RAO Subic Office will be closed on the following Philippine and/or U.S. Holidays below:

• November 1, 2021 (Monday) - All Saints Day (PHL)
• November 2, 2021 (Tuesday) - All Souls Day (PHL)
• November 11, 2021 (Thursday) - Veterans Day (U.S.)
• November 25, 2021 (Thursday) - Thanksgiving (U.S.)
• November 30, 2021 (Tuesday) - Bonifacio Day (PHL)

• December 8, 2021 (Wednesday) - Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion (PHL)
• December 25, 2021 (Saturday) - Christmas Day (U.S. & PHL)
• December 31, 2021 (Thursday) - Rizal Day (PHL)
• New Year's Eve (Friday) - New Year's Eve (U.S. & PHL)

Click here to view and to download the RAO Subic Calendar for this year 2021.

VA Manila will have staff available by phone, email and secure message this weekend for Veterans to schedule COVID-19 booster doses. Right now, these boosters are for Veterans who received 2nd doses of Pfizer vaccine at VA Manila between May 10 - May 29, 2021.

Click here to read more.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – We’re less than a month away from TRICARE Open Season. That means it’s time to start thinking about your and your family’s health care needs for next year. Are you planning to make changes to your TRICARE plan? Will you be enrolling in a new plan for the first time or staying in the plan you already have? Regardless of your situation, make sure you show up as eligible for TRICARE in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).

Click here to read more.

As the 2021 holiday season approaches and the COVID-19 pandemic stretches on, families and friends will once again determine whether – and how – to safely congregate.

In updated guidance, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended several ways to celebrate the holidays and protect the health of Americans and their loved ones.

Click here to read more.

To support the authorization for emergency use of a single booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, the FDA analyzed immune response data from 149 participants 18 years of age and older from the original clinical studies who received a booster dose at least 6 months after their second dose and compared it to the immune responses of 1,055 study participants after completing their two-dose series. The antibody response of the 149 participants against SARS-CoV-2 virus 29 days after a booster dose of the vaccine demonstrated a booster response.

Click here to read more.

VA OPC MANILA is in receipt of PFIZER, Booster shots for Veterans, who have previously received the Pfizer vaccine 1st and 2nd dose at the VA Manila Clinic during April and May 2021.

If you do not qualify as described above, this announcement does not pertain to you.

For information on other vaccinations, boosters or persons, you should direct your questions to the VA.

VA will make the announcement shortly and begin scheduling. The first date available for receiving the booster is , 20 November, a Saturday. 2d date is Dec 5 and then December 6. The RAO will once again schedule the shots and provide van pools for those in need of transportation, at P1,800 per rider. Scheduling at this time is for 20 Nov, leaving the RAO at 0600 arriving VA near 0900. Anticipate a little longer trip this time as we only have 3 schedule days, so there will be a lot of folks to get through in a short time. The RAO vans will not make stops to pick up pax from other localities, outside of the greater Subic Bay area. Please contact the VFW or RAO in your locale if needed. RAO is scheduling for 20 Nov only at this time. There may not be sufficient passengers remaining after this date to make it feasible for vans on the subsequent dates, so please do not wait.

If you desire to participate in the RAO van pool we will do your scheduling, if not you will be able to contact VA on your own, and provide your own transportation. You will need to call 0472222314 or use this email address to schedule and reserve your seat. Please provide your full name, and last 4 of social security number. All fares will need to be received no later than 12 November. If not rec’d by then we will open your seat to other vets. Past trips have taught us a lesson, so there will be no reimbursement as the vans are reserved ahead of time and have to be paid regardless.

We have no word on other boosters which may be scheduled later, please don’t ask. This booster is for Veterans who have rec’d their 1st and 2d dose of Pfizer at the Manila VA clinic. Period. If you have questions that are not covered here please contact VA.

