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

• January 1, 2022 (Saturday) - New Year's Day
• January 17, 2022 (Monday) - M.L. King Jr.
• January 23, 2022 (Sunday) - 1st Phil. Republic Day

• February 1, 2022 (Tuesday) - Chinese New Year
• February 21, 2022 (Monday) - Presidents Days
• February 25, 2022 (Friday) - EDSA People Power Revolution

Dr. Marc Siegel: What I tell patients who get Omicron despite three vax shots.

The obsession with testing and isolation is counterproductive not only because we lack readily available home tests, but also because the virus is now almost everywhere.

Many people who are vaccinated, boosted and had COVID before are getting it again — and they are furious. They no longer believe the doctors or the pundits. Several of my patients have come to me feeling I let them down by pushing them to get the vaccine and then the booster only to find themselves sick with Omicron.

Click here to read more.

Blood is needed for an American Veteran undergoing emergency surgery with type B- blood. He is in St Lukes Global. If you or a family member is qualified please give the gift of life in the name of Mark Kessler. O- is also a compatible type.

Due to the recent resurgence of COVID-19 infection, we have canceled drop-off appointments until further notice. Currently, we are experiencing personnel staffing shortages, personnel getting sick because of the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, the exact reason for the closure of the Consular section. To mitigate the ability of this disease to infect people, even those who have had received a vaccine, we postpone services related to issuing identification cards. Even with the MUST reasons, the Chief of Joint Support Division will be evaluated for final approval.

There is no need to send us a request to make an appointment at this time. However, we will continue to answer your queries, and we will let you know of any updates regarding the resumption via emails ONLY. We appreciate your continued understanding. Thank You.

Manila DOD ID

Please be aware that contact with the U.S. Embassy in Manila and Veterans affairs at the Seafront Compound, are being affected by the recent rise in Covid exposures in the Philippines. Most face to face operations have been curtailed. Phone and email sevices are also being affected so long waits in contact are being experiened. Thank you for your patience and consideration.

Event: To ensure the health and safety of our clients and our staff, the U.S. Embassy in Manila is canceling all non-emergency appointments for U.S. passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad through January 31, 2022. All appointments will be rescheduled.

The current surge in COVID-19 cases has impacted our operations, and as a result we are working with significantly reduced staffing levels and can only accommodate applicants with urgent travel needs in the next two weeks.

Click here to read more.

Event: To ensure the health and safety of our clients and our staff, the U.S. Embassy in Manila is canceling all non-emergency appointments for U.S. passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad through Friday, January 14. All appointments will be rescheduled.

The current surge in COVID cases has impacted our operations, and as a result we are working with significantly reduced staffing levels and can only accommodate applicants with urgent travel needs in the next two weeks.

Click here to read more.

MANILA, Philippines — Visitors to Zambales and Negros Occidental are again required to present a negative COVID-19 test amid the increase in new infections in the country.

In a joint advisory issued by the Zambales provincial government and health and tourism offices, fully vaccinated travelers should present a negative antigen test taken 24 hours prior to arrival.

Click here to read more.

The government's pandemic task force approved on Thursday, Jan. 6, the recommendation of its data analytics group to impose tighter restrictions on 14 areas, acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles announced.

More areas will be placed under the stricter Alert Level 3 as the Philippines contends with a rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 infections.

The government's pandemic task force approved on Thursday, Jan. 6, the recommendation of its data analytics group to impose tighter restrictions on 14 areas, acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles announced.

Click here to read more.

Testing capacity and the ability to provide timely results prior to travel may be constrained in certain locations in the Philippines. U.S. citizens may experience delays in scheduling COVID-19 antigen and RT-PCR tests, as well as delays in delivery of results from these tests, due to a recent significant increase in demand for COVID-19 testing. These delays, which have occurred in other countries during spikes in COVID-19 infections, could continue for the next two to four weeks.

Click here to read more.

Finally figured out how to capture most of the briefing slides. And no contrary to the suggestion of one person, this was not some top secret RAO members only post. I just couldnt get it to open for everyone. Its called an IBM error, (idiot behind the machine) HAHA.

Click here to read more.

The VAOPC will no longer be able to provide Hi-level pain medications. They will be making personal contact with Vets who are receiving them to provide alternative options. This announcement will be published via email also in the next few days. This info from just completed teleconference between VA and service org reps. The forthcoming email will explain in totality, the change which is being caused by an abundance of care and concern for our Vets. The particulars will be in the email, so please standby for that before posing any questions. Soon as received it will be published here. And before the comment is made it is not the 1st step toward clinic shutdown! Thanks.

The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is allocating an additional $19 million in humanitarian assistance to help people affected by Super Typhoon Rai in the Philippines. This assistance brings total USAID assistance for this response to more than $20 million. The storm known locally as Typhoon Odette brought torrential rains and caused widespread flooding, landslides, and damage to homes.

With this humanitarian assistance, USAID will provide food assistance; water, sanitation and hygiene programs to help keep people healthy; shelter assistance to meet emergency needs and help affected communities start rebuilding homes; and protection for the most vulnerable.

Click here to read more.

An American Scott Canada is in need of blood donations for emergency surgery. He is in Metropolitan Medical Center in sta ncruz manila. He needs A- blood.

Given what we currently know about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, CDC is shortening the recommended time for isolation for the public. People with COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days and if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours), follow that by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others to minimize the risk of infecting people they encounter. The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after.

Click here to read more.

Please be reminded that RAO dues for 2022, are payable 1 Jan 2021 at P3700, Members can still take advantage of the reduced fees of p3500 until 31 Dec.

Ken Kimura has reported he will be available at the RAO, for U S tax preparation beginning Friday 14 Jan, beginning at 800 first come first served.

Click here to read more.

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! As 2021 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of the VA Manila Outpatient Clinic and to recognize some of our staff.

VA Manila delivered more than 24,000 medical and mental health appointments to Veterans during Fiscal Year 2021, which ended on September 30. This was a 20% increase in total visits to VA Manila compared to Fiscal Year 2019. We are off to an equally busy start to this year, having already completed 5,500 appointments during the first three months of Fiscal Year 2022.

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.