Dear Participants,
We are pleased to provide you with the following information about the Fifth Forum on Successful Project Design and Implementation, which will take place on 22–25 October 2019 at the ADB Headquarters, Manila, Philippines.
1. ONLINE REGISTRATION
Please ensure that you have registered online so that you can view the information about the forum on the website and in your mobile phones. Regular updates are uploaded as they become available.
2. FORUM VENUE
Asian Development Bank
Auditoriums A–C
6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City
1550 Manila, Philippines
Telephone: (632) 632 4444
3. ACCOMMODATION
Discovery Suites
25 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center
Pasig City 1600 Philippines
Telephone: (632) 719 8888
Website: www.discoverysuites.com
ADB will arrange the direct payment of hotel accommodation costs, except personal incidental expenses such as telephone calls, mini bar items, laundry, and others, which will be on the participant’s personal account.
4. VISA REQUIREMENTS
Participants who need a visa to enter the Philippines may apply at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate where the visa will be collected. The visa is usually issued five working days from date of filing the application. For the Visa Upon Arrival (VUA) of nominees from AFGHANISTAN and AZERBAIJAN, note that processing time at the Bureau of Immigration, Manila, is 10-15 working days upon submission of all documents. Please submit your visa documents to Edna Molina at emolina.consultant@adb.org.
5. TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
ADB will arrange for the participants’ air tickets by economy class via the most direct and cost-effective route to Manila. Participants are expected to arrive on Monday, 21 October 2019, and depart on Saturday, 26 October 2019.
For ticketing arrangements, participants should submit a scanned copy of their passport to Edna Molina at emolina.consultant@adb.org.
6. ALLOWANCES
A daily subsistence allowance will be provided to participants, except those from Manila. In addition, a one-time lump sum miscellaneous travel expense of $75 will be given to cover for Philippine visa fees, terminal fees, and other related expenses. To facilitate payment, participants are requested to submit the following documents to Evelyn Andrada at the registration area on the first day of the event:
• Original boarding pass (Country of Origin – Manila)
• Other relevant travel receipts
7. INSURANCE
ADB will not assume responsibility for the following:
a. Costs incurred by participants for travel insurance, accident insurance, medical or dental bills or hospitalization fees in connection with their attendance at the forum
b. Compensation in the event of death or disability of participants in connection with their attendance at the forum
c. Any loss or damage to the personal property of participants while attending the forum, and losses or damages claimed by third parties as a result of negligence on the part of the participant
d. Any other expenses of personal nature not directly related to the purpose of the forum
8. AIRPORT ARRIVAL PROCEDURE
ADB will arrange for the airport transportation of all participants from the airport to the hotel upon arrival, as well as from the hotel to the airport on departure.
• Those arriving at Terminal 1 (Ninoy Aquino International Airport): Proceed to the International Organizations Reception Desk (IORD)/ADB Counter at the Arrival area of Terminal 1. They will lead you to the Enterprise Car Lease Philippines, Inc. (ECLPI ) desk which is located across the Arrival lobby (left side).
• Those arriving at Terminal 2 (Ninoy Aquino International Airport): Proceed to the Car Rental booth located between the International and Domestic Arrival areas and look for the Enterprise Car Lease Philippines, Inc. (ECLPI ) desk.
• Those arriving at Terminal 3 (Ninoy Aquino International Airport): Proceed to the International Organizations Reception Desk (IORD)/ADB Counter located at the Arrival area of Terminal 3. Staff will lead you to Enterprise Car Lease Philippines, Inc. (ECLPI ) desk, located inside the terminal, beside hotel counter area (in front of Burger King).
9. TRANSPORT TO AIRPORT ON DEPARTURE
Transportation to the airport on 26 October 2019 (Saturday) will be provided by ADB. Due to heavy traffic from Ortigas Center to the airport, participants are advised to leave for the airport four hours (or earlier) before the flight departure.
10. ON THE DAY OF THE FORUM
a. Identification Card and Attendance Sheet
Please collect your identification card (I.D.) at the ADB reception desk on the first day of the program. The I.D. should be worn at all times inside ADB for proper identification and security reasons.
Participants are requested to register daily at the registration desk outside the auditorium before the start of the program proper. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. everyday.
b. Conference Language
The working language of the forum is English. All presentations and information documents related to the forum will be in English.
c. Dress Code and Group Photo
Business attire is requested during the forum. Please note that there will be a group photo in the morning of Day 1 after the Welcome Remarks.
For the Site Visit on Day 3, please wear comfortable clothing and shoes (i.e. shirt, jeans, rubber shoes).
d. Meals
Breakfast: Daily breakfast, included in your room accommodation package, will be served at the Restaurant 5 on the 5th floor of Discovery Suites.
Lunch, morning, and afternoon tea breaks: These will be provided on all the forum dates, except on the last day when only morning snacks will be served.
Participants who have dietary restrictions and were unable to indicate this information in the online registration form may e-mail Edna Molina at emolina.consultant@adb.org.
e. Reception (22 October)
There will be cocktails on the first day to be held at the Executive Dining Room at 6:00 p.m.
11. OTHER GENERAL INFORMATION
a. Time Zone: UTC+8
b. Electricity in Manila
220 Volts and AC (per MW) is the standard. 110 Volts AC is also used, especially in major hotels.
c. Foreign Currency Exchange
The official currency of the Philippines is peso (PHP). There are four commercial banks in ADB where you can exchange your cash for the local currency: (i) Metrobank, (ii) Citibank, (iii) BDO, and (iv) Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI), located at the ground floor. They are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during weekdays.
d. Weather in Manila
The climate of the Philippines is tropical. It is characterized by relatively high temperature, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. Based on the average of all weather stations in the Philippines, the mean annual temperature is 26.6 degrees Celsius. Participants are advised to bring appropriate clothing. Umbrella is also recommended.
e. Clinics, Drugstores, and Emergencies
Participants are advised to bring their frequently taken medicines. In case of emergency, please ask assistance from the forum secretariat.