Philippines 2019 for new expats

[ExpatPH]

Over the next weeks I will write about Philippines, how it is to live here as a former Thai expat.

 

With the never ending visa changes in Thailand, I hope this will be helpful now for some present stressed TH expats and others.

 

*** I will stress this early on: you will ONLY be happy in PH if you live happily, with less frills and comfort and not choosy about food, or pay 10-15$ for a western meal in a mall. You must be patient, and get used to that many items are not available here. Will talk more about that later on.

 

I lived in Thailand more than 10 years, before I started to explore Philippines. The first short holidays here I was both very happy, but also very miserable.

I always compared to Thailand, and Philippines did not match up.

My mistake #1.

Reset your mind and forget all you used to, in TH. Else you just waste your time going here.

 

Many dislike PH and call it a $hi#hole.  Others who want to be around english speaking people who welcome foreigners, visa regulations that stays the same, they will be happy here. Less stress.

 

Unless you live in Angeles near Manila, nightlife is minimal in other places, and decreasing. The rest of PH is not a place for mongering or chase new lady every night. PH is not patpong, pattaya or phuket!

 

For me, the people in PH was so much more welcoming to foreigners, so my curiousity grew over time. Learning the ropes, slowly adjusting my mind, Philippines became a alternative destination to live. After a few years I moved to PH. Been here almost 10 years now.

 

I choosed Cebu because a larger expat community, and climate 3 degress cooler than Manila and Bangkok. Cebu average 31 degree celsius. We have earthquakes up to 7.2, tropical storms and hurricanes.

 

Before my move from TH to PH, I wanted to ship my household items to PH. Contacted many companies in Laem Chabang and Bangkok, lowest offer for 1 container to PH was more than 100.000 THB so I quickly gave up that idea, and sold my items. Auction companies picked up, sold and got paid within a month, but with great loss.

 

Visa, or visa or arrival?

Contacted PH embassy in Bangkok by email, didn't get any reply, so call them instead.  If you want a visa in your passport, (not required) 2 entry tourist visa should be available.  When 1st entry is done, go to immigration some days ahead and activate 2nd entry, no need to leave the country.

 

I moved without a visa, and got 29 days on arrival.

One are required to have a ticket out of PH within 29 days, BKK airport want to see it before you are allowed to check in.

PH immigration at airport also ask for it. 

Ticket out of PH can be a cheap one way Air Asia Manila to Kuala lumpur, usually 70$

Alternative a return ticket that can be refunded.

 

I flew Philippines Airlines BKK - Manila - Cebu. 4 hours stop over in Manila. Immigration was done in 1 minute. Customs was done in seconds.

Cebu pacific had (have) direct flight Bangkok - Cebu. Immigration and customs in Cebu are more thorough.

 

Arriving in Cebu, I had online hotel booking and stayed at a hotel in city center near Ayala center, Cebu.

 

Already made contacts with expats in PH, on local forums, I had a few phone numbers I could text or call. 

Local forums search:

Philippines expat

Livingincebu c o m

 

Met up with expats next days, and the next weeks, they show me the city, teached me 'do and dont's'. Friendly approachable expats here.

Majority of expats here are age 50+ 60+ 70+

 

Apartment rental:

Unlike in TH, here in PH they use lease contracts and usually minimum 6 months or 1 year.

These contracts are always notarized, even you only rent a parking space for a motorcycle or car.

1-2 months advanced rent, and 2 months security deposit it the norm, but can be negotiated. With hard work and luck, you might strike only pay 1 month rent and 1 month deposit.

Some demand PDC for the full contract length. You sign and give owner bank checks for the full length of your lease. As a foreigner this can also be negotiated, since you at arrival don't have a local bank account yet.

PDC are not recommended because if you choose to cancel the lease early, you are by law bound to pay the remaining rent. Cancel checks, change bank account, will lead to serious legal problems and jail time.

