Letters
from the Philippines take at least five days to reach other countries by air, sometimes significantly longer. For incoming mail, major post offices in Manila have a counter for
poste restante
.
The country's
telephone
system has improved dramatically in recent years, although outside urban centres it can still be temperamental. Public
payphones
are not common, but can be found in many malls (where there are often long queues to use them) and hotel lobbies. They take P1 and P5 coins. Many payphones take only Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) cards only, known as
Fonkards
. These are available in P100, P200, P300 and P500 denominations and can be bought from convenience stores such as 7-11 and hotels.
Long-distance domestic calls
are known as NDD (National Direct Dialling).
Regional codes
are given throughout the section; you'll need to dial the "0" before all long-distance national calls within the Philippines. To check a phone code, dial 112. Manila to Baguio costs P5 a minute, or P4 during the off-peak hours of 7pm-7am and all day Sunday. For local directory assistance call 114.
Rates for
international IDD calls
are fixed and charged in US dollars by the "pulse". A pulse is equivalent to six seconds. To Australia the first ten pulses (60 seconds) cost 19 cents and every additional pulse cost 15 cents. For the UK it's 19 cents then 16 cents. Calls are cheaper 9pm-8am and all day Sunday. To
call abroad
from the Philippines, dial 00 + IDD country code + area code (minus the first 0) + number. The international operator is tel 108. PLDT also has a service for making
overseas collect calls
. If you dial 105 plus the country access code you will be connected to the operator of the country you are calling. These calls can be billed to your credit card.
Internet cafes
are springing up all over Manila and an increasing number of the more popular resorts and dive centres have email facilities you might be able to use for a small charge.
Area Phone Codes for the Philippines
Province - Area Code
Agoo La Union 72
Alaminos Pangasinan 75
Alcala Pangasinan 75
Angeles Pampanga 45
Antique Antique 36
Apalit Pampanga 45
Aparri Cagayan Valley 78
Argao Cebu 3230
Asingan Pangasinan 75
Atimonan Quezon 42
Aurora Isabela 78
Bacolod Negros Occidental 34
Bacolor Pampanga 45
Bacoor Cavite 46
Bagabag Nueva Vizcaya 78
Bago Negros Occidental 3461
Bagon-Taas Bukidnon 88
Baguio Benguet 74
Bais Negros Oriental 35
Balagtas Bulacan 44
Balamban Cebu 32
Balanga Bataan 47
Balayan Batangas 43
Baliuag Bulacan 44
Ballesteros Cagayan Valley 78
Balungao Pangasinan 75
Bamban Tarlac 45
Bambang Nueva Vizcaya 78
Banate Iloilo 33
Banaue Ifugao 74
Bangued Abra 74
Bani Pangasinan 75
Bantay Ilocos Sur 77
Basco Batanes 78
Basista Pangasinan 75
Batac Ilocos Norte 77
Batangas Batangas 43
Bauan Batangas 43
Bauang La Union 72
