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        RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICE

PSC 517 Box R C
FPO AP 96517-1000

http://www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr 


SECTION II
PERMANENT DATA:  CHANGES ARE INDICATED BY AN ASTERISK (*)ABOVE THE SUBJECT...

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:

MOST ALL THE DATA FOR RETIREE/DEPENDENT/WIDOW(ER) WILL BE PROVIDED MONTHLY FROM OUR OFFICE; HOWEVER, YOU ARE ALSO ENCOURAGE TO PUBLISH DATA THAT IS UNIQUE TO YOUR LOCATION... SUGGESTED READING MATERIAL:
  1. FAMILY CODE OF THE PI (LOCAL BOOK STORE)
  2. TRICARE STANDARD HANDBOOK -- http://www.tricare.osd.mil/TricareHandbook
  3. FEDERAL BENEFITS FOR VETERANS AND DEPENDENTS -- www.va.gov
  4. SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT -- www.ssa.gov
  5. AFP 36-3028 -- http://afpubs.hq.af.mil

  6. RETIRED MILITARY ALMANAC -- www.militaryalmanac.com
EMERGENCY RAO SERVICE: IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY, I CAN BE CONTACTED AT FAX (045) 888 5079 OR TEXT +639279121804...  PLEASE KEEP IN MIND, IF THE PROBLEM CAN WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT DUTY DAY, I COULD USE THE REST...

RAO BUSINESSWHEN 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 CAREFULLYRETIRED 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:  IF YOU ARE A PERMANENT RESIDENT LIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES, NEED TO VISIT THE LOCAL IMMIGRATION OFFICE PRIOR TO 02 MAR EACH YEAR....

PHILIPPINE DRIVERS LICENSE RENEWAL:  THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL CHANGES IN THE DRIVER LICENSE RENEWAL PROCESS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND MORE MAY FOLLOW... PRESENT PROCEDURE AT THE DAU/ ANGELES CITY  LTO IS:  APPLY IN PERSON, TAKE A DRUG TEST (P300.00), MEDICAL EVALUATION P20.00 AND P180.00 RENEWAL FEE FOR A TOTAL COST OF P500.00... CAN ALSO OBTAIN AT SM MALL CLARK IN ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA.

 

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.

 

 

CLARKFIELD MUSEUM:  LOCATED AT THE OPPOSITE  END OF THE PARADE  GROUND FROM THE FORMER 13TH AIR FORCE HQ (NOW CDC) WITH AN  ANTIQUE CANNON IN FRONT...  A MUST TO SEE...  HOURS 0830-1730, MON THRU SAT, ADMISSION IS ONLY P10.; HOWEVER THEY DO ACCEPT DONATIONS... TEL NO. (63 45) 599-3221

 

 

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 FOR INDIVIDUALS 65 AND OLDER AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. IT DIVIDES COVERAGE INTO TWO PARTS, PART A  AND PART B. PART A COVERS HOSPITAL, SKILLED NURSING FACILITY, HOME HEALTH, AND HOSPICE SERVICES. PART B COVERS SUPPLEMENTAL MEDICAL INSURANCE, INCLUDING PHYSICIAN SERVICES, DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, LABORATORY TESTS, THERAPY SERVICES, AMBULANCE SERVICES.


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 FOR NON-RESIDENT SPOUSES OVER 65 YEARS OF AGE (PHILIPPINES):  IF YOUR SPOUSE IS OVER 65 YEARS OF AGE AND HAS NOT APPLIED FOR U.S. SOCIAL SECURITY/ENROLLED IN PART B MEDICARE, PLEASE SEE ME... THIS ALSO INCLUDES WIDOWS OF MILITARY RETIREE/ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERS WHO WERE KILLED/DIED WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY... TRICARE FOR LIFE (TLF) IMPLEMETATION PROCEDURES ARE STILL BEING WRITTEN; HOWEVER, BASED ON MY INTERPRETATION OF THE BASIC TLF RULES, ALL ELIGIBLE MEMBERS OVER 65 YEARS OF AGE MUST BE ENROLLED IN PART B MEDICARE TO RECEIVE TLF BENEFITS EFFECTIVE OCT 2001... ACCORDING TO SOCIAL SECURITY, THE ELIGIBLE SPOUSE DOES NOT HAVE TO MEET THE FIVE YEAR, U.S. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT TO APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AND ENROLL IN MEDICARE PART B; HOWEVER, THE APPLICANT MUST PAY THE MONTHLY PREMIUM  PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 10% PER YEAR FOR THOSE OVER 65 WHO WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY ENROLLED... TO APPLY AT THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE, U.S. EMBASSY, MANILA, THE APPLICANT WILL NEED A MARRIAGE CONTRACT, BIRTH CERTIFICATE, PICTURE ID, DD FORM 214/SSN OF THE SPONSOR AND IF DECEASED A COPY OF THE DEATH CERTIFICATE... OVER 65 OPEN SEASON ENROLLMENT DATES ARE BETWEEN 01 JAN AND 31 MAR EACH YEAR WITH A 01 JUL  ELIBIBILITY DATE... FOR THOSE WHO WILL BECOME AGE 65, THIS YEAR YOU CAN ENROLL THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO YOUR 65TH BIRTHDAY...