 

Apartment prices Cebu:

For a very small 18 sqm modern apartment example (search photos online)

'Lot8 cebu' units rent for 300-400$ smallest modern apartment in the city 18sqm. Tiny balcony.

 

'La Guardia 1 or 2 Cebu' are located in It park, little further away from Ayala center, rent for 300-450$ and have fiber internet. Balcony.

 

'Mabolo Garden Flat cebu' walking distance to Ayala mall (the preferred expat hangout) is 24-28 sqm and rent for 450-600$ This building has faster fiber optic internet, balcony and pool.

When i say faster, that is in local terms 8-20Mbps.

 

Most other apartments in budget range do not have balcony here.

 

* Before you say that rentals are more expensive than TH, take into condideration the much better exchange rates here in PH.

 

31-32 Thai baht to dollar.

52 peso to dollar.

 

Even it's a current building boom here in Cebu, there is a lack of apartments between 200-350$ per month.

 

Month to month rental same TH is difficult to find, that's why so many expats choose to live in hotels, monthly hotel rates start at 650$, no other deposit than the 650$ cash at check in.

 

Credit card at hotel usually add on 2-3%.

 

Much more to come

Regards

ExpatPH

 

 

[Thaiwrath]

12 minutes ago, ExpatPH said:

Many dislike PH and call it a $hi#hole.

 

12 minutes ago, ExpatPH said:

We have earthquakes up to 7.2, tropical storms and hurricanes.

I would suggest that the 'many' are correct.

Your target audience will be the ones who cannot prove the necessary income here, and those who don't trust Thai banks (????) with 400/800,000 baht. Most others seem happy, and settled here.  

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I think your OP post is a great start to the thread....  Some of the other issues I'd hope you'll touch on at some point, kinda key things that often seem to not be mentioned:

 

--ability to open and maintain local bank accounts / debit cards / credit cards, and what's required to do so.

 

--ability to obtain a local DL and rent or purchase a car, and if the latter is even desired/necessary.

 

--ability to receive direct deposit pension payments from the U.S. or other countries into a local account there.

 

--to what extent is reasonable quality medical care available, where, and at what kind of expense?

 

--is there any local, reasonable quality health insurance available there, and at what kinds of prices?

 

--is there any kind of restaurant food home delivery services operating there like UberEats or comparable, and do those get used much or not.

 

--how's the grocery/supermarket shopping experience there compared to Thailand, in terms of the cost and availability of foods that a westerner typically would be buying?

 

--What happens when the tropical storms/typhoons etc come, and how much are those likely to disrupt one's life, and for what duration in terms of flooding, power outages, shortages, etc etc?

 

Food for thought....

 

 

[ExpatPH]

Visa:

After the first 29 days on arrival, go to immigration and apply for 1 months extension. You can apply next day after arrival if you want. 3.120 peso 60$

 

After first 59 days in country, your extension options are 1, 2, 6 months extension. You can apoly for this as early as 3rd dau in country, if you applied for 1 month extension the day before.

After 59 days a obligatory ACR-I Card (alien registration card) is required by immigration, take finger prints, proof of adress, this is the only time I show proof of location, never asked to show proof later on. Lease contract or hotel receipt is enough. Take photo copy ahead.

Within the first 16 months in country, you are allowed to get 2 times 6 months extension, so if you plan to stay long, apply for 6 months extension after the first 59 days in country.

Then the 2nd and last 6 month extension after 8 months stay.

After this, extend with 2 month each time, unless you can get a 3rd 6 months extension.  Some got it, I did not, so just ask politely.

36 months is the maximum you can stay in PH on tourist visa extensions.

Take 1 day trip or more out if the country, and start from scratch again.

 

No re-entry permit here.

If you leave the country, all visa you have in passport is used. 

 

If you stay more than 6 months in country and want to leave, you are required to apply for ECC (Exit clearance certificate) at immigration.

Apply 1 week ahead of departure and bring airline ticket.