Bautista Pangasinan 75
Bayambang Pangasinan 75
Bayawan Negros Oriental 35
Bayombong Nueva Vizcaya 78
Bayugan Agusan del Sur 85
Binakayan Cavite 46
Binalbagan Negros Occidental 34
Binalonan Pangasinan 75
Biñan Laguna 49
Binmaley Pangasinan 75
Bislig Surigao del Sur 8622
Boac Marinduque 42
Bocaue Bulacan 44
Bogo Cebu 32
Bolinao Pangasinan 75
Bontoc Mountain Province 74
Boracay Aklan 36
Bugallon Pangasinan 75
Buguey Cagayan Valley 78
Buhi Camarines Sur 54
Bula Camarines Sur 54
Bulacan
Area code for Obando Bulacan is 2
Bulacan 44
Bulan Sorsogon 56
Bustos Bulacan 44
Butuan Agusan del Norte 85
Cabadbaran Agusan del Norte 85
Cabagan Isabela 78
Cabanatuan Nueva Ecija 44
Cabarroguis Quirino 78
Cabatuan Isabela 78
Cabugao Ilocos Sur 77
Cabuyao Laguna 49
Cadiz Negros Occidental 34
Cagayan de Oro Misamis Oriental 8822
Calabanga Camarines Sur 54
Calamba Laguna 49
Calamba Misamis Occidental 88
Calapan Mindoro Oriental 43
Calasiao Pangasinan 75
Calauag Quezon 42
Calbayog Western Samar 55
Calumpit Bulacan 44
Camalaniugan Cagayan Valley 78
Camalig Albay 52
Camiguin Camiguin 88
Camiling Tarlac 45
Candelaria Quezon 42
Candon Ilocos Sur 77
Canlubang Laguna 49
Canlubang Sugar Estate Laguna 49
Caoayan Ilocos Sur 77
Capas Tarlac 45
Carcar Cebu 32
Carmona Cavite 46
Cauayan Isabela 78
Cavite Cavite 46
Cavite [Export Processing Zone Authority]
Cavite 46
Cebu Cebu 32
Clark Pampanga 45
Claveria Cagayan Valley 78
Concepcion Tarlac 45
Cotabato, Eastern North Maguindanao
64
Cuenca Batangas 43
Currimao Ilocos Norte 77
Cuyapo Nueva Ecija 44
Daet Camarines Norte 54
Dagupan Pangasinan 75
Damilag Bukidnon 8853
Danao Cebu 32
Dapitan Zamboanga del Norte 65
Daraga Albay 52
Dasmariñas Cavite 46
Dasol Pangasinan 75
Davao Davao del Sur 82
Digos Davao del Sur 82
Dinaig Maguindanao 64
Dinalupihan Bataan 47
Dingras Ilocos Norte 77
Dipolog Zamboanga del Sur 65
Don Carlos Bukidnon 8851
Dumaguete Negros Oriental 35
Dumangas Iloilo 33
Echague Isabela 78
Enrile Cagayan Valley 78
Esclante Negros Occidental 34
Espiritu Ilocos Norte 77
Estancia Iloilo 3397
First Cavite Industrial Estate Cavite
46
Floridablanca Pampanga 4597
Galmuyod Ilocos Sur 77
Gapan Nueva Ecija 44
General Santos South Cotabato 83
Gingoog City Misamis Oriental 8842
Gonzaga Cagayan Valley 78
Greenhills Metro Manila 2
Guagua Pampanga 45
Gubat Sorsogon 56
Guiginto Bulacan 44
Guimba Nueva Ecija 44
Gumaca Quezon 42/4244
Hagony Bulacan 44
Hermosa Bataan 47
Hinigaran Negros Occidental 34691
Iba Zambales 47
Ibaan Batangas 43
Ifugao 74
Ilagan Isabela 78
Iligan Lanao del Norte 63
Iloilo Iloilo 33
Imus Cavite 46
Indang Cavite 46
Infanta Quezon 4235
Ipil Zamboanga del Sur 62
Iriga Camarines Sur 54
Isabela Negros Occidental 34
Isabela (Northern Province) 78
Isulan Sultan Kudarat 64
Jagna Bohol 38
Javalera Cavite 46
Jimenez Misamis Occidental 88
Jose Panganiban Camarines Norte 54
Kabankalan Negros Occidental 34
