Chapter 10 - Living in the Philippines

Arriving in the Philippines | Family and Education
Exploring the Philippines

The Philippines is often voted as being one of the most livable countries in Asia for expatriate families and despite the problems you often read about in the daily press it retains its favored position.

Why so popular? Perhaps it has something to do with the easy and affordable life style. Expatriate living in Manila is a far cry from the cheek by jowl experience of Hong Kong or other Asian centers. For those who want it, affordable single unit housing is available in one or other of the leafy suburbs that surround the Central Business District. Restaurants and nightlife abound - and mostly again at affordable prices. And of course, English is widely spoken in the Philippines. In many respects Makati has more in common with Brisbane than it does with many other Asian cities.

Then of course there is the location - for business or for jumping off to other spots. The Philippines is strategically located between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Manila, the capital city, is only a two-hour flight from Hong Kong and Taipei. A number of airlines offer a single hop flight to Europe or to North America. Convenient? Yes, the Philippines certainly is!

The Philippines is also becoming known for its beautiful tourist spots. The grandeur of the scenery and the Spanish period architecture that abounds throughout the country provide a cultural and visual synthesis that is probably unique in the world. Yet while some resorts have become known internationally, there is much that is just sufficiently off the traditional tourist beat to make "travel" the experience it is meant to be. Yes, accommodation is generally good. Maybe not international five star once you move to remote locations, but clean and friendly certainly.

The Philippines is now also fast becoming a business destination. With its improving infrastructure, the country is actively courting foreign investors, many of whom have established their offices here. These range from multinational companies to small entrepreneurs and in this latter category the Philippines perhaps is more investor friendly than most Asian countries. Of course having all the official documentation in English is a big plus.

The Philippines boasts of a highly skilled and English speaking work force. The people are friendly and hospitable. Filipinos readily accept foreign visitors and help them find a second home in this country. They are used to foreigners living among them as this is a country that has been exposed to European and American cultures over the centuries. In short, while it is certainly Asia, the Philippines has a comfort level for westerners that is unmatched in the region - unless of course you include Australia.

Living in the Philippines is usually less expensive as compared to other Asian countries. American firms, along with European, Japanese, Korean and other nationalities have found the Philippines a smart choice as a place to invest and to live. These communities have bought with them their restaurants, specialty stores including groceries as well as theater and entertainment. Manila is certainly a place where "east meets west" and thrives on it.

Arriving in the Philippines

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila is the country's main international gateway, serving more than 30 airlines, which fly to different cities around the world. NAIA has two terminals although a new third terminal is expected to open in late 2002.

The other five international airports are located in Laoag, Subic and Clark in Luzon; Cebu in Visayas; and Davao in Mindanao.

Visitors from countries, which have diplomatic missions in the Philippines, can enter the country by presenting a passport valid for at least six more months and a return ticket. They can stay in the country for up to 21 days, even without a visa.

Those who intend to stay longer have to obtain a visitor's visa, which will allow a 59-day stay in the country. This visa can be obtained from any Philippine embassy or visa office abroad (see directory). It is also possible to obtain a visa upon arrival at any of the international airports in the Philippines where the visitor has to register with the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID).

Visitors from Hong Kong and Taiwan need special entry permits from the Philippine visa offices in both territories.

A visa extension, which allows the visitor to stay up to six months or one year, can be arranged at the Immigration office after paying an extension fee. A Temporary Alien Certificate of Registration, which allows the visitor to stay not longer than 12 months (cost, US$75), can also be obtained after paying additional fees and passing an AIDS test.

Investor's Visa and Working Visas

A foreign national who intends to invest in the Philippines can obtain a special investor's resident visa as long as he or she meets the following qualifications:

- The applicant has not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;

- The applicant has not been afflicted with any loathsome, dangerous or contagious disease;

- The applicant has not been institutionalized for any mental disorder or disability;

- The applicant is willing and able to invest the amount of at least US$75,000.00 in the Philippines.

