Practical Information to Participants

General Information

1) The Interagency Experts Group (IAEG) on MDG Indicators Meeting is scheduled to be held in , on Monday 17th – Tuesday 18th October 2011, at the Boardroom 2, 2nd Floor, Dusit Thani .

2) The International Conference on the Millennium Development Goals Statistics (ICMDGS) is scheduled to be held in Manila, Philippines on Wednesday 19th – Friday 21st October 2011, at the Ballroom B, Ground Floor, Dusit Thani Manila Hotel.

3) Participation in both these events is by invitation only.

Venue of the forum

4) The venue for both the IAEG meeting and ICMDGS is the Dusit Thani Manila Hotel (http://www.dusit.com/dusit-thani/dusit-thani-manila.html), , City, Philippines. It is approximately 8 kilometers or 30-45 minutes away from the airport and located at the central business district of Manila. It has easy access to the financial centers, shopping area (i.e. SM Makati, Landmark, Malls, (Lifestyle Center)), Philippine Stock Exchange, Ayala , , cafés and restaurants and most embassies.

1 Registration

IAEG

5) The opening session of the IAEG meeting will commence at 09:00 a.m. on Monday, 17th October 2011. Participants are requested to register at the lounge outside the Boardroom 2, 2nd Floor, between 08:00 and 08:45 a.m. on the same day. Participants who will not be able to register on the opening day are requested to do so as soon as possible, to ensure that their names will appear on the list of participants.

ICMDGS

6) The opening session of the ICMDGS will commence at 09:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 19th October 2011. Participants are requested to register at the foyer outside the Ballroom, Ground Floor, between 08:00 and 08:45 a.m. on the same day. Participants who will not be able to register on the opening day are requested to do so as soon as possible, to ensure that their names will appear on the list of participants.

Travel Information

Visa requirements

7) Nationals from countries listed below who are traveling to the Philippines for business or tourism purposes are allowed to enter the Philippines without visas for a stay not exceeding 21 days, provided that they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination (Please see the list of countries below, updated as of 8 August 2011). Philippine regulations require that passports are valid for a period of not less than six months beyond the contemplated period of stay. However, Immigration Officers at ports of entry may exercise their discretion to admit holders of passports valid for at least 60 days beyond the intended period of stay. For details, please see the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs website at http://www.dfa.gov.ph or contact your local consular office.

1. Andorra 51. Ghana 101. Norway 2. Angola 52. Gibraltar 102. Oman 3.Antigua and Barbuda 53. Greece 103. Palau 4. Argentina 54. Grenada 104. Panama 5. Australia 55. Guatemala 105. Papua New Guinea 6. Austria 56. Guinea 106. Paraguay 7. Bahamas 57. Guinea Bissau 107. Peru 8. Bahrain 58. Guyana 108. Poland 9. Barbados 59. Haiti 109. Portugal 10. Belgium 60. Honduras 110. Qatar 11. Benin 61. Hungary 111. Republic of 12. Bhutan 62. Iceland 112. Romania 13. Bolivia 63. Indonesia 113. Russia 14. Botswana 64. Ireland 114. Rwanda 15. Brazil* 65. Israel* 115. Saint Kitts and Nevis 16. Brunei Darussalam 66. Italy 116. Saint Lucia 17. Bulgaria 67. Jamaica 117. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 18. Burkina Faso 68. 118. Samoa 19. Burundi 69. Kenya 119. San Marino 20. Cambodia 70. Kiribati 120. Sao Tome and Principe 21. Cameroon 71. Kuwait 121. Saudi Arabia 22. Canada 72. Lao People’s 122. Senegal