Kalibo Aklan 36
Kalinga-Apayao (Province) 74
Kalookan City Metro Manila 2
Kapatagan Lanao del Norte 63
Kawit Cavite 46
Kidapawan North Cotabato 6423
Koronadal South Cotabato 83
La Carlota Negros Occidental 34
La Castellana Negros Occidental 34
La Paz Iloilo 33
La Trinidad Benguet 74
Labo Camarines Norte 54
Labrador Pangasinan 75
Laguna International Industrial Park
Laguna 49
Laguna Technopark Industry Laguna
49
Lal-lo Cagayan Valley 78
Laoag Ilocos Norte 77
Lapu-Lapu City Cebu 32
Las Piñas Metro Manila 2
Legaspi Albay 52/5221
Lemery Batangas 43
Leyte 53
Libmanan Camarines Sur 5446
Libon Albay 52
Ligao Albay 52
Light Industy & Science Park of
the Philippines Laguna 49
Liliw Laguna 43
Limay Bataan 47
Lingayen Pangasinan 75
Lipa Batangas 43
Lopez Quezon 42
Los Baños Laguna 49
Lubao Pampanga 45/4593
Lucban Quezon 42
Lucena Quezon 42
Luisiana Laguna 49
Luisita Industrial Park Tarlac 45
Lumban Laguna 49
Lutopan Cebu 32
Mabalacat Pampanga 45
Mabini Pangasinan 75
Macabebe Pampanga 45/4594
Mactan Cebu 32
Magarao Camarines Sur 54
Magsingal Ilocos Sur 77
Majayjay Laguna 49305
Makati Metro Manila 2
Malabon Metro Manila 2
Malasiqui Pangasinan 75
Malaybalay Bukidnon 88
Mallig Isabela 78
Malolos Bulacan 44
Mambajao Camiguin 88
Mamburao Mindoro Occidental 43
Mambusao Capiz 36
Manaoag Pangasinan 75
Manapla Negros Occidental 34
Mandaluyong Metro Manila 2
Mandaue Cebu 32
Mangagoy Surigao del Sur 8622
Mangaldan Pangasinan 75
Mangatarem Pangasinan 75
Manila Metro Manila 2
Mankayan Benguet 74
Marawi City Lanao del Sur 63
Marcos Ilocos Norte 77
Marikina Metro Manila 2
Marilao Bulacan 44
Mariveles [Bataan Export Processing
Zone Authority] Bataan 47
Masatol Pampanga 45
Masbate Masbate 56
Masinloc Zambales 47
Mati Davao Oriental 87
Matina Davao 82
Mauban Quezon 4251
Metro Cebu Cebu 32
Metro Davao Davao del Sur 82
Mexico Pampanga 45
Meycauayan Bulacan 44
Miagao Iloilo 33
Midsayap North Cotabato 6422
Mindoro Occidental 43
Mindoro Oriental 43
Misamis Occidental 88
Molave Zamboanga del Sur 62
Molino Cavite 46
Muñoz Nueva Ecija 44
Muntinlupa Metro Manila 2
Nabua Camarines Sur 54
Naga Camarines Sur 54
Nagcarlan Laguna 49
Naic Cavite 46
Narvacan Ilocos Sur 77
Nasipit Agusan del Norte 85
Nasugbu Batangas 43/4396
Naujan Mindoro Oriental 43
Navotas Metro Manila 2
Norzagaray Bulacan 44
Noveleta Cavite 46
Nueva Viscaya 78
Olongapo Zambales 47
Orani Bataan 47
Orion Bataan 47
Ormoc Leyte 53
Oroquieta Misamis Occidental 88
Ozamis Misamis Occidental 88
Padre Garcia Batangas 43
Pagadian City Zamboanga del Sur 62
Pagbilao Quezon 42
Pagsanjan Laguna 49
Palo Leyte 53
Panabo Davao del Norte 84
Pandayan Bulacan 44
Pandi Bulacan 44
Paniqui Tarlac 45
Paoay Ilocos Norte 77
Parañaque Metro Manila 2
Pasay City Metro Manila 2
Pasig Metro Manila 2
Passi Iloilo 33
Pateros Metro Manila 2
Piddig Ilocos Norte 77
Pila Laguna 49
Pili Camarines Sur 54
