are considered resident aliens until their lawful
permanent resident status under the immigration laws is either
taken away or is administratively or judicially determined to
have been abandoned. Social
security benefits paid to a green card holder are not subject to
30% withholding. If
you are a green card holder and tax was withheld in error on
your social security benefits because you have a foreign
address, the withholding tax is refundable by the Social
Security Administration (SSA) or the IRS. SSA will refund taxes
erroneously withheld if the refund can be processed during the
same calendar year in which the tax was withheld. If SSA cannot refund
the taxes withheld, you must file a Form 1040 or 1040A with the
Internal Revenue Service Center, Philadelphia, PA 19255 to determine if
you are entitled to a refund.
You must also attach the following information to your
Form 1040 or 1040A;
¨
A copy of the Form
SSA-1042S, Social Security Benefit Statement.
¨
A copy of the “green
card,” and
¨
A signed declaration
that includes the following statements:
The SSA should not
have withheld federal income tax from my social security
benefits because I am a U.S. lawful permanent resident and my
green card has been neither revoked nor administratively or
judicially determined to have been abandoned. I am filing a U.S.
income tax return for the tax year as a resident alien reporting
all of my worldwide income.
I have not claimed benefits for the tax year under an
income tax treaty as a nonresident alien.”
1040NR FILERS: IF YOU ARE
RECEIVING SBP, THE TAX TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE
PHILIPPINES ALLOWS FOR 30% OF THE TOTAL BE DEDUCTED AS
NONREFUNDABLE TAXES; ULESS YOU HAVE A VALID GREEN CARD, MET THE
SUBSTANTIAL PRESENCE TEST OR FIRST YEAR CHOICE FILER... THE ONLY
WAY TO CHANGE THIS TAX LAW I S TO COMPLAIN TO YOUR CONGRESS
(RP)… OVERSEAS FILERS HAVE UNTIL 15 JUN 2000 TO FILE UNLESS ONE
OWES IRS…
CORRECT
CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS: DURING
EVERY TAX SEASON THERE ARE MEMBERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE 1099’S AND
THIS IS PRIMARILY DUE TO AN INCORRECT ADDRESS... SHOULD KEEP THE
AGENCY THAT YOU RECEIVE PAYMENT FROM INFORMED OF YOUR CORRECT
CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS FOR SEVERAL REASONS: ONE, IF YOU DO NOT
REPLY TO INQUIRIES, YOUR PAY COULD BE STOPPED AND OF COURSE YOU
WILL NOT RECEIVE YOUR END OF YEAR TAX DATA AND PAY UPDATES...
LEGAL: BEFORE
YOU DECIDE TO GIVE ANYONE A “POWER OF ATTORNEY”, SIGN A
CONTRACT, APPOINT SOMEONE AS AN
“ATTORNEY-IN-FACT” OR OTHER DOCUMENTS GIVING ANOTHER
PERSON/BUSINESS AUTHORITY TO ACT ON YOUR BEHALF, YOU SHOULD
CONSULT AN ATTORNEY AND ASK YOURSELF IF YOU WOULD TRUST THIS
PERSON WITH A JOINT BANK ACCOUNT… IF THE ANSWER IS NO, MAYBE YOU
SHOULD RECONSIDER YOUR PLANS… IF YOU DECIDE ON A POWER OF
ATTORNEY, THE AUTHORITY SHOULD BE LIMITED TO A SPECIFIC ACTION…
A FULL OR GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY SHOULD NOT BE GRANTED EXCEPT
WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY AND YOU SHOULD CONSULT AN ATTORNEY
FIRST… ATTORNEY-IN-FACT CLAUSES ARE USED A LOT IN THIS COUNTRY
AND WILL FIND IN LEASE AGREEMENTS, CONTRACTS, ETC AND SHOULD
CROSS OUT IF POSSIBLE… THIS GIVES THE PERSON AUTHORITY TO TAKE
CERTAIN ACTIONS WITHOUT FURTHER APPROVAL FROM YOU OR WITHOUT
FOLLOWING THE DUE PROCESS OF LAW… IN GENERAL, YOU SHOULD NEVER
GIVE ANYONE OR A BUSINESS AUTHORITY TO SIGN OR USE YOUR NAME
UNLESS YOU WOULD TRUST THEM ON A JOINT BANK ACCOUNT… THIS ALSO
APPLIES TO CHAMPUS/TRICARE CLAIMS BECAUSE YOU ALONE ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENTS… JUST A REMINDER ON PROPER USE OF
CHAMPUS/TRICARE STANDARD – COST SHARE: “WHENEVER YOU
ARE USING THE BENEFITS YOU MUST PAY YOUR COST SHARE, NO ONE CAN
WAIVE THIS PAYMENT SINCE THIS IS A MATTER OF LAW… IF YOU BREAK
THIS LAW YOU CAN LOSE YOUR RIGHT TO USE THE BENEFIT… IN
ADDITION, THE INSTITUTION OR PROVIDER WAIVING YOUR COST SHARE
CAN LOSE THEIR ABILITY TO RECEIVE PAYMENT FROM CHAMPUS… THE
BOTTOM LINE IS YOU CAN BE LEFT WITH NOTHING BY TRYING TO SAVE A
FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS”… SOURCE CAPT KRIER, CHIEF OF TRICARE HAFB…
WE KEEP RECEIVING HORROR STORIES ABOUT LAND PURCHASES IN THE
PI... IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO PURCHASED LAND, BE SURE TO HAVE THE
TITLE RESEARCHED... SHOULD HAVE AN ATTORNEY ON RETAINER IF
POSSIBLE TO LOOK AT ANY MAJOR PURCHASE/LEASE AND FOR
CONSULTATION ON OTHER MATTERS THAT PERTAIN TO LAW... WE HAVE A
GOOD LAW FIRM ON RETAINER THAT YOU CAN USE OR I CAN RECOMMEND SOME
WITH A GOOD TRACK RECORD... BEING YOUR OWN LAWYER IS NOT A GOOD
POLICY. NOT LIKE
BEING YOUR OWN PHYSICIAN (HARD TO SEE ON THE BACKSIDE)...
LEGAL (MY
INTERPRETATION): PRIOR
TO MARRIAGE IN THE PHILIPPINES, YOU NEED TO REVIEW YOUR ASSETS… ONCE MARRIED, FIFTY
PERCENT OF YOUR ASSETS WILL BELONG TO YOUR SPOUSE… PRIOR TO THE CONTRACT
MARRIAGE, YOU ARE ALLOWED TO EXCEPT ANY/ALL ASSETS UP TO THE
DATE OF MARRIAGE… DIVORCE IN THE PHILIPPINES IS NOT PERMITTED;
HOWEVER, ANNULMENTS AND DIVORCE OUTSIDE OF THE PHILIPPINES IS
LEGAL… SEPARATION
IS LEGAL; HOWEVER, USUALLY ALL ASSETS MAY BE SPLIT 50:50 AT THAT TIME… A
WILL IS A MUST IF YOU ARE MARRIED TO FILIPINO CITIZEN OR YOU MAY
END UP NOT OWNING PROPERTY
THAT YOU PAID FOR… THE
FOREIGN SPOUSE IS ALLOWED TO INHERIT LAND FROM THE FILIPINO
SPOUSE AND MAY KEEP OR SELL
TO A FILIPINO CITIZEN… WITHOUT
A WILL, THIS IS DIFFERENT STORY…
LEGAL OFFICE: GUESS
WE ALL MISS OUR BASE LEGAL OFFICER WHEN WE HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT
WILLS, LIVING TRUST OR PROBATE QUESTIONS... FOUND A VERY GOOD
ARTICLE WRITTEN BY THE MCCONNELL AFB, KS LEGAL OFFICE AND HOPE
THAT WILL ANSWER SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS... DON’T FORGET THAT WE
HAVE AN ATTORNEY ON RETAINER TO HELP WITH LOCAL LEGAL
PROBLEMS... “LEGAL
OFFICE” MCCONNELL AFB KS RAO, JUL
01: Living Trust Offers—How to Make Sure
They’re Trust-worthy. You’ve worked hard for you money, and made
every attempt to be a conscientious saver. So it’s only natural
that you want some control over what happens to your assets in
the event of your death. At the very least, you probably want to
minimize or avoid potential hassles and headaches for your loved
ones. Estate planning deals with what happens to your assets
after you die. Even if you are a person of modest means, you
have an estate--- and several strategies to choose from to make
sure that your assets are distributed as you wish and in a
timely way. The right strategies depend on your individual
circumstances. That is, what is best for your neighbor might not
make the most sense for you. Misinformation and misunderstanding
about estate taxes and the length or complexity of probate
provide the perfect cover for scam artists who have created an
industry out of older people’s fear that their estates could be
eaten up by costs or that the distribution of their assets could
be delayed for years. Some unscrupulous businesses are
advertising seminars on living trusts or sending postcards
inviting consumers to call for in-home appointments to learn
whether a living trust is right for them. In these cases, it’s
not uncommon for the salesperson to exaggerate the benefits or
the appropriateness of the living trust and claim – falsely —
that locally licensed lawyers will prepare the documents. Other
businesses are advertising living trust “kits”: consumers send
money for these do-it-yourself
products, but receive nothing in return. Still other
businesses are using estate-planning services to gain access to
consumer’s financial information and to sell them other
financial products, such as insurance annuities. What’s a
consumer to do? It’s true that from some people, a living trust
can be a useful and practical tool. But for others, it can be a
waste of money and time. What is a living trust, anyway, and how
does it differ from a will? Who should you trust when it comes
to estate planning? And how can you tell which tools and
strategies will work best for your particular circumstances? The
Federal Trade Commission, the government agency that works to
prevent fraud, deception and unfair business practices in the
marketplace, says that it helps to learn the terms that are used
in this aspect of financial planning before you begin
conversations about it. For example: Probate is a legal
process that usually involves filing a deceased person’s will
with the local probate court, taking an inventory and getting
appraisals of the deceased’s property, paying all legal debts,
and eventually distributing the remaining assets and property.
This process can be costly and time consuming. Many states have
simplified probate for estates below a certain amount, but that
amount varies among states. If an estate meets the state’s
requirements for “expedited” or “unsupervised” probate, the
process is faster and less costly. A Trust is a legal
arrangement where one person (the “grantor”) gives control of
his property to a trust, which is administered by a “trustee”
for the “beneficiary’s” benefit. The grantor, trustee and
beneficiary may be the same person. The grantor names a
successor trustee in the event of incapacitation or death, as
well as successor beneficiaries. A Living trust, created
while you’re alive, lets you control the distribution of your
estate. You transfer ownership of your property and your assets
into the trust. You can serve as the trustee or you can select a
person or an institution to be the trustee. If you’re the
trustee, you will have to name a successor trustee to distribute
the assets at your death. The advantage of a living trust?
Properly drafted and executed, it can avoid probate because the
trust owns the assets, not the deceased. Only property in the
deceased’s name must go through probate. The downside? Poorly
drawn or unfunded trusts can cost you money and endanger your
best intentions. A will is
a legal document that dictates how to distribute your property
after your death. If you don’t have a will, you die intestate, and the law
of your state determines what happens to your estate and your
minor children. The probate court governs this process. A living trust is
different from a living
will. A living
will expresses your wishes about being kept alive if
you’re terminally ill or seriously injured. And, the FTC
advises, proceed with caution. Because state laws and
requirements vary, “cookie-cutter” approaches to estate planning
aren’t always the most efficient way to handle your affairs.
Before you sign any papers to create a will, a living trust, or
any other kind of trust: explore all your options with an
experienced and licensed estate planning attorney or financial
advisor. Generally, state law requires that an attorney draft
the trust. Avoid high-pressure sales tactics and high-speed
sales pitches by anyone who is selling estate planning tools or
arrangements. Avoid salespeople who give the impression that
AARP is selling or endorsing their products. AARP does not
endorse any living trust product. Do your homework. Get
information about your local probate laws from the Clerk (or
Register) of Wills. If you opt for a living trust, make sure
it’s properly funded --- that is, that the property has been
transferred from your name to the trust. If the transfers aren’t
done properly, the trust will be invalid and the state will
determine who inherits your property and serves as guardian for
your minor children. If someone tries to sell you a living
trust, ask if the seller is an attorney. Some states limit the
sale of living trust services to attorneys. Remember the Cooling off Rule. If
you buy a living trust in your home or somewhere other than the
seller’s permanent place of business (say, at a hotel seminar),
the seller must give you a written statement of your right to
cancel the deal within three business days. The Cooling Off Rule
provides that during the sales transaction, the salesperson must
give you two copies of a cancellation form (one for you to keep
and one to return to the company) and a copy of your contract or
receipt the contract or receipt must be dated, show the name and
address of the seller, and explain your right to cancel. You can
write a letter and exercise your right to cancel within three
days, even if you don’t receive a cancellation form. You do not
have to give a reason for canceling. Stopping payment on your
check if you do cancel in these circumstances is a good idea. If
you pay by credit card and the seller does not credit your
account after you cancel, you can dispute the charge with the
credit card issuer. Check out the organization with the Better
Business Bureau in your state or the state where the
organization is located before you send any money for any
product or service. Although this is prudent, it is not
foolproof: there may be no record of complaints if an
organization is too new or has changed its name.” AARP: 1-800-424-3410;
www.aarp.org. Ask for a copy
of Product Report:
Wills & Living Trusts. AARP does not sell or endorse living
trust products. The
American Bar Association, Service Center, 541 N. Fairbanks
CT., Chicago, IL. 60611; 312-988-5522; www.abanet.org/publiced/publicpubs.html.
Council of Better
Business Bureaus, Inc., 4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 800,
Arlington, VA 22203-1838; 703-276-0100; www.bbb.org. The National Academy of
Elder Law Attorneys, Inc., 1604 North Country Club Rd.,
Tucson, AZ 85716; 520-881-4005; www.naela.org.