This type of visa is not available to visitors from countries classified as "restricted" in the Philippines.

An alternative to the investor visa is the "retirement visa" which can be obtained subject to a minimum investment of US$50,000 which for the first six months has to be into a designated investment but which can subsequently be converted into an investment in real estate or business.

Those who intend to seek employment in the Philippines must obtain a working visa or work permit from the Department of Labor and Employment. The basic requirements are:

- Completed application form from the Bureau of Immigration;
- A photocopy of passport and entry and exit stamps, if applicable
- Copy of Employment contract;
- Certification from employer;
- Undertaking that he or she will not transfer employment.

Airport Regulations

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport and other international airports in the country have facilities and services that extend assistance to foreign visitors.

These airports have baggage deposit areas, tourist information and assistance centers, banks and money changing facilities as well as automated teller machines, telephone booths, and medical clinics. They also provide car rental and postal services. Hotel and travel agency representatives are stationed to help visitors although thee can sometimes be a little overbearing in their eagerness to sell. The airports also have duty-free and souvenir shops. There are accredited fixed rate and metered taxis at the airport' arrival area. Tipping is expected. Allow P10-20 for the baggage "boy" (they are difficult to avoid) and a further P20 for the driver who will regale you with his family problems on the trip into Manila.

While the rate is generally fixed for short journeys from the airport to spots in Manila you can negotiate rates to points beyond. For example most taxi companies have a posted rate of around P2,500 to Batangas (the jumping off point for Puerto Galera) but if you haggle you can usually get the ride for P1,500 or less.

Upon arrival, visitors will need to fill in the Baggage and Currency Declaration Form for customs examination. The BC Form 117, signed by the customs officer, serves as a "gate pass" for those who have no currency or article to declare.

Visitors carrying more than US$3,000 in cash (or its equivalent in other currencies) must declare the amount at the Central Bank of the Philippines counter located behind the customs examination area. Departing passengers are not allowed to take out foreign currency more than the amount brought in and declared or P1,000 in local currency. It is advisable to keep all exchange receipts for record purposes.

Apart from a reasonable quantity of clothes, jewelry and toiletries, 400 sticks of cigarettes or two tins of tobacco, and two bottles of wine or spirits of not more than one liter each, items brought into the country are taxable. Generally where items are clearly of a personal nature and "second hand" customs officials will not impose taxes.

Passengers bringing in food items including meats, fruit and vegetables may be required to submit these items to the Quarantine Office. Take care if you are carrying the Christmas turkey, it can set off alarms in the X-ray machines.

What to Bring With You

Visitors are advised to bring, aside from clothes and personal paraphernalia, one or more identification cards, business card, and credit card. Filipinos often like to know with whom they are dealing. A photo ID is necessary in order to enter many office buildings and residential complexes.

All major credit cards are accepted in the Philippines although foreign cards are not always accepted by department stores. The cards can also be used for withdrawal of money via automatic teller machines (ATMs). The four most common credit cards used in the country are Visa, MasterCard, Diner's Club and American Express.

The Philippine peso (PhP) is the unit of currency and the centavo (PhP1 = 100 centavos). Bill denominations are 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 pesos. A 200 peso note has recently been introduced but is not in wide circulation at the time of writing. Coin denominations are 1, 5, 10, and 25 centavos, and 1 and 5 pesos.

Try to bring casual clothes as most people in the Philippines tend towards informality. The Filipino Barong is often worn by men in place of a suit and is acceptable even in these most formal of occasions. Visitors can always shop for a wide variety of clothes in the country's many shopping malls and department stores. There are also a number of native handicraft stores that are well worth visiting.

Larger sized clothing for both men and women is sometimes hard to find "off the rack" although made to measure tailoring is relatively inexpensive. For example: a good pair of hand made shoes can be had for less than US$50 - provided you can wait for three days while they are made.

