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NEW RULES ON HOW TO GET A STUDENT DRIVER'S PERMIT
April 14, 2017
NEW RULES ON HOW TO GET A STUDENT DRIVER'S PERMIT
For the past 4 years, I assisted my children in getting a student permit, not realizing that rules have changed since last summer when my daughter got her student permit. This year, I discovered that a lot of things have changed. So, I'm sharing with you the new rules so you don't make the mistakes I made when applying for my daughter's student permit this year.
Below is the reproduced copy of AO AVT-2015-030, REVISED RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE ISSUANCE OF STUDENT DRIVER'S PERMIT issued 22 September 2015
1. The applicant must at least be at least 17 years old.
The old rules used to be that an applicant who's 16 years old is allowed to get a student's permit, provided one of the parents give his/her consent. But the applicant has to wait until he's 17 years old till he's allowed to get a non-professional license.
The new rules state that the applicant for a student permit must be at least 17 years old and the applicant for a non-professional driver's license must be at least 18 years old.
2. A medical certificate is required.
The medical certificate must not be issued 15 days or more from the time of the application. This means, if your medical certificate was issued April 1, you can use the medical certificate to apply for a student permit until April 15.
The medical certificate can be issued by any licensed practicing physician. It's no longer required that the physician be an LTO accredited physician. So if you have a family doctor, your family doctor can issue the medical certificate for this purpose.
3. If an applicant is below 18 years old, only a letter of consent from the parent/guardian of minor, and not an affidavit of consent. A photocopy of 1 government issued card WITH SIGNATURE of the parent/guardian must be attached to the letter of consent.
Sample letter of consent:
LETTER OF CONSENT
I, (Name of parent/guardian), of legal age, with residence at (state your address) state that:
1. I am the mother/father/guardian of (name of applicant)
2. I am giving my consent for him/her to apply for a student permit at the Land Transportation Office.
3. I am executing this document to support his/her application for a student permit.
Simpler form of letter of consent:
I, (name of the parent/guardian), mother/father/guardian of (name of the minor applicant), give my consent for (name of the minor applicant) for him/her to apply for a student permit at the Land Transportation Office.
4. You cannot use the downloaded application form provided online and submit it to the LTO.
The LTO now requires that application forms submitted to them shall be the ones provided by the LTO offices bearing the LTO control number.
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| The official LTO application form with control no. |
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| The official LTO application form with control no. on the left The downloaded application form on the right |
Checklist of requirements:
1. NSO issued birth certificate, original and photocopy
2. Medical certificate
3. Application form with control number (you can get from the LTO office or the mall satellite office)
4. If the applicant is below 18 years, a letter of consent from the parent/guardian with photocopy of 1 government issued ID with signature.
My tip for fast processing:
1. Get a medical certificate in advance.
2. Get an application form in advance and fill it up before you arrive at the LTO office.
2. Go there at opening time, which is 8:00 AM.
If you're there at opening time and you have a medical certificate and the an application form already filled up, you will beat the line and be ahead of all the other applicants. The other applicants will have to line up to get a medical certificate first and fill up the application form. In our case, it took us only 20 minutes to complete the process.
NOTES ON RENEWAL OF STUDENT PERMIT:
1. You cannot renew the student permit before it expires.
The LTO computer system does not accept applications for renewal until after the old student permit has expired, unlike in the case of renewal of driver's license.
2. You can do away with submitting an NSO issued birth certificate in case of renewal. Just present the following:
a. the old EXPIRED student permit
b. valid ID
c. medical certificate
d. application form with control number
NOTES ON RENEWAL OF STUDENT PERMIT:
1. You cannot renew the student permit before it expires.
The LTO computer system does not accept applications for renewal until after the old student permit has expired, unlike in the case of renewal of driver's license.
2. You can do away with submitting an NSO issued birth certificate in case of renewal. Just present the following:
a. the old EXPIRED student permit
b. valid ID
c. medical certificate
d. application form with control number
Citylink Eastwood: New Routes and Schedule
April 7, 2017
Citylink Eastwood: New Routes and Schedule
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| My tip: Call Eastwood Mall concierge to confirm the Citylink schedule before you ride it.
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| Beep cards can now be used at Citylink |
My tip:
1. You must ride this bus only at any of the three loading areas: Eastwood City, McKinley Hill or Newport City.
Why? Because the bus sometimes skips the other areas in their route if there are no passengers getting off along the route shown below. The only sure way to ride this bus is to go to the loading area.
