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

• January 01, 2026 (Thursday) - New Year's Day
• January 02. 2026 (Friday) - Philippine Holiday
• January 19, 2026 (Monday) - M.L. King Jr.
• January 23, 2026 (Friday) - 1st Phil. Republic Day

• February 16, 2026 (Monday) - Presidents Days
• February 17, 2026 (Monday) - Chinese New Year
• February 25, 2026 (Wednesday) - EDSA People Power Revolution

We hope you and your families are safe following the recent seismic and volcanic alerts reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

At 11:02 a.m. today, a magnitude 6.7 tectonic earthquake with a depth of 42 kilometers struck Manay, Davao Oriental. According to PHIVOLCS, aftershocks are expected, and damages may have occurred in affected areas.

Safety Reminders After an Earthquake - FEMA:
• Expect aftershocks to follow the largest shock of an earthquake sequence.
• Check yourself for injury.
• If in a damaged building, go outside and quickly move away from the building.
• Do not enter damaged buildings.
• If you are trapped, send a text or bang on a pipe or wall. Cover your mouth for protection and instead of shouting, use a whistle.
• If you are in an area that may experience tsunamis, go inland or to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops.
• Save phone calls for emergencies.
• Wear sturdy shoes and work gloves.

On January 6, PHIVOLCS raised Alert Level 3 at Mayon Volcano in Albay Province, indicating increased volcanic activity and the possibility of hazardous eruption.

Residents are advised to strictly observe restrictions within the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ). Local authorities are implementing preemptive evacuations due to potential volcanic hazards, including pyroclastic flows, lava flows, ashfall, rockfalls, and possible lahar flows during heavy rainfall.

Safety Reminders to Prepare - FEMA:
• Know your area’s risk from volcanic eruption.
• Ask local authorities for evacuation and shelter plans and for potential protections from ash.
• Get needed supplies in case you have to evacuate immediately or if services are cut off. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets.
• Consult your doctor if you have existing respiratory difficulties.
• Practice communication and evacuation plan with everyone in your family.
• Keep important documents in a safe place. Create password-protected digital copies.

Your health and well-being remain our top priority, and we are reaching out to check in with you. Please let us know if you require an earlier medical appointment, need medication refills, or wish to cancel or reschedule an upcoming appointment.

You may contact us through the following options:
• Call (02) 7214-3400 or (02) 8846-7121
• Dial #MyVA (6982) using Globe
• Send a secure message via My HealtheVet

The U.S. Embassy’s American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit is pleased to announce an upcoming outreach event in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Benefits Unit/Social Security Administration (SSA).

Click here to read more.

President Donald Trump has ordered the recall of the United States’ ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills Jr., alongside 29 other senior diplomats in one of the diplomatic reshuffles of his second term.

Mills, appointed on July 25, 2024, is among 13 ambassadors serving in African countries affected by the decision. Officials familiar with the move said it is part of efforts to realign US foreign policy with Trump’s “America First” agenda.

Click here to read more.

The U.S. Embassy’s American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit is pleased to announce an upcoming outreach event in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Benefits Unit/Social Security Administration (SSA). We will provide in-person services at the following locations and dates:

• Angeles City: Thursday, January 15, 2026
• Olongapo City: Friday, January 16, 2026
• Time: 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM (both locations)

Dec 8 (today) Feast of the immaculate conception, was not listed in the RAO Newsletter 12-25 as a day RAO is closed. the president of the Philippines declared this as a non working holiday. We regret any inconvenience.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – TRICARE Open Season ends Tuesday, Dec. 9. Now is the time to review your TRICARE coverage for 2026.

“Open season may be your only chance to enroll in a TRICARE health plan or change plans for next year,” said Zelly Zim, senior program analyst, Policy & Programs Division, TRICARE Health Plan, at the Defense Health Agency. “Unless you have a TRICARE Qualifying Life Event, you may need to wait until next year’s open season to change your TRICARE coverage.”

Click here to read more.

This is one we will closely watch! As it has not yet been introduced in congress, the particulars are not available. In the broad view of the report, anyone who is a dual citizen, who has U S citizen and also citizenship with another country, will be required to renounce their 2d county citizenship, or be at risk of losing their U S citizenship.

The ramifications of this act will have far reaching effects if implemented!

Click here to read more.

Due to the high volume of members seeking assistance and a rise in members deaths this year, the RAO is considering applicants for a third counselor position. If interested in an extremely rewarding position in which you can assist your fellow veterans and their families, and share your experiences and knowledge, and make a difference in their lives, please come by the office and see Jack.

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.