GOVPH

According to the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA, formerly BFAD), any foreign organization intending to bring medicines and/or medical equipment to be donated or used during the conduct of medical missions must comply with the requirements of the Department of Health’s Bureau of International Health Cooperation (DOH-BIHC). DOH-BIHC shall then facilitate the issuance of a clearance from the FDA and the Bureau of Health Devices and Technology (BHDT) for the drugs, medical supplies and medical equipment, as the case may be. 

REQUIREMENTS: 

1. All applications for Foreign Surgical and Medical Missions (FSMM) shall be submitted to the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) who shall forward the same to the following professional groups copy furnished DOH. To download the application form, please visit the PMA website, www.philippinemedicalassociation.org. 

2. Each member of the foreign medical team must submit the following documents in applying for temporary license to practice during the duration of the mission. All documents must be in English or with English translation: 

a. Valid/current license from country of origin, authenticated by the Embassy/Consulate (please refer to Authentication procedures and requirements in the list of Consular Services) 

b. Board certification (specialty), authenticated by the Embassy/Consulate (please refer to Authentication procedures and requirements in the list of Consular Services)

c. Curriculum vitae, acknowledged by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate (please refer to Authentication procedures and requirements in the list of Consular Services) 

d. Passport sized picture in four copies (taken within one year) 

e. Application letter addressed to the President of PMA to contain the following information: 
- Type of mission (medical, surgical or both) 
- Duration of the mission and inclusive dates 
- Names and specialties of the mission team members 
- Written consent from the host local government executive (governor/mayor) and/or of the health facility where the mission will be conducted 

f. The following are additional requirements if the foreign mission team members intend to bring drugs, and/or medicines, medical supplies and medical equipment to be donated or used during the mission: 
- Itemized list of the items together with the quantity and the expiration dates for drugs and medicines 
- Flight details 
- Deed of donation authenticated at the country of origin (please refer to Authentication procedures and requirements in the list of Consular Services) 
- Deed of acceptance from the host hospital/Local Government Unit (LGU) 
- Drugs and medicines to be donated should have a shelf life of at least 12 months upon arrival in the country and the said medicine shall be used solely for the scheduled mission. 
- Application must be submitted 60 days before the date of mission to facilitate clearance/s from DOH and other agencies.

g. Letter of certification from the sponsoring host organization (LGU or Non-Government Organization (NGO)) certifying the need and type of mission to be conducted. Cost of post-care mission of morbidities/mortalities arising from the mission will be shouldered as well by the host organization. 

h. Proof of juridical entity (certified true copy of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration must be submitted. 

i. Notarized letter of guarantee from both the medical mission group and the host organization assuming full responsibility for the outcome of the missions. 

3. The PMA, upon receipt of all requirements, will forward the application to the concerned specialty societies for evaluation of credentials. The DOH will be informed immediately of the presence of drugs, medical supplies and medical equipment. 

4. The DOH shall facilitate issuance of clearance by its FDA and BHDT for the above mentioned goods. 

5. After the evaluation of the missioner's credentials by the concerned Specialty Society, the PMA shall send a letter of endorsement to DOH. 

6. The DOH shall then endorse the documents to Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). 

7. The PRC, after final review, shall issue the Special Temporary Permit to Practice to concerned foreign missioners.

8. The lead time for the processing of the application are as follows: 
• PMA - 2 weeks before the mission date 
• DOH - 1 week before the mission date 
• PRC - 3 weeks before the mission date

Guidelines in the renewal of Philippine Driver’s License of all Filipino citizens staying abroad 

The Embassy does not renew Philippine drivers licenses. However, Filipinos abroad may authorize a person to renew his/her drivers license in the Philippines. For further details, please read Land Transportation Office (LTO) Administrative Order No. RIB-2007-011 amending Administrative Order No. 88-002 dated 08 November 1988 – Validating the expired driver’s license of Overseas Workers 

The following documents must be presented by the authorized representative of the applicant to LTO: 

1. Original driver’s license and receipt (plus one photocopy of each); 

2. Photocopy of Philippine passport (first page, visa page and pages showing departure from the Philippines and last arrival overseas); 

3. Special Power of Attorney (SPA) from the licensee to the LTO requesting the renewal and authorizing a representative to renew the license on his / her behalf. The SPA must be authenticated by the Philippine Embassy. 

Representatives who are based in the National Capital Region (NCR) or Metro Manila may apply for renewal at the License Section of the Central Office of the LTO in Quezon City, while those based outside of NCR may apply at the LTO field office of their choice. 

Only an OFFICIAL RECEIPT will be issued by the LTO to those who apply for extensions on their driver’s license through a representative. The new ID card will only be issued upon the arrival of the applicant at the LTO in the Philippines and after complying with all requirements for license renewal (which includes the biometrics capture, medical, vision and drug test).

The Assistance to Nationals (ATN) section coordinates consular efforts in responding to urgent requests for assistance made by Filipino individuals or groups, mainly involving the police, immigration and local authorities. Requests of such nature are handled on a case-by-case basis. Actions taken by the ATN Section include, but are not limited to: 

1. Monitoring of cases in court; 
2. Prison visitation; 
3. Representations with Portuguese authorities; 
4. Facilitating repatriation; and 
5. Coordination with next-of-kin or relatives on police and immigration cases.