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

• May 1, 2022 - Philippine Labor Day
• May 2, 2022 - Eid-al-Fitr
• May 30, 2022 - U.S. Memorial Day

• June 12, 2022 - Philippine Independence Day

Tentative plan is to begin administering to all service connected Vets on 21-22 May.

Click here to read more.

Theres been a lot of questions about Space A flights in Clark . Contrary to the recent announcement of space A reopening worldwide, no change to the status has been announced for Clark, Should a change become apparent we will announce immediately. Thanks and stay safe.

Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms, soon to be mom's, and particularly the Moms in heaven. Thank you for your love, life lessons and always being there for us.

Happy Mothers Day in heaven, Mom
So many things to say, though time permits but a few,
So I’ll say the most important first, Mom I love you.
It wasn’t long ago I was just your little boy,
You would give me a kiss, a pat on the head, and fill my heart with joy.
And through the years your love in my heart, I’ve stored,
And know when the day comes we will again meet at heavens doors.
But ‘til that day I will remain true, to the promise I made
Mom, I will always love you!

March 20, 2022, marks the 19th anniversary of the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). This anniversary provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of those who served in a conflict that lasted nearly nine years and claimed the lives of nearly 4,500 service members and left over 31,000 wounded. If you served in OIF, and have a disability or illness as a result, you may be eligible for VA benefits and services.

Click here to read more.

Veterans know, because they've been there. Discover how Veterans like you have overcome life's challenges.

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The Phil gov't has declared Tuesday 3 May a Holiday (Workers Day), therefore in-conjunction with the Embassy we will be closed, sorry for the short notice, mail day will be Wed.

On 27 April from 0800-1300, a local Optometrist will be available for a vision outreach to provide free eye examinations and offer a very attractive price and selection of frames.

Also for this special visit, they will offer a buy one take one. They also offer a practical payment plan and discounts. Examinations are on a first come first served schedule.

HireMilitary can help members of the military community translate skills and experience into secure, meaningful career opportunities. HireMilitary’s team includes Veterans and military spouses who have successfully transitioned, so they speak the language and know what goes into finding a job after the military.

HireMilitary has a vast network of employers, from small businesses to Fortune 500 global brands, that want to hire Veterans and military spouses. When Veterans and spouses join HireMilitary’s free talent pool, they are immediately matched to job opportunities around the country based on skill sets and interests.

Click here to read more.

It is a nice thing to hear someone say thank you, after you have assisted them in resolving a problem they are undergoing. Thats very common and you know it is most times heartfelt. Occasionally, some problems come along that seem nearly impossible to resolve. So many roadblocks come up, that you ask yourself "is there anyway this can ever be resolved" ? Those challenges which seem to have never been experienced before by anyone you know or even by the entities you turn to for resolution assistance. Recently we had two such challenges, which have restored our faith in humankind, and again reminded us how fortunate we are to have partners who go way above and beyond in taking care of our Veterans and their families.

Click here to read more.

A few days ago I made a post regarding both the Navy and Army Recruiters coming to RAO Subic Bay. The posts were identical and contained the same verbiage with the exception of Navy and Army. This morning I received a msg from FB saying the Army post was removed and my page may be removed, because the post went against community standards. Look at the below for the reason. Please note the Navy recruiting post was not removed only the Army, can only surmise somebody doesn't like the Army.

Anyway I filed a grievance and told them I was surprised, as its the U S Military that fought for their right to even own the business and provide for free speech. Surprisingly I then received the below message. I guess I gotta give props to whomever reviewed it because its back on for now.

Today at 6:30 AM

Jack Walker's post is back on Facebook

We're sorry we got this wrong. We reviewed the post again and it does follow our Community Standards.

On 27 April from 0800-1300, a local Optometrist will be available for a vision outreach to provide free eye examinations and offer a very attractive price and selection of frames.

Also for this special visit, they will offer a buy one take one. They also offer a practical payment plan and discounts. Examinations are on a first come first served schedule.

Not to be outgunned, the Army wil be visiting a week before the Navy, so candidates can select which service they have a better match with.

Please be advised that the U.S. Army Recruiters will be visiting Subic Bay at the RAO on tentative dates of 3 and 4 May 2022, from 0900 to 1500. they will be conducting interviews and testing on the 3rd, and further preparations for those found qualified will occur on the 4th. Below you will find the eligibility requirements for application.

Click here to read more.

April seems to have arrived quickly this year, and with it, the hot temperatures of summer in the Philippines. Please remember to keep yourself healthy and well during the hottest temperatures of the year and stay hydrated. It is always best to limit outdoor activities to the extent possible, especially during the hottest hours of the day between 11AM and 2PM.

Click here to read more.

The Navy announced Thursday that it is offering a $25,000 signing bonus to recruits for any rate as long as they are willing to ship off to boot camp before summer. The sea service, in a press release, said the bonus applies to "anyone who enlists Active Duty" and is willing to start boot camp between April and June of this year.

Click here to read more.

Join VA as we gear up for National Volunteer Week, April 17 – 23, 2022. As part of National Volunteer Week, we are looking to leverage some of our country’s greatest assets –Veterans – to support “VetServe 2022,” a campaign to strengthen volunteer capacity across the Nation on April 21, 2022.

Click here to read more.

As part of the VA Regional Office virtual outreach program to provide information to Veterans and their beneficiaries.

We will conduct a Virtual Training/Outreach on April 12, 2022 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM to discuss.

TD Magazine (@TDMag) / TwitterPost -Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and VA Examination.

We hope you could join us in this scheduled WebEx meeting.

Click here to read more.

The prevalence of COVID-19 in the U.K. has reached record levels, with about 1 in 13 people estimated to be infected with the virus in the past week, according to the latest figures from Britain’s official statistics agency.

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The RAO’s as always, follow all news Veteran related, and within the past few days, came across this announcement; Following FDA’s regulatory action, CDC is updating its recommendations to allow certain immune compromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago to be eligible for another mRNA booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. Separately and in addition, based on newly published data, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. These updated recommendations acknowledge the increased risk of severe disease in certain populations including those who are elderly or over the age of 50 with multiple underlying conditions. This is especially important for those 65 and older and those 50 and older with underlying medical conditions.

Click here to read more.

HR 4624 is in committee in Congress. It should be of particular interest to all Vets in the Philippines. especially Title III. This one you likely should send that letter to congress on. Its all about FMP! We all need to light a fire under our elected reps, its been lingering for almost a year.

Click here to read more.

Will be closed and mail returned starting 15 April

New APPT program for VA coming to a VA near you as in tomorrow. Attached please find the new appt system going on line tomorrow. It should make things a lot easier.

Click here make an appointment.

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.