2 23. Cape Verde 73. Latvia 123. Seychelles 24. Central African Republic 74. Lesotho 124. Singapore 25. Chad 75. Liberia 125. Slovakia 26. Chile 76. Liechtenstein 126. Slovenia 27. Colombia 77. Lithuania 127. Solomon Islands 28. Comoros 78. Luxembourg 128. Somalia 29. Congo 79. Madagascar 129. South Africa 30. Costa Rica 80. Malawi 130. 31. Cote d’Ivoire 81. Malaysia 131. Suriname 32. Cyprus 82. Maldives 132. Swaziland 33. Czech Republic 83. Mali 133. Sweden 34. Democratic Republic of the 84. Malta 134. Switzerland Congo 35. Denmark 85. Marshall Islands 135. Thailand 36. Djibouti 86. Mauritania 136. Togo 37. Dominica 87. Mauritius 137. Trinidad and Tobago 38. Dominican Republic 88. Mexico 138. Tunisia 39. Ecuador 89. 139. Turkey 40. El Salvador 90. Monaco 140. Tuvalu 41. Equatorial Guinea 91. Mongolia 141. Uganda 42. Eritrea 92. Morocco 142. United Arab Emirates 43. Estonia 93. Mozambique 143. United Kingdom of Great Britain 44. Ethiopia 94. Myanmar 144. United Republic of Tanzania 45. Fiji 95. Namibia 145. United States of America 46. Finland 96. Nepal 146. Uruguay 47. France 97. Netherlands 147. Venezuela 48. Gabon 98. New Zealand 148. Vietnam 49. Gambia 99. Nicaragua 149. Zambia 50. Germany 100. Niger 150. Zimbabwe Note: *The following nationals are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding fifty-nine (59) days: holders of Brazil and Israel passports.

The following nationals are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding seven days: Holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative (SAR) passports; Holders of British National Overseas (BNO) passports; Holders of Portuguese Passports issued in Macao; and Holders of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports.

International Airports in

8) The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) ( formerly known as Manila International Airport (MIA)) is located along the border between City and Parañaque City in Metro Manila. It is about 7 kilometers (4 miles) south of Manila, and southwest of Makati City. It has three terminals, namely:

8.1) Terminal 1: NAIA Terminal – for international flights only of non-Philippine Airlines, non-Cebu Pacific Airlines, non-All Nippon Airways

8.2) Terminal 2: Centennial Terminal – All Philippine Airlines (PAL), both international and domestic flights

8.3) Terminal 3: NAIA International Terminal – for domestic and international flights of Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, PAL Express and All Nippon Airways

3 Welcome Staff at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport

9) NAIA personnel in the following uniforms:

Monday: Female – red blouse and blue skirt

Male – black coat and black pants

Tuesday – Sunday: Female – gray coat and gray skirt

Male – gray coat and gray pants

shall escort the participants upon arrival at the airport to the lounge where they will be welcomed by the NSCB staff clad in red shirt who in turn will assist them in getting public transportation from the airport to the hotel.

Transport from and to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1

10) Taxi service is available from all three terminals of NAIA to all points of Metro Manila.

10.1) Designated airport taxis (i.e. taxis marked with “Bayan Ko, Sagot Ko”) are stationed at the lower level of the arrival area of the airport. A taxi desk for fixed rate airport taxi is available at the same area in the airport. Airport taxis fixed rate is P330.00 from the airport to the venue.

10.2) There are also metered taxis (i.e. yellow taxis marked with “Airport Taxi”) available around the area with Php 70.00 flag down rate and counter raises by PhP 4.00 for every 300 meters. The estimated fare from the airport to the venue ranges from Php 200 - PhP 300. A taxi desk for metered airport taxi is also available at the lower level of the arrival area of the airport.

Airport Facilities

11) Airport information desks are open for all flights.

12) The international airport has adequate traveler facilities: tourist information and assistance counters, hotels and travel agency representative, banks and ATMs, postal service, telephone booths, and medical clinics, among others. Baggage carts and porter services are available for free.

13) The airport wheelchairs are available upon request from the airline ground staff. The airport also has ramps, lifts and toilets for the disabled.

14) Passengers requiring any special assistance should inform their airline prior to travel. For assistance, participants may call telephone number: +632 877 1111.

Going Around the City

15) Participants can travel to the city center by car, bus, , Metro rail and transits, and taxi.

Airport Fees

16) Passengers departing for international destinations are charged an airport terminal fee of PhP 750 or approximately USD17.68.