 

If you stay for 1 year, the cost for extensions has been around 500$

 

My visa extensions take 2-3 hour.

 

Visa agents can do all your extensions for you, they charge you 25-30$ for this.

 

Opening a Bank account in PH:

 

Regulations require that you have ACR-I card that you can first apply for after 59 days stay, but it takes months to receive the actual card.

Your options are:

- ask a expat to go with you to the bank, together talk with bank manager about open new account and bring with you a dash of US$

- Go alone to main branch in the city and ask to talk with bank manager.

- Western Union transfer to yourself a day before you travel.

- zoom

 

Banking in general is time consuming, all my visits take 1-1.5 hour.

If you dont have patience, you got to learn to be patient.

 

I have local ATM with online banking android app, and also Visa prepaid card for online purchase.

Standard withdrawal is limited to 10000 Php 95$ per day, apply in the bank for higher limit, I have 50.000 Php limit 950$ per day, applied in the bank with reason condo rental payment.

 

Foreigner Visa / Mastercard:

Go to HSBC near Ayala center and withdraw max 40.000 per withdrawal. Daily number of withdrawals limit depends of your bank own limits, in country of origin.

 

Need to carry Passport?

 

The first 59 days I carried a color photo copy of my ID page and entry and extension stamp.

Never been asked to show passport in public.

When ACR-I card arrive after some months in ATM size, this is your legal id card you carry on daily basis.

 

Much more to come

 

Regards

ExpatPH

[ExpatPH]

13 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

I think your OP post is a great start to the thread....  Some of the other issues I'd hope you'll touch on at some point, kinda key things that often seem to not be mentioned:

 

--ability to open and maintain local bank accounts / debit cards / credit cards, and what's required to do so.

 

--ability to obtain a local DL and rent or purchase a car, and if the latter is even desired/necessary.

 

--ability to receive direct deposit pension payments from the U.S. or other countries into a local account there.

 

--to what extent is reasonable quality medical care available, where, and at what kind of expense?

 

--is there any local, reasonable quality health insurance available there, and at what kinds of prices?

 

--is there any kind of restaurant food home delivery services operating there like UberEats or comparable, and do those get used much or not.

 

--how's the grocery/supermarket shopping experience there compared to Thailand, in terms of the cost and availability of foods that a westerner typically would be buying?

 

--What happens when the tropical storms/typhoons etc come, and how much are those likely to disrupt one's life, and for what duration in terms of flooding, power outages, shortages, etc etc?

 

Food for thought....

 

 

 

Thanks for the questions, some already just posted, more will be answered within days.

Would also suggest that those who consider a new destination, join the local forums in the country they consider.

 

Regards

ExpatPH

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

1 minute ago, ExpatPH said:

 

Thanks for the questions, some already just posted, more will be answered within days.

 

 

I didn't mean all at once, of course... I just meant, perhaps eventually! 

 

And some details you might consider addressing when you follow through on your own plans for posts and topics for them....

 

Cheers!

 

[ExpatPH]

Receive Direct Pension is available here IF your country of origin already have an agreement with PH.

Im not from USA but from Europe, so I can only answer from my own experience. Will ask US expats for you, when i meet them.

 

My country already have agreement with PH so I can choose to get my pension in either country, directly.

 

Bank online transfer have improved last years, so I can now transfer my pension from home, and receive it in my local bank the next working day. I pay 6$ for the bank transfer from my country.

 

If I choose direct payment to my account here in PH, its possible, but SS and bank in origin country warns 'transfer time will be longer'.

If that mean 1 week or 1 month, I have no answer to that.

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Kind of interesting.... Living in TH, I've found, there are any number of things that are easier to find and better to buy for quality, price or other reasons in my home country and have sent by mail to TH.

 

So I figured I'd mock up sending a 2 lbs package from California to both Cebu and BKK with exactly the same dimensions and details using my preferred re-shipper, Planet Express... And interestingly, the quoted prices for both PE's own airmail service and their USPS Priority and Express services were IDENTICAL going to either Cebu or BKK, right down to the cent.