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:  IF YOU ARE OVER 65 YEARS OF AGE AND TRICARE ELIGIBLE, YOU MUST HAVE A MEDICARE CARD TO REFLECT MEDICARE PART A & B ELIGIBILITY... IF YOU HAVE LOST YOUR CARD OR NOT RECEIVED, YOU CAN GET A REPLACEMENT VIA INTERACTIVE WEB www.ssa.gov

 

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 NOTIFIED WITHIN 72 HRS OF YOUR  ADMITTANCE….   THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY; NOT THE HOSPITAL...  MOST ROOMS HAVE A TELEPHONE AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE A BIG PROBLEM...   TEL NO.  IS 02-318-83-87  TO 69 AND THE FAX NO. IS 02-318-8311.  IF YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER ARE UNABLE TO CONTACT THE VA, I CAN DO THIS FOR YOU DURING MY DAILY VISITS...  SHOULD THE VA CLINIC DETERMINE THAT YOUR MEDICAL CONDITION IS NOT SERVICE CONNECTED, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HOSPITAL BILL...  WHEN ADMITTED FOR A VA EMERGENCY, PLEASE DO NOT ASK THE HOSPITAL TO GIVE YOU A "GENERAL OVERHAUL"... YOU ARE ADMITTED FOR THE VA EMERGENCY ONLY... IF YOU HAVE OTHER VA PROBLEMS YOU WOULD LIKE CORRECTED, MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE VA OUTPATIENT CLINIC.  SHOULD YOU DECIDE TO HAVE CHAMPUS CARE WHILE IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A VA SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY THE HOSPITAL UPON DISCHARGE AND SUBMIT YOUR OWN CHAMPUS CLAIM.  ALSO BEEN A PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL VA PATIENTS CLAIMING TO HAVE SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITIES WHEN IT IS NOT RECORDED ON THE VA RECORDS.  THE AUF MEDICAL CENTER EMERGENCY ROOM HAS BEEN INSTRUCTED TO ONLY TREAT EMERGENCY CASES FOR VA PATIENTS.  CANNOT USE THE HOSPITAL FOR ROUTINE VA CARE UNLESS YOU HAVE A LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION FROM THE VA CLINIC, MANILA...  NEW VA POLICY:  ALL VA PATIENTS ARE CONSIDERED PRIVATE  PATIENTS UNTIL APPROVED BY THE VA CLINIC...

 

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

P.O. BOX 150950 
ST. LOUIS, MO 63115-8960

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 FRACTION OF THE  COST  OF BRAND NAMES... EXAMPLE ASPIRINS (100 TABLET SIZE) IS AROUND P30.00 OR VITAMINS AT P40-70.00 PER 100 SIZE BOTTLE... YOU CAN PURCHASE THESE AT  MERCURY, MANSON DRUGS, ETC.... NEW PI LAW TO CONTROL MFR./SALES...  JUST READ THE LABELS…

 

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)…


U.S. MILITARY RETIREES AND TRICARE RESPONSIBILITY:  THE U.S. GOV’T HAS PROVIDED YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WITH TRICARE BENEFITS FOR LIFE AND HAS ENTRUSTED YOU WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAKING SURE THE BILLING IS CORRECT... DO NOT SIGN BLANK TRICARE CLAIM FORMS AND OBTAIN A COPY OF YOUR BILL BEFORE SIGNING ANY CLAIM... ONCE YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THE STATEMENT FROM TRICARE, CHECK THE BILLING AGAINST YOUR RECEIPT AND IF ALL DOES NOT MATCH, SEE ME OR CONTACT TRICARE DIRECTLY...DO NOT ALLOW ANY PROVIDER TO OVERBILL TRICARE OR BILL FOR SERVICES NOT RENDERED... TRICARE HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO YOU/YOUR FAMILY BY A GREATFUL NATION AND YOU SHOULD DO YOUR BEST TO PROTECT THESE BENEFITS... IF WE LET OUR GUARD DOWN, I GUESS ALL ARE AWARE THAT WE COULD LOOSE THIS VERY IMPORTANT BENEFIT...

 

 

TRICARE EXPLANATION OF BENEFITS (TEOB):  EVERYTIME A CLAIM IS FILED TO TRICARE AGAINST YOUR ACCOUNT (SSN), YOU/YOUR FAMILY ARE SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE A TEOB EXPLAINING THE CHARGES... THIS IS AN EXCELLENT MANAGEMENT TOOL TO ENSURE UNAUTHORIZED CLAIMS/CHARGES ARE NOT FILED AGAINST YOUR ACCOUNT... ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS CHECK EACH ENTRY ON THE TEOB AND IF THE COST IS EXCESSIVE OR IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE THE SERVICE CONTACT THE PROVIDER TO CORRECT THE MISTAKE… IF YOU SHOULD ENCOUNTER ANY PROBLEMS, CONTACT ME OR ISOS… THESE ARE OUR U.S. TAX DOLLARS AND WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW PROVIDERS/ BILLING AGENTS TO GET AWAY WITH OVERCHARGING FOR SERVICES OR SUBMITTING CLAIMS FOR SERVICE NOT RECEIVED...

 

TRICARE FOR LIFE (TFL):  IF YOU ARE OVER SIXTY FIVE (65) YEARS OF AGE RECEIVING SSA DISABILITY AND ENROLLED IN PART B MEDICARE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THESE BENEFITS...  IF NOT ENROLLED IN PART B MEDICARE, THE NEXT ENROLLMENT PERIOD IS BETWEEN 02 JAN – 31 MAR AND THE ELIGIBILITY DATE WILL BE 01 JUL... WHILE OVERSEAS THIS PROGRAM BASICALLY REINSTATES YOUR OLD CHAMPUS (TRICARE) BENEFITS THAT YOU ENJOYED PRIOR TO YOUR 65TH BIRTHDAY... IF YOU PLAN TO MOVE/VISIT THE UNITED STATES/TERRITORY PRACTICALLY ALL YOUR MEDICAL BILLS WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF BY MEDICARE WITH TRICARE BECOMING THE SECOND PAYER... THIS IS THE GREATEST ADVANCE IN MEDICAL CARE FOR MILITARY RETIREES THAT I CAN REMEMBER...