Internet and E-mail Services

17) There will be free internet and e-mail services available to participants at the Conference venue at the lounge outside the Boardroom 2, 2nd Floor for the IAEG meeting and at the Secretariat’s Room, Ground Floor (facing the Ballroom) for the IAEG Meeting and the ICMDGS.

4 18) Internet cafés and computer shops near the venue also offer Internet, e-mail and web-based services.

Concerned Contacts:

19) For further queries, the following persons may be contacted:

For technical matters:

Ms. Bernadette B. Balamban Ms. Mechelle M. Viernes Conference Secretariat Conference Secretariat National Statistical Coordination Board National Statistical Coordination Board 2nd Floor Midland Buendia Bldg., 403 Sen. 2nd Floor Midland Buendia Bldg., 403 Sen. , Makati City Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City

Landline and Fax: (+632) 896 7981 Landline and Fax: (+632) 896 7981 Mobile Number: +639198281910 Mobile Number: +639175659511 Email Address: [email protected] Email Address: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

For logistics and administrative matters:

Ms. Teresita M. Almarines Conference Secretariat National Statistical Coordination Board 2nd Floor Midland Buendia Bldg., 403 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City

Landline and Fax: (+632) 896 7981 Mobile Number: +639196542483 Email Address: [email protected] [email protected]

Social activities

20) There will be a welcome dinner for the participants scheduled on the first day of the Conference, 19 October 2011. Information on this activity will be provided to the participants upon registration.

Hotel Accommodation

21) A list of some hotels/accommodation situated close to the venue is provided in Annex 1.

Restaurants

22) Listed below are restaurants near the venue.

Basix Ineng’s BBQ Earl’s Sandwiches Mang Inasal Filipino style Dusit Thani Manila, Ayala Central Bus Terminal , Ground Floor, Greenbelt 1, chicken Ayala Center, beside the facing Legaspi Street, Makati 1) 2nd Level, KPMG Center, Makati City Landmark, Makati City City 6787 , Makati City Tel. (632) 867-3333 2) Jupiter St cor. Makati Ave., Makati City Tel. : 890-2442 UMU Japanese Hard Rock Cafe I'm Angus Steakhouse, San Peking Garden Restaurant Restaurant 3/F Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Antonio Village 4th Level, Greenbelt 5, Makati Dusit Thani Manila, Makati City 7431 Yakal St., Makati City City Tel. Ayala Center Tel. Tel. (632) 867-3333 Tel. (632) 892-2606 (632) 729-0567 632)867-3333

5 Kenny Rogers’ Jolibee’s New York Pizza Palace McDonald’s Roasters 1) G/F Convergy’s Bldg, AyalaG/F Unit F105-106 A. Venue Jaka Bldg., 6780, Ayala 1) De La Rosa, Car Ave., Makati City Event Center, 7829 Makati Avenue, Makati City Park1, Legaspi 2) 2nd Level, Glorietta 4, Ave., Makati City Tel: 8-6236 Village, Makati City; Makati City Tel. (632) 720-5977 2) 2/F Glorietta 3, 3) City Ground Level, Ayala Center, Makati Greenbelt 1, Makati City; 3) Delco, 6/F SLC Bldg, Ayala Ave. cor. Herrera St, Makati city Tel: (632) 533-8888 Persia Grill Cibo, Italian Restaurant Cyma Greek Taverna Chimara Valero or Legaspi Glorietta 4, Makati City Greenbelt 2, Ground Floor, Cinema Level, Greenbelt 3, Street (directly across Ayala Center, Makati City Ayala Center, Makati City from the entrance of Tel. (632) 729-4837 Tel.(632) 757-5652 Greenbelt 5, Corner De la Rosa St., Makati City Tel. (632) 403-99995 Circles Event Cafe Magic Bread Vegetarian Store Via Mare Bizu Patisserie and Cafe Makati Shangri-la 25 Bautista St. cor. Buendia, Ground Floor, Greenbelt 1, Ground Floor, Greenbelt 2, Hotel, Ayala Ave. cor. Palanan, Makati City Makati City Ayala Center, Makati City Makati Ave., Makati Tel. (632) 887-7921 Tel. (632) 893-2306 City Tel. (632) 840-0884