The National Consumer
Law Center, Inc., 18 Tremont St., Ste. 400, Boston, MA
02108-2336; 617-523-8010; www.consumerlaw.org.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive
and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide
information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file
a com-plaint, or to get free information on any of 150
consumers topics, call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP
(1-877-382-4357), or use the online complaint form. The
FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other
fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a
secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and
criminal law enforcement agencies U.S. and abroad. The preceding
article was obtained from the Federal Trade Commissions public
website at www.FTC.gov.
LEGAL CORNER: IF YOU ARE
GOING TO MAKE A BIG-TICKET PURCHASE SUCH AS A HOUSE OR VEHICLE;
HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT WITH
AN ATTORNEY PRIOR TO
ANY MONEY TRANSACTION.. CAN
BE SAVE YOU A LOT OF PAIN LATER... YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOU ARE
RECEIVING A CLEAR TITLE
AND IF THERE ARE
ANY LIENS OR IF THAT PERSON REALLY
OWNS THE PROPERTY... YOU
MAY BE SURPRISED AT SOME OF
THE THINGS PEOPLE TRY TO
PULL.. ALSO
WHEN YOU PURCHASE A SECOND-HAND ITEM LIKE A FRIG, STOVE, BED,
BICYCLE, ETC., BE SURE TO GET A BILL OF SALE WITH THE PERSONS
TAX ACCOUNT NUMBER AND LOOK AT HIS/HER ID... BETTER TO BE SAFE
THAN GET STUCK WITH STOLEN GOODS... DROP BY THE OFFICE WHEN IN
DOUBT OR CHECK WITH YOUR SERVICE ORGANIZATION
COMMANDER/PRESIDENT...
LIVING WILL: SEVERAL
OF OUR RETIREES ARE HERE WITHOUT FAMILY AND MANY DO NOT HAVE
CLOSE RELATIVES IN THE STATES.
THIS CREATES A PROBLEM WHEN YOU GO TO THAT "BIG HANGER IN
THE SKY"… I HAVE
BEEN ADVISED, THAT ACCORDING TO PHILIPPINE LAW; THAT A CLEAR
HAND WRITTEN WILL IN YOUR OWN HAND WRITING IS LEGAL FOR HOW MUCH
MEDICAL TREATMENT YOU DESIRE AND HOW YOUR REMAINS WILL BE
HANDLED; HOWEVER, I RECOMMEND AN ATTORNEY TO INSURE THAT YOUR
INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE FOLLOWED...
WE HAVE A RAO ATTORNEY ON RETAINER OR CAN RECOMMEND ONE
IF YOU SO DESIRE….
RAO ATTORNEY ON
RETAINER: IF YOU
HAVE LEGAL PROBLEM WE HAVE AN ATTORNEY ON RETAINER THAT CAN SAVE
YOU A FEW BUCK (50%
DISCOUNT)... OUR ATTORNEY IS ALSO ON THE U.S. EMBASSY
RECOMMENDED LIST... WE’VE HAD THIS SERVICE ESTABLISHED FOR ABOUT
TEN YEARS AND AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST... ALSO TRYING TO WORK OUT
AN ATTORNEY ON CALL SYSTEM FOR ALL EXPATS AND THIS IS PRESENTLY
BEING COORDINATED... THIS SERVICE WOULD BE AVAILABLE ON A 24/7
BASIS AND EACH MEMBER WOULD HAVE A 24HR NUMBER TO CALL IF LEGAL
ASSISTANCE WAS REQUIRED... EXAMPLE: “The police stopped
you for a traffic violation that you thought was not justified
you could use your cell phone to contact your attorney and he
could discuss the matter with the cop or if the police wanted to
search your property, the same could apply... Appears to be a
good program and if we can find sufficient interest the cost
would be minimal.” THIS
WOULD APPLY TO INDIVIDUALS ONLY AND NOT BUSINESS…
PHILIPPINE FAMILY
CODE CHANGE: A NEW LAW
(REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9255)
HAS BEEN PASSED BY THE PHILIPPINE CONGRESS ALLOWING ILLEGITIMATE
CHILDREN TO USE THE SURNAME OF THEIR FATHER (BEFORE ONLY THE
SURNAME OF THE MOTHER COULD BE USED)... LAW IS EFFECTIVE AS OF JUNE 2004... UNDER
THIS LAW, THE CHILD MAY USE THE SURNAME OF HIS OR HER FATHER IF
THE FATHER SHALL EXECUTE AN AFFIDAVIT OF AUTHORITY TO USE HIS
SURNAME...
Be
it
enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
SECTION 1. Section 1 of
Republic Act No. 9048, hereinafter referred to as the Act, is
hereby amended to read as follows:
“SECTION 1. Authority to
Correct Clerical or Typographical Error and Change of
SEC. 2. Section 2, paragraph
(3) of the Act is likewise amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 2. Definition of
Terms. – As used in this Act, the following
terms shall mean:
(1) xxx xxx
(2) xxx xxx
(3) ‘Clerical or typographical
error’ refers to a mistake committed in the performance of
clerical work in writing, copying, transcribing or typing an
entry in the civil register that is harmless and innocuous, such
as misspelled name or misspelled place of birth, mistake in the
entry of day and month in the date of birth or the sex of the
person or the like, which is visible to the eyes or obvious to
the understanding, and can be corrected or changed only by
reference to other existing record or records: Provided,
however,
That no correction must involve the change of
nationality, age, or status of the petitioner.”
SEC. 3. Section 5 of the Act is
hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 5.
The petition shall be supported
with the following documents:
(1) A certified true machine
copy of the certificate or of the page of the registry book
containing the entry or entries sought to be corrected or
changed;
(2) At least two (2) public or
private documents showing the correct entry or entries upon
which the correction or change shall be based; and
(3) Other documents which the
petitioner or the city or municipal civil registrar or the
consul general may consider relevant and necessary for the
approval of the petition.
No petition for correction of
erroneous entry concerning the date of birth or the sex of a
person shall be entertained except if the petition is
accompanied by earliest school record or earliest school
documents such as, but not limited to, medical records,
baptismal certificate and other documents issued by religious
authorities; nor shall any entry involving change of gender
corrected except if the petition is accompanied by a
certification issued by an accredited government physician
attesting to the fact that the petitioner has not undergone sex
change or sex transplant. The petition for change of first name
or nickname, or for correction of erroneous entry concerning the
day and month in the date of birth or the sex of a person, as
the case may be, shall be published at least once a week for two
(2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation.
The petition and its supporting
papers shall be filed in three (3) copies to be distributed as
follows: first copy to the concerned city or municipal civil
registrar, or the consul general; second copy to the Office of
the Civil Registrar General; and third copy to the petitioner.”
SEC. 4. Section 8 of the Act is
hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 8. Payment of
The fees collected by the city
or municipal civil registrar or the consul general pursuant to
this Act shall accrue to the funds of the Local Civil Registry
Office concerned or the Office of the Consul General for
modernization of the office and hiring of new personnel and
procurement of supplies, subject to government accounting and
auditing rules.”
SEC. 5. Separability
Clause. – If any provision of this Act shall at
any time be found to be unconstitutional or invalid, the
remainder thereof not affected by such declaration shall remain
in full force and effect.
SEC. 6. Repealing
Clause. – Any laws, decrees, rules or
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 7. Effectivity
Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen
(15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette
or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.
This Act
which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3113 and House Bill
No. 4530 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of
Representatives on May 30, 2012 and June 5, 2012, respectively.
*
PHILIPPINE
PASSPORTS REQUIREMENTS: I
PASSPORT
REQUIREMENTS
*
Personal Appearance is required.
* Duly
accomplished application form.
* Birth Certificate (Bc) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the
National Statistics Office (NSO) or Certified True Copy (CTC) of
BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by
NSO.
* Proof of identity/ Supporting documents indicating full name,
date and place of birth and citizenship
* Other Supporting documents
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
*
* Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper issued by NSO or
Certified True Copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly
authenticated by NSO.
*
If already widowed: Death Certificate of the deceased husband;
* If marriage is annulled: Certified true copy and photocopy of
the first page and the dispositive portion of the judgment on
annulment and NSO-issued MC with the annotation on the annulment
decree;
*If divorced: Certified true copy and photocopy of the first
page and the dispositive portion of the judgment on divorce
secured by foreign spouse authenticated by the Philippine
Embassy or Consulate where the divorce is obtained.
*
Personal appearance of their parent (if minor is of legitimate
status).
* Personal appearance of mother (if minor is of illegitimate
status)
If
minor
is NOT traveling with either parent:
*
Original and photocopy of DSWD Clearance
* Affidavit of Support and Consent
If both parents are abroad:
*
Affidavit of support and consent (must be authenticated by the
nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General if not executed
before a Consul).
* Special Power of Attorney (must be authenticated by the
nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General if not executed
before a Consul designating the representative by name and
authorizing him to apply for a passport on behalf of the minor).
* Passport and photocopy of the passport of the traveling
companion of the minor.
* Identification Card and photocopy thereof of the duly
authorized person.
*
Please refer to requirements for first time passport applicants.
* Late
registered Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA)
issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO)
* Original and photocopy of Voter's Affidavit or other
supporting documents indicating date and place of birth and
citizenship, identity and tribal affiliation.
* Certificate from the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA)
ADDRESS
D
OIC: ASUNCION N.
Location Address: City Central TrTerminal (CCTT) Lazatin Blvd.,
Corner Olongapo-Gapan Road
San Juan, City of San
Telephone Contact Numbers: (045) 961-6175 (temporary)
Email Address: pampanga@dfa.gov.ph
LOCAL VITAL
STATISTICS DOCUMENTS & ERRORS: SEVERAL OF
OUR MEMBERS HAVE FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY THAT ERRORS ON BIRTH
CERTIFICATES, MARRIAGE CONTRACTS AND DEATH CERTIFICATES CAN BE
VERY EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING… DATES AND SPELLING ON BIRTH
CERTIFICATES AND MARRIAGE CONTRACTS SEEMS TO BE MOST OF THE
PROBLEMS WHILE NATIONALITY SEEMS TO BE THE MAJOR PROBLEM IN
DEATH CERTIFICATES… NEED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO DETAILS BEFORE
THESE DOCUMENTS ARE SUBMITTED TO THE REGISTRAR FOR PERMANENT
RECORDS… THE U.S. EMBASSY, MANILA WILL NOT ACCEPT DOCUMENTS WILL
ERRORS AND IT’S USUALLY A WASTE OF TIME & MONEY TRAVELING
TO MANILA UNTIL CORRECTED…
MILITARY RECORDS: IF
YOU WERE PREVIOUSLY TOLD THAT YOUR MILITARY RECORDS WERE
DESTROYED IN THE 1973 FIRE, MANY DUPLICATE RECORDS HAVE BEEN
FOUND... CONTACT US FOR APPLICATION FORMS… (LLAFB)...
ON LINE PERSONNEL
RECORD REQUEST (ALMOST): THE
FOLLOWING DATA EXPLAINS HOW WE CAN GET COPIES OF OUR MILITARY
RECORDS; HOWEVER, ONCE YOU PULL UP THE WEB SITE, YOU STILL MUST
DOWNLOAD A SIGNATURE FORM, SIGN AND MAIL OR FAX TO THE RECORDS
CENTER... RECOMMEND YOU FAX... THE FAX NUMBER AND ADDRESS WILL
BE PRINTED OUT AUTOMATICALLY WHEN YOU DOWNLOAD THE SIGNATURE
FORM...
“Military veterans
and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now
request copies of military personnel records online from the
National Personnel Records Center.
The new Web-based application was designed to provide
better service on these requests by eliminating records mailroom
processing time. Also, because the requester will be asked to
supply all information essential for NPRC to process the
request, delays that normally occur when NPRC has to ask
veterans for additional information will be minimized. Veterans
and next of kin (a surviving spouse that has not remarried,
father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother) may access
the application at http://vetrecs.archives.gov. (There is no
requirement to type "www" in front of the web address.)
Individuals, other than veterans or next of kin, with a need for
documents must still complete the Standard Form 180 which can be
downloaded from the site.”
NEED A COPY OF
YOUR DD FORM 214??? YOU
WILL SOONER LATER… MUST
HAVE A DD FORM 214 WHEN YOU REQUEST AN ID CARD, SOCIAL SECURITY, VA
BENEFITS AND WE EVEN
NEED A COPY WHEN YOU PASS ON…
SEND YOUR REQUEST TO:
NPRC/NCPMF-C, 9700 PAGE
BLVD. ST. LOUIS, MO 63132-5000.... A SIGNED REQUEST
WITH FULL NAME, RETIRED GRADE, SSAN AND AN EXPLANATION OF YOUR
NEEDS (BRIEF)… SUGGEST YOU REQUEST A COPY OF ALL
YOUR DD FORM 214'S....
IF YOU
RECEIVE VA DISABILITY, A COPY MAY BE ON FILE AT THE VA OFFICE AT THE U.S.
EMBASSY, MANILA... FORMS
TO REQUEST MILITARY RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE RAO.....
BIRTH CERTIFICATE: GOING
TO NEED ONE WHEN YOU APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AT THE EMBASSY… MUST BE A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY/RAISED SEAL (NOT
A XEROX)... WE HAVE
THE ADDRESS LIST OF VITAL RECORD OFFICES BY STATE/TERRITORY AND
COST PER COPY.. DROP BY THE RAO
ON YOUR DAY OFF....
