Dave Starr

Attention US Vets.

(Updated 17 Jun 2020)

I’m just republishing this as a service to any of my readers who are US Veterans.

Thanks to my good friend Jim who forwarded the email to our US Veterans in the Philippines group.

And thanks to the Manila Clinic director, Daniel Gutkoski.  In my nearly 14 years here in the Philippines I have never seen an email from the VA clinic with as much detailed information, much less the director’s direct email and desk phone number.  Could it be there is now actually someone who cares in the VA.   I’m hopeful.

Attention US Vets:

[Read more…] about Updates For US Veterans in the Philippines.

Remember My Post A Couple Days Ago, “Is Everyone Bananas”?

(Updated 16 June 2020)

Well here’s some proof that it isn’t only Americans who can’t see their nose in front of their faces.  The “Brilliant” people of Cebuneeded only two weeks to years the gains made by about two months of COVID 19 lockdown.  Yesterday President Duterte reviewed the new case numbers and the hospitalization numbers and placed Cebu back in the much tighter and a-harder to deal with ECQ level of lockdown.

I don’t know why some people think that the relaxed guidelines mean that we suddenly got a “get out of jail free” card, but the bad news is saddening to say the least.

So, back to square one, folks.  I can only hope that two more weeks of tighter lockdown cause the people who think COVID 19 is over to think again.

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Manila (June 16, 2020)

Location:  The Philippines

Cebu City placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), Talisay City under Modified ECQ (MECQ); Metro Manila and other areas remain under General Community Quarantine (GCQ)

On June 15, the Philippine government announced the below classifications for areas in the country as a continued measure against the spread of COVID-19:

• Cebu City returned to Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) status from June 16 to June 30 because the Philippine government notes an increase of new cases; widespread community transmission; case doubling time of less than seven (7) days; and a significant increase in critical care utilization as compared to critical care capacity.

• Talisay City, a city under the province of Cebu, is placed under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) until June 30, for the same reasons.
• Areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) from June 16-30:

Luzon – NCR (Metro Manila), Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Santiago City in Region II; Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Tarlac, Olongapo City in Region III; Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon in Region IV-A.

Visayas — Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Mandaue City, Lau-Lapu Cityin Region VII

Mindanao — Davao City and Zamboanga City

• The rest of the country remains under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) until June 30, 2020.

Local Government Units (LGUs), i.e. cities and municipalities in the National Capital Region, may still have curfews in effect to limit exposure to the COVID-19 virus.  Some provinces have implemented their own community quarantines.  If you live in an area that has imposed a local curfew ordinance or similar community quarantine, please plan your activities and travel accordingly and monitor the relevant LGU’s website for their rules and regulations.​

Routine U.S. citizen services, including all passport, citizenship, notary, and legal capacity to marry services are still suspended.  For emergency services, including emergency passports and reports of death, please contact American Citizen Services via email at ACSInfoManila@state.gov or call +63 (2) 5301-2000.  The U.S. Embassy is not accepting walk-ins at this time. 

But Don’t You Americans Get Too Smug

I simply can not believe how so many fellow Americans have the head totally up their assholes during this critical time.  Look at this graph of the growth of new daily cases.  Does this look like it’s time to rip off our masks and go back to singing and dancing in the street?

This is our country, people.  Are we going to throw it away because it’s inconvenient to wear a mask or because we want to go sit with our buddies in the bar, shoulder to shoulder, arguing about politics and “taking a knee”?

If you aren’t at home while reading this, GO THERE NOW. Wear a mask whenever you go out and wash your damn hands.  This is serious, guys and gals.  We’re throwing away the entire war against the virus.

More than 116,000 fellow Americans have already died … stop pissing on their graves in order to “exercise your “rights

Today’s Disgusting News.  More than half the States are Going Backward

New daily cases are rising in 27 States.  And look at the growth rates!

Read and Heed People

I know you are smarter than that. I’d like it to be safe for citizens like me to return to the USA … someday,

A lot of people, both Filipino and Foreigner seem to be having a lot of problems lately at NAIA airport. Here’s a news flash. The world is sitting dead in the middle of one of the worst pandemics the world has ever known.

The Trains (or Planes) Are Not Going To Run On Time!