 

TRICARE MAIL ORDER PHARMACY:  EFFECTIVE 21 MAY 2003, THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) HAS AUTHORIZED MILITARY RETIREES TO RECEIVE TRICARE MAIL ORDER PHARMACY SHIPMENTS WITHOUT ANY WEIGHT LIMITATIONS VIA OUR FPO... THIS WAS ALLOWED UNOFFICIALLY BY THE EMBASSY PREVIOUSLY AND IS NOW OFFICIAL... PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE PRESCRIPTION CAN ONLY BE SHIPPED FROM THE “TRICARE MAIL ORDER PHARMACY” (NO OTHER AGENCY/BUSINESS... WITH THIS AUTHORITY WE CAN RECEIVE  PHARMACY; HOWEVER, WE DON’T HAVE ANYONE AUTHORIZED TO WRITE PRESCRIPTIONS (PHYSICIANS MUST BE REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES

 

FILING TRICARE CLAIMS:  IF THE CLAIM IS BEING SUBMITTED FOR AN ACCIDENTAL INJURY BE SURE TO ATTACH DD FORM 2527 (STATEMENT OF PERSONAL INJURY-POSSIBLE THIRD PART LIABILITY)... IF NOT INCLUDED, YOUR CLAIM WILL NOT NORMALLY BE PAID UNTIL SUBJECT FORM IS RECEIVED... IF RECEIVED WITHOUT THE DD FORM 2527, TRICARE WILL SEND YOU A COMPUTER GENERATED LETTER AND FORM TO COMPLETE... BE SURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN ASAP OR YOUR CLAIM WILL BE PUT ON HOLD... IF YOUR PROVIDER SUBMITTED YOUR CLAIMS AND YOU RECEIVE A TRICARE LETTER WITH DD FORM 2527 ATTACHED BE SURE TO COMPLETE & RETURN OR CONTACT YOUR PROVIDER...

 


 

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) FOR OBTAINING EMERGENCY SERVICE CONNECTED MEDICAL CARE... IF YOU USE THESE HOSPITALS, THE VA MUST BE NOTIFIED WITHIN 72 HOURS OR YOUR CLAIM MAY NOT BE PAID... NOTIFICATION CAN BE BY YOU, YOUR FAMILY OR THE HOSPITAL (YOUR RESPONSIBILITY) TEL (02)-318-8387....

·        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 FOUNDATION MEDICAL CENTER – SAPANG MAISAC, DUQUIT, MABALACAT (MAGALANG ROAD)

 

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 FOR CDP... OFFICIALS POINT OUT THAT THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE WILL HAVE TO COORDINATE WITH THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT TO REVERSE THE WAIVER OF RETIRED PAY... IT’S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT BY DOING THIS, THE RETIRED MEMBER MAY INCUR A DEBT TO THE GOVERNMENT RESULTING FROM AN OVERPAYMENT... THE CDP LAW APPLIES TO RETIREES WHO HAVE A VA-RATED, SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY OF 50% OR MORE... INDIVIDUALS WHO RETIRED FOR DISABILITY RATHER THAN UNDER THE REGULAR RETIREMENT LAW MUST HAVE AT LEAST 20 YEARS OF SERVICE… SOURCE:  ARMED FORCES NEWS

 

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...

 

USAF & VETERANS NEWS:  WE RECEIVE DATA VIA THE NET SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK AND POST SAME ON OUR BULLETIN BOARD…  ALSO SEND OUT ANY HOT ITEMS TO OUR SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS…  IN ADDITION, WE HAVE NEWSLETTER FROM MANY OF OUR BASES POSTED ON THE BULLETIN BOARD FOR YOUR INFORMATION PLUS THE AFTERBURNER, SHIFT COLORS, ARMY ECHOES AND SEMPER FIDELIS…  HARD TO KEEP CURRENT UNLESS YOU READ THE BULLETIN BOARD… DON’T FORGET TO DROP BY THE OFFICE & PICK UP YOUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER AROUND THE 1ST OF EACH MONTH…  WE ALSO APPRECIATE DONATIONS TO PAY OUR BILLS…


V
A ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE PHILIPPINES: ON JANUARY 2, 2009 THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MANILA REGIONAL OFFICE (VA) IMPLEMENTED AN APPOINTMENT SYSTEM FOR ALL VISITORS TO THEIR PUBLIC CONTACT SECTION... VA WILL NO LONGER ENTERTAIN WALK-IN VISITORS: ALL VISITORS WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT BEFORE THEY ARE ADMITTED TO THE EMBASSY...  FOR AN APPOINTMENT, CALL VA AT (02) 550-3888 OR IF CALLING FROM OUTSIDE METRO MANILA CALL VA TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-1888-5252 USING PLDT LINE.”

 

 

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...

CONDITIONS  RECOGNIZED IN VETERANS –

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 FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE CONNECTED CARE AT PARTICIPATING HOSPITAL IF YOU FALLOW THE RULES UPON ADMISSION... THE PATIENT/FAMILY MEMBER/FRIEND MUST NOTIFY THE VA AT (02)  318-8387 OR VIA FAX (02) 310-5957 WITHIN 72 HOURS OR THEY MAY NOT PAY YOUR BILL… WE VISIT AUF MEDICAL CENTER EACH MORNING  ( 7 DAYS A WEEK ) AND IF THE VA HS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED, WE WILL BE HAPPY TO DO SO. THE HOSPITAL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR NOTIFYING THE VA.

 

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 FREE NUMBER FOR THE VA SERVICE OFFICER, MANILA:  IF YOU HAVE A PLDT PHONE YOU CAN NOW CONTACT THE VA SERVICE OFFICER AT 1-800-1-888-5242 TOLL FREE THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES... PLDT NOW HAS LINES IN ANGELES CITY IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T HEARD THE NEWS (SYSTEM WORKS GREAT)... OUR PLDT NR IS (045) 625 5522 AND OUR DIGITAL LINES ARE (045) 888 2748 & 892-5115... FPO IS (045) 892 0817 IN CASE YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHECK YOUR MAIL VIA PHONE...