Visitors may bring one car duty-free, but they have to secure, before arrival, a Carnet de Passage in Douanes, and a letter from the Philippine Motor Association (PMA) guaranteeing the re-exportation of the vehicle within one year. In practice vehicles are seldom imported and most foreigners either rent cars as needed or purchase from the local market. Depending on destination, hire of a car with driver will cost around P1500 a day within the Manila area and P2,500 a day to points outside Manila. If traveling in the country you will be expected to pay extra for your driver's food and lodging. However the driver will not expect to stay at the same hotel or eat in high priced restaurants.

Electricity is 220 volts a/c but many of the major tourist hotels also have 110-volt a/c outlets. Appliances and electronic products, such as television and radio sets, need minimal adjustment to adapt to local transmission. Telephone directories and yellow pages have a good listing of repair centers for almost all types of electronic products.

Transformers are readily available at any hardware store.

What to Purchase Upon Arrival?

The Philippines provides a delightful shopping experience. Upon arrival at the airport, the visitors can proceed to duty-free and souvenir shops which offer products ranging from electronics to handicrafts. However, airport prices are high compared to what you would pay downtown.

Outside the airport lie many huge shopping malls, department stores and bargain shops. Visitors have the option to choose from costly international luxury brands to inexpensive local items. Department stores carry an array of imported goods such as perfumery, clothes, jewelry, toys and electronic items, which are often available at less expensive prices than in other nearby countries.

Known for its light industry and agriculture, the country offers seasonal exotic fruits such as mango, banana, pineapple, and coconut. The best buys in the country are the many handmade products, ranging from embroidered garments and linens to coral jewelry boxes and fashion accessories. There is also a range of good furniture available made of Philippine wood. Again, if you are in the country for any length of time you may want to scout around for a furniture maker. A dining suite that can retail for P100,000 can be made for around one tenth that price.

Boutiques and garment stores offer ready-to-wear fashionable items as well as the Barong Tagalog, the national costume made of cloth woven from banana fiber (jusi) or pineapple fiber (pina).

Antique pieces can be purchased at quite reasonable prices. In theory, a certificate from the National Museum is required for departing visitors taking antiques out of the country but we have never heard of this being enforced.

Communications Facilities

Manila has a modern and efficient telephone service that can directly connect to other phones anywhere in the world. However, outside of Manila the availability of landlines can cause communication problems especially in the more remote areas.

The past five years has seen a robust increase in the number of mobile phone subscribers in the country, which now total more than five million. Outside of the metropolitan area, the cell-phone is the preferred means of communication for most people.

Aside from the telephone, the country's postal systems and worldwide express delivery service are also dependable although not always rapid. Internet is also fast becoming a major means of communication, with Internet cafes springing up across the Philippines. Connection speeds - even for "fast: access can be abysmally slow however especially during peak hours.

There are 12 television stations providing local and international programming. Cable TV is available in many hotels offering a wide selection of news, sports and entertainment. CNN and the BBC are the most popular news channels while Star Sports and ESPN are the preferred sports channels.

There are hundreds of AM and FM radio stations, many of which deliver content in English.

International newspapers and magazines are issued in the Philippines. Most local publications present news in English. There is no censorship of international news. The Philippines prides itself on its free press.

Business Hours

Government and private offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. Some private companies hold Saturday office from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The Standard lunch hour is noon to 1 p.m. when most businesses and government offices are closed. Banks are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Automated teller machines (ATMs) operate 24 hours a day. When banking in the Philippines, it is advisable to present a passport for identification.

Post offices are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Fridays (but many will close for lunch). Local postage is PhP 4.00 for a standard letter and PhP 16.00 for letters to America and Europe. Stamps for postcards are frequently available from the Concierge Desk at most major hotels. The Philippines uses ZIP codes irregularly.

Most shopping malls, department stores and supermarkets are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. There are 24-hour convenience stores and drugstores.



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