Please verify now that you still have your vaccination card, as you will need it.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said late on Friday that it will accept mixed-dose coronavirus vaccines from international travelers, a boost to travelers from Canada and other places.

The CDC said last week that it would accept any vaccine authorized for use by U.S. regulators or the World Health Organization. "While CDC has not recommended mixing types of vaccine in a primary series, we recognize that this is increasingly common in other countries so should be accepted for the interpretation of vaccine records," a CDC spokeswoman said.

Click here to read more.

BALIKBAYANS from the United States and Canada will have an easier time coming home this holiday season as government eased the documentary requirements for their entry into the Philippines.

Tourism Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Atty. Edwin R. Enrile told the BusinessMirror that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved the presentation of “state digital or physical vaccination certificates” for foreign nationals vaccinated abroad, “which will allow New York and California residents to come in with their Healthvana and Excelsior [records],” as in the case of US residents.

Click here to read more.

Not Sure if it is true, but we passed the Checkpoint today with a super heavy Traffic before said. Both lanes towards Subic where closed and it looked like some work going on. Once we reached the actual checkpoint we asked what they are doing, and they told us dismantling it. Hope this is true.

"A good Navy is not a provocation to war. It is the surest guaranty of peace." - Theodore Roosevelt

"I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.'" - John F. Kennedy

October 13 marks the birthday of the U.S. Navy, which traces its roots back to the early days of the American Revolution. On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress established a naval force, hoping that a small fleet of privateers could attack British commerce and offset British sea power.

Click here to read more.

WITH the arrival of more vaccine supplies in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, announced the start of the vaccination of the general adult population against coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

However, local government units (LGUs) are urged to put up special lanes for senior citizens and persons with comorbidities who have yet to receive the vaccine.

Click here to read more.

Currently the U S is on the yellow list. Please note the boldened area's below. You can comply with the requirements if you have a BOQ issued "yellow card." Instructions on how to obtain this has been published previously in this group, please search topics. The verbiage regarding a digital certificate of the foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement, I am still researching. There is a system in the U S called VAMS which carries a digital record of vaccinations for Americans. I am trying to see if we can enter our info into it. The 2d part of that is to find if it has been recognized under the VaxCertPH agreement, will advise. Still a lot of research to do, so at this point would appreciate no questions please. Thanks.

Click here to read more.

VA Manila continues to press forward with expanding our face-to-face appointment availability at the Clinic. With this, we continue to see an increasing number of Veterans scheduled for and coming to in-person appointments, and I must admit, it’s great to see so many familiar faces again after the long absence due to the pandemic. We had a nice crowd in our lobby today, and if this keeps up, I will plan to resume my Friday Town Halls with Veterans soon.

Click here to read more.

Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves.

Click here to read more.

WASHINGTON -- Johnson & Johnson asked the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday to allow extra shots of its COVID-19 vaccine as the U.S. government moves toward expanding its booster campaign to millions more vaccinated Americans.

J&J said it filed a request with the FDA to authorize boosters for people 18 and older who previously received the company's one-shot vaccine. While the company said it submitted data on several different booster intervals, ranging from two to six months, it did not formally recommend one to regulators.

Click here to read more.

Ang lahat ng pampubliko at pribadong sementeryo at kolumbaryo sa Lungsod ng Olongapo ay sarado para sa mga bibisita sa kanilang mga yumaong kaanak mula sa ika-30 ng Oktubre hanggang ika-2 ng Nobyembre taong kasalukuyan.

Click here to read more.

As previously announced the RAO membership will be P3700 for 2022, due to increased operating costs and a number of folks going back to the states to escape the restrictions placed on every day living here. As an incentive to reward those who stayed and pay early, we will be reducing the 2022 dues to P3500, beginning 15 October through 31 December. Don’t miss out on this blue light special.

Please join us in our latest training event on October 27, 2021, 9:00 AM Manila time.

Our special group of trainers is from the Office of General Counsel Accreditation's, Discipline and Fees.