 

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 OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW SAFE ARE LOCAL BANKS… BANKS HERE ARE ONLY INSURED FOR P500,000.00 AND IF YOU HAVE A LARGE DEPOSIT IT WOULD BE WISE TO HAVE MORE THAT ONE BANKS… THERE IS USUALLY NOT ANY PROBLEMS WITH COMMERCIAL BANKS; HOWEVER, SMALL BANKS HAVE DIFFERENT GUIDELINES… ONE TREND I USUALLY APPLY IS IF A  BANK IS OFFERING A SUBSTANTIALLY MORE INTEREST THAN OTHER BANKS, ONE SHOULD ASK WHY (TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE SHOULD APPLY)…

 

 

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. FEDERAL RESERVE BANK:  WE’VE HAD SEVERAL QUESTIONS ON THIS SUBJECT AND HOPE THE ATTACHED DATA WILL BE USEFUL (THERE IS A WAY)...  I do not live in the United States, but I want to cash some of  my bonds. How can I do this?   Unfortunately, the answer to this one gets a little complicated. Normally, banks in foreign countries aren't authorized to redeem U.S. Savings Bonds. However, if you're a U.S. citizen, you can redeem the bonds in a foreign country at any banking facility of a bank that's incorporated in the United States, the territories or possessions of the U.S., or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. If you can't find a bank that meets these requirements, send the signed and certified bond to the Bureau of the Public Debt (P.O. Box 7012, Parkersburg, WV 26106-7012). You'll also need to send a statement over your (the bond owner's) signature stating you're a U.S. citizen and provide your social security number. If you aren't a U.S. citizen, you'll also need to complete IRS Form W-8BEN.  In a foreign country, requests for payment must be signed in the presence of (and be certified by) any U.S. diplomatic or consular representative or the manager or other official of a foreign branch of a bank or trust company incorporated in the U.S. This representative's signature is attested by an impression of the corporate seal or is certified to the Department of the Treasury.  If a representative described above isn't available, requests for payment may be signed in the presence of (and certified by) a notary or other official authorized to administer oaths. The official character and jurisdiction of this individual should be certified by a U.S. diplomatic or consular officer under seal of his/her office.  http:www.saving-bond-advisor.com/

 

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 FAVORITE ON THE MENU AT OUR SERVICE  ORGANIZATIONS? YOU GUESSED  IT… S O S… HOW THINGS DO CHANGE… SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE CONTACTED US OVER THE YEARS FOR THE SPS RECIPE… THIS RECIPE WAS PROVIDED BY A  FOOD SERVICE SUPERVISOR (RET), THOMAS LEBICA… HE MOVED BACK TO THE STATES ABOUT A YEAR AGO  AND I SURE DO MISS HIS FREE SAMPLES AND OUR CHATS…  ½  CUPGROUND BEEF, 1 CLOVE GARLIC. DICED, 1 TEA SPOON ONION-DICED, ¼ TEA SPOON SALT, ¼ TEA SPOON BLACK PEPPER, 1 TABLE SPOON BUTTER OR MARGARINE, 1 TABLE SPOON  FLOUR, ¾ CUP MILK… IN HAVY SAUCE PAN (1 QUART)…  1.) ADD GARLIC, ONION, SALT & PEPPER TO GROUND BEEF AND COOK UNTIL BEEF IS BROWNED, DRAIN EXCESS GREASE… 2.) ADD BUTTER TO BEEF MIXTURE AND COOK 2 MINUTES…  3.) ADD FLOUR AND COOK APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MINUTES… 4.)  GRADUALLY ADD MILK STIRRING CONSTANTLY UNTIL MIXTURE THICKENS… JUST MULTIPLY THE NUMBER OF ½ CUPS BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE YOU PLAN TO SERVE… SUGGEST YOU SERVE ON 2 PIECES OF TOAST WITH ONE EGG, 2 SLICE OF BACON… SOME RETIREES STATED THAT I FORGOT THE SAN MIGUEL TO “WASH” ALL THIS DOWN…

 

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 7800MARINE 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 CERTIFYING ACCEPTING AGENT: WE ARE AUTHORIZED TO CERTIFY IRS W-7 AND SS-4 APPLICATIONS… JUST BRING ORIGINAL/CERTIFIED TRUE COPIES OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS BY THE OFFICE WITH THE INDIVIDUAL(S) WHO ARE APPLYING AND WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST… WE DON’T KEEP YOUR DOCUMENTS… THIS WILL REDUCE THE WAIT FOR ITIN’S CONSIDERABLY AND ELIMINATE THE LETTER EXCHANGE EXERCISE… BEST TIME TO AVOID LINES IS BETWEEN 1100-1200 HRS MON-FRI… THE SERVICE IS GOING GREAT AND ALL YOU NEED TO DO TO GET YOUR AUTHORIZED TAX DEDUCTIONS IS TO APPLY…

 

INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (ITIN):  WE ARE THE IRS CERTIFYING AGENT FOR THE PHILIPPINES AND CAN OBTAIN ITIN’S FOR AUTHORIZED PERSON... IRS HAS BECOME MORE STRICT ON ISSUEING ITIN’S AND CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED FOR TAX PURPOSES... IF YOU ARE A QUALIFIED U.S. TAX FILER AND HAVE IRS AUTHORIZED DEPENDENTS WE CAN HELP... DOCUMENTATIONS REQUIRED:  IF YOUR DEPENDENT HAS A PASSPORT (CURRENT) AND YOU HAVE YOUR TAX RETURN READY FOR FILING WE CAN PROVIDE AND ATTACH OUR CERTIFICATION W-7 FORM TO YOUR TAX RETURN WHICH WILL SATISFY ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ITIN... IF YOUR DEPENDENT DOES NOT HAVE A PASSPORT WE WILL REQUIRE TWO ID CARDS WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE (BEST TO HAVE  A PASSPORT)... ONCE THE PACKAGE IS READY FOR MAILING TO IRS, WE WILL GIVE YOU A SPECIAL IRS ADDRESS TO MAIL YOUR TAX RETURN... THE ITIN WILL BE RETURNED TO US AND WE WILL CONTACT YOU FOR PICK-UP/MAILING INSTRUCTIONS... ONCE YOU RECEIVE THE ITIN, YOU CAN USE THE SAME AS A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN) TO FILE TAX IN THE FUTURE... THERE ARE FOUR EXCEPTIONS TO THE ABOVE RULE TO ALLOW US TO REQUEST ITIN’S (BANKING, SALE OF PROPERTY WHERE TAX WAS DEDUCTED ETC.) HOWEVER, AS A RULE OF THUMB AN ITIN WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNLESS REQUIRED FOR TAX REASONS...

