Retired Activities Office
Subic Bay, Philppines
RAO Subic Bay is an Independent Retired Activities Coordination Office which provides vital services to U.S. military retirees living in this area, remote from any Military installation.
Authorization & Support
The RAO is authorized by SECNAVINST 5420.169J and OPNAVINST 1720.3F to tailor its services to the needs of the local retired community, and bears full responsibility for financing its operation and maintenance costs. The RAO receives the same DoD support offered to any retiree or patriotic organization.
Corrections, Additions & Deletions
This informal and unofficial information was prepared by members of the RAO who are also members of the VFW, FRA and American Legion. If you note any errors, want to contribute, or would like to see something revised, added or deleted, please pass your comments to RAO Voice or call/email the RAO Director at the address listed below.
HOURS OF DIRECTOR
0900 to 1500 Monday through Friday |
Closed on US and Philippine Holidays |
Director
Jack Walker | OR: PSC 517 Box 5000R |
USMC (Ret.) | FPO AP 96517 |
Director | Phone: [+63] 47-222-2314 |
P.O. Box 075 | Fax: [+63] 47-222-2899 |
Olongapo City, 2200 Philippines | Email: dir@raosubic.com |
January NewsLetter
(January 2021)
PHOTOS:

RAO Subic Christmas Party
December 23, 2019 (Monday)

Toys For Tykes 2019
December 21, 2019 (Saturday)

Hell Ship Remembrance Ceremony
December 18, 2019 (Wednesday)
View more at the Photo Gallery
New Year's | U.S./PHL | Fri, Jan. 1 |
M. L. King Jr. | U.S. | Mon, Jan. 18 |
Chinese New Year | PHL | Fri, Feb. 12 |
Presidents Day | U.S. | Mon, Feb. 17 |
Maundy Thurs | PHL | Thu, Apr. 1 |
Good Friday | PHL | Fri, Apr. 2 |
Bataan & Corregidor | PHL | Fri, Apr. 9 |
Phil. Labor Day | PHL | Sat, May. 1 |
Eid-ul-Fitr | PHL | Wed, May. 12 |
U.S. Memorial Day | U.S. | Mon, May. 31 |
Philippine Independence Day | PHL | Sat, Jun. 12 |
U.S. Independence Day | U.S. | Sun, Jul. 4 |
Ninoy Aquino | PHL | Sat, Aug. 21 |
Heroes Day | PHL | Mon, Aug. 30 |
U.S. Labor Day | U.S. | Mon, Sep. 6 |
Columbus Day | U.S. | Mon, Oct. 11 |
All Saints | PHL | Mon, Nov. 1 |
Veterans Day | U.S. | Thu, Nov. 11 |
Thanksgiving | U.S. | Thu, Nov. 25 |
Bonifacio Day | PHL | Tue, Nov. 30 |
Christmas | U.S./PHL | Sat, Dec. 25 |
Rizal Day | PHL | Thu, Dec. 30 |
Philippine and U.S. Holiday
January 1, 2020 (Friday) - New Year's
January 18, 2020 (Monday) - M.L. King Jr. Day
Date: 01/13/2021
2021 Military & Veteran Benefits Survey
The FRA is conducting a survey to determine which military and veteran’s benefits are most important to active duty and Reserve personnel, retirees, veterans and their families. The survey is available online, www.surveymonkey.com and asks you to rate a variety of benefits and quality-of-life programs associated with your service to our nation.
The FRA is asking current and former military personnel and your spouses to share your opinions about the programs you value most. Your responses and comments will provide important reference information when we testify before Congress or meet one-on-one with lawmakers and their staff. We also share the results with elected officials on Capitol Hill, key committee staff, and leaders within the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs to ensure these crucial decision-makers understand your enlisted sea service perspective.
COVID-19 Vaccines
Date: 01/12/2021
Millions of AstraZeneca #COVID19 vaccines from Europe, will be available by several cities in the country. This is based on the agreements reached by LGUs with the national government and AstraZeneca. This list is based on official reports gathered at 12 p.m. January 11. The number of cities may increase in the next hours and days.

New Year 2020
Date: 01/01/2021

Happy New Year to our RAO Family. May GOD bless you and your family and grant you a year of joy, love, health and laughter. may he protect us and remind us, we are here to help one another and share his love, with which we have already been vaccinated.
Coronavirus stimulus prepaid cards mailed in plain envelopes are not junk mail, IRS cautions
'Please do not throw it away,' government pleads The IRS is in the process of sending out about 4 million economic impact payments loaded onto prepaid debit cards – but Americans may not recognize the stimulus cash when they see it. The cards will arrive in a “plain envelope” from "Money Network Cardholder Services," the IRS said. Unsuspecting individuals could mistake the envelope for junk mail or even a credit card promotion, especially since many people are likely not aware their payment will be arriving on a prepaid card instead of in the form of a check. People cannot choose to have their payments sent this way. These 4 million individuals, who did not have direct deposit information on file with the tax agency, were selected by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. CORONAVIRUS IRS STIMULUS PAYMENTS ON PREPAID DEBIT CARDS ARRIVING: WHAT TO KNOW
The Visa name appears on the front of the card, and MetaBank – the Treasury Department’s financial agent – appears on the bank. That may further confuse individuals who do not hold an account with Visa and who are unfamiliar with MetaBank.
An information sheet included with the card will explain what it is.
One sign you may have missed your card in the mail is if you receive a letter from the IRS, signed by President Trump, which details how much money you should have received.
These letters were expected to be sent two weeks after the economic impact payments. So what should you do if you think you may have mistaken your prepaid card for junk mail? One way you might want to address the issue is by calling the number at the bottom of the IRS letter, 800- 919-9835. The agency has recalled some staff who will be available to take phone calls. Further, if you believe you threw the card away or misplaced it, you can also follow directions specifically for the prepaid cards, which will allow you to block unauthorized transactions as well. The government provides information for people whose card is lost or stolen, which directs them to log in at EIPCard.com to block unauthorized transactions and call 1-800-240-8100 to report it. A spokesperson for the IRS directed FOX Business to the aforementioned web page for the cards, adding that the agency had nothing further to add at this time regarding what taxpayers should do if they think they may have accidentally trashed their payment.
Meds Help
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
Great Information for Subic Bay Area
Making Subic Experience Awesome! SubicGo.com is a tourism portal designed for local and international tourists visiting the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

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 | Specialization | 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 |
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!
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.
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.