Plaridel Bulacan 44
Plaridel Misamis Occidental 88344
Polangui Albay 52
Polomolok South Cotabato 83
Pontevedra Capiz 36
Pozorrubio Pangasinan 75
Prosperidad Agusan del Sur 85
Puerto Princesa Palawan 48
Pulilan Bulacan 44
Quezon Nueva Vizcaya 78
Quezon City Metro Manila 2
Quirino 78
Romblon 78
Rosales Pangasinan 75
Rosario Batangas 43
Rosario Cavite 46
Roxas Capiz 36
Roxas Isabela 78
Sagbat Batangas 43
Saint Francis Bulacan 4463
Samal Bataan 47
Samar, Eastern 55
Samar, Western 55
San Carlos Negros Occidental 34
San Carlos Pangasinan 75
San Fabian Pangasinan 75
San Fernando La Union 72
San Fernando Pampanga 45
San Ildefonso Ilocos Sur 77
San Jose Batangas 43
San Jose Mindoro Occidental 43
San Jose Nueva Ecija 44
San Juan Batangas 43
San Juan Metro Manila 2
San Manuel Isabela 78
San Manuel Pangasinan 75
San Marcelino Zambales 4761
San Mateo Isabela 78
San Miguel Bulacan 44
San Miguel Isabela 78
San Narciso Zambales 4765
San Nicolas Ilocos Norte 77
San Nicolas Pangasinan 75
San Pablo Laguna 93
San Pedro Laguna 2
San Quintin Pangasinan 75
San Rafael Bulacan 44
San Vicente Ilocos Sur 77
Sanchez-Mira Cagayan Valley 78
Santa Ilocos Sur 77
Santa Catalina Ilocos Sur 77
Santa Cruz Laguna 49
Santa Cruz Marinduque 42
Santa Cruz Zambales 47
Santa Lucia Ilocos Sur 77
Santa Maria Bulacan 44
Santa Maria Ilocos Sur 77
Santa Maria Pangasinan 75
Santa Rosa Laguna 49
Santa Rosa Nueva Ecija 44
Santiago Isabela 78
Santo Domingo Ilocos Sur 77
Santo Tomas Pangasinan 75
Sara Iloilo 33
Sarangani 82
Sariaya Quezon 42
Sarrat Ilocos Norte 77
Sasa Davao 82
Silang Cavite 46
Silay Negros Occidental 34
Sinait Ilocos Sur 77
Sipocot Camarines Sur 54
Sison Pangasinan 75
Solana Cagayan Valley 78
Solano Nueva Vizcaya 78
Solsona Ilocos Norte 77
Sorsogon Sorsogon 56
Sual Pangasinan 75
Subic Zambales 47
Sultan Kudarat Maguindanao 64
Surallah South Cotabato 83
Surigao Surigao del Norte 86
Taal Batangas 43
Tabaco Albay 52
Tabuk Kalinga-Apayao 74
Tacloban Leyte 53
Tacurong Sultan Kudarat 64
Tagaytay Cavite 46
Tagbilaran Bohol 38
Tagoloan Misamis Oriental 88
Tagudin Ilocos Sur 77
Taguig Metro Manila 2
Tagum Davao del Norte 84
Talavera Nueva Ecija 44
Talisay Batangas 43
Talisay Cebu 32
Tanauan Batangas 43
Tanauan Leyte 53
Tanay Rizal 2
Tangub Negros Occidental 34
Tanjay Negros Oriental 35
Tanza Cavite 46
Tarlac Tarlac 45
Tayabas Quezon 42793
Taytay Rizal 2
Tayug Pangasinan 75
Tiaong Quezon 4264
Tiwi Albay 52
Toledo Cebu 32
Trece Martirez Cavite 46
Tubod Lanao del Norte 63
Tuguegarao Cagayan Valley 78
Tumauini Isabela 78
Umingan Pangasinan 75
Urbiztondo Pangasinan 75
Urdaneta Pangasinan 75
Valencia Bukidnon 88
Valenzuela Metro Manila 2
Victoria Tarlac 45
Victorias Negros Occidental 34
Vigan Ilocos Sur 77
Villasis Pangasinan 75
Virac Catanduanes 52
Western Samar 55
Western Zamboanga del Norte 65
Zamboanga City Zamboanga del Sur 62
Zapote Cavite 46