 

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...

 

Republic Act No. 10172: AN ACT FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY OR MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OR THE CONSUL GENERAL TO CORRECT CLERICAL OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS IN THE DAY AND MONTH IN THE DATE OF BIRTH OR SEX OF A PERSON APPEARING IN THE CIVIL REGISTER WITHOUT NEED OF A JUDICIAL ORDER, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED NINETY FORTY-EIGHT

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

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 First Name or Nickname. – No entry in a civil register shall be changed or corrected without a judicial order, except for clerical or typographical errors and change of first name or nickname, the day and month in the date of birth or sex of a person where it is patently clear that there was a clerical or typographical error or mistake in the entry, which can be corrected or changed by the concerned city or municipal civil registrar or consul general in accordance with the provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations.”

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. Form and Contents of the Petition. – The petition for correction of a clerical or typographical error, or for change of first name or nickname, as the case may be, shall be in the form of an affidavit, subscribed and sworn to before any person authorized by law to administer oaths. The affidavit shall set forth facts necessary to establish the merits of the petition and shall show affirmatively that the petitioner is competent to testify to the matters stated. The petitioner shall state the particular erroneous entry or entries, which are sought to be corrected and/or the change sought to be made.

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.

Furthermore, the petitioner shall submit a certification from the appropriate law enforcements, agencies that he has no pending case or no criminal record.

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 Fees. – The city or municipal civil registrar or the consul general shall be authorized to collect reasonable fees as a condition for accepting the petition. An indigent petitioner shall be exempt from the payment of the said fee.

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:  IF YOUR DEPENDENTS DO NOT HAVE U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND DESIRE A PHILIPPINE PASSPORT, THERE IS NOT ANY NEED TO PAY FIXERS FOR HELP WHEN YOU CAN GO DIRECTLY TO PHILIPPINE DEPT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (DFA) AND OBTAIN A PASSPORT… PROCEDURES FOR INITIAL AND REPLACEMENT PASSPORTS ARE ATTACHED…

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS:
* 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:

* For married women, who want to use surname of their spouse
* Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper issued by NSO or Certified True Copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO.
* For married
women who would like to revert back to their maiden name
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.


For Minors (below 18 years old)
 
* 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.

For Muslim applicants

* For those whose births were registered:

Please refer to requirements for first time passport applicants.

For those whose births were not registered:


* 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 DFA PAMPANGA:

OIC:  ASUNCION N. FLORENTIN
Location Address: City Central TrTerminal (CCTT) Lazatin Blvd., Corner Olongapo-Gapan Road
San Juan, City of San Fernando, Pampanga
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...

 

AFFIDAVIT OF LEGAL CAPACITY:  SEE U.S. EMBASSY WEB http://manilausembassy.gov FOR APPOINTMENTS…

 

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):  REF. U.S. EMBASSY, MANILA WEB http://manilausembassy.gov CONSULAR SERVICE AND CLICK NON-IMMIGRANT VISA FOR INSTRUCTION.

 

 

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 OFF, DROP  BY  THE  RAO FOR YOUR REPORT OF BIRTH ABROAD AND PASSPORT APPLICATION(S)… AFTER YOU FINISH THIS LITTLE TASK, TIME FOR A TRIP TO IMMIGRATIONS (PI)...  VERY IMPORTANT TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR THE CHILD AND THAT IS VALID FOR THE REST OF HER/HIS LIFE CITIZEN PRIVILEGES)...  NOW YOU ARE READY FOR A DEERS UPDATE, TO NOTIFY DFAS (SBP) OF THE NEW ADDITION AND HAPPY HOUR.  NOW THAT DIDN'T HURT TOO MUCH, RIGHT?? ALL PHILIPPINE DOCUMENTS MUST BE FROM THE NSO…

 

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) OF A U.S. CITIZEN:   YOU CAN  FILE  AN  IMMIGRATION PETITION ON YOUR OWN BEHALF  IF  MARRIED AT TIME OF DEATH:

 

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 OF HOSPITALS/CLINICS:  YES, STILL HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES... AMERICAN CITIZENS WHO PASS AWAY OUTSIDE OF A HOSPITAL/CLINIC MUST HAVE A LOCAL AUTOPSY BEFORE A DEATH CERTIFICATE CAN BE ISSUED..… VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE ALL PLANNED IN ADVANCE OR THE NEXT OF KIN COULD BE STUCK WITH MORE BILLS THAN NECESSARY… I WOULD SUGGEST YOU CONTACT AUF MEDICAL CENTER (LOCAL CASES ONLY) AND THEY WILL SEND AN AMBULANCE… UNLESS YOU ARE THE NEXT OF KIN AND HAVE THE FUNERAL PRE-PLANNED, I WOULD SUGGEST YOU LEAVE THE REMAINS AT THE AUF MORGUE UNTIL A DECISION IS MADE… I WILL BE HAPPY TO ADVISE YOU ON FUNERAL HOMES THAT HAS PROVIDED US GOOD SERVICE AND THE ONES THAT HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO BURY ON CLARK FIELD…

 

FUNERALS:We seem to have around 25-30 funerals a year in our area; However, there are always a few whom are not financially prepared to go… Had four of those type funerals this month and two retirees did not have assets and didn’t leave anything but bills... We need to plan more for our final pcs and not expect others to foot the bill… In some cases the va will pay all or part of the bill; However, not all of the funeral homes are willing to wait for payment and require payment before the funeral… Should have at least $1,000.00 saved up for a decent funeral or make arrangements with one of the local funeral homes before your final day… Please see me for some recommendations on how  to make a smooth transition… NOTE: CREMATIONS ARE P26,000. UP AND REGULAR BURIAL P40,000. UP.