EMBASSY HOLIDAYS: BEFORE GOING
TO THE EMBASSY, BEST TO LOOK AT YOUR CALENDAR… OF COURSE, THE EMBASSY
IS CLOSED ON AMERICAN HOLIDAYS; HOWEVER, THEY ARE ALSO CLOSED ON
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL HOLIDAYS…
THE HOURS AT THE EMBASSY RE FROM 0730 TO 1630 HRS DAILY
MON THRU FRI; HOWEVER, BEST NOT TO WAIT NEAR CLOSING TIME TO
CONDUCT BUSINESS OR YOU MAY BE INSTRUCTED TO COME BACK THE NEXT
DUTY DAY… WE HAVE
COMMON USE EMBASSY FORMS AT THE RAO OR YOU CAN CALL THE EMBASSY
AND THEY WILL MAIL UNLESS THERE IS A REQUIREMENT TO COMPLETE THE
FORM IN THEIR PRESENCE…
U.S. EMBASSY,
MANILA: REF
THE U.S. EMBASSY ATCH...
BEEN A LOT OF CHANGES CONCERNING PASSPORTS RENEWAL, REPORT OF
BIRTH ABROAD, ADDITIONAL PAGES FOR YOU PASSPORT AND COST...
PLEASE REVIEW AND KEEP THIS NEWSLETTER FOR FUTURE REFERENCE...
U.S. EMBASSY
REGISTRATION MADE EASY: “THE STATE
DEPARTMENT RECENTLY LAUNCHED A NEW AND MUCH IMPROVED CONSULAR
WEBSITE, HTTPS://TRAVELREGISTRATION.STATE.GOV. THE WEBSITE'S
APPEARANCE, USABILITY AND FUNCTIONALITY HAVE ALL BEEN ENHANCED,
AND IT HAS IMPROVED ORGANIZATION AND AVIGATIONAL TOOLS TO HELP
USERS FIND INFORMATION MORE QUICKLY AND ACCURATELY. AN IMPORTANT NEW
FUNCTION IS SECURE ONLINE TRAVEL REGISTRATION WHICH WILL ALLOW
YOU, AS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN, TO RECORD FOREIGN TRIP AND
RESIDENCE INFORMATION THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE CAN USE TO
COMMUNICATE WITH YOU AND ASSIST YOU IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. U.S. CITIZENS AROUND
THE WORLD WHO TRAVEL OR RESIDE ABROAD CAN ACCESS THIS SITE
EITHER THROUGH A LINK ON TRAVEL.STATE.GOV, OR DIRECTLY, AT HTTPS://TRAVELREGISTRATION.STATE.GOV. WE INVITE YOU TO
REGISTER YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY AND GET ACQUAINTED WITH TRAVEL
REGISTRATION. THE
NEW INTERNET TRAVEL REGISTRATION SERVICE FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS
ALLOWS YOU TO REGISTER AND UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION ON
THE INTERNET AT ANY TIME, MAKING IT EASIER FOR YOU TO KEEP YOUR
INFORMATION CURRENT. THE SITE ALSO PROVIDES YOU WITH UP-TO-DATE
TRAVEL INFORMATION CUSTOMIZED TO YOUR UNIQUE TRAVEL AGENDA AND
ITINERARY. THE DATA YOU PROVIDE IS SECURED BEHIND DEPARTMENT OF
STATE FIREWALLS, ACCESSED ONLY BY CLEARED PERSONNEL IN
EMBASSIES, CONSULATES, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, AND
RELEASABLE ONLY WITH YOUR PERMISSION UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE
PRIVACY ACT. PLEASE
LET US KNOW HOW YOU LIKE THE NEW SITE. IF YOU ENCOUNTER ANY
DIFFICULTIES OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR TRAVEL REGISTRATION
WEBSITE, PLEASE SEND AN E-MAIL TO CAIBRS@STATE.GOV. IF YOU HAVE
SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR REGISTRATION WITH THIS EMBASSY
PLEASE CONTACT US acsinfomanila@state.gov “
U.S.
EMBASSY, MANILA WEBSITE http://manila.usembassy.gov THIS WEB
HAS ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EMBASSY SERVICES
FROM VISAS TO SECURITY CONDITIONS... RECOMMEND YOU CHECK THIS
WEB ON A REGULAR BASIS...
U.S. EMBASSY
WARDEN: I AM ALSO THE
AREA EMBASSY WARDEN… IF
YOU NEED PASSPORT FORMS, NEWBORN DATA, EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE OR GENERAL QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE U.S.
EMBASSY, JUST DROP BY THE RAO... I MAY BE ABLE SAVE YOU A LOT OF TIME AND HEADACHES... CONTINGENCY PLAN: IN EVENT THERE IS AN
EMERGENCY IN THIS AREA (NATURAL OR MAN MADE), KEEP TUNED TO
CABLE TV CH 3 FOR UPDATES… THIS DATA WILL ALSO BE
POSTED AT EACH SERVICE ORGANIZATION, MAIL ROOM (FPO) AND THE RAO... DON'T FORGET TO COMPLETE A LOCATOR CARD
AT THE RAO (ALL AMERICAN CITIZENS). ALSO HAVE A FAX THAT
YOU CAN USE TO RECEIVE EMERGENCY DATA FROM
FAMILY/FRIENDS... FAX
NO. (63-45)888-5079 &
(63-45)888-2748 IS OPERATIONAL 24 HRS PER DAY... FAX'S ARE OPERATED BY
THE RAO/U.S. EMBASSY WARDEN AND ALL DATA IS HANDLED IAW THE U.S. PRIVACY ACT...
VISA DATA FOR AMERICANS MOVING TO THE PHILIPPINES: IF YOU ARE MARRIED TO A FILIPINA/O, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE PI EMBASSY/CONSULATE FOR A 13 SERIES VISA AT LEAST TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO YOUR DEPARTURE… YOU CAN OBTAIN THIS VISA FOR APPROXIMATELY $150.00 AND WILL ONLY BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER ANNUALLY… THIS VISA IS ALSO VALID FOR SCHOOLS/WORK. SHOULD YOU WAIT UNTIL ARRIVAL, THE COST & TIME WILL BE CONSIDERABLY MORE. IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR VA EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS & PLAN TO ATTEND SCHOOL HERE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR VA REPRESENTATIVE… WE HAVE FOUR VA APPROVED SCHOOLS HERE IN ANGELES CITY PLUS MANY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES… SHOULD YOU ARRIVE IN THE COUNTRY WITHOUT A VISA, YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO STAY 21 DAYS OR MUST RENEW THE VISA AFTER 15 DAYS... BEST TO SEE ME UPON ARRIVAL... YOU CAN ALSO OBTAIN A TOURIST VISA AT ANY PI EMBASSY/CONSULATE; HOWEVER, UNLIKE THE 21 DAYS AUTO VISA, THERE WILL BE A COST…
IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON SHIPPING A VEHICLE/HOUSEHOLD GOODS, THIS SHOULD BE
DISCUSSED WITH THE PI CONSULATE/EMBASSY...
U.S. CONSULAR
AGENT, CEBU FAX NO. (032) 231 0174; TEL. (032) 231-1261: IF YOU LIVE NEAR
CEBU, YOU MAY NOT NEED TO COME TO MANILA TO CONDUCT U.S. EMBASSY
BUSINESS; JUST GO TO THE WATERFRONT HOTEL, CEBU CITY, 6200... MOST AMERICAN CITIZEN
SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE EXCEPT VISAS BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 08:00
A.M. – 11:00 A.M. DAILY EXCEPT HOLIDAYS...
A
APPLICATION FOR A
MARRIAGE CONTRACT: NEED TO SEE
“LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR” PROVIDE A COPY OF THE AFFIDAVIT OF LEGAL
CAPACITY AND IDENTIFICATION… IF
THE FILIPINA/O IS UNDER TWENTY ONE YEARS OF AGE, THE PARENTS
WILL NEED TO BE PRESENT/LETTER OF CONSENT… IF UNDER TWENTY FIVE
YEARS OF AGE, PARENTAL ADVICE IS REQUIRED… THEN, YOU WILL HAVE A
TEN DAY WAIT UNTIL A JUDGEMENT/PRIEST CAN PERFORM THE CEREMONY… NOW YOU ARE OWN YOUR OWN…
MARRIAGE IN THE
PHILIPPINES: WE GET A LOT
OF E-MAIL AND QUESTIONS ON MARRIAGE & VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE PHILIPPINES… HOPE
THE FOLLOWING WILL BE HELPFUL…
WHEN ONE STEPS OFF AIRPLANE/SHIP/GANDOLA, ONES FIRST
OBSERVATION WILL USUALLY FOCUS ON ALL THE BEAUTIFUL FILIPINAS
AND OUR ISLAND PARADISE… AFTER
A FEW WEEKS, ONE USUALLY DECIDES TO STAY OR TAKE PART OF
PARADISE UPON DEPARTURE… IF YOU DECIDE TO MARRY A FILIPINA/O,
THERE ARE A FEW THINGS ONE SHOULD KNOW AND A VISIT TO OUR
OFFICE WOULD BE A GOOD START…
PREMARITAL (PRE
NUPTIAL) AGREEMENT: IF
YOU/YOUR FUTURE SPOUSE ARE INTERESTED IN A PREMARITAL AGREEMENT
TO PROTECT YOUR ASSETS, THIS IS AUTHORIZED IN THE PHILIPPINES…
OUR ATTORNEY ON RETAINER OR ANY OTHER LAW OFFICE CAN PREPARE THE
LEGAL AGREEMENT… COST IS AROUND $30.00 OR LESS AND COULD SAVE
YOU A BUNDLE IN CASE EVERYTHING DOES NOT WORK OUT AS PLANNED…
WOULD LIKE ALL OUR RETIREES/AMERICAN CITIZENS TO DROP BY THE
OFFICE FOR A BRIEFING ON CONTRACT MARRIAGE PROCEDURES IN THE
PHILIPPINES AND TO DISCUSS THE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS THAT MAY BE
AVAILABLE FOR YOUR NEW FAMILY (SS, VA, DOD, IRS, VISA DATA,
ETC.)…
INTERNET
CONNECTIONS: MANY MORE
PLAYERS TO SELECT FROM, COST IS DECREASING AND SERVICE IS
IMPROVING... NOTHING LIKE COMPETITION... SHOULD SHOP AROUND,
DECIDE IF YOU NEED A HIGH SPEED CABLE OR ROUTINE SERVICE AND
SELECT THE ONE THAT BEST FITS YOUR BUDGET/NEEDS...
INTERNET DIVORCES: THE U.S.
EMBASSY, MANILA ADVISED US TO INFORM THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY THAT
DIVORCES THAT ARE OBTAINED VIA THE NET MAY NOT BE LEGAL... ALSO
REFERRED SPECIFICALLY TO MEXICAN & DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
DIVORCES WHICH MAY COST $1,000.00 OR MORE... THE U.S. EMBASSY
RECOMMENDED THAT ANYONE INTERESTED IN OBTAINING A DIVORCE,
WHEATHER IN THE UNITED STATES OR ELSEHWERE, SHOULD SEEK A LAWYER
WITH WHOM THEY CAN SPEAK PERSONALLY AND NOT RELY SOLELY ON
E-MAIL EXCHANGES OR ONLINE INFORMATION... REF http://www.internetfraud.usdoj.gov/
IN A NUTSHELL, UNLESS YOU GO THROUGH DUE PROCESS YOUR DIVORCE
MAY NOT BE LEGAL... SHOULD ALSO BE AWARE THAT A DIVORCE ALONE
DOES NOT ELIMINATE YOU FROM CIVIL CLAIMS BY YOUR FORMER SPOUSE
UNLESS STIPULATED IN THE DIVORCE DECREE OR OTHER LEGAL
DOCUMENTS... HINDSIGHT
WISDOM: BEST
NOT TO SIGN A LIFETIME CONTRACT UNLESS YOU ARE 100%+ SURE..
POSSIBLE EXCEPTION; IF OBEDIENT, GOOD LOOKING, GREAT COOK, AND A
PHYSICAL THERAPHY GRAD/EQUIVALENT A SECOND EVALUATION MAY BE
NECESSARY...
PETITION FOR
ALIEN FIANCÉ(E): IF YOU ARE
IN THE PHILIPPINES OR OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTRY, YOU CAN PETITION
YOUR FIANCÉ THROUGH INS (IMMIGRATION
AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE)…
THIS CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED VIA THE MANILA EMBASSY… IF APPROVED BY INS AND
THE MANILA EMBASSY, YOUR FUTURE SPOUSE WILL BE ABLE TO TRAVEL IN
ABOUT FOUR MONTHS… YOU
HAVE THREE MONTHS FROM HER/HIS ARRIVAL DATE TO GET MARRIED OR
HE/SHE MUST RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES…
COMMAND SPONSORED
DEPENDENTS WITHOUT U.S. PASSPORT (PHILIPPINES ONLY): WE
GET A LOT OF QUESTIONS FROM ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL THROUGHOUT THE
GLOBE CONCERNING HOW TO GET THEIR FILIPINA BRIDE A VISA… IF YOU
HAVE YOUR DEPENDENTS ON ORDERS AS COMMAND SPONSORED, A LETTER OF
“INTENT” FROM THE COMMANDER WOULD BE SUFFICIENT… STEP TWO WOULD
BE FOR HER TO TAKE THE ORDERS-LTR
TO THE EMBASSY/CONSULATE CONCERNED AND REQUEST A VISA… SHE WILL
NEED A PI PASSPORT, PASSPORT PHOTOS, ENDORSED ORDERS AND THE
VISA ISSUING EMBASSY WILL ADVISE OF THEIR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
WHICH USUALLY CONSIST OF A MEDICAL EXAM AND POLICE REPORT;
HOWEVER, THIS CAN VARY DEPENDING ON THE EMBASSY CONCERNED… IF
THE NEW BRIDE IS NOT ENROLLED IN DEERS, THE SPONSOR SHOULD
CONTACT HIS PERSONNEL FLIGHT/OFFICE AN REQUEST DEERS ENROLLMENT…
ONCE THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED, MAIL THE ORIGINAL COPY TO THE BRIDE
AND SHE WILL BE ENTITLED TRICARE STANDARD MEDICAL CARE WHILE IN
THE PHILIPPINES… UPON ARRIVAL AT YOUR BASE, AN ID CARD CAN BE
OBTAINED OR IF DESIRED EARLIER HAVE HER TO MAIL YOU A NOTARIZED
8X10 COLOR PHOTO (HEAD & SHOULDERS) WITH HER SIGNATURE,
WEIGHT, HEIGHT, COLOR OF EYES AND HAIR ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF
THE PHOTO... TAKE TOYOUR PERSONNEL FLIGHT/SECTION UPON RECEIPT
AND THEY WILL ISSUE THE ID... COMMAND SPONSORED REFERS TO
FOREINERS ONLY...
