aiesec davao servicing and reception booklet 2014-2015

AIESEC Davao | Services and Reception Booklet | All Rights Reserved 2014

Hey AIESEC Exchange Participant! A warm welcome from AIESEC Davao of the Philippines! We deeply appreciate that you have chosen us to provide the AIESEC Experience. We hope that this booklet will help you prepare for a life-changing experience that you are about to embark soon! We are looking forward to having you here with us. The adjustment that one has to make when living in another country can be daunting, but the ever-present friendly and secure atmosphere in Davao City has made it an attractive option for a growing number of expatriates. The traineeship will help you in discovering and developing further your potential. Let us savor the moments we are about to have. Together, let us become positive change agents of our world.


Table of Contents

• Documents Checklist • Getting Legal • Contact Persons • About Davao City • Getting to Davao City • Domestic and International Airlines • Map • Cost of Living • Transportation • Festivities • Money Changers • Communication • Emergency • Accommodation • Restaurants • Shopping Malls and Plazas • Parks • Thrilling Adventures • More of Davao City • Previous Exchangers


Document Checklist

• Exchange Participant Acceptance Note (Signed by you and your EP Manager)

• Traineeship Nominee Acceptance Note (Signed by TNM/OCP and NGO/Partner)

• GCDP Exchange Waiver Form: http://tinyurl.com/PhesEPWaiver

• Philippine Visa (please see the “Getting Legal” page) • Travel/Health Insurance Documents

http://tinyurl.com/PhesEPWaiver


Getting Legal We recommend that you acquire your VISA before arriving!

VISA APPLICATION Philippine Visa is not required for citizens from some countries if you are staying in the country for short visit up to thirty (30) days only, provided that you hold a valid tickets for return journey to port of origin or next port of destination and your passport is valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the period of stay. For visits longer than thirty (30) days, a visa is required. Countries with Visa-Free Entry (up to 30 days)

*Holders of Brazil and Israel passports can stay in the Philippines visa-free for up to 59 days.


Getting Legal

TOURIST VISA The following are the minimum requirements for applying a temporary visitor’s visa: • Passport/Travel Document Valid for at least six (6) months beyond

the intended period of stay in the Philippines; • Duly Accomplished Visa application forms; • Passport Photos (2 pieces); • Proof of bona fide as tourist or businessman; • Confirmed tickets for return or onward journey to the next port of

destination; and • Payment of Visa Fees. NOTE: Holders of Certificate of Identity, Travel Documents, Documents of Identity, Taiwanese Passports and all stateless persons do require visas.

ASSISTANCE FROM AIESEC DAVAO

AIESEC Davao is responsible for sending to you the following documents, if needed, to apply for Philippine visa: 1. Invitation Letter 2. Letter of Guarantee of Employment (TN)


Getting Legal

VISA PROCESSING DURING INTERNSHIP (as of November 5, 2011)

TOURIST (NON-RESTRICTED) ADMITTED INITIALLY FOR 21 DAYS MAY BE EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER 38 DAYS

PARTICULARS AMOUNTS (in PhP)

Visa Waiver 500.00

Visa Waiver Application Fee 1,000.00

Certification Fee 500.00

Express Fee (Certification) 500.00

Express Fee (For Processing) 500.00

Legal Research Fee (LRF) for each item 30.00

Total 3030.00

REQUIREMENT 1. Passport 2. Photocopy of passport (bio-page, latest arrival and latest extension) 3. Application form for extension of stay 4. Special Power of Attorney duly notarized if applied by a representative

For updated visa extension fees, go to http://tinyurl.com/phvisafees For other immigration concerns, visit http://tinyurl.com/immigration-ph

http://tinyurl.com/phvisafees

http://tinyurl.com/immigration-ph





Contact Persons

VERA R. VALENZUELA

VP for iGCDP-TN

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: (+63) 933 272 2990

Skype ID: veravanz

ROSELLE ANGELICA I. JUNSAY

VP for iGCDP-Projects


Mobile: (+63) 922 272 6274

Skype ID: zejungxelle

CHRISTYL JANE H. CAPUTOLAN

Managing Director for Servicing and Reception


Mobile: (+63) 933 365 7284

Skype ID: jhane1214


About Davao City

Davao City is the largest city located on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. It is also one of the Philippines' most progressive cities. Its international airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the southern part of the Philippines. Davao City is also one of several cities in the Philippines that are independent of any province. The city serves as the regional center for Davao Region (Region XI). It is named by the Foreign Direct Investment Magazine as the 10th "Asian City of the Future". In recent years, Davao City has emerged as the business, investment and tourism hub for the entire southern Philippines. The city boasts of some of the finest beaches and mountain resorts in the country and its proximity to the Philippines’ most captivating diving spots as well as its highest peak, Mount Apo. Presently, built-up areas used for residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial purposes represent about 10% of the total land area.

BRIEF PROFILE

Capital: Davao City

Land Area: 5,163.50 sq. km.

Population: 446,191

Cities: Davao

Number of Districts:

3

Currency Philippine Peso (PhP)

We hope that this small guide will help you in finding your way into the heart of Davao. Know our places, food, culture and more!

As of 1995, the Philippine Eagle is considered as the national bird of the Philippines.

The magnificent Mount Apo is the "King of Philippine Peaks", the country's highest mountain peak.