 

Now, that doesn't address how reliable or secure the PH mail/package delivery system is compared to what occurs in Thailand, but at least it shows the package delivery rates can be comparable.

 

In my long experience in BKK, my international package delivery experience for things coming into BKK has been excellent via ThaiPost, with very few problems. If I buy it and send it, I expect to receive it. And usually with no customs fees or tax whatsoever as long as the declared value per package is under $50 U.S. or so.

 

Local mail and package delivery experience, customs duties, hassles, restrictions might be another topic to touch on....

 

 

Edited April 4, 2019 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[ExpatPH]

11 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I didn't mean all at once, of course... I just meant, perhaps eventually! 

 

And some details you might consider addressing when you follow through on your own plans for posts and topics for them....

 

Cheers!

 

 

I'm very happy for your feedback, please ask and I try answer to the best of my knowledge. I dont know all of course, some I have to ask other expats. I will write what I think is important the following days.

Hospitals and quality.

Earthquakes tropical storm.

Driver lisence.

Lack of foreign import food.

Biggest frustrations.

Love relationship money.

Culture chocks and vs TH

 

Feedback very welcome.

 

Regards

ExpatPH

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, Thaiwrath said:

 

I would suggest that the 'many' are correct.

Your target audience will be the ones who cannot prove the necessary income here, and those who don't trust Thai banks (????) with 400/800,000 baht. Most others seem happy, and settled here.  

 

I don't think he started this thread to attract hecklers.

There is a bigger world than only Thailand, or indeed Asean.

[Jingthing]

Years ago I went to the Philippines for an exploratory trip. I focused on Cebu City. I thought it was OK, I could live there, but didn't feel a need to. The OP's impressions even though much more recent have the ring of truth to me. 

 

I have wondered about Davao City and Baguio as alternatives though. 

Edited April 4, 2019 by Jingthing

[ExpatPH]

Obtain a local DL and driving in PH.

 

One can drive on a International DL up to 6 weeks in the past.

I dont have updated info on this, since I got a local dl. Contact LTO Philippines for latest on this.

 

My Thai DL was not accepted.

 

DL from country of origin must be in English, still they want a letter from embassy, explaining what classes of lisence you have.

 

Land transportation office is a headache here, because 1 office has different requirements from the next one, and we're not that many expats here compared to TH, so many offices don't know the answer. Never had a foreigner applying for dl in many provinces of the country.

 

In earlier day, there was 'easier' ways to get it.

Province offices are in general easier to deal with, no piss test etc.

 

Traffic here is horrible slow, 7km distance from airport to hotel can take more than 2 hours!

Add 1 hour in heavy rain and road work detour.

 

When its raining average speed is less than 30km/h any time of the day.

 

Very few foreignere rent or own a car, due to traffic.

I have bought a few motorcycles here, cash payment, no finance for foreigners. Many close calls with the locals who drive without dl.

Driving motorcycle here is less dangerous than in TH.

Traffic move closer, many are afraid of collision, so so no racing here, not same TH.

With a motorcycle i get to my destination at least twice as fast as cars, taxi, jeepney.

Warnings, drunk driving at night is common, many dont have either dl or insurance. Doesnt matter really, as a foreigner involved in a accident, you always pay!

 

With a girlfriend who has a full time work and has 6 months income statement, she can get finance for motorcycle and car 10-15% downpayment, up to 7 years payment plan, with a very high interest.

 

Checkpoints are everywhere, heavy armed police check DL and reg plate, and reg docs.

Lack of any above leads to fines (citation) and or impound of vehicle with more expences for storage of vehicle, until all docs can be shown.

 

Due to traffic jam 07-11am and 4pm - 9pm,

One early learn to plan the day accordingly.

I go to mall after 11 am when morning rush over are done.

I either leave the mall before 4pm or after 9pm.

