Guidelines for In-Person Participants
We are delighted that
you are joining the Circular Economy Forum! We look forward to seeing you in
person and wish you an inspiring and productive week in ADB Headquarters.
The following information will help you prepare for your trip.
Registered participants should ensure that their passports are valid at least six months from the planned date of entry into the Philippines. Applicable transit visas are the responsibility of the participant. ADB cannot assist on transit visa related issues.
The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines provides complete information on whether you require a visa to enter the country, as well as instructions on how to obtain a visa prior to traveling to the Philippines. Please check this page: Guidelines on the Entry of Temporary Visitors to the Philippines
The visa application process, if required, falls under the responsibility of the participant. The visa application should be submitted directly at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over their place of residence. Any costs incurred in obtaining a visa will be on the participant’s own account.
Upon arrival in Manila at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA Terminals 1 and Terminal 3), please proceed to the International Organizations Desk, which is located right after the customs clearance area. An ADB contact person will direct you to the taxi queue (at the Arrival Area) for your transfer to the hotel. If arriving at NAIA Terminal 2, please proceed to the taxi queue outside the arrival area.
Accredited NAIA metered taxi services on a cash basis may be taken from the airport to Ortigas Center (where the ADB Headquarters is located) for an approximate rate of Philippine Peso (₱) 1,000 (about $17–$18).
Grab (a ride-hailing app) may also be taken through the Grab Booth in each terminal with the same approximate rate for metered taxis. Kindly request the booth operator to book a ride from the airport to your hotel. Please refer to this link for more information on NAIA taxis and other transport services.
Vaccination and COVID-19 tests are no longer required for entry into the Philippines. Instead, a prerequisite is registration on the Philippine One-Stop Electronic Travel Declaration System, otherwise known as the eTravel System, prior to or upon disembarking in Manila.
Participants coming from overseas must register with eTravel for a smoother and quicker entry and exit process in the airport. Without this registration, entry may take longer since documents will need to be verified manually upon arrival. Please note that upon completion of your registration, a QR code will be provided. Please make sure to take a screenshot. Also note that you may only register within 48 hours prior to your arrival in the Philippines. Registration in eTravel is FREE.
For more information, please check the eTravel FAQ page and entry guidelines.
Disclaimer: Subject to hotel availability and hotel reservation process/requirements.
ADB rate is applicable ONLY if sent directly to the respective hotel contact person. It is NOT applicable for online/website bookings. Be sure to indicate Circular Economy Forum event in your request to any of the following hotels:
| Hotel | Room Rates | Inclusions | Contact |
| Marco Polo Hotel | Rate starts at Standard Room (Single Occupancy) ₱6,200 nett | Buffet breakfast, WIFI, access to fitness center and pool, and provision of Nespresso, tea, and water in the room In hotel F&B and spa discounts | Jordan Miranda Director of Sales Meralco Avenue and Sapphire Street, Ortigas Center, Pasig City T: +63 2 7720 7777 E: jordan.miranda@marcopolohotels.com |
| Edsa Shangri-La Hotel | Rate starts at Standard Room (Single Occupancy) ₱6,895 nett | Buffet breakfast, WIFI, access to fitness center and pool, 1 complimentary parking spot | Michele Castro - Palma Senior Sales Manager 1 Gardenway, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City T: +63 2 8633 8888 E: michele.castro@shangri-la.com |
| Joy Nostalg Suites | Rate starts at Studio Executive (Single Occupancy) ₱6,300 nett | Buffet breakfast, WIFI, access to fitness center, heated pool, and Jacuzzi. Unit has kitchen with full amenities | Gladys Silverio Director of Sales ADB Avenue, Ortigas T: +632 5318 7888 E: gladys.silverio@joynostalgsuites.com |
| Discovery Suites | Rate starts at 1-Bedroom Suite (Single Occupancy) ₱5,900 nett | Buffet breakfast, WIFI, access to fitness center and pool, provision of coffee, tea, and water in the room Room has separate bedroom, fully equipped kitchen, and living and dining areas In-hotel F&B discounts | Mandy Ella Sales Manager 25 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center,Pasig City T: +63 2 7719 8888 E: mandy.ella@discovery.com.ph |
| Citadines Millenium Apartments | Rate starts at Studio Executive (Single Occupancy) ₱4,851 nett | Breakfast, WIFI, access to fitness center and pool, bathroom amenities daily replenishment | John Robert Lozareto Sales Manager T: +63 2 8814 6888 E: lozareto.robert@the-ascott.com |
There are standard security checks and procedures to enter ADB. Please allocate sufficient time for this in the morning. Confirmed participants will be required to present valid photo identification (e.g., passport, driver's license, etc.) to receive their ADB-issued building access ID. This only allows access to the designated venues of the Circular Economy Forum.
