Governance Cooperation Fund (GCF) Open Government Partnership (OGP) Knowledge Exchange and Learning Event
23–24 November 2015 ǀ ADB Headquarters, Manila, Philippines
LOGISTICAL ANNOUNCEMENT
We are pleased to welcome you to the GCF-OGP Knowledge Exchange and Learning Event to be held on 2324 November 2015 in Manila. This document provides details on the logistical arrangement for this event. If you need further information or clarification, please refer to “communications” section on the final page of this document.
Venue
Auditorium C (Level 1) Asian Development Bank 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines Tel: (63 2) 632–4444 www.adb.org
Hotel
Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center Manila 17 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1600 Philippines Tel: (63 2) 637 7888 / 910 888 www.oakwood.com
GENERAL INFORMATION
Attendance
Participants are expected to arrive in Manila no later than November 22 (Sunday) and return on November 25 (Wednesday). Please attend the event promptly and sign the daily attendance sheet as required.
Lunch and Cocktail Reception
Please note that lunch during the event period will be provided by the organizers at the EDR Coffee Lounge. In addition, to welcome all participants, we would like to invite you all to the cocktail reception on the evening of November 23 at the EDR Coffee Lounge. Please come and join to meet the other participants and take an opportunity to network. Venue / Date November 23 (Monday) November 24 (Tuesday) Workshop Auditorium C, Level 1 Auditorium C, Level 1 Cocktails EDR Coffee Lounge (18002000) Lunch EDR Coffee Lounge (12301330) EDR Coffee Lounge (12451405)
Accommodation
For the duration of the event you will stay at the Oakwood Premier hotel just right across the ADB building. Accommodation with breakfast and complimentary WIFI will be provided for your stay. Except for the accommodation fee, ADB will not cover any costs due to room service, mini bar, and other extra services.
If you will arrive before November 22, 2015 due to your airline schedule, please inform us in order to adjust your reservations accordingly. However, if you wish to arrive earlier, or stay longer than the required dates, it will be your responsibility to arrange lodging at your own cost. Only 3 nights (November 22 – 24) will be covered by the ADB.
Please present your passport for check-in. Check-in time is 14:00 and check-out is 12:00.
Map and Façade of the Hotel
Airport Transfers
Organizers will arrange for airport pick-up on November 22 and drop-off service on November 25. For self-funded participants, airport metered taxis and coupon (flat-rate) taxis are available to bring you to the hotel. Travel time to/from the hotel is about 40-60 minutes. For assistance, you may approach the International Organizations Reception Desk (IORD) located in the arrival area of NAIA Terminals 1 and 3 which are staffed by ADB contracted representatives from 8Am to 11PM. Contact details: 877-1109 local 2891 / 833-8756.
Travel Arrangement
For participants whose transportation will be covered by ADB, you will be provided with airline ticket by the most direct route and/or the lowest available airfare to enable you to travel from your capital city to Manila and return. Tickets for official travel are subject to established ADB procedures: For reimbursement arrangement, organizers require you to submit the following:
Boarding Pass/es (from your city of departure to Manila) Original receipt of airline tickets E-Tickets Copy of Passport (i) passport information page and (ii) pages with entry/exit immigration stamps
Visa and Travel Document
About 150 countries may enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay of less than thirty (30) days, provided that passport is valid for six (months) beyond the period of stay in the Philippines. See here the list of countries with visa-free entry status – http://www.philippineconsulatela.org/consular%20services/NO- Visa%20for%2030%20Days%20under%20EO%20408.pdf
Participants with countries not in the list, please follow this link for more information on the visa application: http://dfa.gov.ph/index.php/guidelines-requirements
Living Allowance and Currency
In addition to your accommodation, you will receive a daily subsistence allowance (DSA) for the duration of your stay. Allowances are intended to cover domestic expenses such as transportation from airport to hotel, dinners and other miscellaneous expenses. This allowance will be paid to you at the registration desk in front of Auditorium C during the registration and coffee breaks on November 23 (Monday). Please submit original boarding passes to facilitate payment of your DSA.
You may use the exchange service at the front desk at the hotel or in the banks (Bank of the Philippine Islands, Metrobank, and Citibank) located at the Ground Floor of ADB.
The official unit of Philippine currency is Peso (Php). The exchange rate of 1 USD is equivalent to approximately Php47 (as of November 9, 2015). Most stores, restaurants, and taxis do not accept foreign currencies, but major international credit cards will be available at large stores, hotels, and restaurants.
Climate Information and Time
Metro Manila has a tropical savanna climate. The month of November is characterized by essentially constant daily high temperatures, with daily highs around 31°C. November is a rainy season and most common forms of precipitation are moderate rain, light rain, and thunderstorms.
Manila Standard Time is 8 hours ahead (+8) of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Emergency Call
For Emergency contact ADB Incident Coordinator at 632-5220
Communications
If you have any inquiries regarding the above arrangements, please contact:
Ms. Sheryl Nazaret-Casas (Consultant) GCF Secretariat Asian Development Bank 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines Tel: 63 2 632-4444 extension 70292 E-mail: [email protected]