INFORMATION NOTE
| This Information Note describes the various arrangements made for meeting participants. If you have questions on matters not mentioned in this Note, please contact the meeting Secretariat: Julie Villanueva (jamvillanueva@adb.org) and Willie Agliam (wragliam@adb.org). |
1. Arrival in Manila
- Upon arrival in Manila at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA Terminals 1 and 3), please proceed to the International Organization Desks which is located right after the customs clearance area. 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 the Ortigas Center (where ADB is located) for an approximate rate of Philippine Peso (PHP) 1,000 (about US$ 17-18).
- Grab (a ride-hailing app) may also be taken thru Grab Booth in each Terminal with an approximate rate of PHP 800 (about US$14-15). Please request the booth operator to book a ride from the aiport to the hotel.
- For the above taxi options, you would need to exchange US Dollars to PHP to pay for your fare from the airport to the hotel. There are banks at the airport where you can exchange for PHP, as well as ATMs for PHP withdrawal transactions.
- ADB/Ortigas area is approximately 15 kilometers away from the airport; normally around 30–45 minutes drive (without traffic).
- Please refer to following links for more information:
Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) transfers - Grab
Ninoy Aquino International (NAIA) Terminal 1
Ninoy Aquino International (NAIA) Terminal 2
Ninoy Aquino International (NAIA) Terminal 3
2. COVID Rules for Entry to the Philippines
- In line with the Presidential Proclamation No. 297, which lifted the state of public health emergency in the Philippines due to COVID-19, relevant travel restrictions have also been lifted. Vaccination and COVID tests are no longer required for entry to the country while registration on eTravel is still required.
- ADB Travelers must register with eTravel – Philippine One-Stop Electronic Travel Declaration System for a smoother and quicker entry process. Without the eTravel QR code, entry will 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 ensure to take a screenshot of this. Please also note that you may only register within 48 hours before you arrive in the Philippines. Registration in eTravel is FREE.
- Please see Philippine Travel Information System for more information.
3. ADB Security and Health Protocol
- The "no ID, no entry" policy and other ID/Pass control procedures shall be strictly implemented.
- Please wear your ADB Event ID at all times to facilitate smooth access to ADB premises and all its gates.
- All ADB personnel and visitors entering through various entrances will be required to undergo inspection upon entry. Their bags, packages, and handcarried items shall be inspected either through x-ray machines or metal detectors, where such equipment are installed. Body frisking with the use of hand-held metal detectors and/or manual frisking may be made as and when necessary.
- If you are not feeling well, please refrain from attending the event and inform the Secretariat.
- Wearing a face mask inside ADB premises is optional.
4. Hotel Accommodation in Manila
- Participants are expected to arrange their own hotel reservation chargeable to personal account.
- See the Ortigas Business District map, with area of accommodations.
5. Venue and Access
- The 21st Independent Accountability Mechanisms Network Annual Meeting will be held at the Asian Development Bank Headquarters from 1-4 October 2024. This includes a CSO Day on 3 October 2024.
Asian Development Bank
6 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center
Mandaluyong City 1550, Metro Manila
Philippines
Mandaluyong City 1550, Metro Manila
Philippines
- Please enter the ADB Headquarters via the ADB Avenue Gate. Registration starts at 8AM.
- Access for participants to the ADB building is provided through a visitor registration system. Upon registering for the event, your name will be included in the guest list provided to ADB’s Visitors’ Reception Desk.
- Registered participants will be required to present a valid photo identification (passport, driver's license, etc.) to claim their ADB-issued building access badges. This must be always worn while inside ADB premises. The unique Wi-Fi username and password will be reflected on your badges.
- Opening and main sessions will be held in Auditorium Halls 1-4.
- Parallel sessions will be held at Auditoriums 1 and 4; Multifunction Halls 1 to 3.
- The vicinity map of ADB is included as Attachment 2, ADB Level 1 Floor Plan as Attachment 3, and ADB Ground Floor Plan as Attachment 4.