They will be discussing the following:
• How an individual can obtain accreditation as a Claims Agent or Veteran Service Organization Representative
• The standard of conduct they must follow
• Restrictions around charging fees
• What to consider when selecting representation

This training will definitely help our Veteran community! Awareness of these facts will aid us in making sound decisions regarding representation.

Please invite your friends or colleagues who would like to participate in this training.

Hope to see you all!

Here are the call details:
• Manila - October 27 (Wednesday) 9:00 am
• Zoom meeting: Click here to join the zoom meeting
• Meeting ID: 884 1529 1029
• Passcode: 720203

This is another one of those announcements that is applicable to U S only. When and if it will be expanded to OSEAS Vets remains to be seen. What we do know is that under current interpretation of the Save Lives Act, VAOPC can only provide vaccines to "Enrolled Vets". There is a small group who are asking a couple of members of Congress to lobby the administration to issue an Executive Order to change this so all Vets, Spouses and Caregivers, can receive Vaccines and Booster shots. If this were to happen, it would appear the first "booster" shots would be Pfizer, as that is what was given back near the beginning of May, so the earliest boosters could begin somewhere near early Nov. I'm sure VA Manila is making contingency plans in the event, they are given any vaccines for boosters. The announcement pretty much sets the priorities for who gets the booster, but some questions that might arise after that, would be if VA Manila is authorized to give the Pfizer booster, and they receive sufficient supplies, would they be able to give boosters to those who got their original series from local governments? If the Vet or family who got the original series at VA and now have the "Yellow card" is VA permitted to stamp the booster in the card? Will there be additional supplies that would permit those Vets, Spouses and Caregivers to get the original series of Vacs, A lot of questions we guys on the receiving end will have to wait for answers for. Wouldnt want to be the guy on the other end who has to answer all those evolving possibilities, but fortunately VA leadership had a very successful and smooth evolution when faced with the initial vaccinations and our Vet community reaped the rewards of their experience, hard work and planning. Would expect it to have similar results in round Deux.

Click here to read more.

Some of our members are running into problems getting meds now that VA is closed down. A member has forwarded the below info regarding a Dr friend of his who is interested in helping our vets. The member has known him for years and vouches for him enthusiastically!

The RAO does not know him and can't endorse but if you need help give him a try and see.

DANIEL SALVADOR L. REDOÑA, MD

Ophthalmologist-Natural Medicine

09281952272

Clinic Address: JH ORIENTAL MEDICAL CLINIC Blk 48 Lot 10 Friendship Highway Bgy Cutcut, Angeles City 2009 Pampanga

Making Subic Experience Awesome! SubicGo.com is a tourism portal designed for local and international tourists visiting the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

SubicGo

GREAT NEWS!
Its official, as of today 16 August 2018, Ace/Baypointe is authorized to accept Tricare patients under the Preferred Provider category. You will have to check with the HMO office to ensure your Dr. is also on the Preferred Provider list. There are currently 31 Dr's who are, but check to be sure or you will have to pay the Dr's fees.

And oh by the way, please resist the urge to repeat the bad news bears (you know the ones who have their names stenciled on the back of their bar stool) who are spreading rumors about ACE BAYPOINTE and Medical City Clark suspending FMP due to non payment. IT DIDNT HAPPEN! Medical city Ortigas did due to non payment by FMP. Come to find out they gave FMP the wrong mailing address to which FMP mailed the payments. All is fixed now and they have withdrawn the suspension.Â

Old saying better to be quiet and be thought a fool, than opening mouth and leave no doubt.

I have taken the opportunity to compile a list of what Drs, and Specialties AT ACE BAYPOINTE, to the best of my knowledge are also certified as preferred providers. The hospital is in the process of adding to this list. As you all are aware this list changes without notice, so before getting treatment it would be to your benefit to check with the hospital HMO office to ensure the Dr you will receive treatment from is in fact still certified as preferred. The HMO can be reached at 047-250-6070 ext 283 or 507.