TOURIST: WELCOME TO
ANGELES CITY, (PARADISE).... EVEN IN PARADISE, WE NEED TO TAKE
SOME PREVENTIVE MEDICINE PRECAUTIONS: WATER: BEST NOT TO
DRINK TAP WATER... BOTTLED
WATER IS AVAILABLE AT ALL SUPERMARKETS, MOST HOTELS, RESTAURANTS
, BARS AND DON’T FORGET THAT ICE IS ONLY AS PURE AS THE WATER..
FOOD: SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM
THE STREET VENDERS EXCEPT FOR FRESH FRUITS WHICH SHOULD BE
WASHED... THE FOOD
IN HOTELS & RESTAURANTS HERE IN ANGELES CITY IS REASONABLY
SAFE... WE ALSO
HAVE A VFW, AMERICAN LEGIONS,
THE RUMPA, DOG HOUSE WHICH SERVE GOOD AMERICAN STYLE
FOOD... BARS: IF YOU ARE GOING TO
PARTY, HAVE A BALL BUT DON’T FORGET YOUR SOCIAL HYGIENE TRAINING
AND SHOULD BE OFF THE STREETS BEFORE 2 A.M….
NON-IMMGIRANT
VISA (TOURIST): RE
DUAL CITIZENSHIP: FORMER
FILIPINOS ARE ALLOWED TO OBTAIN DUAL CITIZENSHIP AT PHILIPPINE
IMMGRATIONS, MANILA/PI CONSULATES-EMBASSIES... REF WEB www.philcongenla.org
FOR LOCATION OF CONSULATES/EMBASSIES... WILL NEED AN NSO COPY OF
YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE NSO OFFICE,
QUEZON CITY OR VIA WEB www.e-census.com.ph
OR NATURALIZATION PAPERS PLUS YOUR U.S. PASSPORT... MINORS HERE
IN THE PI WHOM HAVE A FILIPINO PARENT ARE ALLOWED TO APPLY FOR A
PHILIPINE PASSPORT AT THE DEPT. OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (DFA HERE ON
CLARK FIELDS/OTHER DFA OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES...
ONCE THE CHILD HAS THE PHILIPPINE AND U.S. PASSPORT BOTH CAN BE
PRESENTED UPON DEPARTURE (FROM THE PHILIPPINES) WITHOUT FURTHER
DOCUMENTATION... AFTER AGE 18 THE CHILD CAN APPLY FOR DUAL
CITIZENSHIP HERE OR IF OVERSEAS AT ANY PI CONSULATE/EMBASSY, IF
SO DESIRED....
PHILIPPINE
IMMIGRATIONS EASES RULES ON DUAL CITIZENSHIP: “The Bureau of
Immigration (BI) has come up with new rules easing the
requirements for former Filipinos who became citizens of other
countries to regain their Philippine citizenship under the
so-called dual citizenship law that Congress passed two years
ago, it was learned yesterday.
Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr. said the
new rules which he had signed and approved by Justice Secretary
Raul Gonzales will take effect 15 days after its publication in
a national newspapers. Fernandez
disclosed that under the revised implementing rules for Republic
Act 9225, also known as the Citizenship Reacquisition and
Retention Act, it will now be easier for qualified applicants to
avail themselves of the said law as the stringent requirements
under the old rules have been removed. The BI chief explained
that the requirements were eased in response to the clamor of
many former Filipinos who wish to apply for dual citizenship but
could not do so due to their inability to submit certain
documents required under the old rules. Foremost among these
documents, it was learned, is the birth certificate duly
authenticated by the National Statistics Office (NSO) which many
applicants could not produce as records of their birth were
either lost during the war or due to fortuitous events. Under the new rules,
Fernandez said, applicants for dual citizenship need not submit
birth certificates from the National Statistics Office to prove
that they were natural-born Filipinos. He explained that in
lieu of the birth certificate from the NSO, the applicant may
submit his birth certificate from the local civil registrar in
his birthplace and other documents proving that he is a former
natural-born Filipino. Said
documents may include, among others, the applicant’s old
Philippine passport, his voter’s affidavit, and his marriage
contract indicating his Philippine citizenship. Another significant
change in the new rules, Fernandez said, is that applicants for
dual citizenship based overseas may now apply for the said law
in any of the Philippine consulates abroad. He added that the said
consulates have been authorized to issue identification
certificates to the approved applicants, hence the latter need
not come to Manila to secure the said certificate from the BI
main office. It was
in 2003 when Congress passed RA 9225 but it was only in April
last year that the BI started implementing it after Malacañang
designated the bureau as the lead implementing agency for the
said law. Under the
law, former natural-born Filipinos who became naturalized
citizen of other countries are deemed not to have lost their
Philippine citizenship.” By: JUN RAMIREZ
(Thursday, October 20, 2005) Manila Bulletin…
RP SCHOOL VISA: THE
PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES SIGNED EXECUTIVE ORDER 285
AUTHORIZING FOREIGN
STUDENTS TO CONVERT CURRENT TOURIST VISA TO A STUDENT VISA WHILE
IN-COUNTRY... ALSO ALLOWS MINOR CHILDREN AND DEPENDENTS OF
FOREIGN STUDENTS TO OBTAIN SPECIAL STUDY PERMITS... THE
IMMIGRATION COMMISSIONER MAKE THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT;
THEREFORE, THIS SHOULD BE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY...
NEWBORNS &
EMBASSY DOCUMENTATION: WHEN YOUR
NEW ADDITIONS ARRIVE, IT'S PAPERWORK TIME ALSO… ON YOUR NEXT DAY O
ABSENTEE BALLOT
REQUEST: WE
HAVE THE INFORMATION AND FORMS AT THE POST OFFICE (RAO)… JUST LOOK UP YOUR
STATE, COMPLETE THE FORM AND MAIL VIA THE FPO (NO POSTAGE
NECESSARY)... I AM
ALSO THE VOTING OFFICER FOR THIS AREA AND YOU CAN SEE ME AT THE RAO FOR
ASSISTANCE......
VOTING VIA
ABSENTEE BALLOT: WE HAVE THE
NECESSARY FORMS AND INFORMATION AT OUR FPO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO
EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE IN THE NEXT U.S. ELECTION... CAN
SEND IN YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST NOW OR NOT LATER THAN THE
DATE ESTABLISHED BY YOUR STATE... IF YOU HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE
UNITED STATES FOR A FEW YEARS AND WOULD LIKE TO VOTE; YOU CAN
USE YOUR LAST STATESIDE ADDRESS... CAN ALSO CHOOSE TO VOTE ONLY
IN FEDERAL ELECTION OR BE ACTIVE IN ELECTING THE COUNTY DOG
CATCHER, ETC.
BOTH PARENTS’
CONSENT REQUIRED FOR NEW CHILDREN’S PASSPORT LAW: THE STATE
DEPARTMENT NOW REQUIRES BOTH PARENTS’ CONSENT TO OBTAIN
PASSPORTS OF CHILDREN UNDER 14 EFFECTIVE 2 JULY 2001, INTENT OF
THE LAW IS TO LESSEN THE CHANCE THAT PARENTS CAN ABDUCT THEIR
CHILDREN AND USE U.S. PASSPORTS TO DEPART THE COUNTRY... BOTH
PARENTS MUST NOW SIGN CHILDREN’S PASSPORT APPLICATION FORMS,
UNLESS ONE PARENT IS UNAVAILABLE BECAUSE OF GEOGRAPHICAL
LOCATION, DIVORCE OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES...
AMERICAN CITIZENS
LIVING IN THE PAMPANGA AREA: IF
YOU HAVE NOT RENEWED YOUR PASSPORT AT THE U.S. EMBASSY, MANILA
OR MOVED SINCE YOU DID, YOU MAY NOT HAVE A CURRENT
REGISTRATION.. IF YOU HAVE REASON TO BELEIVE YOUR EMERGENCY DATA
WITH THE EMBASSY MAY NOT BE CURRENT, DROP BY OUR OFFICE AND WE
WILL CHECK THE MASTER LIST... REGISTRATION CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED
AT OUR OFFICE... ADDRESS RECORD WILL ONLY BE USED FOR OFFICIAL
USE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE U.S. PRIVACY ACT...
WIDOW(ER) O
U.S. GOV’T FORMS: IF YOU NEED U.S. GOV’T FORMS, DROP BY THE RAO, WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP OR PROVIDE A SOURCE…
DEATH OUTSIDE O
FUNERAL COST: WE SEEM TO
AVERAGE A COUPLE OF FUNERALS A MONTH AND BETWEEN OUR SERVICE
ORGANIZATIONS AND CLARK FIELD ALLOWING US TO USE THE CEMETERY,
ALL SEEMS TO WORK VERY WELL EXCEPT THE FUNERAL BILL... HAVE TOO
MANY MILITARY RETIREES AND OTHER AMERICANS WHO LIVE HERE THAT
HAVE NOT PLANNED FOR THEIR FINAL PCS... WE HAVE FUNERAL HOMES
WHERE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE IN ADVANCE OR THERE ARE
INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT WILL HELP YOU PLAN AHEAD... CAN ALSO
MAKE ARRANGEMENT WITH THE LOCAL BANKS WITH A SPECIAL ACCOUNT TO
BE USED FOR YOUR FUNERAL... BANK OF COMMERCE LOCATED NEAR OUR
OFFICE HAS THIS PROGRAM ESTABLISHED AND ASSUME YOU CAN MAKE
ARRANGEMENTS WITH OTHER BANKS AS WELL... IF YOU DO NOT HAVE
FAMILY HERE TO MAKE DECISIONS AFTER YOUR DEATH, YOU SHOULD HAVE
A WILL AND A COPY ON FILE AT YOUR SERVICE ORGANIZATION OR WITH A
CLOSE FRIEND... IF THERE IS NOT ANY WILL OR NEXT OF KIN LIVING
HERE, THE U.S. EMBASSY MUST ATTEMPT TO LOCATE A NEXT OF KIN
BEFORE THE BURIAL CAN TAKE PLACE... SHOULD PLAN AHEAD FOR A
PROPER FUNERAL AND FINAL RESTING PLACE... THE WILL SHOULD
INCLUDE HOW YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR ASSETS DISTRIBUTED/PAY ANY
OUTSTANDING BILLS... YOUR LAST CHANCE TO MAKE A GOOD
IMPRESSION... NOTE: IF A MEMBER OF
CYBERCARE/TRICARE PROVIDER THE FUNERAL IS FREE... REF WEB www.cybercareinc.net
FUNERAL HOMES: THE
SELECTION OF A FUNERAL HOME IS VERY IMPORTANT TO YOUR FAMILY
FINANCIALLY... PLAN
AHEAD AND INSTRUCT YOUR SPOUSE TO CONTACT US BEFORE MAKING ANY
SELECTION OF FUNERAL HOMES...
MOST ALL
THESE FUNERAL HOME PROVIDE
SIMILAR SERVICE; HOWEVER,
SOME WILL CHARGE YOU TWO OR THREE TIMES MORE THAN YOU SHOULD
PAY.... SHOP AROUND BEFORE YOUR FINAL PCS OR INSTRUCT YOUR
SPOUSE TO SEE US... WE
WILL ALSO SEE THAT YOUR SPOUSE WILL RECEIVE CASUALTY ASSISTANCE
SUPPORT AND ALL BENEFITS DUE…
GOOD TO PLAN AHEAD...WE HAVE A CASUALTY ASSISTANCE CHECKLIST AT OUT
OFFICE.. DROP BY ON
YOUR NEXT DAY OFF
FUNERAL &
PROCEDURES: BET
YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD ESCAPE RULES AFTER DEATH: NO WAY... WHEN A
FORMER MEMBER OF THE U.S.
ARMED FORCES PASSES
ON AND THE NEXT OF KIN DESIRES THE DECEASED TO BE BURIED AT THE
CLARK CEMETERY: YOU
NEED TO TAKE HIS/HER LAST DD
FORM 214 TO THE VFW (NEAR CLARKVIEW GATE)... REQUEST A BASE
FUNERAL AND RECEIVE A BRIEFING...
THIS IS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED
BEFORE YOU
SELECT A FUNERAL PARLOR (NOT ALL FUNERAL PARLORS HAVE THE
CAPABILITY TO CONDUCT FUNERALS ON BASE)... IF YOU DO NOT DESIRE A
BASE FUNERAL OR THE PERSON IS NOT AUTHORIZED SAME, PLEASE SEE ME
AT THE RAO FOR A BRIEFING… IF THE DECEASED IS A
MEMBER OF ANY OF THE SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, I WILL DIRECT YOU TO
THAT ORGANIZATION AFTER THE
BRIEFING… ONE OTHER
VERY IMPORTANT ITEM; HOPE EVERYONE REALIZE THAT FUNERALS ARE NOT
FREE… FUNERALS ARE NOT EXPENSIVE
HERE COMPARED TO THE STATES; HOWEVER, YOU NEED TO SAVE BACK AT
LEAST $1500 FOR THE FINAL PCS... TO MANY OF OUR RETIREES PASS ON AND LEAVE THE FAMILY
OR FRIENDS STUCK WITH THE BILLS... YOU CAN MAKE ARRANGEMENT WITH
THE FAMILY/SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
OR EVEN A
FUNERAL PARLOR… HOPE
YOU WILL TAKE ALL THIS INTO CONSIDERATION PRIOR TO YOUR
DEPARTURE... MAY
EVEN HELP YOU GET BETTER QUARTERS AT YOUR NEW DUTY STATION...