 

 

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… IF DISABLED OR A WIDOW WITH MINOR CHILDREN, YOU CAN APPLY ANYTIME…

 

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...

 

 

 

 

OFFICIAL  EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS:  EVEN WITHOUT BASES AND THE AMERICAN RED CROSS HERE IN THE PI ANYMORE, SHOULD CONTACT THE PHILIPPINE RED CROSS WHO WILL WORK WITH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS TO ASSIST...

 

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 FAMILY, DROP BY THE RAO ASAP…  IF OUTSIDE OF THE ANGELES AREA CALL/FAX US AT (045) 888-2748/5079  OR CONTACT THE U.S. EMBASSY AND ASK FOR THE AMERICAN SERVICES BRANCH…  WE CAN  SAVE YOU A LOT OF MONEY & PROBLEMS IN SUGGESTING THE CORRECT PEOPLE TO CONTACT, OFFICIAL NOTIFICATIONS, ETC… AFTER  THE FUNERAL WE WILL HELP WITH  BENEFITS DUE, OBTAIN NEW ID CARD(S) AND ADVISE YOU ON U.S. IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES (IF APPLICABLE)  AND  OTHER BENEFITS AVAILABLE…  JUST REMEMBER TO KEEP ALL YOUR IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS TOGETHER AND IN  A  SAFE  PLACE WHERE  YOUR  FAMILY MEMBERS CAN LOCATE WHEN NEEDED...  ALL THESE DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE REVIEWED AT LEAST ANNUALLY  AND  MORE OFTEN IF NECESSARY... ALSO SHOULD REMEMBER THAT ALL CHILDREN BORN OUTSIDE OF THE U.S. MUST HAVE A REPORT OF BIRTH  ABROAD CERTIFICATE/U.S. PASSPORT (VERY IMPORTANT)...  THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR CHILDREN…  WITHOUT THIS DOCUMENTATION, THEY DO NOT HAVE A U.S. CITIZENSHIP...  DON'T FORGET TO PROVIDE IMMIGRATIONS (7TH ST., ANGELES CITY) (PI) WITH A COPY OF THE DEATH CERTIFICATE FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS....

 

 

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 OF OUR LANDMARKS CLOSED EFFECTIVE 31 OCT 00… THEY HAD SOME OF THE BEST AND MOST ECONOMICAL FOOD IN TOWN… THE RUMPA HAS PROVIDED GREAT SERVICE TO OUR MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY FOR OVER 25 YEARS… WE OWE A BIG THANKS TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAS MADE OUR LIFE A BIT BETTER OVER THE YEARS AND THEY WILL SURELY BE MISSED… NOTE:  THE OWNER OF THE BUILDING HAS CONTINUED THE RUMPA UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT & THE FOOD IS STILL GOOD...

 

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

philampost123@yahoo.com / www.geocities/philampost123.com

A. L.  POST 10

(63) (045) 322-1950

SAME AS TEL.

USE RAO

DAV

(63) (045) 893-3767/3778

 

Dav3ac@comclark.com / www.dav3philippines.8m.com

BEAGLES (DOG H.)

(63) (045) 892-0755

USE RAO

USE RAO

FRA (FLEET RESERVE)

(63) (045) 331-4566

SAME AS TEL.

dunninn@mail.ang.sequel.net

 

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 FILE ADDRESS:  ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES MAY UPDATE THEIR ADDRESS WITH DEERS IN A NUMBER OF WAYS:  BY CALLING THE DEFENSE MANPOWER DATA CENTER SUPPORT OFFICE (DSO) TELEPHONE CENTER AT 1-800-538-9552... BY FAXING CHANGES TO 1-873-655-8317... BY MAILING THE CHANGE INFORMATION TO:  DSO, ATTN: COA, 400 GIGLING ROAD, SEASIDE, CA  93955-6771... BY E-MAILING THE INFORMATION TO:  addrinfo@osd.pentagon.mil. (USING ALL LOWER-CASE LETTERS) OR VIA INTERACTIVE WEB SITE: http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/swg/owa/webguard.login?appl=9012&rule=02

 