 

7000 taxis here in Cebu, still at rush hour I wait 20-30 minutes for a taxi.

When it rains, taxi lanes in city can be 2 hour long waiting. Grab doing big business thanks to this.

Grab app is obligatory.

 

Off rush hour, vacant taxis everywhere in numbers.

Start 0.80$

0.25$ per km

Outside rush hour a typical taxi ride cost 2$

Taxi meter use the meter, although they try a fixed amount to foreigners. Just say No, use meter.

Trip out of city, rate are negotiated ahead.

2 hours taxi trip 15-20$

 

More to come

Regards

ExpatPH

[ExpatPH]

My target for this topic are those who feel they have to find another place to retiree, and consider Philippines vs Vietnam vs ........

 

If i still lived in TH, I have a real pension more than 1 mill Thb, but I also have payment obligations back home, so my transfer to TH would be just short of 67k a month. Many in similar situations, not that they 'dont want to' deposit money before after renewal, its just not possible, due to obligations in our home country.

 

I will not paint a perfect picture of this place.

Because It's not.

The many negatives will follow in due time.

 

Its a alternative to consider, when one feel that TH is no longer a option, thanks to recent changes in immigration stricter requirements.

 

Regards

ExpatPH

[dddave]

Interesting read.  I appreciate that you don't appear to have an agenda to sell life in PH, just an objective look at the pro's and con's of each.

i would be interested if you would touch on personal safety, both from your own personal point of view and from the view of other expats you have talked to.

I've visited Angeles City and Manila several times each and Cebu once and found myself less comfortable on the streets alone, especially at night.  Hotel staff would constantly warn me not to stray into local residential areas.  This is something I never feel in Bangkok.  In 15 years I have never felt personally threatened except by one gigantic, drunken farang in Soi Cowboy.

[Old Croc]

2 hours ago, ExpatPH said:

Apartment prices Cebu:

For a very small 18 sqm modern apartment example 

'Lot8 cebu' units rent for 300-400$ smallest modern apartment in the city 18sqm. Tiny balcony.

'La Guardia 1 or 2 Cebu' are located in It park, little further away from Ayala center, rent for 300-450$ and have fiber internet. Balcony.

'Mabolo Garden Flat cebu' walking distance to Ayala mall (the preferred expat hangout) is 24-28 sqm and rent for 450-600$ This building has faster fiber optic internet, balcony and pool.

Most other apartments in budget range do not have balcony here.

 

* Before you say that rentals are more expensive than TH, take into condideration the much better exchange rates here in PH.

 

31-32 Thai baht to dollar.

52 peso to dollar.

I'm a little confused about your section on rentals.

Firstly, the prices you quote, in dollars, for what I would consider a dog box, seem very high.

Then you explain that high cost away by stating that you get more pesos for a dollar than you get baht.

I don't understand. Perhaps it's me. 

[ExpatPH]

50 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Years ago I went to the Philippines for an exploratory trip. I focused on Cebu City. I thought it was OK, I could live there, but didn't feel a need to. The OP's impressions even though much more recent have the ring of truth to me. 

 

I have wondered about Davao City and Baguio as alternatives though. 

 Hi Jingthing.

 

Livingincebu forum have a member named Davaoeno who live in Davao.

He could be helpful with info about Davao.  I heard good things about Davao,  good apartments and internet.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

1 hour ago, ExpatPH said:

7000 taxis here in Cebu, still at rush hour I wait 20-30 minutes for a taxi.

When it rains, taxi lanes in city can be 2 hour long waiting. Grab doing big business thanks to this.

Grab app is obligatory.

 

Off rush hour, vacant taxis everywhere in numbers.

Start 0.80$

0.25$ per km

Outside rush hour a typical taxi ride cost 2$

Taxi meter use the meter, although they try a fixed amount to foreigners. Just say No, use meter.

Trip out of city, rate are negotiated ahead.