Before giving way to your anger and start cursing everyone in site, back off on the power a bit and try to confirm schedules before you let yourself be stranded by factors outside the control of most airport and airline employees.  The following is quoted from the NAIA Facebook Page for you information and consideration.

Getting pissed at everyone in sight is not going to make COVID 19 go away any faster.

The Expat Market

(Updated 8 June 2020)

Many reading here are interested in moving to and living in the Philippines.  There are also many people “shopping around” for information on lots and it’s of other overseas countries.

Often they are talking about southeast east Asian countries because so many other great Asian locations are close to the Philippines.

Time Zones Away

But there are many Central and South American countries which have one big advantage over all Asian countries … they are on the same day as the USA and in various USA time zones … so you don’t have to deal with 12 and 13 hour time differences.

Ecuador is one of those countries.  It’s in the US Mountain Time zone and it doesn’t confuse everyone with idiotic US-style daylight savings time rules.

There are a significant number of US and Canadian expats in Ecuador.  Here are some of their thoughts and issues here, an interesting read.

So What Does Ths Have To Do With The Philippines?

Well not a lot, really, but noticing how desperately airlines are clinging to life these days and how many perfectly good and still “full of life” airliners are parked all over the world, I thought the idea these guys (the latest reincarnation of the historic US Eastern Airlines)had a good application that would serve both expats and Filipino travelers well.

For Example

The Boeing 767 is Avery comfortable, well-proven airplane.  It is about the smallest wide-body still in use, one of the most economical, and there are dozens of the “ER” (extended range) version parked. wishing they could be put to use, right now.

The three major cities/airports in the Philippines could serve any western US city non-stop from the Philippines.

With just one leased airplane a start-up company could get in 5 round trips per week, with 8 or 10 hours of scheduled maintenance with just the single aircraft.

Maybe this could never happen, but it would be nice to dream, wouldn’t it

The Expat Market — underserved

Domestic Flights Resuming.

Got this in my mailbox this morning.

Very welcome news.

As you know the Philippines is a nation of islands.  Some islands are connected by ferry routes, but many can only be reached by air … for practical purposes anyway.

Domestic flying was completely shut down almost 2.5 months ago.

Now, Cebu Pacific (my favorite airline) has started building their service back up, starting today, July 8th and expecting to be back in full operation by the end of the month.

Very Good News Indeed

We’re flying again! Hello David, after 2.5 months of cargo and sweeper flights, we are now operating scheduled passenger flights again! We have missed saying “Welcome aboard” to you, as you go home to loved ones and make new moments happen. One flight at a time — Gradual flight restart to 20 destinations  Our teams are working in an agile manner to gradually rebuild our flight network. From June 8 to 30, we plan to mount flights to 20 domestic destinations. International flights remain suspended until June 30. This is a developing situation, and we continue to work with the Inter-Agency Task Force, local government units and other government authorities. Where We Fly Flexible flights so you can easily manage bookings online  New bookings now come with FREE CEB Flexi. With this free add-on, you can rebook flights up to two times, giving peace of mind and flexibility to move travel dates. Meanwhile, guests with existing bookings may rebook or use their travel funds to easily book flights through our website. Travel with peace of mind with our increased safety measures  The safety of our guests and teams remains our top priority. We’ve rolled out Contactless Flight guidelines, and additional safety measures such as daily extensive cleaning of aircraft and rapid antibody testing for frontliners and crew. These are based on global best practices, and adhere to the highest safety standards. Contactless Flights Guidelines News and Updates How our maintenance team disinfects aircraft Latest Smile articles for your future trips FAQs on traveling in the new normal

Domestic Flights Resuming.

I haven’t had a lot of time for writing and updates.  But this news from the embassy today indicates things are going to retun to a state of “new-normal” soon.

All offices of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration have seen closed to the public since the start of the COVID 19 Quarantine.  Now those offices in the area under General Community Quarantine will be accepting clients b appointment to deal with the client’s Immigration needs.

[Read more…] about 3 June 2020 Immigration Update

20 May Update.

(Updated 20 May 2020)

I’m Still Locked Down

But the rules have been loosened a little.  Most of Central Luzon has been placed into a GCQ status.  General Community Quarantine.  This means following pretty much normal anti-disease rules … wearing masks in public, social distance spacing between people, etc.  Most cites are resuming public transportation a bit at a time, with much-reduced capacity loading.  Most malls and other businesses are now open or in the process of opening.