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 OF E-MAIL ASKING QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS SUBJECT AND HOPE THIS WILL ANSWER MOST QUESTIONS... VEHICLES:  DO NOT SHIP VEHICLES TO THE PHILIPPINES UNLESS YOU MEET THE BALIKBAYANS CRITERA OR WOULD LIKE TO PAY A VERY HEAVY CUSTOMS DUTY... NEW CARS ARE AVAILABLE HERE FROM $13,000.00 UP AND CAN PURCHASE A NEW VAN FOR LESS THAN $15,000.00... HOUSEHOLD GOODS:  IF YOU HAVE A PERMANENT RESIDENT VISA, THIS IS NOT TOO PAINFUL... CAN SHIP A LARGE CONTAINER VAN OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND THE CUSTOMS DUTIES IS USUALLY LESS THAN $1,000.00... JUST REMEMBER, WE DO NOT HAVE A SOFA AGREEMENT AND OUR VISITING FORCES AGREEMENT (VFA) DOES NOT MAKE REFERENCE TO RETIREES... LAND OWNERSHIP:  IF THE MEMBER IS A FORMER FILIPINO CITIZEN, HE/SHE IS ALLOWED TO OWN 5,000 SM OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OR THREE HECTARES OF FARM LAND... OTHERS MUST RENT/LEASE; HOWEVER, MOST ANYONE CAN OWN A CONDO... BALIKBAYAN VISA:  WHEN TRAVELING WITH A FILIPINO OR FORMER FILIPINO SPOUSE, YOU ARE ALLOWED A ONE YEAR BALIKBAYAN VISA UPON ARRIVAL AT THE PORT OF ENTRY (FREE)... NOTE:  ONLY ONE BALIKBAYAN VISA AUTHORIZED PER YEAR...  PERMANENT RESIDENT VISA:  IF MARRIED TO A FILIPINO/FORMER FILIPINO CITIZEN, YOU ARE ALLOWED A PERMANENT RESIDENT VISA FOR YOURSELF AND MINOR CHILDREN... THE VISA CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY PHILIPPINE EMBASSY/CONSULATE OR IN COUNTRY... LESS EXPENSIVE AND FASTER AT THE PI EMBASSY/CONSULATE... STUDENT VISA:  CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY PHILIPPINE EMBASSY/CONSULATE IF YOU HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY A LOCAL SCHOOL... NEW POLICY ALSO ALLOWS ONE TO CONVERT A CURRENT TOURIST VISA TO A STUDENT VISA WHILE IN COUNTRY... TOURIST VISA:  CAN ENTER THE COUNTRY ON YOUR U.S. PASSPORT AND WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE GRANTED A 21-DAY TOURIST VISA... THIS CAN BE RENEWED 59 DAYS AT A TIME UP TO A MAXIMUM OF ONE YEAR... MUST LEAVE THE COUNTRY AFTER ONE YEAR; HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT A BIG PROBLEM... EXAMPLE; ONE CAN GET AN INEXPENSIVE TICKET TO BANGKOK INCLUDING HOTEL ACCOMMODATION UP TO THREE DAYS FOR LESS THAN $300.00 AND RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES FOR ANOTHER YEAR... MUST HAVE AN ONWARD TICKET... CAN ALSO OBTAIN A TOURIST VISA AT ANY PHILIPPINE EMBASSY/CONSULATE PRIOR TO YOUR ARRIVAL IN THE PHILIPPINES... PHILIPPINE RETIREMENT AUTHORITY (PRA):  IF YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR ONE OF THE PERMANENT RESIDENT VISAS OR DO NOT LIKE THE TOURIST VISA POLICY, YOU CAN APPLY FOR A PRA VISA... NOT AS BAD AS IT MAY SOUND; YOU WILL NEED TO DEPOSIT THE MONEY IN A DESIGNATED PHILIPPINE BANKS; HOWEVER, YOU WILL RECEIVE MONTHLY INTEREST... CAN ALSO INVEST THE MONEY AFTER SIX MONTHS IN A BUSINESS OR PURCHASE A CONDO... IF YOU SHOULD DECIDE TO GET OUT OF THE PROGRAM, YOUR MONEY WILL BE REFUNDED (IF NOT INVESTED)... MOST RETIREES WOULD QUALIFY AND CAN OBTAIN AN INFORMATION PACKAGE BY FAXING (63 2) 848 1411... THIS PROGRAM WILL ALSO ALLOW YOU TO SHIP $7,000.00 OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS FREE OF CUSTOM DUTIES PLUS YOU DO NOT NEED AN EXIT VISA TO TRAVEL IN/OUT OF THE COUNTRY... I THINK THIS IS A VERY GOOD PROGRAM IF YOU HAVE AN EXTRA $50,000.00 THAT IS GATHERING DUST... PETS:  CAN USUALLY BRING YOUR PETS INTO THE PHILIPPINES WITHOUT PROBLEMS AND PICK UP IMMEDIATELY; HOWEVER, CHECK WITH YOUR TRAVEL AGENT FOR REQUIREMENTS... FPO:  MILITARY RETIREES AND RETIRING ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL WHO PLAN TO ARRIVE IN THE PHILIPPINES WITHIN 15 DAYS MAY CHANGE THEIR MAILING ADDRESS  TO:               NAME

PSC 517 BOX R C

FPO AP 96517-1000

WE CAN EXTEND THE 15 DAYS UP TO 30 DAYS IF YOU PROVIDE US AN ARRIVAL DATE AND REQUEST AN EXTENSION (POSTAL REQUIREMENT)... PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT MAIL IS RESTRICTED TO 1ST CLASS LETTERS UNDER 16OZ TO INCLUDE BLANK CHECKS/MAGAZINES/ NEWSPAPERS/FAMILY VOICE TAPE/HOME VIDEO’S (NO MERCHANDISE)... RENT AND UTILITY COST:  CAN USUALLY RENT HOUSES IN SUBDIVISIONS BETWEEN $200.00-$500.00 PER MONTH DEPENDING ON YOUR STANDARD OF LIVING... UTILITIES FOR A NORMAL HOUSEHOLD IS AROUND $150.00 PER MONTH UNLESS YOU HAVE AIRCONS/CLOTHES DRYERS... TELEPHONE SERVICE IS GOOD AND SUITABLE FOR INTERNET CONNECTION... SCHOOLS:  THE MEDIUM OF TEACHING IS ENGLISH AND THE SCHOOLS ARE GOOD AND INEXPENSIVE... ALSO HAVE VA APPROVED SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES WITH FIVE HERE IN ANGELES CITY...

 

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  (IF ELIGIBLE)  OR  OBTAIN  THE  LONGEST  LEASE  POSSIBLE....  RENT  RANGE  AT  PRESENT  IS $200.00 - $500.00  PER  MONTH AND YOU  CAN  PURCHASE  A HOUSE   &  LOT  FOR  $50,000.00 (-/+)  DEPENDING  ON THE  LOCATION/QUANTITY/SIZE...