2 hours taxi trip 15-20$

 

 

So, of all the things listed above, what's your primary method of getting around in town, for things/places that are not within walking distance of your home?

[ExpatPH]

6 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

So, of all the things listed above, what's your primary method of getting around in town, for things/places that are not within walking distance of your home?

 

Grab taxi or my motorcycle.

Advanced planning.

Avoid rush hours.

Postpone anything when it rains. City goes to standstill (shutdown)  

when in rains.

Not as easy as TH.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I was looking at air quality data, and specifically PM2.5, and it seems to be much more limited for the PH compared to Thailand. Several of the primary sources I rely on don't seem to list any current data for the PH at all.

 

But it does seem that because of its island and coastal locations, the air quality is likely to be better in the PH and Cebu in particular than in many areas of Thailand, including BKK.  On the top line for AQI measuring air pollution, green is good, yellow is OK, and red is bad....

 

The 3 Day Forecast charts below also seem to show about a 10 degree F lower high temperature for these days for Cebu vs BKK, mid 90s vs mid 80s.

 

 

Three Day Forecast by hours:

 

Today seems to be an unusually good day in BKK. It's not normally this good, even in the good times.

 

 

The 3 Day Forecast by hours shows a more representative sampling that's more typical:

 

Edited April 4, 2019 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

17 minutes ago, ExpatPH said:

 

Grab taxi or my motorcycle.

Advanced planning.

Avoid rush hours.

Postpone anything when it rains. City goes to standstill (shutdown)  

when in rains.

Not as easy as TH.

 

 

Sounds like a recipe for wanting to find a residence that's at least within walking distance of the places you'd want to go commonly -- a mall, department store, supermarket, bank branch, etc....

[ExpatPH]

Hospitals and quality of care:

 

Short version: Horrible, on pair with Cambodia.

 

Long version:

Even the best private hospitals here, are only good for food infection, broken limbs, small traffic accidents etc.

Except 1 or 2 private hospitals in Manila.

 

A serious medical internal illness, you will try to get to Thailand if you can fly in your condition.

 

Friend and myself have been admitted to hospitals here.

Government hospitals are not for foreigners, unless you ok to wait for the doctor a day or two, and get a bed in the hallway. No aircon and very few fans. 

Lack of hospitals is obvious, all are filled to the brim, and then more. They are cheap though.

 

Private hospitals, I been to 2 of the 5 best here.

You must have Philhealth (cover 30% of the hospital bill) or private insurance (Pacific cross the best) before they will admit it.

No insurance or not 500$ or more in cash, you will not be admitted!

 

Private hospital, doctor say he she will be back at a certain time same day, no show until next day.

Nurse seldom come by to check up.

 

Severe pain?

The strongest they give you is morphine pill only. No IV Morphine here!

 

You must have a friend with you at hospital 24/7. They must do all the paperwork, and its a lot. They must also run to pharmacy for you.

Daily payment is demanded if you don't have private insurance.

 

Expect 400-700$ per 24 hours in private hospital.

 

Lack of medicine:

many medicines are not available here. Expats who have a serious illness, bring with them medicine from overseas.  Just clear ahead with Customs, that you're allowed to bring it in, and in what quantum. Might also need a preaproved certificate from government department.

A foreigner just made the local news, imported a large quantum of some drugs that can also be used to make narcotics. His future is not good.

 

Summary: for general medical situations you be ok. For more severe situations, you out of luck. This is not compatible to Thai hospitals, in any way.

 

Regards

ExpatPH

[ExpatPH]

18 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

I was looking at air quality data, and specifically PM2.5, and it seems to be much more limited for the PH compared to Thailand. Several of the primary sources I rely on don't seem to list any current data for the PH at all.

 

But it does seem that because of its island and coastal locations, the air quality is likely to be better in the PH and Cebu in particular than in many areas of Thailand, including BKK.  On the top line for AQI measuring air pollution, green is good, yellow is OK, and red is bad....