Much of The Metro And a Few Other Towns (Like Mine)  Are Under a MECQ

Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine is still pretty restrictive, checkpoints, barangay quarantine passes required, etc.  But yesterday on a “legal” trip to the grocery store (in our local mall, which has otherwise been closed … I saw that a number of food establishments are opening up (for take-out or delivery only) including Burger King.  I immediately fell in line (maintaining my social distancing (as marked on the floor)) and order way too many Whoppers and Xtra Long Chicken sandwiches to take home for lunch.

Life might return to normal someday, yet.

Air Transport Is Still Quite Limited

No Domestic (Inter-Island) Flights, Period.

All International Flights Only From and To NAIA (Manila).

Here’s Today’s Inbounds and Otbounds From NAIA

The US Embassy and Philippine Airlines Continue To Operate “Sweeper” Flights

These are a combination of chartered domestic flights from various cites to Manila, and then follow-on flights from Manila to several US cites.

Here’s the info for the latest round of “Sweepers”.  Information on how to find out more is in the quoted message.

LAST DAY to Register Interest in Special Philippine Airlines Flights (Two Sweeper Flights Added):

U.S. Citizens in the Philippines: The deadline to register your interest in the special Philippine Airlines (PAL) flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco and/or sweeper flights is today, Monday, May 18 at 11:59 p.m. (Manila time). Click here to register NOW.

NOTE: PAL has added sweeper flights on May 26 for Legaspi and Tacloban.

May 21 from Manila to Los Angeles with two domestic sweeper flights – one from Cebu and one from Davao.

May 26 from Manila to San Francisco with ten domestic sweeper flights from Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Siargao, Tagbilaran, Legaspi and Tacloban.

All flight arrangements will be made by PAL, not the Embassy. You must submit a working phone number and include all local or international area codes. PAL will contact you to arrange payment and ticketing after you have registered for the flights, so check your contact details carefully before submitting the survey and keep your phone on and handy. Do not call the Embassy for booking or ticketing.

For the PAL sweeper flights, you MUST have proof of an onward international flight. If that flight is NOT within 24 hours, you also MUST have proof of a confirmed hotel reservation in Manila until your international flight departs. You CANNOT take a sweeper flight without an onward international flight confirmation.

U.S. Embassy in the Philippines

1201 Roxas Boulevard

+63(2) 5301-2000, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +(63)(2) 5301-2000.

State Department–Consular Affairs 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444.
State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Advisories, Alerts, and the Philippines Country Specific Information.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

There is no reason any US citizen (who can pay for his or her flight) should be “stuck” in the Philippines.

More as it happens.

20 May Update

Well, I’m feeling fine, PTL but I’m distinctly disappointed because I just found out that I am not going to get released from the strict lockdown rules we’re living under now in Marilo, Bulacan for a least another 15 days.

So it goes.

A lot of people have been passing all sorts of information about how hard it is to get outbound international flights, It’s not really that hard to get flights _OUT_ of Manila … here’s today’s list:

The problem is, for most people … getting to Manila

There is essentially NO public transport, domestic air, sea, or road (imagine the highways with no busses).  The US embassy has partnered with Philippine Airlines to offer what they are calling “sweeper” flights.  These go out to various provincial cites and fly US citizens back to Manila.

PAL then flies US citizen-only flights to LAX or SFO.

If you’re not a US citizen you’ll have to contact your own country’s embassy to find out if they have any similar programs.

Domestic Air Travel (Island to Island) Should Start To Ease on the 16th

But how fast domestic travel will open up isn’t something I have been informed on very well … so, wait and see.

Buses and other land transport will start to open too, but it will still be very difficult to get into Manila.

Edited … I Forgot

Every year before the end of May, usually, the tropical storms start.  This one spent several days as a TS (Tropical Storm) and has now been upgraded to a “Tropical Cyclone” otherwise known as a Typhoon,  It’s currently moving up the east (Pacific coast of the country and ought to be having its full effect on the Manila area tonight or tomorrow.  Flying in or out not recommended while this is happening.

That’s About It For Today

More as it happens.