ACR I-CARD: RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING LETTER FROM THE PHILIPPINE BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION...
“MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. AFF-2006-002 – LAST AND FINAL EXTENSION OF PERIOD TO REPLACE PAPER BASED ACR TO ACR I-CARDS OF REGISTERED ALIENS–  ACR I-CARD APPLICATION PROCESS - WHEREAS, complaints from various organizations representing registered aliens and the applicants themselves have been mounting on the delay in the issuance of their ACR I-Cards.  Their applications are either in the document verification or fingerprint verification section.  WHEAREAS, there is a need to facilitate the issuance of ACR I-Card… NOW THEREFORE, it is hereby ordered:  1.  To strictly follow the ACR I-Card Application Procedure as out dated herein attached.  All ARD internal memo and issuances affecting the ACR I-Card application and issuance processes are hereby revoked and cancelled.  2. ARD Personnel to whom application/s is/are submitted for verification under the ACR I-Card Application Procedure shall conduct verification and release the same within three (3) working days from receipt, otherwise, they shall be forwarded to the ACR I-Card Committee in accordance with the Rules and Regulations Implementing the ACR I-Card for proper disposition.  In this connection, the OIC, ARD is hereby directed to make a weekly inventory of applications verified by the personnel and submit the said to the Chairman, ACR I-Card Project.  3. All matters or actions pertaining or relating to the implementation of the ACR I-Card shall be coursed through the Chairman of the ACR I-Card Project for his conformity, otherwise, they are full and void.  He shall also have the authority to make and implement orders and policies, subject to the approval of the undersigned, for the effective implementation of the Project.  4.  In line with full implementation of ACR I-Card Project, all registered aliens seeking for the replacement of their paper-based ACRs are strictly enjoined to apply direct to the One Stop Action Center (OSAC) of the ACR I-Card Center for the issuance of their ACR I-Cards.  Their ACR I-Card shall be issued within five (5) working days from receipt of the application and full compliance with the requirements.  For holders of newly-issued visa, they are likewise enjoined to go direct to the OSAC for their registration and issuance of their ACR I-Cards.  They shall NO longer be issued paper-based ACRs and ICRs but ACR I-Card.  Upon full compliance with existing requirements on registration and payment of all fees, holders of newly-issued visas shall be issued the ACR I-Cards with two (2) working days from the date of application.  5. All issued ACR I-Card shall be valid until April 15, 2007, provide, the visa of the card holder is still valid and effective.  6.  To reiterate, the deadline for compliance of the ACR I-Card is Jan. 15, 2007.  Thereafter, any registered alien found in possession of the paper-based ACR shall be deemed not properly documented and shall be proceeded against under pertinent provisions of the Philippine Immigration Act and/or Alien Registration Act, both as amended.  Furnish copy of this Memorandum Order to the OIC, Alien Registration Division, Chief and Supervisors, NAIA I & II, ACR I-Card Center, Cash Division.
FOR STRICT AND IMMEDIATE COMPLIANCE.  18 January 2006.  Signed by:  ALIPIO F. FERNANDEZ JR., Commissioner
*** Permanent resident foreigners (U.S.) that have not replaced their old alien certificate of registration with the new ACR I-Card by Jan. 15, 2007 will be subject to deportation...  If you have applied for the new ACR I-Card and have not received the new ID, your receipt will be sufficient... This data has been published in the major newspapers and according to PI Laws that is sufficient notification before the policy is implemented...
Requirements to obtain ACR I-Card:  Submit old ACR and photo copies of Certificates of Residence, Passport and order of the BI board of commissioners approving your visa application.... If you have lost/misplaced your ACR, an affidavit of loss and pay the corresponding fee for securing a duplicate copy of the original... If you are a tourist and “desire” (not mandatory) an ACR I-Card for identification purposes, the requirements are:  Current Visa, Passport and pay $50.00 for the ACR I-Card... Please note that this card is for identification purposes only and not a permanent resident document...

DEPARTING PASSENGERS AT AIRPORT TO PAY P200 MORE: “Beginning Jan. 1, 2007, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) will charge departing passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) a P200 fee, called the “Security and Development Charge,” on top of the P550 Terminal Fee already being charged.  The fund from the new fee is expected to reach P700 million annually.  The amount will be used to purchase state-of-the-art equipment in securing the country’s premier airport.  The equipment include X-ray machines, non-invasive walk-through scanners and security vehicles.  Oscar Paras, senior assistant general manager at the MIAA, said the imposition of the new P200 fee was recently approved by the MIAA board of directors after a series of public hearings.  According to Paras, they will collect the fee for a period of five years.  He assured that the funds will be used solely for the purchase of the new equipment.  Paras said overseas Filipino workers will be exempted from the fee as prescribed by law.  Domestic passengers will be charged P70 per head, but the date of implementation has yet to be determined." MANILA BULLETIN. December 14, 2006...

MEDICAL UPDATES: The old Cybercare facility reopened under new management with a new name Life Line Clinic (Tel No. 893-1558/1559) .. They plan to have basically the same service as the old cybercare except you will be required to pay your cost share and pick up your medication at First Provider Pharma Inc. 2nd floor Savers Mall, Balibago... Dee Hwa Liong Foundation Medical Center opened their hospital annex on Henson Street, Angeles City on Sep 16, 2006 and they will also accept tricare on the same basis as their main medical center...

TRICARE PARTICIPATING HOSPITALS:                          TELEPHONE NOS.:
· AUF MEDICAL CENTER (InPatient only)                                       (045) 322-8876 / 888-2666
· DEE HWA LIONG FOUNDATION MEDICAL CENTER             (045) 322-9596; AMBULANCE (045) 322-777
· GARCIA HOSPITAL                                                                       (045) 888-8992
· MERCEDES MEDICAL CENTER (FORMALLY PAMANA MED. CENTER)      (045) 887-2883/85; FOR TRANS. 888-2884
· MOUNT CARMEL MEDICAL CENTER                                        (045) 860-5977/1636/6505
· PERPETUAL HELP                                                                          (045) 888-1655