 

The 3 Day Forecast charts below also seem to show about a 10 degree F lower high temperature for these days for Cebu vs BKK, mid 90s vs mid 80s.

 

 

Three Day Forecast by hours:

 

Today seems to be an unusually good day in BKK. It's not normally this good, even in the good times.

 

 

The 3 Day Forecast by hours shows a more representative sampling that's more typical:

 

 

Excellent point and post.

Sadly, I must report that because of dust and exhaust from trucks and jeepneys, air quality in Cebu is horrible.

 

Smokers and non smokers alike, many get breathing problems, bad long lasting cough and bronchitus (spelling). Lung and airway problem, is a problem here.

 

Regards

ExpatPH

[ExpatPH]

18 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Sounds like a recipe for wanting to find a residence that's at least within walking distance of the places you'd want to go commonly -- a mall, department store, supermarket, bank branch, etc....

 

You are right. Most choose to live in walking distance to their prefered mall, for a reason. Traffic jam and frequent rain.

 

Live near Ayala center, its also the safest area in the whole city, so it minimize personal safety problem as well.

 

Regards

ExpatPH

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

8 minutes ago, ExpatPH said:

 

Excellent point and post.

Sadly, I must report that because of dust and exhaust from trucks and jeepneys, air quality in Cebu is horrible.

 

Smokers and non smokers alike, many get breathing problems, bad long lasting cough and bronchitus (spelling). Lung and airway problem, is a problem here.

 

 

Wow... that's interesting... The PM2.5 data for these current days doesn't seem to show that for Cebu. But PM2.5 is only one particular kind of air pollution, and it's looking to me that the Phils doesn't have a broad government-sponsored air sensors monitoring and reporting system, that would show the full picture.

 

Meanwhile, to be fair, I should have included comparable data for Manila in my original post, since it's a more comparable city to BKK, and in that comparison, there may not be any advantage. The Manila data below is not very good.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

22 minutes ago, ExpatPH said:

Hospitals and quality of care:

 

Short version: Horrible, on pair with Cambodia.

 

Long version:

Even the best private hospitals here, are only good for food infection, broken limbs, small traffic accidents etc.

Except 1 or 2 private hospitals in Manila.

 

A serious medical internal illness, you will try to get to Thailand if you can fly in your condition.

 

Friend and myself have been admitted to hospitals here.

Government hospitals are not for foreigners, unless you ok to wait for the doctor a day or two, and get a bed in the hallway. No aircon and very few fans. 

Lack of hospitals is obvious, all are filled to the brim, and then more. They are cheap though.

 

Private hospitals, I been to 2 of the 5 best here.

You must have Philhealth (cover 30% of the hospital bill) or private insurance (Pacific cross the best) before they will admit it.

No insurance or not 500$ or more in cash, you will not be admitted!

 

Private hospital, doctor say he she will be back at a certain time same day, no show until next day.

Nurse seldom come by to check up.

 

Severe pain?

The strongest they give you is morphine pill only. No IV Morphine here!

 

You must have a friend with you at hospital 24/7. They must do all the paperwork, and its a lot. They must also run to pharmacy for you.

Daily payment is demanded if you don't have private insurance.

 

Expect 400-700$ per 24 hours in private hospital.

 

Lack of medicine:

many medicines are not available here. Expats who have a serious illness, bring with them medicine from overseas.  Just clear ahead with Customs, that you're allowed to bring it in, and in what quantum. Might also need a preaproved certificate from government department.

A foreigner just made the local news, imported a large quantum of some drugs that can also be used to make narcotics. His future is not good.

 

Summary: for general medical situations you be ok. For more severe situations, you out of luck. This is not compatible to Thai hospitals, in any way.

 

 

That's depressing... on many many medical care points you recite above... That would be a major negative factor for me to consider relocating, especially as one gets older. And is a much more negative scenario that I would have guessed based on my general, vague knowledge of PH.

