Important Information
Before You Arrive
- Sponsorship and Visa
- Climate, Dress, and Language
- Flights and Accommodations
- Introduction to the Philippines
SPONSORSHIP and VISA
Participants who are sponsored are required to submit the following documents:
- Copy of passport
- Flight ticket / e-ticket
- Copy of original flight ticket receipt (total USD method of payment should be stated)
- Boarding passes (from home country to the Philippines) must be submitted during the registration on the first day of the symposium.
- Keep copies of receipts in the event that paperwork is misplaced or lost.
Participants are responsible for their visa issuance. The official invitation letter which will be mailed to the participants can be used as a supporting document for the visa application.
Participants should apply for a visa at least a month before the symposium. Otherwise, you will have difficulty getting the visa in time to attend the symposium. Late application and the delay of getting a visa is the participant’s responsibility.
CLIMATE, DRESS, and LANGUAGE
- The dress code for the symposium is business casual.
- A pair of good walking shoes is recommended for the field trip.
- Below is the monthly average temperature at Quezon City in November:
| Month | Average Low °C (°F) | High Low °C (°F) | Average Precipitation |
| November | 34° (76°) | 21° (88°) | 2.27 cm (5.79 in) |
FLIGHTS and ACCOMMODATION
Flights and Accommodation
- Participants are responsible for their own flights.
- Participants should arrange accommodation from 25-28 November, 2024.
- For a continuously updated list of hotels near the symposium venue, refer to this link.
INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILIPPINES
The Philippines is a tropical paradise of islands, where nature and culture blend in harmony. Whether you want to explore the vibrant megacities, the ancient heritage sites, the stunning beaches, or the majestic mountains, you will find something to suit your taste and budget. You can dive into the colorful coral reefs, surf on the waves, kayak through the mangroves, hike to the volcanoes, or relax in the hot springs. You can also enjoy the delicious cuisine, the lively festivals, the friendly people, and the rich history of this diverse and fascinating country.
The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. In the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of 7,641 islands, with a total area of roughly 300,000 square kilometers, which are broadly categorized in three main geographical divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Philippines is bounded by the South China Sea to the west, the Philippine Sea to the east, and the Celebes Sea to the south. It shares maritime borders with Taiwan to the north, Japan to the northeast, Palau to the east and southeast, Indonesia to the south, Malaysia to the southwest, Vietnam to the west, and China to the northwest. It is the world’s twelfth-most-populous country, with diverse ethnicities and cultures. Manila is the country’s capital, and its most populated city is Quezon City. Both are within Metro Manila.
Learn more: World CIA Factbook | Wikipedia | Department of Tourism Travel Portal | Bing Travel Information | Tripadvisor
When You Arrive
- Check-in with organizers
- Transportation from NAIA
CHECKING-IN WITH ORGANIZERS
Participants will be requested to check-in with organizers at the end of each symposium day. This will be conducted by the AWS Secretariat near the doors from the conference hall and you are kindly requested to sign-in and out for the day.
TRANSPORTATION from NAIA
Transportation modes available at the NAIA to get to the conference venue are the following:
- Grab (preferred): Android App | iOS App
- Airport Coupon Taxi: Look for Coupon Taxi stand at arrival curbside.
Be reminded that using any other taxi service (metered, non-airport taxis) may pose challenges and risks.
During the Symposium
- Program
- Conference Venue
- District Map for Ortigas Center
- Domestic Transportation
- Around Ortigas Center
- To places outside Ortigas Center
- Safety Protocols
- Check-in and Check-out
- Meals and Hygiene
PROGRAM
AWS10 is a four-day event that will feature keynote presentations, plenary sessions, parallel sessions, side events, poster sessions and a field trip to three wetlands in the Philippines: the Candaba Wetlands; Panguil River Eco-Park in Laguna de Bay; and the Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Park– a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in Manila Bay. Side events will be open to partners who intend to promote and discuss activities with focused themes.
- download symposium program
CONFERENCE VENUE
The conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria.
- Website
- Map Location (Google)
Important Hotel Information:
- Check-in time: 3PM
- Check-out time: 12PM
- Breakfast time: 6-10AM
- Parking and Transportation
- Amenities: Parking, Pool, Fitness Center, Restaurant, Wifi
DISTRICT MAP FOR ORTIGAS CENTER
About Ortigas Center (Wikipedia).
DOMESTIC TRANSPORTATION
Around Ortigas Center. The Ortigas Center District is generally walkable. The conference venue is located at the northern tip of Ortigas Center. Walking along the ADB avenue north-south spine of the Ortigas Center district will take you around 25 minutes or a distance of 1.5 kilometers.
To places outside Ortigas Center. It is recommended that delegates use car-booking apps to go to any destination outside the Ortigas Center district. Grab is the preferred car-booking service: Android App | iOS App.
SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Check-in and Check-out protocols. To ensure that delegates are safe throughout their stay, it is suggested that all delegates who plan to travel outside of the Ortigas Center District inform the organizers of their trip information. It is also good practice to let other in your delegation or from the organizers to know where you are headed if you plan to travel outside of the conference venue.
MEALS and HYGIENE
If you have any special meal requirements, please let the organizers know so that a suitable alternative can be prepared. Targeted hygiene is practiced throughout the symposium and if you require masks or sanitation kits they will be available from the organizers.
After the Symposium
- Tourism Destinations
- Transportation to NAIA
- Post-Symposium Feedback
- Symposium Proceedings
TOURISM DESTINATIONS
If you are staying longer in the Philippines for leisure and recreation, you may approach the organizers for more information on places to visit depending on the duration of your extended stay.
TRANSPORTATION to NAIA
The AWS Secretariat will provide information regarding transportation to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport during the conference and you may check back here when information will be posted a week before the start of the symposium.
POST-SYMPOSIUM FEEDBACK
A post-symposium survey will be sent to each delegate within a few days after the completion of the symposium. We appreciate your completion of the survey to help improve future Asian Wetland Symposiums. The survey link will also include information about your participation into a network and linkages directory.
SYMPOSIUM PROCEEDINGS
The Official Proceedings of the 10th Asian Wetland Symposium will be available within a month from the end date of the symposium. A copy will be available for electronic download on the website. If you are a presenter of a paper or poster, you may also be invited to submit your work to academic journals, institutional periodicals, and other publications.