23rd PECC GENERAL MEETING
Standing Committee and Related Meetings
Thursday - Saturday, 10-12 September 2015
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Philippines
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR DELEGATES |
1. Dates, Venue and Schedule
The 23rd PECC General Meeting, Standing Committee and related meetings will be held from:
Dates: Thursday, 10 September 2015 to Saturday, 12 September 2015
Accommodation and Conference Venue:
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
Address: CCP Complex Roxas Boulevard,
Pasay City, Manila, 1300
Philippines
Tel: +63-2-551 5555
Fax: +63-2-551 5610
Web: http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-6308-sofitel-philippine-plazamanila/index.shtml
2. PECC Meeting Registration
All delegates attending PECC XXIII must complete the Registration Form and return the same to the conference secretariat by
17 August 2015. Questions regarding registration must be directed to
3. Hotel Venue Information
- PPECC has reserved a block of rooms at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila at special conference rates. Details are in the attached Hotel Reservation Form. The rooms will be held for PECC delegates until 4 August 2015, after which rooms which have not been guaranteed will be released. The special group rates will continue to be extended to PECC delegates after this date but room categories will be subject to availability.
- Check-in time for all PECC delegates is 2:00 p.m. and check-out time is at 12:00 noon. Early check-in and late check-out are subject to availability and additional charges may apply. Check-out from 6:00 p.m. will automatically incur a full night charge at the room rate quoted.
- Payment Method: Delegates are responsible for paying their room charges, taxes and incidentals.
- Deposits/Confirmations:
In order to confirm a room reservation, the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila will require delegates to provide their credit card details to guarantee their room reservation.
The Front Desk shall require upon check-in a deposit equivalent to total room charge and additional refundable deposit of PhP 3,000.00 per day to cover incidental charges.
- Reservations:
Delegates wishing to make hotel reservations at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza must accomplish the Room Reservation Request Form and return the same to the hotel at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. andThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at fax number
+63 2 832 6932 on or before 4 August 2015. - Cancellation Fees:
- PPECC has reserved a block of rooms at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila at special conference rates. Details are in the attached Hotel Reservation Form. The rooms will be held for PECC delegates until 4 August 2015, after which rooms which have not been guaranteed will be released. The special group rates will continue to be extended to PECC delegates after this date but room categories will be subject to availability.
- Please ensure that your delegates understand that either they or your PECC committee will be responsible for the charges associated with canceling a reservation. In the case of PECC XXIII, the cancellation of guaranteed reservations must be received by the hotel on or before 4 August 2015. Full stay room rate in net amount or 100% of the total room charges shall be levied in the event of cancellation received after 4 August and in cases of no-show.
- PPECC will NOT be able to assist in making, changing or canceling room reservations. Please make all such transactions directly with the hotel.
- Cash in lieu of a valid credit card may be accepted by the hotel as prepayment to reserve a room.
- PPECC will not be responsible for settling billing disputes that may arise between PECC delegates and the hotel.
- Please ensure that your delegates understand that either they or your PECC committee will be responsible for the charges associated with canceling a reservation. In the case of PECC XXIII, the cancellation of guaranteed reservations must be received by the hotel on or before 4 August 2015. Full stay room rate in net amount or 100% of the total room charges shall be levied in the event of cancellation received after 4 August and in cases of no-show.
4. Reconfirmation of Return Flights
Flights may be reconfirmed via the Hotel.
5. Visa
Delegates are advised to check with the nearest Philippine Embassy/Consulate and entry documentation requirements. If any members of your delegation require a personal letter of invitation for visa purposes, please email
6. Arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport
PECC delegates will be allowed to use the APEC immigration lane and the APEC Information Desks (co-located with the Tourism Information Desk right after the Customs Control Counter) at the airport. After claiming their baggage, PECC delegates are advised to proceed to the APEC Information Desk where they will be given identifier stickers and assisted to the shuttle service to the hotel.
7. Transportation from Airport to Hotel
PECC delegates arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport may take the complimentary shuttle van service from the airport to Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.
8. Financial Arrangements
Delegates will be responsible for all individual expenses, except for hosted meals. Major credit cards accepted by the hotel include Visa, Amex and MasterCard. Cash machines with 24 hour access are available in many convenient locations throughout Manila.
9. Climate
Metro Manila has a tropical weather, with an average temperature of around 28 degrees in September. The year is divided into two distinct seasons: the rainy season, which begins around June and ends in October and the dry season, which runs from November to May.
10. Time
The Philippine Standard Time is 8 hours ahead of GMT.
11. Electrical Appliances
The electrical voltage system in the Philippines is 220 volts. Those traveling from countries outside Asia will need a proper voltage converter and adapter in order to operate their electrical appliances. The frequency of electrical current in the Philippines is 60 Hz.
12. Tipping
Most restaurants include a 10% service when billing customers, in which case tipping is optional. Where no service charge is included in the bill, a tip equivalent to 10% of the bill will be appreciated.
13. Currency Exchange Rate and Regulations
The official currency of the Philippines is the Philippine Peso (PhP). Retailers in the Philippines will generally not accept other currencies, so it is necessary for visitors to change foreign currency into Philippine pesos to make cash payments.
Delegates are advised to have foreign currencies exchanged into local currency at the airport, at the hotel or authorized money changers. The currency exchange rate is 1.00 US Dollar = 45.16 Philippine Pesos or 1.00 Euro = 49.72 Philippine Pesos as of 29 June 2015.
Travelers bringing in or taking out more than PhP10,000 in Philippine currency need to secure an authorization from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines).
The transportation of foreign currency is legal; however, foreign currency in excess of USD 10,000 or its equivalent in other foreign countries brought into the Philippines must be declared before the Customs Officer at NAIA.
14. Insurance
It is strongly recommended that each participant make his/her own arrangements for any necessary insurance coverage.
15. Medical Clinic
The Medical Clinic National emergency telephone number in Manila is 117.
For health inquiries/concerns, the Sofitel Philippine Plaza has a medical Clinic which is open 24 hours a day. The doctor is available from 0900H-1800H; outside of these hours the doctor will be on-call.
The nearest hospital is San Juan De Dios Hospital located at 2772 Roxas Blvd, Pasay City Philippines and may be contacted at Tel: (+632) 831-9731 to 36 or (+632) 831-5641; Fax No: (+632) 831-3599 and Email:
16. Telecommunications
Local dial telephone, facsimile and internet services are available at the hotel. International telephone and facsimile access are available for a fee, which shall be borne by the delegate. Pre-paid mobile SIM cards are easily obtained at authorized retailers.
17. Liability
The organizers shall not be held liable for personal accidents or losses, or damage to personal property of the registered participants in the meeting. Participants should make their own arrangements with respect to personal insurance.
18. Dress Code
The dress code for all meetings and social functions is Business Attire.
19. Language
There are 11 cultural and racial groups, each with its own language. Most Filipinos are bilingual, with English as the basic language in business, government, schools, and everyday communication. Pilipino, based primarily on the Tagalog language, is the national language; there are 11 languages and 87 dialects in the archipelago. Aside from English, Spanish is another foreign language spoken fluently by a number of Filipinos along with Arabic, Chinese, and Nippongo.
20. PECC International On-Site Secretariat
The PECC International On-site Secretariat Office will be located at the Sulu Room of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila from 15:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 9 September to 18:00 pm on Saturday, 12 September 2015. Please refer to the attached program.
Delegates making presentations should confirm their equipment requirements with the PECC International Secretariat at least one week prior to the meeting. Also, please note these requirements on the Registration Form.