Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Philippines Expat Forum

government services

New Topic Newest First
standupguy
  2/3/2016 07:46 EST

Renewed my Visa today and my passport & bill got to the final checkpoint & teller exactly at noon. The final checker is a man that I observed being quite rude to foreigners if they arrived t his station next to the teller at Davao immigration. At noon her would turn his chair around and stop speaking mid sentence, so I was surprised he spoke to me. He told me I owed P2,930 So I have him 3. P1000 bills. Then he said "lunchtime come back at 1:00 pm. I asked for my passport and change, but he said "after lunch". When I returned at 1:00, he gave me my receipt and passport, but not the P70 in change he owed me. The teller told me to give him P30 & he would give me a P100. Then he said "No" take your P30. I did. Then he said give me your Passport. My wife jumped up saying NO! There was rapid fire visayan and the teller again told me to put P30 down and told the old goat checker to give me a P100 & this time he did. Everyone was staring at us. Next we went to NBI to get my clearance for our adoption. There were over 400 people waiting. We were 476. More forms finger printing payments, but the staff let me jump the line up since I am handicapped. More forms, about an hour wait, I got to the final window, a Devon fingerprinting and then a receipt that said HOLD. I have to go back in a month. Bureaucratic snakes and. Ladders. Someone also grabbed our take out Pizza. I was bewildered.

chance2014
  2/3/2016 14:05 EST

Its more fun in the Philippines?
Good joke huh?

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

chance2014
  2/3/2016 14:06 EST

As we say 'they couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery'. Now ain't that the truth

CAteacher
  2/3/2016 15:17 EST

Chance, a lot depends on our expectations (culturally), temperament, and ability to flex with the culture in which we are guest. Too often I catch myself playing the role of 'Quality Control' officer than guest in a foreign culture. More than once I have found myself explaining to a stone faced store manager how a "proper" checkout line should function. You know how that worked out, don't you? ;-)

chance2014
  2/3/2016 19:57 EST

I don't bother trying to explain anything to anyone anymore its a waste of time. I bought an electric kettle From a reputable electrical store, 'what garaumtee does it have?' I said 'one year sir' said the salesman. One month later it stopped working so I took it back to the shop with receipt. If it stops within 7 days they will replace it, but one month it has to go for repair 3 weeks to repair it. Can i have my money bac no. Can I exchange it? No. Can I have a credit note? No. So it went for repair.5 weeks later got a call to collect it by this time I had bought a more expensive kettle. So I picked it up and used it a few times and same problem didn't work. Went back to the shop sole to the manager I got really angry, 'we can only send it for repair sir' forget it. Since then I have bought goods one year garauntee sir. No I say its seven days after that it will be repaired is that right? Yes sir.
I give up. If something lasts more than 7 days its going to be stripped down by some genius who can repair any make and type of product that shop sells. He must have spent years of training from each individual manufacturer, learning about every product and model that the shop sells.

LarryKar
  2/4/2016 00:03 EST

Chance2014 thought you have lived here long enough to know that every Filipino male over the age of 10 is an expert at any type of repair. Fix your transmission, install house plumbing, Open Heart Surgery... Sure done that. Just ask them. LOL

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

chance2014
  2/4/2016 04:46 EST

I have seen things made and repaired with very basic tools matcheti is useful tool. After a typhoon a neighbours kitchen area was destroyed. With very basic tools scrap wood a whole new kitchen was built at a total cost of Zero pesos. But I know there is very little or no training given for builders, plumbers, electricians etc etc its a learn as you go culture

standupguy
  2/4/2016 07:36 EST

Larry - I don't agree with that. I hired one carpenter who stated he had 35 years of experience. Used putty to cover raw plywood instead of sanding it. The workmanship on our house by the "engineer" was very shoddy. The roof which "didn't leak" and "was new" was old sheets of metal roofing thrown over the wooden trusses sloping away from the fake gutters into a wall where they used vulca seal to try to make it water tight hoping the rain would spill off over the side walls. The pluming was OK if you didn't put any weight on the sink which came off the wall and pipes. The connecting pipe to the toilet tank was stretched so tight it leaked because they were too cheap to buy a longer one...it's too long a story..There is one super carpenter who is incredible on our street who is an Expert at everything. He has power tools, all the skills, cabinet maker, mason, 34 years old. Works for P500 a day with a helper. He is a rare species. Ever been to City Hardware. No Stock on basics just a sampling of bolts and washers.

BertelBertelsen
  2/4/2016 08:57 EST

he standaupguy. can i have his numbver? that sounds like a fair price for a workman

minocqua
  2/4/2016 09:43 EST

standup ,
the quality carpenter is 500p a day .
should i assume , his helper is additional ?

standupguy
  2/4/2016 10:42 EST

minocqua. No that included the helper. However materials were extra. We wanted our large gate to open to the inside of our lot where the ground was a little higher. The gate concrete posts had to be partially demolished and re hinged wit new rebar, everything was plum & perfectly fit. It still opens a little to the outside, Then new mortar and cement rise at ground level to prevent dogs from entering. They worked for 12 hours. The custom is that we fed them and supplied ice water . P500.

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

standupguy
  2/4/2016 10:50 EST

BB - I'll ask my wife to get it. He ha no English. His name is. R Q & and his wife is Endei. He's amazing. They live across the street. He has a regular job I think, but works weekends. Best carpenter construction worker I ever met anywhere. His house and yard are really nice. Ventilated roof.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Living in Philippines GuideLiving in Philippines Guide

The Philippines attracts the interest of expats from all over the world - truly has a lot to offer for a variety of different people. However, it's also important to understand the pitfalls that can be avoided with appropriate homework and preparation.

Philippines Forum Philippines Forum
Join our Philippines forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Philippines.

Contribute to Philippines Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Philippines.

Best Places to Live in Philippines Best Places to Live in Philippines

If you're thinking about living in Philippines, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Philippines in 2023.

Healthcare in PhilippinesHealthcare in Philippines

Expats in the Philippines have a lot to say about the quality of medical care, hospitals, prescription medicine availability and health insurance in the Philippines.

Cost of Living in PhilippinesCost of Living in Philippines

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Philippines.

Moving to PhilippinesMoving to Philippines Guide

Expats moving to the Philippines join others that have moved there for work or a lower cost of living during retirement. It's critical to understand what the realities of living there are, but those that successfully make the adjustment believe it is a good place to live.

Real Estate in PhilippinesReal Estate in Philippines

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Philippines.

Pros Cons of Living in PhilippinesPros & Cons of Living in Philippines

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Philippines.

Retiring in PhilippinesRetiring in Philippines

Advice for people retiring in Philippines.

10 Tips for Living in Philippines10 Tips for Living in Philippines

If you've recently arrived in Philippines, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Philippines.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Contribute to Philippines Network Contribute
Help others in Philippines by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Philippines.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal