TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. About the Philippines/ Welcome to the Philippines

II. Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation

III. Government Requirements for Expatriates

 AEP
 VISA EXTENSION
 PWP
 9G
 Special Work Permit

IV. Government Agencies for Permits

 Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE)
 Bureau of Immigration (BI)

V. Government Mandatories for Expatriates

 SSS
 Philhealth
 BIR/ TIN

VI. Violations/Penalties

VII. Expat’s Guide: Do’s and Don’ts in the Philippines

VIII. Expat’s Guide to Philippine Lifestyle

IX. Travelling in the Philippines

I. About the Philippines

The Republic of the Philippines is a sovereign state in archipelagic Southeast

Asia, with 7,641 islands spanning more than 300,000 square kilometers of
territory. It is divided into three island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
 The Philippines is a unitary presidential constitutional republic, with the
President of the Philippines acting as both the head of the state and the head
of government.

The country’s primary exports include electronics, semiconductors, transport

equipment, construction materials, and minerals. As an open economy, the
Philippines trades with other economies around the world. It considers Japan,
the United States, China, South Korea, and Germany as its top export
markets.1

The Philippines’ location on the Pacific Ring of Fire and close to the equator
makes the country prone to earthquakes and typhoons, but also endows it with
abundant natural resources and some of the world’s greatest biodiversity. 2

There are two seasons in the Philippines – rainy season and dry season.
Because the islands are surrounded by water, cool ocean breezes allow visitors
to enjoy tropical, but humid temperatures averaging about 80 degrees
Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius) year-round.

The hottest time of the year is from March to May, where the temperature can
reach up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (or 37 degrees Celsius). But the coolest
time of the year is from November to February, where the temperature stays
around 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit (or 26-29 degrees Celsius). Rainy season is
usually June to October wherein the temperature can also be cooler and often
it will rain on a daily basis.3

GENERAL INFORMATION4

Language Currency Electricit Water Business Time

y Hours Difference
Official Philippine 220 volts Water Most businesses Local time
Language: PESO (Php) a/c is the supply in are open from is GMT +8
English common Metro 8:00 am to 5:00 hours
Filipino Coin standard. Manila and pm on week
Denomination in all other days and 8:00
Major s: 110 volts major cities am to 12:00 pm
Dialects: 1 centavo a/c is also are on Saturdays.
Tagalog 5 centavos used, considered
Cebuano 10 especially potable. Banks are open
Ilocano centavos in major from 9:00 am to
Ilonggo 25 hotels. Bottled 3:00 pm on
1
About the Philippines . Retrieved 06 April 2020
2
Philippines . Retrieved 06 April 2020
3
Philippine Weather . Retrieved 06 April 2020
4
General Information . Retrieved 06 April 2020
 Bicol centavos purified week days.
Waray 1 peso water, When banking
Pampango 5 pesos spring in the
Pangasinen 10 pesos water or Philippines, it is
se mineral advisable to
Bill water is have your
Denomination supplied by passport with
s: hotels and you for
20 pesos resorts, identification.
50 pesos and sold in
100 pesos all grocery The Standard
200 pesos stores. Lunch hour is
500 pesos 12:00 pm to
1000 pesos 1:00 pm. Most
businesses and
Foreign government
currency may offices are
be exchanged closed.
at hotels,
most large
department
stores, banks
and money
changing
shops

II. Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator

Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) is the official designation

for firms operating in the Philippines which offers online gambling services
to markets outside the Philippines.

These are online gambling firms which operate in the Philippines but
caters to customers outside the country. To operate legally they must be
licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation
(PAGCOR).5

A POGO offers and participates in offshore gaming services by providing

games to players, taking bets, and paying the winning players. The
gaming activity refers to online games of chance through the internet,
using a network and software, exclusively for offshore-authorized players
who have registered and established an online gaming account with
PAGCOR – licensed POGO.6

5
Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator . Retrieved 06 April 2020
6
Profile of POGO . Retrieved 06 April 2020
 III. Government Requirements for Expatriates

A document issued by the

Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) through its
Alien Employment Permit (AEP)
Regional Offices as one of the
requirements for a foreign national
to work in the Philippines.

For foreign nationals whose stay will

VISA Extension
exceed fifty-nine (59) days
 Issued by the Bureau of Immigration
(BI) to foreign nationals who
currently hold temporary visitor
visas but wish to commence work in
Provisional Work Permit (PWP)
the Philippines while the approval
of their employment visa
application, either the 9g or 9d, is in
progress.

A 9(g) is a Philippine working visa

for foreigners entering the
9G Philippines to engage in a lawful
occupation. The companies must
petition their employees to obtain
this visa.

A work permit for foreign nationals

with short term work assignment of
Special Work Permit up to six (6) months.

IV. Government Agencies

Agency Permit Address

6F First Intramuros BF
Condominium Bldg.,
Solana St. cor. A.
Department of Labor
Alien Employment Soriano., Intramuros,
and Employment
Permit (AEP) Manila
(DOLE)
DOLE-NCR Building 967
Maligaya, Malate
Manila, 1004 Metro
Manila
  Visa Extension
 Provisional Work Magallanes Dr,
Bureau of
Permit (PWP) Intramuros, Manila,
Immigration (BI)
1002 Metro Manila
 9G
 Special Work
Permit

V. Government Mandatories for Expatriates