Life In the Philippines

When Push Comes to Shove

This was a make or break week and much of it has been spent sorting accounts with Metrobank to ensure I can manage my account from abroad. Unfortunately their new all signing and dancing Internet backing system does not work so the old version has been reinstated. The result, tons of paper work to get simple tasks initiated to ensureI can pay money owing to other people. I then discovered limitations on my Debit card which meant I could not pay for airline tickets. I raised the issue with my bank and after going around the houses after times. They admitted they had no system in place to raise the limited and I was the first person to request a change.

I tried Metrobank's phone banking as an alternative to the Internet only to discover that rather than having a real person on the line it is a menu based system and if you want to to transfer funds to a new account you need to set this up by filling in forms at your branch.

My House insurance is due later this month so I emailed the insurance company but of course go no reply when I requested their bank details it seems once again this has to be done via the bank. What a way to run a business, and people ask why I am leaving the Philippines.

The week started with the worst possible news from the Cyprus Consul to say my families Visa had been refused because of an "immigration risk". Once again I set a precedence my challenging the decision and was told I need to contact the Department of Foreign affairs in Cyprus, but the Consul could not provide me the either the number or the name of the person.

After some 4 hours of calling and being transferred from pillar to post, including being referred back to the Cyprus Consul in Manila. I managed to speak to someone who worked for the Minster of the Interior, So I outlined my case that as a family of an EU Citizen they cannot be refused a visa, so 30 mins later I was informed that the Minister of the Interior has granted them a 3 month Visa which would allow time for residential visa formalities to be completed. This information would be passed to the Consul and the visa's could be picked up the following day.

Tuesday midday I phoned the consulate. The secretary had just arrived and I asked her for an update and she repeated the visa had been refused, so I directed her to go to the fax machine and read the latest fax. She came back 2 mins later and said "How did you manage that" It seems people normally meekly accept matters here. She then advised the visa's would be issued on Monday. So I corrected her and said the Minister had told me that Jasmin could pick up the passports today, It does not take six days to stamp and sign a visa. she Replied the Consul was not in the Office (that is why she was late to work), so I fine I would send a courier to pick up the documents on Wednesday and all being well they will arrive Friday. I can then finalise and pay for my airline tickets.

David Ogden
Dipolog city
+639991141149

http://seriouswealth.net

Life In the Philippines

Sorting Out Finances

Banking in the Philippines is a nightmare area which I have written about before, the problem being that no bank communicates with any other bank, resulting in the need for many businesses and individuals holding accounts in different banks. My task this last week has been to decide which of the accounts I have in the Philippines will be retained.

The banking issues if further confused when information given on websites does not match reality And when you approach staff they have no idea what is going on, for instance. According to the Social Security website payment of contributions can be made online via BANKNET. I logged into the system connected to my PNB bank filled out the forms but kept getting message please try again later after three days I emailed Banknet and they suggested I approach PNB. A woman PNB could not understand why I would want to pay on line when I could just go to the SSS office at the other side of town and pay over the counter. When I explained I was going to be thousand of miles away she still did not understand but told me to go the the SSS office.

The SSS office were a bit more switched on but said they did not think the system was working yet in Dipolog City but might work in Manilla. she however gave me the address of the President who would be able to enlighten me.

My next port of call was to visit the Electricity Supplier Zanaco to arrange payment of future bills. Their opening statement was "its not possible we don't have an online system " This was like a red rag to a bull so I rephrased my question another way and asked them which Bank they use to deposit money into and when they said Metrobank I asked for their account number. I reminded the guy that I was a member of the Co-operative and as such he worked for me to which he replied the magic words you need to see the General Manager so Two hours later I got what I wanted, On a monthly basis they will email me a copy of my bill and I will use my online system to pay into their account confirming the transaction my email. Mission Accomplished.

My the end of the week it seems that the everyone I need to pay has account with Metrobank, so It looks like that will be the account i retain. I also discovered that Payment from Metrobank to SSS also appear to work. I posted a test transaction and will see if that reaches the SSS next week.

I still need to resolve how I can instruct my bank to send money to another country without having to return to the Philippines but as Metrobank is upgrading its system this weekend this just might be possible. My removers have been in touch and are planning to pack my possessions on 23 April so everything is falling into place, but still no word on Visa's

David Ogden
Dipolog city
+639991141149

http://seriouswealth.net