BURIAL ON CLARK
FIELD: MILITARY
RETIREES AND VETERANS WHO WHERE DISCHARGED UNDER HONORABLE
CONDITIONS ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE BURIED ON CLARK FIELD… MUST HAVE A
DD FORM 214, DEATH CERTIFICATE, BURIAL PERMIT AND SEE THE VFW
POST 2485 HERE IN ANGELES CITY (TEL # (045) 892 7147)…
BURIAL ON CLARK IS FREE; HOWEVER, OTHER COST WILL BE YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY…
LIVE IN PARTNERS
& RESPONSIBILITY: WE HAVE A
LOT OF PROBLEMS INVOLVING LIVE IN PARTNERS AND CHILDREN UPON
SUDDEN DEATH OF RETIREES… MOST OF THE TIME THESE CHILDREN HAVE
NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE U.S. EMBASSY AND ARE DEPRIVED OF
U.S. CITIZENSHIP… ANOTHER PROBLEM IS WILLS, FUNDS FOR THE
FUNERAL AND CONTINUED SUPPORT OF YOUR LIVE IN PARTNER/CHILDREN…
MOST OF THESE PROBLEMS COULD BE REDUCED OR ELIMINATED IF ONE
PLANS AHEAD… IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE HER/CHILDREN TAKEN CARE OF
AFTER YOUR FINAL PCS, YOUR RAO IS AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH THAT
PLANNING… FIRST, WE NEED TO GET THE CHILDREN REGISTERED WITH THE
U.S. EMBASSY… WE HAVE THE FORMS AND CAN HELP WITH ANY QUESTIONS
YOU MAY HAVE… THIS WILL ENABLE YOUR CHILDREN TO RECEIVE SOCIAL
SECURITY BENEFITS UNTIL 18 YEARS OF AGE IN MOST CASES AND THE VA
MAY ALSO BE ABLE TO HELP DEPENDING ON YOUR STATUS… WITH DEERS
ENROLLMENT TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR MEDICAL NEEDS/FUNDS COMING IN
FOR SCHOOL/LIVING EXPENSES AND A U.S. PASSPORT, THE CHILDREN
WILL HAVE BRIGHT FUTURE... IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET MARRIED TO
THE MOTHER OF THE CHILDREN, THERE WILL BE VA BENEFITS AND
MEDICAL CARE (DEERS) FOR THE REST FO HER LIFE UNLESS SHE
REMARRIES… IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE IDEA OF MARRIAGE, YOU SHOULD
AT LEAST PLAN ON INSURANCE AND A WILL THAT WILL ALLOW HER TO
HAVE SELECTED ASSETS AND MAKE DECISIONS CONCERNING YOUR FUNERAL…
ALSO SHOULD PLAN AHEAD FOR FUNERAL EXPENSES… YOU CAN PURCHASE
INSURANCE OR MAKE PAYMENTS DIRECTLY TO ONE OF OUR FUNERAL HOMES…
SHOULD NOT LEAVE YOUR LIVE IN PARTNER WITH BILLS AND WITHOUT
MEANS OF GIVING YOU A PROPER FUNERAL… SEEMS ONLY FAIR IF THE
LADY IS WILLING TO TAKE CARE OF YOU DURING YOUR LIFE, YOU SHOULD
MAKE PLANS HER FUTURE…
DEATH BENEFITS
& INSURANCE INCREASE FOR SERVICE MEMBERS: “WASHINGTON,
July 7, 2005 Compensation for the survivors of service members
who die in combat zones and insurance coverage for service
members will both
increase
significantly this year, a military pay official said today. An increase in death
gratuity benefits from $12,500 to $100,000 already has taken
effect, and Service members' Group Life Insurance maximum
coverage will increase to $400,000 starting Sept. 1, said Air
Force Col. Virginia Penrod, director of military compensation. The increase in death
benefits took effect May 11 and is dated retroactively to Oct.
7, 2001, Penrod said. This means that survivors of service
members who died between Oct. 7, 2001, and May 11, 2005, will
receive the increased benefits, as will survivors of service
members who die from May 11 on, she said. The increased benefits
are for survivors of service members who die in combat zones,
combat operations and combat-related situations, she said.
Combat-related situations can include airborne duty, combat
training, demolition duty and training exercises, among other
things, she said. A policy designating combat areas and
situations was given to the individual services in June, and each service is now
reviewing cases. Payments already have begun, but the process of
identifying and paying all eligible survivors could take several
months, she said. When
the increase in SGLI coverage takes effect Sept. 1, it also will
be dated retroactively to Oct. 7, 2001, she said. Survivors of
service members who died in a combat zone, combat operations or
combat-related situations between the October date and Sept. 1
will receive $150,000 in transitional insurance, which will
bring them to the $400,000 level, she said. In addition to the
increased coverage, DoD will pay premiums of $150,000 for
service members involved in combat operations or deployed to a
combat zone, Penrod said.”
GETTING READY TO
APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS??? OF COURSE YOU
WILL NEED TO PROVIDE A FEW DOCUMENTS… THE SS OFFICE AT THE U.S.
EMBASSY, MANILA IS AVAILABLE BETWEEN MON-FRI EXCEPT AMERICAN AND
PHILIPPINE HOLIDAYS… BEST TO GET THERE AROUND 0800 WHILE THE ON
LINE COMPUTER IS UP AND BRING THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS (IF YOU
HAVE):
§
SOCIAL SECURITY CARD
§
ALL DD FORMS 214 (IF
YOU HAD PRIOR MILITARY SERVICE)
§
BIRTH CERTIFICATE
§
MARRIAGE CONTRACT (IF
APPLICABLE)
§
BIRTH CERTIFICATE OF
MINOR CHILDREN (IF APPLICABLE)
§
TWO PASSPORT PHOTOS
§
IF YOU HAVE
REMARRIED, A COPY OF YOUR DIVORCE(S)
§
BLANK CHECK FOR
DIRECT DEPOSIT DATA (IF YOU PLAN TO USE THE SAME BANK)
§
SS EARNING STATEMENT
§
LAST W-2 OR LAST TAX
RETURN IF SELF EMPLOYED
* ALWAYS TAKE YOUR
PASSPORT WHEN VISITING THE EMBASSY…
WHEN TO APPLY: AGE 62 APPLICANTS; TWO
MONTHS IN ADVANCE… I
SOCIAL SECURITY
BENEFITS IN THE PHILIPPINES: AS MOST ARE
AWARE DEPENDENTS WHO WOULD NORMALLY BE ELIGIBLE FOR SOCIAL
SECURITY IN THE UNITED STATES OR COUNTRIES WITH A TAX TREATY ARE
NOT ELIGIBLE IN THE PHILIPPINES UNLESS THEY ARE A U.S. CITIZEN
OR HAVE MET A FIVE
YEARS U.S. RESIDENT REQUIREMENT... THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO THAT
RULE; PHILIPPINE
DEPENDENTS ARE ALSO ENTITLED ON THE RECORD OF A WORKER WHO DIED
WHILE IN THE U.S. MILITARY SERVICE OR AS A RESULT OF A
SERVICE-CONNECTED DISEASE OR INJURY... IF YOU ARE LEGAL
DEPENDENT AND MET ALL THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR SSA
ELIGIBILITY, YOU MAY BE ENTITLED SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS IN THE
PHILIPPINES... FOR ACTIVE DUTY DECEASED, A DD FORM 1300 REPORT
OF CASUALTY MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION... VA
CERTIFICATION WOULD BE SUFFICIENT FOR MEMBERS WHO DIED OF A
SERVICE CONNECTED CAUSE AFTER DISCHARGE/RETIREMENT... SHOULD
ALSO BE NOTED THE 5 YEAR RESIDENT REQUIREMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO
SSA BENEFICIARIES ELIGIBLE BEFORE JAN 01, 1985; THOSE ELIGIBLE AND
HAVE NOT APPLIED SHOULD VISIT THE SSA OFFICE, U.S. EMBASSY,
MANILA... THE ABOVE DATA HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY SOCIAL SECURITY,
MANILA...
SOCIAL SECURITY PERSONAL
EARNINGS STATEMENT: IF
YOU ARE OVER 60 YEARS OLD, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED SUBJECT STATEMENT BY NOW... THIS STATEMENT WOULD
HAVE BEEN MAILED TO YOUR LAST IRS ADDRESS (YOU REMEMBERED IRS,
YES???)... IF NOT, DROP BY THE RAO FOR A "REQUEST FOR
EARNINGS AND BENEFITS STATEMENT"…
IF UNDER 60
YEARS OF AGE, YOU CAN REQUEST THIS
STATEMENT ANYTIME YOU DESIRE AND SHOULD DO SO AT LEAST
EVERY THREE OR FOUR YEARS...
NOTE: THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO
THOSE WHO ALREADY RECEIVED SOCIAL SECURITY....
SOCIAL SECURITY
CHANGE: THE CAP ON HOW
MUCH INCOME OUR OVER
65 GROUP CAN EARN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED… LIFE JUST KEEPS GETTING
BETTER.
SOCIAL SECURITY
AND MEDICARE PART B: IF YOU ARE
A MILITARY RETIREE/DEP/WIDOW AND OVER 65 YEARS OF AGE, YOU MUST
BE ENROLLED IN PART B MEDICARE TO RECEIVE FULL TRICARE FOR LIFE
BENEFITS... SOME WIDOWS/DEPENDENTS HAVE ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS IN
BEING ALLOWED TO ENROLL IN MEDICARE PART B UNLESS THEY WERE U.S.
CITIZENS OR MET THE 5 YEARS RESIDENT REQUIREMENT IN THE UNITED
STATES...THERE IS A WAY AROUND THIS PROBLEMS; IF YOU WOULD HAVE
NORMALLY BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY VIA YOUR SPOUSE
ELIGIBILITY EXCEPT FOR RESIDENT REQUIREMENT; YOU SHOULD CONTACT
OUR SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE, U.S. EMBASSY, MANILA TO APPLY FOR
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS (WITHOUT PAYMENT)... ONCE APPROVED, YOU
WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE ENROLLED IN MEDICARE PART A (FREE) AND
THEN BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR MEDICARE PART B... SHOULD YOU
ENCOUNTER PROBLEMS WHILE AT THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE
CONCERNING THIS SUBJECT, PLEASE ASK THE CLERK TO CHECK WITH MR. THOMAS ASHLEY, SS
CHIEF... IF YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR SOCIAL
SECURITY BENEFITS WITHOUT PAYMENT, REQUEST A “NOTICE OF
DISALLOWANCE” FROM SOCIAL SECURITY WHICH WILL ALLOW YOU TO
CONTINUE TRICARE WITHOUT MEDICARE PART B AND THEN SEE ME...
SOCIAL SECURITY
CREDITS FOR MILITARY SERVICE: PEOPLE WHO
SERVED IN THE MILITARY BEFORE 1957 DID NOT PAY INTO SOCIAL
SECURITY DIRECTLY, BUT WHEN THEY APPLY FOR BENEFITS, THEIR
RECORDS ARE CREDITED WITH SPECIAL EARNINGS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY
PURPOSES THAT COUNT TOWARD ANY BENEFITS THAT MAY BE PAYABLE...
IN JAN 2002 THE
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT (PUBLIC LAW 107-117),
STOPPED THE SPECIAL EXTRA EARNINGS THAT HAVE BEEN CREDITED TO
MILITARY SERVICE PERSONNEL... MILITARY SERVICE IN 2002 AND
FUTURE YEARS NO LONGER QUALIFIES FOR THESE SPECIAL EXTRA
EARNINGS... QUALIFICATIONS
FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY CREDIT ARE AS FOLLOWS: A. SERVICE FROM 1978 THRU
2001: FOR EVERY
$300 IN ACTIVE DUTY BASIC PAY, YOU ARE CREDITED WITH AN
ADDITIONAL $100 IN EARNINGS UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $1200 PER YEAR; B. SERVICE FROM 1957 THRU
1977: YOU ARE
CREDITED WITH $300 IN ADDITIONAL EARNINGS FOR EACH QUARTER IN
WHICH YOU RECEIVED ACTIVE DUTY PAY; C. SERVICE FROM 1940-
THRU 1958: UNDER
CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES YOU MAY BE CREDITED WITH $160 A MONTH IN
EARNINGS FOR MILITARY SERVICE... FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CHECK
WITH SOCIAL SECURITY OR GO TO WEB SITE: http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov
HAVE YOUR DD 214 AVAILABLE.. SOURCE: MCGUIRE AFB.
SURVIVOR BENEFIT
PLAN (SBP): DON’T
FORGET YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT CHANGES TO DFAS... PARTICIPANTS IN THE
SBP MUST CONTACT DFAS, CLEVELAND IN WRITING IMMEDIATELY UPON
THEIR BENEFICIARY’S DEATH, A REMARRIAGE OR DIVORCE OR WHEN YOU
ACQUIRE ANOTHER CHILD… IF
YOU DID NOT HAVE A SPOUSE OR CHILD WHEN YOU RETIRED, YOU MAY
ELECT SBP COVERAGE WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR AFTER GAINING EITHER...
