RAO Newsletter

October - December Newsletter

HOLIDAY ROUTINE: RAO WILL BE OPEN HALF DAYS STARTING MONDAY 20 DEC TO 23 DEC AND 28 TO 30.

CLOSURES:

DEC 24, 25, 26, 27 & 31 AND back to work 3 JAN 2005
Feb 17 2005 Martin Luther King day

RAO DUES: You may pay your dues anytime. It is still $20.00 or check for dollars and if not paid by 31 January 2005 your mail box will be closed and mail returned.

NPA RAI: A team of about 5 or 6 NPA raided a police check point the night of 9 December 2004 here in Barrio Barretto. Four police officers and a security guard were killed. No foreigners were harmed or threatened so as far as I can see there are no threats against Americans or other foreingners.

FROM THE DESK OF THE VFW SERVICE OFFICER: It has come to my attention that some fixers are telling widows that they can guarantee them benefits for a price of 30% of their claim from VA or SSA etc. My advice is do not get mixed up with these people because if SSA or VA finds out you have used a fixer you stand to lose all your benefits. Was fortunate enough to stop a lady recently widowed who was about to use a fixed however, she was lucky enough that many people told her to use our services here in the RAO. If anyone knows of a widow trying to get benefits send her to us. To assist retirees and their families is the only reason for an RAO and a service officer.

WE DO CARE [source Jose Alvarez]

PHILIPPINE IMMIGRATIONS: New rules on dual citizenship: Filipinos with dual citizenships can now enter end leave the country, trouble free, as long as they present both their Philippine and foreign passports to immigration officers at the time of arrival or departure, according to immigrations Commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr.

This developed after bureau of immigration came out with new rules for arriving and departing passengers who availed themselves of the dual citizenship law passed by Congress last year.

Under the law, Filipinos who became, or are intending to become naturalized citizens of other countries, have not lost their Philippine citizenship. According to Mr. Fernandez, a Filipino who presents a foreign passport shall only be given an indefinite stay in the country if he or she can show a valid Philippine passport or a certificate from the BI as proof of dual citizenship.

The immigration officer then makes the appropriate stamp on both the foreign and Philippine passports of the passenger. Immigration executive director Roy Almoro said the new rules were issued in the wake of reports of misunderstanding between immigration officers and passengers with dual citizenship.

Airport immigration head of supervisors Ferdinand Sampol said dual citizens who entered the country using foreign passports will be cleared for departure provided they present a valid Philippine passport and bureau of immigration certificate.

Airport immigration head of supervisors Ferdinand Sampol said dual citizens who entered the country using foreign passports will be cleared for departure provided they present a valid Philippine passport and bureau of immigration certificate.

RESUMPTION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ARC-I CARD: I received the memorandum from department of Justice, Bureau of Immigrations, stating that the deferment of implementation of the ACR-I card has been lifted and is back on track effective immediately. The deadline for applying for the ACR-I card has been extended to March 2005. After this date if you have not availed yourself of this card you are subject to fines.

In discussion with the immigrations folks they have told me that I may pick up the cards for those persons that done the data gathering earlier this year at the Seafront restaurant on SBMA if I submit a letter requesting to do so. This I will do immediately after the first of the year.

Those persons that have the (E) series paper ACR that has run out of space do not have to get a new ACR at this time. They are discussing this and told me “just tell them not to do anything yet” they will let me know, but at the worst you may have to P300 and just extend the ACR however, this only applies to those that have done the data gathering and have the new card waiting for pick up. The initial fee is $50.00 as well as annual fee.

TRICARE/HVC: Since June 2004 HVC has been denied reimbursement from the Tricare overseas contractor. Many rumors have sprang up concerning why these payments were denied none of which were true. It started with a breakdown in communication between Tricare overseas contractor office and HVC. Tricare overseas changed the billing process and for some unknown reason HVC did not get the word. They now have this problem solved and should be back full services soon. It will take some time for this to happen and they ask that we be patient for the time being. If you have any questions/problems related to your health care contact your provider. If he or she does not satisfy your question/problem contact one of the HVC representatives or ask the RAO director and I will contact someone at the top. Remember that HVC is here for you otherwise they would have no reason to be here.

THE RAO STAFF WISH YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROPEROUIS NEW YEAR.