Name Name	Specialization Specialization	Gender Gender
Ablang, Alberto Mariano, MD	Pediatrics, Critical Care	Male
Ablang, Marietta, MD	Internal Medicine, Cardiology	Female
Aguila, Beverly, MD	Internal Medicine, Cardiology	Female
Aguila, Beverly, MD	Internal Medicine, Cardiology	Female
Aguilar, Rodrigo	Gastronology/Int Med	Male
Alconga, Rudy	Pediatrics	Male
Bernal, Gerald, MD	Internal Medicine, Cardiology	Male
Bongco, Jesusa	Anesthesiology	Female
Bongco, Rosario	Endocrinology	Male
Bustamante, Rodrick	Anesthesiology	Male
Calapatia, David, MD	Family Medicine	Male
Cepeda, Armando, MD	Surgery, General	Male
Cepeda, Monette, MD	Neurology	Female
De Castro, Felicisimo, MD	Ophthalmology	Male
De Castro, Ma. Gloria, MD	Obstetrics & Gynecology	Female
Dela Cruz, Anthony, MD	Internal Medicine, Diabetology; Occupational Health	Male
Dela Paz, Emmanuel, MD	Orthopedics	Male
DeLeon, Roberto	Gen Surgery	Male
Edejer, Karl Erjon, MD	Anesthesiology	Male
Guevara, Luis, MD	Radiology	Male
Hipolito, Charina	Internal Medicine, Pulmonology	Female
Mallari, Lourdes	ENT Ear, Nose,Throat	Female
Mangahas, Rolan	Opthamology	Male
Manuel, Jesse Jewel, MD	Surgery, Orthopedic	Male
Mendoza, Arturo, Jr., MD	Surgery, General (Laparoscopic)	Male
Ocampo, Armida, MD	Internal Medicine, Pulmonology	Female
Pasqual, Jeanette	Orthopedics	Male
Rojo, Margaret, MD	Anesthesiology	Female
Santos, Wilfredo, MD	Surgery, General ; Surgery, Oncology	Male
Soriano, Maria Agnes, MD	Internal Medicine, Diabetology	Female
Tablan, Apolonario Jr	Urology	Male
Velchez, Carlos	Hematology/Int Med	Male
Hipolito, Charina	Internal Medicine, Pulmonology	Female
Villareal, Paolo, MD	Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology	Male

FMP/Tricare

We continue to see vets who are receiving EOB's and checks for treatment at Medical City and Baypointe (ACE). Please be aware you should not cash these checks. They should be given to the hospitals. Should you cash the check a few things can happen, 1st FMP or Tricare may demand repayment, if you don't they can notify the IRS and either a garnishment or 1099 will be received and they get their money in the end possibly including interest. It can also be placed on your credit report. Secondly, you may be refused future treatment at the hospitals as you have an outstanding balance. Worst of all we may lose the hospitals as providers for FMP or Tricare. Sure wouldn't want to be the guy who causes all your fellow vets to lose that, they might be a little pissed when they find out it was you! You know how quickly word spreads around here!

Videos

Just want to draw your attention to some very useful videos being offered for free through va by psycharmor. View their catalog at PsychoArmor Institute.

Urgent Update: Reimbursment Checks:

It appears there is a malfunction with both TRICARE and FMP regarding reimbursement checks. They incorrectly recently have been sending the checks to the veteran vice the provider. Both have been notified this is the incorrect way to handle these checks! If you receive a check for a claim that was filed by the Hospital, please do not cash it. The hospitals participation was negotiated so that the hospital would receive payment. If they do not we will lose their services. The payment must be taken to the hospital and signed over to them to be encashed.

Special thank you to police station 6 Barrio Baretto for notification of recently deceased American Citizen! Their handling of situation was extremely professional, thanks SPO De Leon.