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Helpful Business Information Whether on vacation in the Philippines, just moved to Angeles, Subic or Balibago, or are already an expat resident, not knowing or forgetting basic business information on how things work and what is available that cause problems and frustration. So please find below some helpful local Philippine business information that should answer your general queries about Banking, mobile phones, office hours, power utilities, internet access, shopping and newspapers.
Banking Philippine banking hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. Most banks now have ATM machines, but you should note that on pay day Friday evenings and over holiday weekends they sometimes run out of cash. To avoid disappointment and frustration, check that the card logos on the ATM machine correspond with one on the back of your card, e.g. ‘Cirrus’; however, if using Visa, double check that machines work with Visa International (with the three-color bar logo) as there is a separate local version of the Visa card. If using an ATM, note that fees are charged locally, and your bank at home will slug you an overseas ATM transaction fee, plus a foreign currency conversion fee. So, it is less expensive to make one large withdrawal rather than many smaller withdrawals. All Philippine ATM receipts will be shown in pesos. All banks provide currency exchange, but generally at a lower rate that the many local currency exchange booths. However, if using a street booth to change cash, always remember security - and to check each and every note you are given before you leave. It is unfortunately not unknown for tourists to be short-changed or given counterfeit currency mixed in with good notes.;
Office Hours Most businesses and government departments operate either 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Some offices open on a Saturday morning, but it is best to check this beforehand. Note that there is a dress code for entering a government office, this being: long trousers, a shirt with a collar, and sensible footwear. So, to avoid embarrassment and being turned away when applying for a visa extension or suchlike, do not turn up wearing shorts, singlets or thongs as you may well be denied entry.
Shops Major shopping malls operate between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 or 9:00 p.m., 7-days a week. Smaller, stand-alone retailers frequently open for longer, depending on passing traffic and demand.
Credit Cards Master Card, Visa, American Express and Diners Club cards are widely accepted. However, when making a credit card purchase, you may need to provide identification, such as a passport or drivers license, that has a photograph and signature of the card holder. Also be aware that outside of main population areas the number of retailers that accept cards, and the number of ATM machines available reduces considerably the further you venture into the provincial areas.
Electricity Philippine power is generally 220 volts at 60 hertz (so if you are from UK or elsewhere that uses 50 Hz, you will find plug-in electric clocks and some other items do not run to time). A holdover from American influence also has many older hotels and houses having 110 volt sockets – so always check! The Electric Companies provide electricity, most of the time, but those annoying brownouts are still annoyingly frequent, which is many hotels and bars have standby generators.
Mobile Phones When calling a landline number from your mobile phone, you will need to add the province area code to the number you’re dialing, e.g. 045 for Pampanga, 047 for Subic/Olongapo area. No code is required when calling from mobile to mobile. Globe, Smart and Sun are the most popular providers of mobile phone services, with SIM cards and pre-paid cards available virtually everywhere. Pre-paid cards are issued in denominations of P100, P300, P500 and P1000. Mobile Phones are very common and can be used throughout most of the archipelago. Filipinos have the distinction of being the second highest users of text messages in the world, so be careful in giving out your number indiscriminately. And, remember that your phone is a valuable and attractive item, so do not leave it on a bar table when you attend the calls of nature or it may well be gone when you return.
Internet Access There are a large number of internet cafes in Angeles City, Subic and Barrio Barretto and the surrounding areas. Most hotel rooms now have internet connection, with most lobby/bar areas having WiFi and most rooms connected through either cable connection or WiFi. In addition, there and now many business establishments, fast food outlets etc., that also provide WiFi access, just look for the signs.
Newspapers The major Manila newspapers are sold all over Angeles City and Barrio Barretto and are easy to come by, especially as most hotels have a selection available for their guests. The Sun-Star Pampanga provides local news but, in company with the majority of the Manila press, is understandably aimed at the Filipino market – with local and national politics, business, entertainment and sport being the major emphasis. International news magazines can be purchased from National Bookstore outlets, and at Johnnies and JJ’s supermarkets, among others, although many expatriates prefer to subscribe to news magazines from their home country.
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