Hossein’s Persian Legend of India Sentro 1771 Café Havana Kebab 114 B Jupiter St., Bel Air II, Greenbelt 3, 2nd level, Ayala Ground Floor, Greenbelt 3, 7857 LKV Bldg., Makati City Center, Makati City Makati City Makati Avenue Tel. (632) 836-4232 Tel. (632) 757-3940 to 41 Tel. (632) 757-4370 (located right along Makati Ave. and opposite of Burgos St.), Makati City Tel. (632) 890-5803

Cerveseria National Sports Grill Museum Cafe Old Manila, The Ground Floor, Third Floor, Greenbelt 3, Ground Floor, , Peninsula Manila, cor. Ayala Greenbelt 3, Makati Makati City Makati Ave. cor. De La Rosa Ave. and Makati Ave, Makati City Tel. (632) 728-4126 St. , Makati City (adjacent City. Tel. (632) 757-4791 Greenbelt 3 and 5) Tel. (632) 887-2888/ (632)-812- Tel. (632) 757-3000 34563

Chihuahua Mexican Shang Palace Sala Kashmir Grill and Margarita Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Locsin Bldg., 6752 Ayala Ave. Festejo Bldg., 816 Pasay Rd., Bar Ayala Ave. cor. Makati Ave., cor. Makati Ave., Makati City Makati City 7838 Makati Ave., Makati City Tel. (632) 750-1555 / (632) Tel. (632) 844-4924 kiddie-corner to Ayala Tel. (632) 840-0884 893-0242 Ave, Makati City. Tel. (632) 897-0087

WG Diner Kwagos Grill IO Family KTV Cor. Of Makati Ave. Makati Ave. cor. B. Valdez, 136 Jupiter St. Makati City and Gen. Luna St.l Makati City Tel (632) 889-5593 Third Floor, Greenbelt 3, Makati City

6 Shopping Centers

23) Shopping centers located near the venue include the following:

Ayala Center Glorietta Greenbelt Shopping Mall Rustan’s Makati City, Metro Ayala Center, Ayala Ayala Center, Paseo de Ayala Ave., Ayala Center, Manila Avenue corner Pasay Roxas corner Legaspi Street, Makati City Road, Makati Avenue and Ayala Center, Makati City, EDSA, Makati City, Metro Metro Manila Manila

SM Makati Glorietta Shopping Mall Market! Market! Ayala Center, EDSA, Ayala Center, Ayala Rockwell, Makati city Carlos P. Garcia Avenue Makati City, Metro Avenue corner Pasay (also known as C-5) cor. Manila Road, Makati Avenue and 26th Street, Bonifacio EDSA, Makati City, Metro Global City, City, Manila Metro

Bonifacio High Street SM Mall of Asia , SM Central Business Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Park, Bay City, Pasay City, Metro Manila City, Metro Manila

Other Useful Information

Climate

24) October in Manila is wet or monsoonal, with temperatures in Fahrenheit range from 84° Fahrenheit to 87° Fahrenheit or 28.8° to 30.5° Celsius. An umbrella is a necessity. The conference room where the meeting is to be held is air-conditioned with temperature maintained in the range of 21-26 degrees Celsius (70-78 degrees Fahrenheit).

Currency

25) The transportation of foreign currency or monetary instruments is legal. However, the carrying of foreign currency in excess of US$10,000.00 or its equivalent in other foreign currencies must be declared in the Customs Declaration Form upon arrival at the airport.

26) It is illegal for any incoming or outgoing passenger to bring in or out Philippine Pesos in excess of PhP10,000.00 or without prior authority from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in accordance with BSP Circular 98-1995.