Getting to Davao City

Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao-International Airport)

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

The Davao International Airport serves daily flights from the major cities of the Philippines. From Manila, Davao is only about 1 hour and 35 minutes. From Cebu, Davao is a 55-minute flight. There are also flights from the nearby cities of Cagayan (35 minutes) and Zamboanga (1 hour and 20 minutes). Domestic Airline Companies fly to Davao City from the major cities of the Philippines.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

Bi-weekly flights direct to and from Singapore and Manado, Indonesia are also available. From other countries, you can reach Davao City via Cebu or Manila.


Domestic Airlines

International Airlines


Davao City Map


Cost of Living Being the most livable city in the Philippines and one for its pride metropolises, some people would come to think that living in Davao City would cost a fortune. However, what other people seem to think could be far from reality. The fact is, you can live like a King or Queen in Davao!

FOOD

• Low - 30php/meal (0.70 USD) • Mid - 80 to 120 php/meal (1.80 USD to 2.70 USD) • High – 1000 php (or higher)/meal (20 USD or higher)

The cost of living in Davao is very affordable compared to other cities in the Philippines. Food might be priced similarly to other areas in the country, especially if you eat in restaurants within the business district; however, it could be cheaper if you cook it yourself or shop in the local markets and get the best prices for meat, fish, and vegetables. There are also restaurants and fast food chains that offer a complete meal that rangers from 80 to as much as 200 to 1000 pesos when dinning in high-end restaurants. Small scale food stalls along the road may charge 35-70 pesos for a complete meal with drinks.

THE PRICE OF FUN

Enjoying Davao City also costs less. Bar-hopping which is common among teenagers in the city could cost 300-3000 pesos in a night including wines and spirit plus foods. Sneaking out of the noisy city and taking an escapade on the nearby Garden City of Samal or other places would cost from 500 to 10,000 pesos depending on how thrifty or a spender you are!

The colorful taxis that you can find in Davao City. Be wary of taxi drivers (those stationed at the airport) who ask for extra pay. These drivers take advantage of the fact that you’re from abroad, and they immediately think you’re a millionaire.


Transportation In itself, Philippines has a very unique system of transportation. There are 2 main modes of transportation for highways and major roads, whereas there are 2 other vehicles for smaller roads and residential areas. JEEPNEY • the main vehicle used for transportation • travels to almost all places in Davao • minimum fare: PhP 8.00 (0.19 USD) TAXI • flag down rate: PhP 40.00 (0.95 USD), increases at PhP 3.50/km (0.09 USD) TRICYCLE & TRISIKAD • found in a smaller streets; usually used in short distances • used in some streets in Davao where Jeepneys can’t enter access • minimum fare: PhP 5.00 (0.12 USD)

Tricycle (right photo) and Trisikad (left photo) are somehow similar to each other. They on differ in speed. Tricycles are also used in residential areas and smaller roads, and some use it to journey through far flung areas with unfinished road constructions.

Riding a jeepney might come as a shock for first timers, but in time, you’ll get used to it.


Festivities ARAW NG DABAW

“Araw ng Dabaw” (Day of Davao) is a vibrant feast , a celebration of the Davaoenos’ oneness, is observed with a grand parade along the major thoroughfares of the city’s the Mutya ng Dabaw, the city’s Ambassadress of Goodwill . It is celebrated every 16th of March .Various arts , cultural, musical, culinary, sports and street events, are held during the celebration.

KADAYAWAN

The Kadayawan Festival is an annual festival in the city of Davao in the Philippines. Its name derives from the friendly greeting "Madayaw", from the Dabawenyo word "dayaw", meaning good, valuable, superior or beautiful. The festival is a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and serenity of living. It is held during the second week of August but the festivities usually happen during the entire month. The festival also plays venue to many other events such as trade fairs, exhibits and concerts.


Money Changers

Communication Connecting with other EPs and local AIESECers is very easy in Davao and all over the Philippines. Prepaid sim cards, provided by AIESEC Davao Staff, are available for phones which has a sim card slot. You can buy a cheap cell phones for as low as 699PhP and prepaid card’s credit will be 150PhP for 1 month. Internet Cafes are also available almost in all corners of the street. Its usual price is 20PhP/hour. Wi-fi connection will be provided depending on the place you will be staying.


Emergency

Accommodation Accommodation fee ranges from 220 USD to 250 USD depending on location. Due to changing agreement, complete accommodation details are not indicated in this booklet. Kindly ask for these details from your TN Manager in AIESEC Davao


Restaurants

YELLOW FIN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

DENCIO’S KAMAYAN INC. LACHI’S SAN RIVAL ATBP.

BIGBY’S CAFÉ AND RESTAURANT

OUTBACK GRILL

PENONG’S BARBECUE SEAFOODS AND GRILL


Restaurants

JACK’S RIDGE RESORT AND RESTAURANT MARINA TUNA SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

VIKINGS MANNA KOREAN RESTAURANT

HUKAD SA GOLDEN COWRIE LYNDON’S WORLDS WORST RIBS AND AWFUL CHICKEN


Malls and Plazas


Davao Parks EDEN NATURE PARK

PEOPLE’S PARK DAVAO


PHILIPPINE EAGLE CENTER

DAVAO CROCODILE PARK

Davao Parks


Thrilling Adventures


MORE of Davao City


Previous Exchangers