2. You must inform the bus driver that you're getting off NAIA Terminal 3 because after Newport City, they can go straight to Eastwood City using another route if the driver doesn't know that there are passengers going to NAIA Terminal 3.
3. If you want to ride this bus after you arrive at NAIA Terminal 3 and go to Eastwood City, DON'T WAIT AT THE NAIA TERMINAL 3 BUS STOP OF CITYLINK. You're not certain a bus will pass by. Go instead to the Newport City loading area.
How to go to Newport City from Terminal 3? Take the NAIA Loop shuttle and get off the next stop, which is Resorts World Manila. (Fare is 20 pesos). Then go to Citylink loading area at Newport City. (Route of the NAIA Loop shuttle: MRT Taft Station Terminal-NAIA Terminal 3 - Resort World Manila - Marriot hotel - MRT Taft Station Terminal)
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| This is the NEW BUS SCHEDULE as of September 2013 (when I wrote this update) |
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| This is the old schedule in January 2012 when I first wrote this article |
Travel time from Eastwood City to Terminal 3: 1 1/2 hours (from Eastwood City, the bus passes by Libis, C5, Bonifacio Global City, McKinley Hill, Newport City then NAIA Terminal 3)
Where bus stops within Eastwood City:
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| The Citylink Bus stops at the back of Eastwood City Mall, across the Mango Store. This picture was taken while in the front entrance of Techno Plaza One buidling. The building on the left is the Eastwood City Mall |
Passenger waiting area at Eastwood City
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| Passenger waiting area is across the Mango Store of Eastwood City Mall |
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Mango Store is at the back of Eastwood Mall,
diagonally from Techno Plaza One where Fitness First is located
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Location of Eastwood City:
SUBIC: Dinner at Chef Samurai
February 13, 2017
SUBIC: Dinner at Chef Samurai
If you're craving for Japanese food while you're in Subic, visit Chef Samurai. This restaurant is home-grown and can only be found in Subic. The food is really good and the seafood is guaranteed fresh.
WHAT WE ORDERED
WHAT WE ORDERED
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| Kani Salad (185 pesos) |
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| We ordered 3 dishes which was served in 1 platter. |
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| Samurai Maki (498 pesos) |
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| Mixed sashimi (550 pesos) Uni sushi (2 pieces,185 pesos) |
AVERAGE COST OF MEAL FOR 2 PERSONS: 1500 pesos
LOCATION:
WALK-IN PASSPORT APPLICATIONS at the DFA: Is it allowed?
February 11, 2017
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| Photo courtesy of citizenservices.com.ph |
WALK-IN PASSPORT APPLICATIONS at the DFA: Is it allowed?
UPDATE AS OF JUNE 26, 2018!!!
The list of those who can use the courtesy/walk-in lane has been expanded. Even PARENTS and MINOR SIBLINGS of minors 7 years old and below, COMPANIONS of senior citizens and PWD, and MINOR CHILDREN of solo parent with solo parent ID can walk in.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Website (Source: https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/statements-and-advisoriesupdate/16917-frequently-asked-questions-on-dfa-passport-and-authentication-services) :
- The following can avail of the Courtesy Lane Facility without need of an online appointment:
- Senior citizens (60 years and over) with proof of age
- Senior citizen is allowed one (1) companion
- The companion of the senior citizen must be an immediate family member, i.e. spouse, siblings, adult children, adult grandchildren, and children-in-law of the senior citizen and must show proof of relationship.
- If the companion is not an immediate family member, the companion has to show proof of travel arrangements (e.g. confirmed plane or hotel booking) with the senior citizen to be able to avail of the courtesy lane facility.
- People with disabilities (PWDs) with proof of disability
- PWD is allowed one (1) companion
- The companion of the PWD must be an immediate family member, i.e. spouse, siblings, adult children, adult grandchildren, parents-in-law, and children-in-law of the PWD and must show proof of relationship.
- If the companion is not an immediate family member, the companion has to show proof of travel arrangements (e.g. confirmed plane or hotel booking) with the PWD to be able to avail of the courtesy lane facility.
- Solo parent with valid solo parent card, and his/her minor children
- Minors seven (7) years old and below and his/her parents and minor siblings
- Pregnant women
- If pregnancy is not visible, applicant must present medical certificate/records.