 

And the strange part is, it seems that so many young Filapinas are studying/training to be nurses... but perhaps, with the idea of working outside the PH instead of at home.

 

Edited April 4, 2019 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[ExpatPH]

2 hours ago, dddave said:

Interesting read.  I appreciate that you don't appear to have an agenda to sell life in PH, just an objective look at the pro's and con's of each.

i would be interested if you would touch on personal safety, both from your own personal point of view and from the view of other expats you have talked to.

 

 

Hi dddave.

Personal safety is a issue here, but I dare to say, with ahead planning and common sense, 99% of the danger can be avoided.

 

I dont show a 1000$ mobile phone in public.

Only use it inside a mall.

I use a cheap 15$ phone if I expect a long night out, with drinking.

I wear reversible shorts (Jag brand) with inner pockets where I can hide money.

I have inner pockets made on my jeans too.

 

Yes, pick pocketing and hold ups with knife and gun, do happen. Some was killed because they didnt give up their belongings.

Foreigners mostly get pick pocketed for wallets and phones, when they don't pay attention, are drunk, have female company.

The small young beggars are the worst, they distract you, and one of them manage their small hands in your side or rear pockets, and snatch your wallet, then run like hell. Don't allow them near you, just shout out loud.

 

Im of average height and weight, in my 50s, often walk alone. Not difficult to attempt to rob me, but I hide any sign of wealth.

 

Been to 'dangerous area' of town named 'Colon' day and evenings.

Take jeepneys in daylight.

Been to former nightlife area until 4am.

Never been in a situation in almost 10 years here.

 

Yes, I'm not trying to sell this place as a dream. I try to be balanced, and tell it how it really is.

Will share more of my cons and frustrations soon. Hospitals griefs already mentioned.

 

Regards

ExpatPH

[ExpatPH]

26 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

That's depressing... on many many medical care points you recite above... That would be a major negative factor for me to consider relocating, especially as one gets older. And is a much more negative scenario that I would have guessed based on my general, vague knowledge of PH.

 

And the strange part is, it seems that so many young Filapinas are studying/training to be nurses... but perhaps, with the idea of working outside the PH instead of at home.

 

 

I say it as I see it, no tinted glasses here, no bar talk, no rumors.

 

Read similar reports for Cambodia hospitals, also Vietnam hospitals got less good reviews. If one have medical issues, or age 55 above, its should be taken into serious consideration. Be close to a quality hospital with excellent care.

Except Thailand, I think only Singapore offer excellent hospitals with quality, for serious illness, that we over 55 might get.

 

Newly educated nurses dream to get a job overseas. Only a tiny minority get to see that dream come thrue.

The rest of the nurses go out to unemployment, or a work in a mall, earning 120-200$ a month, on a time limited contract.

 

Regards

ExpatPH

[baansgr]

I was going there to escape Songran, after reading this I've changed my flight to Beirut with a stop over in Bombay.

[canthai55]

Thank you for starting this thread.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

30 minutes ago, ExpatPH said:

 

I say it as I see it, no tinted glasses here, no bar talk, no rumors.

 

Read similar reports for Cambodia hospitals, also Vietnam hospitals got less good reviews. If one have medical issues, or age 55 above, its should be taken into serious consideration. Be close to a quality hospital with excellent care.

Except Thailand, I think only Singapore offer excellent hospitals with quality, for serious illness, that we over 55 might get.

 

Newly educated nurses dream to get a job overseas. Only a tiny minority get to see that dream come thrue.

The rest of the nurses go out to unemployment, or a work in a mall, earning 120-200$ a month, on a time limited contract.

 

Regards

ExpatPH

 

Thank you for continuing to put forward what appears to be a very objective, knowledgeable balanced perspective on the different facets of expat life in the PH....

 

Too much of what I read re the PH seems to be of the tourism promotion type stuff or comes from expats who may live there and voice a vague general opinion, but never take the time to detail out all the specific kinds of issues, good and bad, that are being presented here.