SEND A COPY OF THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE/CONTRACT FOR THE SPOUSE
OR BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR A CHILD.... ALSO DON’T FORGET TO KEEP
YOUR CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
UPDATED.... PLEASE SEE ME ALSO FOR A BRIEF EXPLANATION...
O
ALCOHOLIC
ANONYMOUS: IF
YOU HAVE PROBLEM JUST SEE/CALL MR DONALD CAYTON AT TEL # (63-45) 892-4258… A.A.
MEETINGS: TUESDAY,
THURSDAY & SATURDAY 5 P.M… PLACE – 1996 A MARLIM AVE.,
DIAMOND SUBD. BALIBAGO, ANGELES CITY 2009, PHILIPPINES (ACROSS
STREET MARLIM MANSIONS HOTEL PARKING LOT)
CASUALTY
ASSISTANCE: WHEN
THERE IS DEATH IN YOUR
LOCATOR CARDS: WE HAVE A
DIFFICULT TIME IN LOCATING RETIREES/DEPENDENTS/WIDOWS(ER) DURING
EMERGENCIES BECAUSE LOCATOR CARDS HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED OR UP
TO DATE… YOU CAN ALSO USE OUR FAX & E-MAIL ADDRESS FOR
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS (SEE ADDRESS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE)... WE DO
NOT PASS OUT ADDRESS DATA UNLESS SO INDICATED ON YOUR LOCATOR
CARD; THEREFORE, NO EXCUSE FOR NOT HAVING EMERGENCY DATA UP TO
DATE….
SERVICE
ORGANIZATIONS: WE PROBABLY HAVE MORE
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS THAN MOST AMERICAN TOWNS… HAVE TWO AMERICANS
LEGIONS (POST 10 & 123), VFW POST 2485 WITH AROUND ONE
THOUSAND MEMBERS, DAV, BEAGLES (DOG HOUSE), MASONIC LODGE, FLEET
RESERVE, SPECIAL FORCES ORGANIZATION AND MANY OTHERS… I MUST SAY
THAT SOME OF THESE ORGANIZATION SERVE THE BEST SOS IN TOWN AND
MANY AMERICAN/INT’L FAVORITES… THIS MUST BE ONE OF THE FEW
LOCATIONS OVERSEAS WHERE JUST ABOUT EVERYONE SPEAKS ENGLISH,
SIGNS ARE IN ENGLISH AND THE NEWSPAPERS ARE EVEN PUBLISHED IN
ENGLISH… WITH REGIONAL VA SERVICES, FULL SERVICE SOCIAL SECURITY
OFFICE AND GREAT EMBASSY SUPPORT WHO COULD ASK FOR MORE… I CALL
THIS LITTLE AMERICAN AT 1980 PRICES…
RUMPA: ONE O
DISTRIBUTION BOX: WE HAVE
ESTABLISHED A DISTRIBUTION BOX AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE RAO FOR
ALL SERVICE ORGANIZATION...
DROP OFF YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL DISTRIBUTION AND SAVE SOME LEG WORK.....
FAX NUMBERS: HARD TO
REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT A FAX NUMBER IS UNTIL YOU HAVE A
BANKING PROBLEM OR LOOSE A CREDIT CARD... OBTAIN A LIST OF
IMPORTANT FAX
NUMBERS FROM THE PEOPLE YOU DO BUSINESS
AND KEEP IN A SAFE PLACE (ONE YOU CAN REMEMBER)... ALSO YOU CAN CALL
001(AREA CODE) 555-1212 FOR
DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE IN THE U.S. IN EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY... NOT
FREE...
TEL/FAX/E-MAIL: WE GET A
LOT OF INQUIRES CONCERNING TEL, FAX & E-MAIL ADDRESSES FOR
ORGANIZATIONS HERE IN ANGELES CITY... HOPE THE FOLLOWING
WILL BE USEFUL:
ORGANIZATION
TELEPHONE
FAX E-MAIL/WEBSITE
|
VFW, POST
2485 |
(63) (045)
322-0784/892 7147 |
(63) (045)
892 7147/7369 |
vfw2485@mozcom.com
/ www.vfwpost2485.com |
|
A. L. POST 123 |
(63) (045)
331-2761 |
USE RAO |
|
|
A. L. POST 10 |
(63) (045)
322-1950 |
SAME AS
TEL. |
USE RAO |
|
DAV |
(63) (045)
893-3767/3778 |
|
|
|
BEAGLES
(DOG H.) |
(63) (045)
892-0755 |
USE RAO |
USE RAO |
|
FRA (FLEET
RESERVE) |
(63) (045)
331-4566 |
SAME AS
TEL. |
PROBLEM; WHO TO
CONTACT: IF YOU NEED
HELP, IT IS ALWAYS BEST TO START AT THE CORRECT OFFICE; THEN IF
YOU STILL HAVE PROBLEMS CONTACT THE RAO...
|
REQUIREMENT |
CONTACT |
THEN PROCEED TO: |
|
|
|
|
|
PASSPORT
FORMS & INSTRUCTIONS |
RAO |
ACS U.S.
EMBASSY |
|
PETITION FOR
ALIEN FIANCÉ(E) FORMS |
RAO |
INS U.S.
EMBASSY |
|
PETITION FOR
ALIEN RELATIVE(S) FORMS |
RAO |
INS U.S.
EMBASSY |
|
U.S.
CITIZENSHIP FOR NEWBORNS (AMCIT)
FORMS & CHECKLIST |
RAO |
ACS U.S.
EMBASSY |
|
CHAMPUS/TRICARE
CLAIM FORMS |
RAO |
|
|
DIRECT
DEPOSIT FORMS FOR OUT OF COUNTRY
BANKS |
RAO |
|
|
MEDICAL CARE
AT OUR CHAMPUS PARTICIPATING
HOSPITAL, AUFMC, ANGELES CITY |
HMO OR
EMERGENCY ROOM |
|
|
EMERGENCY VA
SERVICE CONNECTED MEDICAL CARE
AUFMC |
EMERGENCY
ROOM |
|
|
ROUTINE VA
SERVICE CONNECTED MEDICAL CARE |
VA CLINIC,
MANILA
|
|
|
SBP |
DFAS |
|
|
FPO (POST
OFFICE) |
RAO |
|
|
MILITARY ID
CARDS FOR RETIREES, DEPENDENTS
& WIDOWS(ER) |
RAO |
|
|
CASUALTY
REPORTING/ASSISTANCE |
RAO |
|
|
DFAS PAY
PROBLEMS THAT YOU CANNOT
RESOLVE |
RAO |
|
|
ROUTINE DFAS
TRANSACTIONS |
DFAS |
|
|
U.S. EMBASSY
WARDEN |
RAO |
|
|
VOTING
INFORMATION & FORMS |
RAO |
|
|
IRS FORMS
& INSTRUCTIONS |
RAO |
|
|
ADDRESS FOR
VITAL RECORDS |
RAO |
|
|
SOCIAL
SECURITY |
SSA, U.S.
EMBASSY |
|
|
DIRECT
DEPOSIT (LOCAL): SEE
OUR NEWSLETTER |
|
LOCAL BANK |
|
VA PAY
PROBLEMS |
VA, MANILA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ATM CARDS: SEE OUR
NEWSLETTER |
|
LOCAL BANK |
|
JOIN THE
U.S. MILITARY |
RAO |
|
|
ATTORNEY ON
RETAINER |
RAO |
|
|
SPACE A
TRAVEL DATA |
09209705030 |
|
|
HUNGRY/THIRSTY |
VFW,
AMERICAN LEGION POST 123, 10, FRA & DOG HOUSE |
|
LOST DOCUMENTS: AMERICAN
CITIZENS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS SEEM TO BE LOOSING TOO MANY
OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS TO PICKPOCKETS/MISPLACED/OTHER... SHOULD KEEP
ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS IN A SECURE PLACE AND CARRY XEROX COPIES
EXCEPT FOR DRIVERS LICENSE WHICH MUST BE THE ORIGINAL WHEN
DRIVING A VEHICLE... EVEN CREDIT/DEBIT/ATM CARDS SHOULD NOT BE
CARRIED UNLESS YOU PLAN TO USE THAT DAY... WE HAVE SOME OF THE
BEST PICKPOCKETS AROUND AND DOCUMENTS ARE HARD/EXPENSIVE TO
REPLACE... SHOULD NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO HOLD/KEEP YOUR PERSONAL
DOCUMENTS OTHER THAN A PERSON YOU WOULD TRUST WITH YOUR BANK
ACCOUNT... LOST DOCUMENTS/BANK CARDS SHOULD BE REPORTED
IMMEDIATELY...
DEERS ENROLLMENT: DEFENSE
ENROLLMENT ELIGIBILITY REPORTING SYSTEM (DEERS) The most
important thing beneficiaries can do to ensure they have access
to their medical benefits is to keep information in their DEERS
record up-to-date. DEERS is the computerized listing of all
military sponsors, families, and others who, by law, are
entitled to TRICARE benefits. Active duty and retired members
are automatically listed, but they are responsible for listing
their dependents and reporting any changes through the nearest
military personnel office or ID card section. Newborns should be
enrolled as soon as possible after birth. Sponsors or registered
family members may make address changes; however, only the
sponsor can add or delete a family member from DEERS. Proper
documents are required, such as a marriage certificate, divorce
decree, birth certificate, etc. Unmarried children over age 21
and attending an approved institution of higher learning on a
full-time basis, need their student status entered into DEERS so
that TRICARE eligibility is continued. They will remain TRICARE
eligible up to age 23, as long as they attend school on a
full-time basis. Also in certain cases unmarried severely
disabled children over 21 continue their TRICARE eligibility. To receive care at a
military treatment facility or from an authorized TRICARE
civilian provider, sponsors and family members must be eligible
and registered in DEERS. If the sponsor is registered in DEERS
but the family is not, or the family has not verified
eligibility within the last 4 years (normally in conjunction
with ID card renewal), family members are ineligible for TRICARE
health and pharmacy benefits.
Sponsors who keep DEERS up-to-date with current
addresses, telephone numbers, and the status of all personal
events--marriages, divorces, deaths, births, re-enlistment’s,
retirements, etc.--eliminate access problems for themselves and
family members. Keeping DEERS information current helps ensure
that any claims filed for the sponsor or family member are
processed quickly and accurately. Claims for health care may be
denied because the DEERS file shows no record of a new spouse or
a child. Keeping DEERS current also ensures that important
TRICARE-related health care documents--enrollment cards,
brochures, privacy notices, etc., and, in some cases,
prescription medications--are delivered to the sponsor and their
family members at the correct address and on time. The military sponsor
is responsible for Dis-enrolling his or her family members from
DEERS when they are no longer eligible for TRICARE (because of
the marriage of a minor child, divorce of a spouse who is not
eligible for continued TRICARE benefits, enlistment of a child
in the military, etc.). TRICARE
contractors check DEERS before processing claims to make sure
patients are eligible for TRICARE benefits. A claim may be paid
in error because there was no record in DEERS of a divorce,
death, or dropping/declining Medicare Part B. For claims paid by
mistake, the government is required by law to retrieve the money
from the person to whom it was incorrectly paid--regardless of
who was responsible for the mistake. Improperly receiving care
may also be considered fraud.
Sometimes when sponsors change their status--active to
retired, enlisted to officer or active to Reserve--breaks in
coverage or "under laps" in eligibility may occur, creating
DEERS eligibility problems for sponsors and family members.
Eligibility problems may occur anytime there is a delay updating
the sponsor's new eligibility status in DEERS. To eliminate
service breaks and periods of ineligibility for TRICARE
benefits, sponsors should check their DEERS eligibility status
periodically to ensure personal and family members' information
is accurate and up-to-date.
Address changes to DEERS may be made by one of the
following methods. (Include the sponsor's name and social
security number, the address change, names of other family
members affected by the address change, effective date of new
address, and telephone number with the area code.) - E-Mail to
addrinfo@osd.pentagon.mil.- Nearest uniformed service personnel
office. To locate the nearest military ID card facility, go to http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/
- Call the DEERS
Service Office (DSO) at 1-800-538-9552.
- Fax to DEERS at
1-408-655-8317.
- Mail to DSO, ATTN:
COA, 400 Gigling Road, Seaside, CA 93955-6771.
- Go on-line at http://www.tricare.osd.mil/DEERSAddress/
If there is a
problem with a DEERS record that cannot be resolved by the local
ID card issuing office, call the DEERS Beneficiary Telephone
Center in Seaside, California, at 1-800-334-4162 (California
residents); 1-800-527-5602 (Alaska and Hawaii); or
1-800-538-9552 (all others).
REMEMBER: TRICARE does not make
DEERS entries--the local military installation ID Card Office
makes changes and updates.
SOURCE: THEMS
*
DEERS ENROLLMENT
FOR CHILDREN: BIG
CHANGE!!! ONCE CHILDREN ARE ENROLLED IN DEERS, UPDATES ARE NO
LONGER REQUIRED UNTIL AGE 21... TO VERIFY IF CHILDREN ARE
ENROLLED IN DEERS CHECK WEB https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/swg/owa/dmdc.home
OR CONTACT THE TRICARE PACIFIC OFFICE CUSTOMER SERVICE: TPAO.CSC@OKI10.med.navy.mil...
IF THE CHILD SHOULD MARRY BEFORE AGE 21 OR LOOSE DEERS
ELIGIBILITY FOR OTHER REASONS THE SPONSOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
ADVISING DEERS... AUTHORITY: CHIEF, AF DEERS/RAPIDS
ID CARD OPERATION AF DEERS/RAPIDS PROJECT OFFICER, OCT 11,
2005... “ When DEERS
first came on line children were initially enrolled for 10 yrs 6
months and at that time they had to come in and have their
relationship re-verified by the Sponsor before that period ended
in order to keep benefits active and if issued an ID Card, the
Sponsor had to ensure he re-verified the dependents before that
expired to keep benefits active.