- Overseas Filipino Workers (Land and Sea based) with valid proof of status, such as:
- Valid iDOLE card
- Valid Employment contract
- Valid Work Visa
- Seaman's book stamped at international border less than 365 days from date of application
- Senior citizens, PWDs, solo parents and their minor children, pregnant women, and OFWs have the option to choose from regular or expedited processing of their passport application.
- The companions of the senior citizens and PWDs, minors seven (7) years old and below, their parents and minor siblings are to be assessed expedited processing fee because they are not entitled to use the courtesy lane; they are accommodated for their convenience.
- All applications made on Saturdays — whether those entitled to use the Courtesy Lane or those accommodated for their convenience – shall be assessed expedited processing fees based on the relevant provision of the Passport Act.
NOTE: For news updates as of June 2017, please see the end of the article.
If you wish to apply or renew a Philippine passport in the Philippines, you have to make an online appointment. The earliest appointment schedule you can get in offices in Metro Manila and nearby provinces is at least 2 months from the date you request for an appointment. If you want an earlier date, earlier dates are available for other satellite offices in less accessible places like Zamboanga, Butuan and Tacloban.
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| Earliest appointment schedule is 2 months from today. |
Because of this situation, a lot of my readers are asking if they can get an earlier slot by walking-in at any of the branches of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). If a satellite office is just new or has not configured their system to allow online appointments, they allow walk-in applications for a limited time before their system is configured to allow online appointments.(See the news on Walk-in passport applications at DFA Ali Mall for a limited time)
However, as of this writing, the existing satellite offices are all online so the only way you can apply or renew your passport is by getting an appointment online.
THERE ARE HOWEVER, CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS.
WHEN IS WALK-IN PASSPORT APPLICATIONS ALLOWED
There is a line in each DFA office known as a courtesy lane. They process walk-in passport applications in the courtesy lane. People qualified to use the courtesy lane can process their passport applications without getting an appointment. They can arrive at the DFA office without an appointment, walk-in, present proof that they are qualified to use the courtesy lane, and then have their applications processed immediately.
• Regular government employees / with GSIS / appointed by Civil Service Commission
• Dependent of government employee
- Legal spouse
- Parents
- Unmarried children
• Retired government employees (one year availment)
• Incumbent elected officials
• For barangay level, only the following are entitled:
- Barangay Chairman
- Barangay Kagawad
- SK Chairman
• Endorsement from House of Representatives must be endorsed by DLLU (Department Legislative Liaison Unit) of the DFA before lodging their applications to Courtesy Lane
• Media Personnel must first secure endorsement from Public Information Services Unit (PISU) before going to Courtesy Lane.
• Referrals made from DFA employees (limited to 3 referrals per month) and Head/s of other government agencies must secure proper endorsements duly signed by authorized signatories of their respective offices. Only original copies will be accepted for verification purposes. Photocopy of DFA employee’s valid I.D. / government agencies official’s Department I.D. must be attached for verification purposes.
• Minor (7 years old and below)
• Senior Citizens (60 years old and above)
• PWD (genuinely disabled) / with PWD I.D.s
• Pregnant (genuinely pregnant) / with medical certificate
PASSPORT FEE: P1,200.00 (10 working days)
Senior citizens have an optional processing fee of P950.00 (20 working days)
NOTE: All passport fees charged when using the courtesy lane is the same as the express passport processing fee rate. They cannot opt for the regular rate of 950 pesos, except senior citizens. I suppose the reason for this is that people using the courtesy lane are in a hurry to get their passport and couldn't wait to schedule an appointment online. It has the effect of filtering people who are really in a hurry to have their passports released and discouraging those who are not in a hurry.
SPECIAL CASES OF OFWS (Overseas Filipino Workers)
OFW's are allowed to walk-in at the following :
2. At the dedicated passport center of OFWs located at Robinsons Galleria
Checkout the following news articles:
July 2016 DFA advisory for OFWs wishing to renew at Robinsons Galleria
The announcement that the DFA satellite office in Robinsons Galleria will be exclusively for OFWs applying for passports
I renewed my passport last June 16, 2017 and interviewed the DFA personnel on the issue of walk-in applications. They informed me of the ff:
a. Senior citizens. Persons with disabilityc. Pregnant womend. Minors 7 years old and below.
2. Walk-in applications by OFW's will only be entertained at the Robinsons Galleria satellite office.
3. Walk-in applications by government employees will only be entertained at DFA-Aseana office.
4. Walk in applications by senior citizens, persons with disability, pregnant women and minors 7 years old and below is allowed in ALL DFA OFFICES. All other exceptions discussed above will be entertained at DFA-Aseana. OFW's will only be entertained at the Robinsons Galleria Office.