If you wish to visit ADB staff, please ensure to arrange an appointment separately.
ADB HQ no longer implements protocols related to COVID-19. Wearing of masks is voluntary.
The forum venue will be at Auditoriums 1–4. Directional signages at the main entrance of ADB (along ADB Avenue) and inside the main hallways will lead you to the venue. Restrooms are located outside the auditoriums.
Please be on time. Kindly manage your travel time, keeping in mind going through the security checks to enter ADB.
Be present and interactive. We will all benefit from this forum with your active engagement and participation.
Use the event app. To minimize printing and use of paper, there are no printed programs for the forum. Instead, please download “The Event App by EventsAir” on your smartphone or gadget. As part of pre-event communications, you should have received an email about the app with your designated app code and login details. This app gives you access to the latest program and other features, such as bookmarking favorite sessions, reaching out to other participants, and more.
Disclaimer. The views expressed by the speakers, presenters, facilitators, discussants, and panelists in the sessions are the views of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank, or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in speaker presentations and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. Mentions of countries during the event do not imply any view on ADB's part as to sovereignty or independent status or necessarily conform to ADB's terminology.
Evaluation. We will request you to fill up evaluation forms at the end of each day. This is to ensure that the ongoing programs and events we will do are aligned with what is most needed in your area of work. Please make sure you fill this out before leaving for the day.
You must be at the airport at least three (3) hours before your scheduled departure to be able to go through all security and check-in procedures at any of the NAIA terminals. If your flight is in the daytime, please consider the likely heavy traffic. ADB HQ is approximately one (1) hour away from the airport terminals.
Kindly consider checking out in advance and making necessary arrangements with your hotel ahead of time.
Attire. Dress for warm weather but bring a jacket in case it gets cold in the auditoriums and for possible rain.
Weather. For a more detailed forecast, please check Mandaluyong City, Philippines in AccuWeather.
Personal medication. If you are taking medication for any medical condition, please bring these with you as we cannot ensure their availability in Manila. Basic first aid kits, if needed, are available from the hotel’s information desk and with ADB’s Incident Response Team.
Miscellaneous Services in ADB. The following facilities are available in HQ:
- ADB cafeteria: Level 1, Special Facilities Block
- Coffee and snacks stalls (i.e., Starbucks, Bo’s Coffee, San Francisco Coffee, Toby’s Estate): Level 1
- Commercial banks: Ground Floor, Office Tower Building
- Convenience store: Ground Floor, Office Tower Building
- Library: Level 1, Office Tower Building
- Money changer: Available in the commercial banks (i.e., BDO, BPI, Metrobank), Ground Floor, Office Tower Building
- Personal counter (phone cards, courier services, etc.): Ground Floor, Office Tower Building
- Pharmacy (Watsons): Ground Floor, Office Tower Building
- Post office: Ground Floor, Office Tower Building
- Travel agents: Ground Floor, Office Tower Building
Hospitals. These are the nearest hospitals that accept international health insurance cards:
- The Medical City (Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, T: +63 2 8988 1000/7000)
- MegaClinic (5th Level, SM Mega Mall Building A, Mandaluyong City, T: +63 2 8637 9661–68)
- St. Luke’s Medical Center (279 E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave., Quezon City, T: +63 2 8789 7700)
Currency. You may check the currency exchange rate here. Aside from banks in ADB HQ, money changing facilities can be found in the malls near ADB.
Philippine sockets. Please be sure to bring an adaptor with you.
Ms. Ice Morales, Forum Manager, jmorales2.consultant@adb.org
Circular Economy Forum Secretariat, circulareconomy@adb.org