The Manila VA Clinic

Visiting the VA Manila Clinic: My Walk-In Experience

Visiting the Veterans Affairs (VA) Manila Clinic was a mixed experience for me. I was able to be seen by the medical workers, but it ended up taking the whole day. I felt wasted after and needed to sleep. The Manila VA Clinic is the only VA clinic located outside the United States, it has an important role for American veterans in the Philippines as well as in nearby Southeast Asian countries. In this blog post, I will share my experience, the services offered, and some tips for anyone planning a visit.

Arriving at the VA Manila Office

The VA Manila Clinic is located next to the U.S. Embassy in Manila. The VA outpatient clinic address is 1501 Roxas Blvd. Pasay City, Philippines 1302. This area has a lot of historical significance because of the history of the United States in the Philippines. It is also known because the Mall of Asia is nearby which is famous for having so many stores and being huge. I took a taxi to the area and got off in front to go through security. Remember to bring a valid ID because they will take your ID and give you a visitor pass. You are allowed to bring your phone, but not any other electrical devices like a laptop.

First Impressions

The clinic is clean and well-maintained with good air conditioning. It feels like being back in the United States. The waiting area was comfortable, with plastic chairs set up and informational brochures available for visitors. I was very surprised because there was a large volume of veterans waiting to be seen. One issue was it was understaffed for how many veterans were there. In a US clinic, many more workers are helping to maintain more organization a quicker responses. For example, only one person was processing paperwork and answering questions in front so everyone needed to wait for the one person to ask a question. 

Services Offered

The VA Manila Office provides helpful services, including:

Benefits Assistance: Support for veterans applying for medical programs like the Foreign Medical Program (FMP) which helps veterans be seen at foreign hospitals. The staff are knowledgeable and they try to ensure that all questions are answered.

Health Care Services: The VA Manila Clinic offers a limited amount of services and refers veterans to local hospitals to cover other issues.

My Personal Experience

During my visit, I opted for a walk-in medical appointment after calling the VA. Initially, I used a Philippines phone number but couldn’t get through, so I used my U.S. number successfully. The person on the phone advised me to walk in before 1 PM to fill out the paperwork necessary for registration before making appointments.

The walk-in process was a bit stressful due to the large number of veterans and limited staff. The waiting room was full, and the wait time was long. I waited for over an hour after completing my registration before I could proceed with my appointment. I saw a nurse and went back to the waiting rooms. In the end, I was able to get a blood test done, which was a relief but it took over four hours in total.

Tips for Visiting the VA Manila Office

1. Schedule an Appointment: To possibly avoid long wait times, I would try to schedule an appointment in advance. Try to call ahead and send the registration paperwork ahead of time.
2. Prepare Your Documents: The two documents I filled out there which could be found online ahead of time is VA Form 10-7959f-1 (FMP registration form) and VA Form 10-10EZR (Health benefits update form).
3. Arrive Early: Plan to arrive a little early to navigate through security and check-in procedures smoothly.
4. Take Advantage of Available Resources: The office provides good of information and resources. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek guidance from the staff.
5. Be Prepared for Wait Times: If you are planning a walk-in visit, ensure you have plenty of free time as wait times can be long due to high demand.

Conclusion

My visit to the VA Manila Office, while involving a long wait, was ultimately a productive experience. The dedicated staff, comprehensive services, and welcoming environment make it an invaluable resource for veterans in the Philippines. If you are a veteran residing in or visiting the Philippines, I highly recommend taking advantage of the services offered by the VA Manila Office. They are there to support you. Also, remember when you are getting frustrated with anything you are still in the Philippines and just relax!!!!