Check out my Post: My Experience Renewing My Passport at DFA Ali Mall last June 2017.
PAMPANGA: Must Eat Dishes at Everybody's Cafe
February 6, 2017
PAMPANGA: Must Eat Dishes at Everybody's Cafe
If you happen to pass by Pampanga on your way to destinations north of the Philippines, and wish to make a food stop at a Kapampangan restaurant, Everybody's Cafe is a very good choice. They serve homemade Kapampangan cuisine turo-turo or fast food style.
MUST EAT DISHES AT EVERYBODY'S CAFE
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| MURCON OR MORCON KAPAMPANGAN "Morcon Kapampangan or Murcon is different from the morcon we commonly know. The usual morcon if made from wide and thin slice of marinated beef filled with sliced boiled eggs, sausages or hotdog and rolled up to form a cylinder, tied up with thick thread and then simmered until cooked. The Kapampangan version of morcon is made from ground pork and beef, chorizo, onions, raisins, eggs, grated cheese and wrapped in pig’s caul fat. it is then steamed or simmered until cooked. This morcon look very similar to embotido and after it is sliced, the drippings from the steamer will be poured with the oil. The morcon is best when submerged on it’s own fat." (source: Panlasang Pinoy Meat Recipes) |
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| KALDERETANG KAMBING
"Kaldereteng kambing is basically goat meat stew in tomato sauce added with cheese and liver spread. Preparing the goat meat is very different from other red meat like beef or pork because you have to remove or eliminate the gamey or musky odor and flavor of the meat. There are different ways also to prepare the goat meat and some use vinegar and spices but the recipe I have use sherry to remove the musky odor and a more flavorful dish. If you can’t get sherry, you can use dry white wine as as substitute." (source: Panlasang Pinoy Meat Recipes)
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| SIZZLING SISIG
"Pork Sisig is a popular appetizer that originated from the culinary capital of the Philippines : Pampanga. This delicious dish can also be categorized as a main dish. Pork Sisig was invented by the late Lucia Cunanan. She is popularly know as Aling Lucing – the sisig queen. Originally, pork sisig is composed of chopped pigs face (snout included) and ears with a generous amounts of chicken liver." (source: Panlasang Pinoy)
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FOR THE MORE ADVENTUROUS...
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| ADOBONG KAMARU (350 pesos per plate) These are mole crickets found in the ricefields of Pampanga. They are sauteed in garlic and onion, then tomatoes are added then simmered in vinegar. The kamaru is crunchy and creamy. |
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| This is a mole cricket. (Photo from dreamstime.com) |
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| Chanced upon some workers preparing the Kamaru (mole crickets) |
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| They remove the wings and legs before cooking it. According to Everybody's cafe facebook post, the restaurant consumes 1600 kilos of crickets per year. |
OTHER UNUSUAL DISHES TO TRY:
- Adobong Batute (stuffed frogs)
- Tapang Kalabaw or Pindang Damulag (carabao meat jerky)
Note: These dishes were not available when we ate there.AVERAGE COST OF MEAL: 1500 PESOS FOR 2 PERSONS
THE DINING AREA
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| We arrived at Everybody's Cafe around 12:30 PM on a Saturday and the place is full. However, turnover of diner is fast because it's usually a pit stop. So you won't wait long for a table. |
FOOD IS PRESENTED TURO TURO STYLE
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| Fried Itik, Pork Asado, Tidtad, Kare Kare |
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| Kilain, Kalderetang Kambing, Bulalo |
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| Lagat Hito, Mixed Vegetables |
PASALUBONG/SOUVENIRS YOU CAN BUY AT THIS RESTAURANT
1. Taba ng Talangka made by Everybody's Cafe
Check out my post: Where to find the best taba ng talangka (crab roe/fat)
2. Other famous Pampanga food products
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| Nathaniel's Buko Pandan Salad, Ocampo's Sanzrival, Sylvannas Probinsyano by Everybody's Cafe: Ube Halaya, Benito's Barbecue |
HOW TO GET THERE:
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| Across a Shell gas station |
PARKING:
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| The only available parking in front of the restaurant is good for 8 cars. Street parking available. Double parking is allowed. The parking attendant will inform you when a car is leaving. (Photos courtesy of google maps) |
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| (Photo courtesy of google maps) |
HOW TO CONTACT THEM:
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