 

 

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:  WORKING GREAT, ABOUT 6 DAY SERVICE FROM THE CONUS… ENJOY THE PRIVILEGES & DON'T FORGET THE RESTRICTIONS…   MAIL  IS LIMITED  TO FIRST-CLASS CORRESPONDENCE (INCLUDING VOICE, VIDEO CASSETTES (HOME MADE), BLANK CHECKS),  NEWSPAPERS,  MAGAZINES  AND PHOTOGRAPHS NOT EXCEEDING 16 OUNCES OF THE ABOVE CATEGORY OF ITEMS...  MERCHANDISE CATALOGS,  AND BOOKS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED...  UNAUTHORIZED/PROHIBITED ITEMS PLUS THOSE WEIGHING OVER 16 OUNCES MAY BE  RETURNED TO SENDER..  A FEW PEOPLE CONTINUE TO ABUSE THE FPO SYSTEM, JUST REMEMBER, WHEN YOU ORDER MERCHANDISE, THE EMBASSY IS GOING TO RETURN THE PACKAGE…  THIS IS EXPENSIVE TO THE EMBASSY WHO MUST PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE...  PLEASE USE THE LOCAL MAIL SYSTEM WE HAVE ESTABLISHED TO RECEIVE MERCHANDISE AND SAVE US ALL A LOT OF PROBLEMS AND EXPENSE...  AS MOST ARE AWARE OUR APO IS NEW AND SOME OF THE SMALL POST OFFICES BACK IN THE STATES MAY NOT HAVE POSTED THE U.S. POSTAL BULLETIN TO THE LIST  OF  ACTIVE FPO'S...  JUST IN CASE YOU RECEIVE NOTIFICATION THAT THE RAO DOES NOT EXIST, PLEASE WRITE BACK  AND  MAKE REFERENCE  TO U.S. POSTAL BULLETIN 21903, 9-28-95 PAGE 31…  THIS SHOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM... IF NOT, SEE ME…  I  THINK OUR  POSTAL  CLERKS ARE EFFICIENT, HONEST AND ARE DOING GREAT JOB AND IF YOU THINK SO, PLEASE TELL THEM... IF  THERE  ARE PROBLEMS, THAT CANNOT BE RESOLVED, OR YOU HAVE IMPROVEMENT SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE SEE ME... THIS FPO IS ONLY AUTHORIZED  FOR RETIREES, ACCOMPANIED DEPENDENTS AND WIDOWS(ER); DOES NOT INCLUDE ACTIVE DUTY & OTHERS WHICH NORMALLY RECEIVE FPO PRIVILEGES ON MILITARY BASES... NON-NARCOTIC PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION MAY BE RECEIVED VIA THE FPO… THE U.S. POSTAL SYSTEM  ALLOWS US TO HOLD MAIL UP TO 15 DAYS, RELEASE TO YOUR DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE OR FORWARD TO YOUR NEW ADDRESS/SENDER... AN EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE IS FOR YOU TO PROVIDE US WRITTEN AUTHORITY TO HOLD YOUR MAIL UP TO A SPECIFIC DATE NOT TO EXCEED 30 DAYS... THIS ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN  WHEN YOU PLAN TO BE OUT OF TOWN FOR MORE THAN 15 DAYS... HOPE ALL WILL TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY BECAUSE ANY RETURNED MAIL CAN EFFECT YOUR PAY/BENEFITS....

 

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

 

WE ARE A TAX EXEMPT FOUNDATION, IRS EIN – 98-0206430:  AS MOST OF OUR MEMBERS ARE AWARE, WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A TAX-EXEMPT FOUNDATION (PHILIPPINE AND U.S. REGISTERED) TO SUPPORT ALL THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE..   I THINK MOST ARE ALSO AWARE THAT WE DO NOT RECEIVE ANY BUDGET FROM THE U.S. GOV’T TO SUPPORT THE RAO OR OTHER PROGRAMS...  WE DO RECEIVE  EXCESS EQUIPMENT SUPPORT FROM THE U.S. EMBASSY, VA & JUSMAG WHICH HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS HELP IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE RETIREES, DEPENDENTS, WIDOWS(ER) AND AMERICAN CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES.... OUT OF DONATIONS & FUNDS GENERATED, WE MUST PAY OUR RENT, UTILITIES, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, COMMUNICATIONS, EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYMENT TAXES, INSURANCE, REPAIRS, TRANSPORTATION, ETC....  ANY NEW PROGRAMS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO ESTABLISH LIKE;  EMERGENCY  FUNDS FOR LOANS/GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS MUST BE HELD IN ABEYANCE UNTIL SUPPORT FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE...  WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A “SPACE A” PROGRAM AT OUR ANNEX ON CLARK FIELD AND THIS IS BEING FUNDED ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET...  WE HAVE ALSO ESTABLISHED SATELLITE RAO’S AND HOPE TO ESTABLISH AT LEAST FIVE MORE PLUS WE NEED TO VISIT THESE AREAS TO HELP ESTABLISH PROGRAMS AND TO COORDINATE TRICARE CARE THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES...   ALL  THIS REQUIRES FUNDING...  WE ARE ASKING FOR OUR AMERICAN COMMUNITY TO HELP PLUS INT’L PARTICIPATION WOULD BE WELCOME...  WE  ONLY ASK THAT ANY DONATIONS BE GIVEN IN GOOD FAITH WITHOUT STRINGS ATTACHED..... IF INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT ME IN PERSON/E-MAIL/FAX’S OR  AT THE ADDRESSES ON PAGE 1.

 

 

 

SUGGESTIONS:   IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS ON HOW WE CAN PROVIDE BETTER SUPPORT NEXT YEAR, JUST WRITE UP YOUR SUGGESTION, PLACE IN AN ENVELOPE, ADDRESS TO JIM BOYD, RAO AND DROP OFF AT OUR FPO (DONATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ALSO)…

 

 

 



JIM BOYD, USAF, RAO DIRECTOR

CLARK AIR BASE REGION


Director Jim Boyd - rao_cabr@mozcom.com - revised 01 May, 2013
RAO - 1925 McArthur Highway, Balibago, Angeles City 2009