27) Exchange facilities are available at the airport, hotels, and malls near the venue (Shangri-la Makati, SM Makati and Rustan’s), normally between 8:30am to 7:00pm, Mondays thru Sundays. Most banks are open between 9:00am to 3:00pm, Mondays thru Fridays except for selected Banco de Oro (Herrera St., Alfaro St., Makati Ave., branch which is open from 10:00 am to 7:00pm from Mondays thru Sundays.

View latest exchange rate on the website of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (http://www.bsp.gov.ph/statistics/keystat/day99.htm)

Language

28) Filipino is the national language of the Philippines. English is the business language and is spoken widely.

Capital City

29) Manila is the capital city.

7 Business Hours

30) Business hours are generally from 8:00am-12 NN and 1:00pm to 5:00 pm.

Local Time

31) GMT plus 8 hours.

Local transportation

32) Metered and fixed rate taxis are widely available in key cities nationwide. Jeepneys and buses are inexpensive ways of getting around most places. For the common white taxis the flag down rate is PhP 40.00, with each 300 meters or for every two minutes that the taxi stands motionless costing PhP 3.50. On the other hand, the yellow airport taxis flag down rate is at PhP 70.00, then counter raises by PhP 4.00 for every 300 meters. Below is the list of some of the Metro Manila Taxi Operators.

MGE Dollar Lady Helen Nolgaze Trends Tel Nos. 364-82-60; Tel Nos.927-87-18; Tel No. 939-36-38 Tel No. 695-65-29 Tel Nos. 822-93-45; 363-60-96; 366-62- 921-23-83 823-89-51 14; 366-62-87 Nine Stars, R&E, EfE Obech Lulu Pioneer Xavierville Tel No. 330-16-54 Tel No. 589-30-27 Tel No. 896-23-60 Tel No. 252-95-66 Tel No. 788-02-04

EMP National Alkotby Shiro Basic Taxi Tel No. 293-59-60 Tel No. 833-06-48 Tel No. 432-24-06 Tel No. 984-14-73 Tel No. 900-14-47

Golden Cruzette 24/7 Tai Avis Tel No. 536-26-50 Tel No. 896-60-59 Tel No. 642-35-25 Tel No. 772-27-15 Tel No. 831-27-01

33) In Metro Manila, the fastest way of commuting is via the light railway system. The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) station can be a way to the venue. The is connected by pedestrian walkways to the venue. This station is the 11th station for trains headed to and the 3rd station headed to North Avenue. The station is located in Makati City. There are also other railway systems like Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT 1) connecting City and Parañaque City and the Light Rail Transit 2 (LRT 2) connecting City and Manila.

Electricity

34) The standard voltage in Manila is 220 VAC at 50Hz. 110-volt outlets are also available in most hotels. Plugs are Type A (flat blade attachment plug).

Postal services

35) Postal/courier services are available at the Business Center located inside Dusit Thani Manila Hotel. It offers state-of-the-art equipment and around-the-clock services. Other services available at the meeting venue are facsimile transmissions, scanning and other business amenities.

Credit Card and currency exchange

36) The most widely accepted credit cards are MasterCard and Visa, which can be used at leading hotels, banks, airlines and supermarkets. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at forex bureaus and banks.

8 Medical Services

37) First aid services are available at the Dusit Thani Manila Hotel Clinic located at the 3rd Floor at telephone local number 8710. Medical services are available at the Makati Medical Center, Makati City and St. Luke’s Medical Center, Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila. which are both 15- 20 minutes away from the venue during weekdays.

Tour Information

38) Tour information can be obtained from the following addresses:

http://www.tourism.gov.ph and http://www.dotpcvc.gov.ph.

Telecommunication Facilities

39) Telecommunication services are available at the Conference venue at cost to the users.

Country Dialing Code

40) The country dialing code is +(632)

Emergency Numbers

41) National Statistical Coordination Board:

Social Sectors B Division Telefax No: +632-8967981 (during office hours) Ms. Bernadette B. Balamban Mobile No: +639198281910 Ms. Mechelle M.Viernes Mobile No: +639175659511 Ms. Teresita M. Almarines Mobile No: +639196542483

In case of any emergency (police) assistance, the participant may dial 117 in any landline phone, payphone, or mobile phone.

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