No longer. That
changed and all children are now enrolled with a benefit
eligibility end date of 21 years of age… Possibly, providing a
copy of the 1172 may have been a practice for the mail-in
scenario; not a policy. DD
Form 1172 are not arbitrarily issued to a family with children
under 10. Yes, 10
is the age children may get an ID.
A child(ren) under 10 residing in the household of an
eligible adult family member would not normally receive an ID.”
HOW TO UPDATE
YOUR DEERS
EMERGENCY
SERVICES/REPORTING CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES: AS MOST
ARE AWARE EMERGENCIES SERVICES IN THE STATES CAN BE OBTAINED BY
DIALING 911... HERE
IN THE PHILIPPINES WE CAN DIAL/”TEXT” 117 FOR EMERGENCIES SERVICES OR
REPORTING CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES... UNDERSTAND NOT AS FAST AS 911
BUT SEEMS TO WORK...
PROTECT YOURSELF
FROM IDENTITY THIEVES: USAF AND
SOCIAL SECURITY HAS PUBLISHED THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES ON HOW TO
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IDENTITY THIEVES (SEE GUIDELINE BELOW)...
SHOULD BE VERY CAREFUL IN PROVIDING YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
AND OTHER PERSONAL DATA TO UNAUTHORIZED PEOPLE... THEY NOT ONLY
STEAL YOUR IDENTITY BUT SUBMIT FRAUDULENT CLAIMS AGAINST
TRICARE/CHAMPVA... ALL DATA PROVIDED TO OUR OFFICE IS PROTECTED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE U.S. PRIVACY ACT...
***
“Thieves steal your
money and possessions, and perhaps the most valuable asset that
can be stolen -- your own identity. When a thief has your
personal information, it can be easy to use your good name and
make your record go bad. The
Social Security Administration warns everybody to be careful
with anything that contains your name, birth date, Social
Security number and account numbers as these are the tools of
the identity thief. Thieves get your information by stealing
your wallet or purse, taking mail from your mailbox or trash,
intercepting unsecured Internet transactions, posing as someone
who needs the information (like a landlord or employer) or
buying information from inside sources.
Officials point out
that there are steps you can take to prevent identity theft:
* Keep your Social
Security card in a safe place -- don't carry it with you unless
you need it.
* Shred any paperwork
that has your Social Security number on it before throwing it
away.
* Keep your
information out of the hands of the enemy.
For more information
on identity theft, visit the Social Security web page at http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/idtheft.htm.
“
UPDATE ON
IDENTITY THEFT: THE
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISION REPORTS THAT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS
ABOUT IDENTITY THEFT (ID) JUMPED 15% FROM 2004 AND REPRESENTS
ABOUT 40% OF ALL COMPLAINTS... CRIMINALS HAVE SEIZED ON
ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFERS AS A NEW METHOD OF PICK-POCKETING
CONSUMERS, PERHAPS BOLSTERED BY THE SUCCESS OF SO-CALLED “PHISHING” ATTACKS
DESIGNED TO TRICK CONSUMERS INTO DIVULGING PERSONAL INFORMATION
THROUGH HACKER-CONTROLLED WEB SITES... COMPLAINTS ABOUT
FRAUDULENT TAX RETURNS ALSO DOUBLED FROM 2002 TO 2004, PERHAPS
SUGGESTING MORE IMPOSTERS ARE USING SOMEONE ELSE’S SOCIAL
SECURITY NUMBER TO OBTAIN WORK.. THE FTC SUGGESTS IT IS A GOOD
IDEA TO IGNORE SPAM... ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE TIME CON ARTISTS
INITIALLY CONTACTED THEIR VICTIMS THROUGH E-MAIL... THE DO NOT CALL LIST MAY
BE HAVING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON TELEPHONE RELATED FRAUD.. ONLY
ABOUT 16% OF INITIAL PHONE CONTACTS HAS COME FROM PHONE
SOLICITATION, DOWN FROM 20% IN 2003... THE HARDEST HIT AREAS
WERE WASHINGTON, DC, SAN JOSE-SUNNYVALE-SANTA CLARA AREAS IN
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND LAS VEGAS, NV.
12 TIPS
TO PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT:
·
MAKE SURE YOUR CHECKS
ARRIVE IN THE MAIL PROMPTLY.
IF YOU HAVEN’T RECEIVED IN A REASONABLE TIME PERIOD, THEY
MAY HAVE BEEN STOLEN.
·
DO NOT HAVE YOUR
SOCIAL SECURITY OR DRIVER’S LICENSE NUMBER PRINTED ON YOUR
CHECKS.. THE NUMBERS, ALONG WITH OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION,
WILL GIVE A THIEF ALL THE NECESSARY FACTS TO APPLY FOR A LOAN,
CREDIT CARD, OR BANK ACCOUNT IN YOUR NAME.
·
WHEN WRITING CHECKS,
DO NOT LEAVE BLANK SPACES ON THE LINES DESIGNATING THE PAYEE AND
THE AMOUNT.... WRITE WORDS CLOSE TOGETHER, AVOID ABBREVIATIONS,
AND DRAW LINES TO FILL ANY GAPS..
·
WHEN WRITING CHECKS
TO PAY ON A CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT, DO NOT PUT THE COMPLETE CARD
NUMBER ON THE “FOR” LINE. INSTEAD,
PUT ONLY THE LAST FOUR ACCOUNT NUMBERS.
·
DON’T PUT BILLS IN
YOUR MAIL BOX... TAKE THEM TO THE POST OFFICE, OR PUT THEM IN
THE NEIGHBORHOOD MAILBOXES.
·
DON’T WRITE YOUR
CREDIT CARD NUMBER ON SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON A CHECK TO A
MERCHANT, EVEN IF THE MERCHANT ASKS FOR HTIS INFORMATION.
·
TRY TO USE YOUR OWN
PREPRINTED DEPOSIT SLIPS, OR AT LEAST MAKE SURE THE DEPOSIT
SLIPS IN A BANK LOBBY DON’T HAVE SOMEONE ELSE’S ACCOUNT NUMBER
ALREADY WRITTEN OR PRINTED ON THEM.
·
DON’T THROW AWAY OLD
PAPERS, CANCELLED CHECKS, BANK STATEMENTS, ETC. SHRED OR BURN THEM.
·
PLACE THE CONTENTS OF
YOUR WALLET ON A COPY MACHINE AND COPY BOTH SIDES OF EACH
LICENSE, CREDTI CARD, ETC.
KEEP THE PHOTOCOPY IN A SAFE PLACE.
·
IF YOUR WALLET OR
PURSE IS STOLEN, FILE A POLICE REPORT IN THE JURISDICTION WHERE
THE CRIME HAPPENED... CANCEL YOUR CREDIT CARDS IMMEDIATELY... MAFB
PICKPOCKETS: YES, WE DO
HAVE PROBLEMS AND ESPECIALLY WITH
MEMBERS WHO USE JEEPS
(JITNEYS) FOR TRANSPORTATION… WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST
PROFESSIONAL PICKPOCKETS OUTSIDE OF MANILA AND THEY WILL USE
THEIR SKILLS IF GIVEN THE CHANCE…
BEST TO CARRY YOUR VALUABLES IN A MONEY POUCH (SECURE) OR
IN YOUR FRONT POCKETS… ALSO
SHOULD NOT CARRY YOUR PASSPORT, ID CARDS OR CREDIT/ATM CARDS
UNLESS YOU PLAN TO USE THAT DAY…
FOR HOSPITAL & IMMIGRATION PURPOSES, XEROX COPIES OF
DOCUMENTS ARE SUFFICIENT… ANY
LOST SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE LOCAL POLICE AND OBTAIN A COPY OF
THE POLICE REPORT… SOMETIMES
THE PICKPOCKETS WILL CONTACT YOU AND ADVISE THEY HAVE F O U N D YOUR
WALLET/PURSE AND OF COURSE THEY WOULD LIKE A REWARD… USUALLY GET BACK MOST
OF YOUR PAPERS; HOWEVER, THE MONEY OR ANYTHING OF VALUE WILL BE
MISSING… THEY
USUALLY WILL SETTLE FOR A
FOUR-FIVE HUNDRED PESO REWARD…
BE SURE TO REPORT YOUR MISSING DOCUMENTS TO THE
APPROPRIATE AGENCY IMMEDIATELY… WE CAN PROVIDE THE REQUIRED
PASSPORT FORMS/INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCESS YOUR ID CARD
APPLICATION…. IF
YOU USE THE JEEPS ON A REGULAR BASIS, MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO
KEEP A DECOY WALLET IN YOUR REAR POCKET… MAYBE THE PICKPOCKET
WILL THINK THEY STRUCK GOLD AND LEAVE THE OTHER POCKETS ALONE…
COULD ALSO INCLUDE A SYMPATHETIC NOTE WITH A TELEPHONE NUMBER (LOCAL POLICE
STATION)….
***HAVE MORE REPORTS OF
PICKPOCKETS POSING AS PASSENGERS ON JEEPS PRIMARILY TO FLEECE
FOREIGNERS… THESE PICKPOCKETS USUALLY WORK IN PAIRS, WILL TRY TO
SIT ON EACH SIDE OF THEIR VICTIM AND MAY USE A NEWSPAPER OR
MAGAZINE TO HIDE THEIR ACTIONS… WALLETS IN THE BACK POCKETS ARE
AN INVITATION FOR PICKPOCKETS AND BEST TO CARRY ANY VALUABLES IN
YOUR FRONT POCKETS AND REMAIN ALERT… NEED TO AVOID CARRYING ANY
UNNCESSARY VALUABLES/CARDS AND STORE IN A SAFE PLACE… IF STOLEN,
BE SURE TO REPORT ALL CREDIT CARDS IMMEDIATELY AND SEE US FOR
LOST MILITARY ID/PASSPORT IF IN THIS AREA... SHOULD ALWAYS
REPORT THE LOSS TO THE LOCAL POLICE AND GET A COPY OF THE POLICE
REPORT…
HUSTLERS IN AND
AROUND FIELD AVENUE (ANGELES CITY): ACCORDING
TO REPORTS, SEVERAL FOREIGN TOURIST HAVE BEEN TRICKED BY
PASSENGER TRICYCLE DRIVERS, TAKEN TO MARISOL VILLAGE TO LOOSE
MONEY IN CARD GAMES... THEY EVEN MAKE SOME TOURIST SIGN
PROMISSORY NOTES AND TRY TO EMPTY THEIR ATM ACCOUNTS... IF A
TRICYCLE DRIVER TRIES TO TAKE YOU ANYWHERE YOU DON’T WANT TO GO,
GET AWAY ASAP AND REPORT TO THE CLOSEST POLICE STATION... BEST
TO AVOID THIS MODE OF TRANSPORTATION UNLESS YOU PERSONALLY KNOW
THE DRIVER OR RECOMMENDED BY A FRIEND... UNDERAGE PICK-UP GIRLS: PICK UP GIRLS
SHOULD BE AVOIDED... LOT OF 16 YEAR OLD MAY LOOK OVER 18;
HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE NOT SURE THAT COULD BE AN ENTRAPMENT
OPEARATION OR EXTORTATION PLOT... LOT OF CASES WHERE TOURIST DID
NOT CHECK THE AGE AND A FEW HOURS LATER THE EXTORTATION PARTY
CAME KNOCKING ON THEIR DOOR... LOT OF CON GAMES AROUND AND IF
YOU ARE GOING TO PARTY, BEST TO STICK TO THE BARS WHICH ARE
REGULATED BY THE CITY....
BEWARE OF
SWINDLERS: THERE
HAS BEEN SEVERAL CASES RECENTLY… TYPICAL CASES ARE TO USE THE
NAME OF WELL KNOWN AMERICANS IN THE AREA ASK OTHER AMERICANS TO
ADVANCE THEM A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY SO THEY CONTINUE REPAIRS ON
AN APPLIANCE ITEMS/CAR… OF
COURSE, HE WILL REASSURE HIS INTENDED VICTIM THAT OWNER OF THE
APPLIANCE/CAR WILL REPAY WHEN HE RETURNS… IN OTHER CASES, THEY
CONTACT THE HOUSEHOLD HELP/WIFE AND TRY TO COLLECT FOR WORK THE
BILL… TO AVOID
THESE TYPE OF PROBLEMS, YOU SHOULD INSTRUCT YOUR HOUSEHOLD HELP
TO ONLY PAY ROUTINE BILLS TO PEOPLE THEY DEAL WITH ON A REGULAR
BASIS AND T COORDINATE ALL OTHER PAYMENTS WITH YOU… IN GENERAL,
YOU SHOULD NOT TRUST STRANGERS ASKING FOR MONEY UNLESS YOU ARE
FEELING VERY CHARITABLE…
HOME SWEET HOME: LAND PURCHASE
IN THE PHILIPPINES IN MOST CASES IS A GOOD INVESTMENT; HOWEVER,
THERE ARE PITFALLS THAT
ONE SHOULD BE AWARE OF...
