Everyone needs an ACR-I now it seems, I've read about that on some Philippines expat forums,
http://www.philippinesboard.com/foru...cr-i-card.html
Or at the Buerau of Immigration:
http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?...612&Itemid=103
This was effective 20 December 2009, so it has not affected any of my stays there, but I guess I'll need one for next time. Any information from someone who has gotten this ACR-I card recently would be appreciated.
I've noticed the problem that alex mentioned with withdrawals, one of my VISA cards from a local bank in Kristiansand only lets me make 1 withdrawal a day, 10k peso maximum in most ATMs. Scandiabanken VISA lets you make multiple withdrawals up to about 100k, same with the US Wells Fargo.
ATMs in the Philippines are also known for charging the card and not giving cash out, happened to me once and to a few other foreigners I've met there. You hear the nice sound of the ATM counting the bills, but then it refuses to open up. I had to go to the bank the next day and file a complaint, had the money credited back to my account a few weeks later.