Just passing this along, just in case you haven’t seen it, as it could affect all foreigners here in the Philippines
MESSAGE FOR U.S. CITIZENS
U.S. Embassy, Manila, The Philippines
March 19, 2014
THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION THROUGH THE EMBASSY WARDEN SYSTEM AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO AMERICAN CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES. PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD.
DEERS enrollment and ID card requests
The US Embassy wishes to advise U.S. citizens in the Philippines that the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) will resume military ID card and DEERS enrollments beginning March 19, 2014. These services, which are provided as a courtesy to U.S. veterans in the Philippines, were temporarily suspended in January 2014 due to equipment and staffing requirements.
Effective March 19, JUSMAG will resume the following services:
- DEERS enrollment services are provided on a by-appointment-only basis at the U.S. Embassy in Manila to support our veterans and their families. Due to staffing constraints and competing mission requirements only new enrollments, for a new spouse or child, will be processed at this location.
- To make an appointment for new enrollments, Please use the RAPIDS online appointment reservation system, at: https://rapids-appointments.dmdc.osd.mil/appointment/building.aspx?BuildingId=185
All other DEERs or ID card requests – such as renewals, dis-enrollments, and full-time student extensions – should be processed by the sponsor via certified mail. For these services, please follow the instructions at the following link: http://manila.usembassy.gov/dodcardsver2.html
For alternative locations outside the Philippines, visit the following link: https://rapids-appointments.dmdc.osd.mil/appointment/default.aspx.
For additional information please visit the DOD ID Cards Manila web site at http://manila.usembassy.gov/dodcardsver2.html or call DOD ID Cards Manila at (02) 301-2493.
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The Embassy is located at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines and is open 0730-1600, Monday through Friday. The Embassy’s main telephone number is (+632) 301-2000. U.S. citizens can dial this number and ask to be connected to the American Citizen Services (ACS) unit or with the Embassy Duty Officer (for calls outside of normal business hours). You can also contact the ACS unit through email at ACSInfoManila@state.gov or through the Embassy Facebook page. Please visit our website for information on all services offered by the ACS unit.
We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in the Philippines enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) atwww.Travel.State.Gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Regularly monitor the State Department’s website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, including the Travel Warning for the Philippines, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for the Philippines. For additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website.
Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us onTwitter and Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.