IF YOU ARE A
FILIPINO CITIZEN OR
FORMER FILIPINO CITIZEN, YOU
ARE ALLOWED TO OWN LAND IN THE PI.... THE AMOUNT DEPENDS ON
YOUR CITIZENSHIP
STATUS : FORMER
FILIPINOS ARE LIMITED TO 5000SM
OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OR THREE HECTARES OF
FARMLAND..... IN
THE EVENT OF DEATH, LAND CAN BE INHERITED BY
THE FOREIGN SPOUSE PROVIDING THERE IS A WILL; HOWEVER, THE FOREIGNER IS ONLY AUTHORIZED TO SELL THE PROPERTY
TO A FILIPINO... THE NAME OF THE FOREIGN SPOUSE SHOULD BE
INCLUDED IN THE TITLE... BEFORE ONE DECIDES TO PURCHASE PROPERTY IN THE PHILIPPINES, AN
ATTORNEY TO
RESEARCH THE TITLE IS A MUST
OR YOU MAY NOT OWN THE PROPERTY..... IF THE PROPERTY IS FOR YOUR HOME, BE SURE THAT ALL
TENANTS ARE MOVED OUT PRIOR TO
PURCHASE; OTHERWISE, YOU MAY SPEND YEARS & MONEY (LOTS) TO GET THESE PEOPLE OFF YOUR PROPERTY (NOT LIKE U.S. LAWS)... ALSO, IF THE PROPERTY IS TO
BE LEFT VACANT, YOU MUST
HIRE A
CARETAKER/GUARD TO
KEEP THE SQUATTERS OUT... IF THEY MOVE IN, YOU HAVE A PROBLEM... YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY
TO GET THEM OFF YOUR PROPERTY AND THEN ONLY IF THEY AGREE TO GO...... THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM IN THE PHILIPPINES; EXAMPLE, ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE POPULATION OF METRO MANILA ARE SQUATTERS ACCORDING TO THE NEWSPAPERS..... LAST; DO NOT RELEASE FUNDS TO THE OWNER UNTIL ADVISED BY YOUR ATTORNEY...
HOME SECURITY: BREAK-INS ARE
PART OF LIFE... AS
MOST ARE AWARE, WE HAD THIS PROBLEM WHEN CLARK AFB WAS HERE AND WE CAN EXPECT
THESE SAME TYPE PROBLEMS TO CONTINUE IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE... THERE ARE SOME THINGS
YOU CAN DO TO SLOW
DOWN THESE PEOPLE LIKE BUILDING A HIGHER FENCE WITH BARBED
WIRE/BROKEN GLASS ON TOP OF THE WALL, A COUPLE OF GOOD DOGS, TELEPHONE, OUTSIDE LIGHTS, NEIGHBORHOOD
WATCH PROGRAM, POSSIBLY SHARE A GUARD WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS AND
GOOD LUCK... BE SURE TO REPORT ALL TO THE POLICE AND
GIVE ME A COPY OF THE REPORT...
ALL DATA RECEIVED WILL BE SHARED WITH THE U.S. EMBASSY,
MANILA....
MOVING TO ANGELES CITY, PI?: MILITARY RETIREES & ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL WHO ARE PLANNING ON MOVING TO THE PHILIPPINES WITH 15 DAYS MAY CHANGE THEIR MAIL ADDRESS TO :
NAME
PSC 517 BOX R C
FPO AP 96517-1000
BE ADVISED THAT THIS IS A RESTRICTED FPO AND LIMITED TO 1ST CLASS
MAIL UNDER 16OZS TO INCLUDE TRICARE MAIL
ORDER, PHARMACY PRESCRIPTIONS, BLANK CHECKS/
MAGAZINES/NEWSPAPERS/FAMILY VOICETAPES & HOME VIDEO’S (NO MERCHANDISE).... WE CAN ONLY HOLD YOUR MAIL FOR 15 DAYS...
RELOCATING TO THE
PHILIPPINES: WE RECEIVE
A LOT O
PSC 517 BOX R C
FPO AP 96517-1000
WE CAN EXTEND THE 15
DAYS UP TO 30 DAYS I
MOVING BACK TO
THE STATES OR GOING BACK FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT: IF YOU ARE
ELIGIBLE FOR TRICARE (CHAMPUS), YOU SHOULD REVIEW YOUR OPTIONS
IMMEDIATELY UPON ARRIVAL AT YOUR DESTINATION… IF YOU SELECT
TRICARE PRIME, THE COST WILL BE $230.00 PER PERSON OR $460.00
PER FAMILY PER YEAR AND THEY WILL PICK UP MOST OF YOUR BILLS… TO
AVAIL OF THIS PROGRAM, YOU MUST ENROLL BEFORE THE 20TH
OF THE MONTH TO BE ELIGIBLE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE FOLLOWING
MONTH… TRICARE STANDARD IS THE SAME AS YOU HAVE HERE, OBTAIN
TREATMENT AT A PARTICIPATING HOSPITAL/CLINIC, PAY YOUR SHARE OF
THE BILL (25% FOR RETIRED UNLESS YOU HAVE SUPPLEMENTAL
INSURANCE)… TRICARE EXTRA; 5% CHEAPER THAN TRICARE STANDARD IF
YOU USE A TRICARE PRIME PROVIDER… YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SIGN UP FOR
TRICARE STANDARD OR EXTRA; HOWEVER, YOU DO FOR TRICARE PRIME…
TRICARE PRIME APPEARS TO BE THE BEST OPTION IF YOU ANTICIPATE
MEDICAL PROBLEMS… TFL MEMBER AFTER 01 OCT 01 WILL AUTOMATICALLY
HAVE FULL BENEFITS IN THE UNITED STATES…
HOME REPAIRS IN
THE PHILIPPINES: ALWAYS A
PROBLEM IN FINDING
SOMEONE WHO WILL PERFORM REPAIR WORK AS AGREED… ANY REPAIRS THAT TAKE
OVER ONE DAY TO COMPLETE SHOULD HAVE A CONTRACT AND SOMETIMES
THIS DOES NOT WORK TOO WELL EITHER… AT LEAST, GET THE NAME
AND ADDRESS OF THE WORKMAN AND AGREE UPON A PRICE BEFORE ANY
WORK IS COMPLETED… ALWAYS
BEST TO HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FROM A SATISFIED CUSTOMER… NEVER PAY IN ADVANCE
OR ALLOW THE WORKMAN TO PICK UP THE MATERIAL… SHOULD PICK UP
MATERIAL YOURSELF OR HAVE DELIVERED BY THE STORE (DON’T FORGET
TO ASK FOR A DISCOUNT AND THAT WILL USUALLY OFFSET ANY DELIVERY
CHARGE)… ALSO GOOD
NOT TO ALLOW MORE
THAN ONE REPAIRMAN IN YOUR HOUSE UNLESS YOU HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS
WHO CAN WATCH EACH ONE… WHEN
WORK IS COMPLETED, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR ALL YOUR
TOOLS THEY MAY HAVE USED AND EXCESS MATERIAL… DON’T TAKE
ANYTHING FOR GRANTED AND JUST MAYBE ALL WILL WORK OUT AS
PLANNED… WE CAN RECOMMEND SOME REPAIRMEN; HOWEVER, YOU SHOULD
STILL REMAIN ALERT… ANYTIME WE RECOMMEND A WORKMAN, WE WOULD
LIKE YOUR COMMENTS AFTER THE
JOB HAS BEEN
COMPLETED…
HOUSING: NEED TO PLAN AHEAD… AS WE KNOW, RENT IS GOING TO KEEP GOING UP WITH CLARK
INDUSTRIALIZATION... SHOULD PURCHASE A HOUSE (I
SEMISKILLED
WORKERS: WE CAN GIVE
YOU A REFERRAL TO CARPENTER, PAINTER, LANDSCAPING, MASONRY
WORKER PLUS A ELECTRICIAN AVAILABLE IF YOU NEED SOME WORK DONE
AROUND YOUR HOUSE/OFFICE... PAY IS AROUND EIGHT
BUCKS A DAY AND THE ELECTRICIAN WORKS BY SERVICE CALL OR
CONTACT... THESE WORKMEN DO NOT WORK
FOR THE RAO; HOWEVER,
I WOULD LIKE A
REPORT ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION TO DETERMINE IF WE SHOULD
CONTINUE TO RECOMMEND THEIR SERVICE...
SAFETY HELMETS
FOR MOTOR BIKES OPERATORS: THE LOCAL
POLICE HAVE STARTED ENFORCING THIS POLICY AND EXPECT TO BE
STOPPED IF NOT IN COMPLIANCE…
FPO PROCEDURES: RECEIVED
THE FOLLOWING LETTER FROM THE U.S. EMBASSY POSTMASTER CONCERNING
UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE FPO. “There is a new trend of mail
arriving here to the FPO that is over 16 ounces and not first
class in nature (i.e., T-shirts, gifts, and so on) that is
addressed to a RAO member, with a return address of either that
member or another member, usually with a postmark of somewhere
in the states. This addressing technique is not a "loop hole"
for the 16 ounce rule. Please
advice your members that these items are not being delivered
because they think the return address of a given R box will
"force" us to deliver the items or force us to return to item to
the R address. We ARE sending these items to the USPS DEAD LETTER/PARCEL
BRANCH! Please put this info in your next news letter and
please mention at your next general meetings. I do expect more
will get the word via your new letters, but please cover all
angles so your members know what is happening to their items and
they'll save themselves or those sending the items money in the
long run.”
FPO MAIL CHECK
VIA TELEPHONE: WE
HAVE INSTALLED A DIGITAL TELEPHONE LINE IN OUR POST OFFICE, (892
-0817) SO YOU CAN CHECK MAIL FROM YOUR LOCAL WATERING HOLE
WITHOUT LOOSING YOUR SEAT
OR FIGHTING TRAFFIC.... JUST ANOTHER SERVICE FOR OUR AMERICAN
COMMUNITY... ALSO
HAVE A PUBLIC PAY TELEPHONE FOR DOMESTIC CALLS AT THE POST OFFICE....
FPO PRIVILEGES: WE HAVE
BEEN ADVISED BY THE FLEET POST OFFICE MANILA THAT ANY MAIL
RECEIVED MUST MEET THE WEIGHT AND CONTENT RESTRICTIONS
ESTABLISHED BY DOD OR WILL RETURNED/SENT TO THE DEAD MAIL BRANCH
IN YOKOHAMA, JAPAN... PLEASE ADVISE ALL WHOM YOU CORRESPOND THAT
THE FPO ONLY ALLOWS FIRST CLASS MAIL INCLUDING VOICE AND VIDEO
CASSETTES, NEWSPAPER, MAGAZINES, PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE WEIGHT
CANNOT EXCEED 16OZ....
CANNOT RECEIVE ANY MERCHANDISE EXCEPT PHARMACY FROM THE NATIONAL
MAIL ORDER PHARMACY (EXPRESS SCRIPT)... SHOULD ALSO PROVIDE THE
PEOPLE WHOM YOU CORRESPOND WITH THE “EXACT FPO ADDRESS”... EXAMPLE; IF SOMEONE
ADDS PHILIPPINES TO THE FPO ADDRESS THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS
DELAYS/LOSS AS THE LETTER WILL BE SENT VIA THE INTERNATIONAL
MAIL SYSTEM INSTEAD OF THE FPO... IMPORTANT MAIL: REGULAR MAIL CANNOT BE
TRACED IN EVENT OF LOSS AND IMPORTANT MAIL SHOULD BE SENT VIA
SPECIAL HANDLING... NEVER SEND CASH VIA MAIL...
FPO PRIVELEGES
EXPANDED: FPO
MEMBERS ARE NOW ALLOWED SEND MAIL TO APO/FPO’S WORLDWIDE FREE
EXCEPT THE ONES LISTED ON ATTACHMENT #12 (SEE WEBSITE www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr... ENJOY
YOUR FREE POSTAGE...
FPO 96517 MAIL
PRIVILEDGES: LOT OF OUR
NEWCOMERS ARE SURPRISED TO DISCOVER THEY COULD NOT RECEIVE THE
SAME FPO PRIVILEDGES AS THEY DID ON ACTIVE DUTY... GUESS GETTING
OLD AND NOT HAVING FULL FPO PRIVILEDGES IS THE DOWNDOWN SIDE OF
BEING RETIRED; HOWEVER, WITH ALL THE PLUSES OF BEING RETIRED
THAT ISN’T TOO BAD... PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL WE ARE ALLOWED TO
RECEIVE VIA THE FPO IS FIRST-CLASS MAIL CORRESPONDENCE
(INCLUDING VOICE AND VIDEO CASSETTS), NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES,
PHOTOGRAPHS, NOT EXCEEDING 16 OUNCES, WHEN ADDRESSED TO BOX R
PLUS CHECK BOOKS FROM YOUR BANK AND MEDICATION FROM THE NATIONAL
MAIL ORDER PHARMACY (EXPRESS SCRIPT ONLY)... NOTE: ANY AND ALL MAIL THAT
SUPERCEDES THESE RESTRICTIONS MAY BE RETURNED TO SENDER BY THE
EMBASSY POST OFFICE MANILA OR FORWARDED TO THE DEAD MAIL BRANCH
IN YOKOHAMA, JAPAN... PLEASE NOTIFY PEOPLE TO WHOM YOU
CORRESPOND OF THIS POLICY... FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT AUTHORIZED
FPO PRIVILEDGES WE HAVE AN ALTERNATE AND RELIABLE SYSTEM TO
RECEIVE MAIL... THIS SYSTEM CAN ALSO BE USE BY FPO MEMBERS
(FREE) TO RECEIVE ITEMS NOT AUTHORIZED TO BE MAILED VIA THE
FPO...
WEBSITES: FOR THOSE
WHO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT FILIPINO ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT,
CURRENT ISSUES, CONTEMPORARY FILIPINO LIFE AND PLACES OF INTEREST IN MANILA,
WEBSITES LegManila.com AND ClicktheCity.com IS A GOOD PLACE TO
START...
PHILIPPINE
NEWSPAPER WEB SITES: FOR THOSE
OUTSIDE OF THE PHILIPPINES THAT WOULD LIKE TO KEEP UP ON LOCAL NEWS, YOU CAN
ACCESS THE PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER AT: www.inquirer.net, THE
MANILA BULLETIN AT: http://www.mb.com.ph AND SUN STAR PAMPANGA
www.sunstar.com/ph/pampanga
SUGGESTIONS: I
CLARK
AIR BASE REGION