6. Information on Philippine Visa Requirements
- Nationals from selected countries may enter the Philippines visa-free for tourism and business purposes, and for stays not exceeding 30 days. Travelers entitled to visa-free entry must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months at the time of arrival in the Philippines, and tickets for their return journey or to the next port of destination. Official guests/consultants whose countries of nationality are not in the list are required to obtain a visa prior to their flight to the Philippines at the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate. Visa processing time takes around 20 working days. See general requirements for a Philippine visa.
- Nationals from India and China may also be exempt from the visa requirement if they fall under either criteria A (for Chinese) or B (for Indians) as provided by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration.
- ADB may issue an endorsement letter for official guests who need to obtain an entry visa to the Philippines. Please send a copy of your passport bio page and visa application point (Philippine embassy or consulate where the visa application will be lodged) to Willie Agliam (wragliam@adb.org) for the issuance of the endorsement letter. The applicant can then submit the endorsement letter directly to the embassy/consulate as part of the visa application requirements.
7. Registration
- Participants are requested to register daily at the Registration Desk in front of the meeting venues from 8:30 A.M. to 9:00 A.M.
8. Food and Drinks
- Participants are requested to refrain from bringing in beverages and food items inside the Auditorium Halls.
- Morning and afternoon snacks and drinks will be available in the Auditorium gallery. The schedule for luncheons and dinner receptions will be included in the finalized agenda.
9. Presentation and Other Materials
- Presentation and other materials will be shared to attendees after the event.
10. Internet Access
ADB HQ is Wi-Fi ready. Connect to the network “ADB Guest,” then log in, using the password to be given by the Secretariat upon registration at the reception desk on 1 October 2024. The unique Wi-Fi username and password will also be reflected on the event ID badge to be provided upon registration.
11. Currency and Credit Card
The Philippine currency is called Peso (PHP). The exchange rate is approximately PHP55.98 per US$1. Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and main shops around Manila.
| Currency | Currency per USD | USD Equivalent | Peso Equivalent |
| Philippine Peso | 55.980000 | 0.0178635227 | 1.0000 |
12. Time Zone
- The Philippine Standard Time Zone is UTC/GMT +8 hours. There is no daylight saving time in the Philippines.
13. Weather
- The Philippines has a tropical climate and is usually hot and humid. The average yearly temperature is around 27°C (80°F). There are three recognized seasons: the hot season or summer from March to May, the rainy season from June to November, and the cold season from December to February.
- Check the Philippine weather update.
14. On Your Departure Date
- On your departure from Manila, you are advised to confirm ahead of time with the hotel desk regarding your transfer arrangement to the airport or you can take a regular taxi to go to the airport.
- Due to occasional heavy traffic between the hotel and the airport, it is advisable to leave for the airport at least 3.5 hours before your flight departure. Please arrange for your transport pick up to be at the hotel lobby 3-4 hours before your flight.
15. Location of Miscellaneous Services/Facilities at ADB Headquarters Building
| Service Facility | Location |
| ADB Staff Hub (Cafeteria) | Level 1, Special Facilities Block |
| ADB Executive Dining Room | Level 2, Special Facilities Block |
| Commercial Banks/ Foreign Exchange (9:00 AM-3:00 PM) • Union Bank, Metrobank, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI),Personal Counter (courier services, etc.) | Ground Floor, Office Tower Building (West Core) |
| Library | Level 1, Office Tower Building (West Core) |
| Pharmacy | Ground Floor, Office Tower Building (East Core) |
16. Events Secretariat and Contact Details
For inquiries about accommodation, logistics, and related
matters, please contact:
| Ms. Julie Anne Villanueva Office of the Compliance Review Panel Tel: (+63 2) 632-6764 Email: jamvillanueva@adb.org | Mr. Willie Agliam Office of the Special Project Facilitator Tel: (+63 2) 632-4326 Email: wragliam@adb.org |
| IMPORTANT NUMBERS | ALTERNATIVE NUMBERS | ||
| Connecting all Departments and Offices | +63 2 8632 4444 | Connecting all Departments and Offices | +63 2 7719 7944 +63 2 3410 8888 |
| ADB Incident Coordinator | +63 2 8632 6333 | For All Emergencies | +63 2 7719 7933 |
For more information about the
local weather, currency, transport, business hours, and more, please
visit: https://beta.tourism.gov.ph/.