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Foreign Citizens living in the Philippines in 2010

Number of Foreigners Living in the Philippines

The National Statistics Office (NSO) reported that there were 177,368 Foreign Citizens living in the Philippines at the time of the 2010 census. This is about 0.2 percent of the country’s total household population of 92,097,978.

The number included foreigners who have resided or were expected to reside in the Philippines for at least a year from their arrival.

The percentage of these foreigners living in the different regions are:

31.12% National Capital Region – Metro Manila.
22.32% Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi)
9.02% Central Luzon (Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales)
8.40% Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon).
5.98% Central Visayas (Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor)
3.83% SOCCSKARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City)
3.78% Ilocos (Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur)
3.33% Western Visayas (Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo)
3.10% Davao Region ( Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, and Davao Occidental)
1.52% Cordilera Administrative Region Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province
1.52% Eastern Visayas (Leyte, Samar and Biliran Island)
1.41% Northern Mindanao (Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon and Misamis Occidental)
1.35% Cagayan Valley (Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino)
1.35% Bicol ( Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon)
0.85% MIMAROPA (Mindoro Occidental and Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan)
0.56% CARAGA (Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands)
0.51% Zamboanga Peninsula (Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay)

Overall these numbers of Foreigners living in the Three Island Groups are:

57.4% Luzon
31.7% Mindanao
10.8% Visayas

The largest number of foreign nationals in the Philippines were shown in the NSO figures as:

16.90% United States of America with 29,972
16.18% China with 28,705
6.53% Japan with 11,584
5.08% India with 9,007
3.28% Korea South with 5,822
2.73% Korea North with 4,846
2.65% Canada with 4,700
1.96% United Kingdom of Great Britain with 3,474
1.89% Australia with 3,360
1.80% Germany with 3,184

The next Countries with a population over 1,000 are: 2,781 Indonesia: 1,538 Taiwan: 1,460 Italy: 1,099 Spain: 1,019 Afghanistan: 1,014 France

Source:

http://census.gov.ph/content/foreign-citizens-philippines-results-2010-census

Cebu del Norte, Cebu Occidental, Cebu del Sur

In February 2005, representatives of the fourth, second and third legislative districts of Cebu filed bills that their districts be converted into three new provinces:

Cebu del Norte with Capital of Bogo
Cebu del Sur with Capital of Argao
Cebu Occidental with Capital of Toledo

The remaining three districts of Cebu, in addition to the two legislative districts of Cebu City, would constitute a fourth province, Cebu with Capital of Cebu City..

Schengen Visa from the Philippines

The Schengen Visa

The Schengen Visa is a 90 day tourist visa used for entry into the collective of 26 European countries that have mutually decided to eliminate passport and immigration control at internal borders.

The Schengen area covers the majority of European countries in the European Union [EU], but with some exceptions.

The United Kingdom is NOT in the Schengen Visa scheme.

The United Kingdom is one country that is in the EU, but is NOT a part of the Schengen Visa scheme.
Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein are NOT in the EU, but are part of the Schengen Visa scheme.

A Schengen Visa must be applied for at the Embassy of the main country of your visit.

List of Schengen Visa countries (at April 2015)

  1. Austria – Prince Building, 117 Rada Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City. Tel: 02 817 9191
  2. Belgium – Don Jacinto Building, De la Rosa crn Salcedo Streets, Legaspi Village, Makati City. Tel: 02 845 1869
  3. Czech Republic – Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Avenue, Makati City. Tel: 02 811 1155
  4. Denmark – Norway processes visa applications for Filipinos
  5. Estonia – Finland processes visa applications for Filipinos
  6. Finland – Far East Bank Center, Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati City. Tel: 02 891 5011
  7. France – Pacific Star Building, Makati Ave, crn Sen Gil Puyat Ave, Makati City. Tel: 02 857 6900
  8. Germany – Tower 2, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City. Tel: 02 702 3000
  9. Greece – Sage House, 110 Rufino Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City. Tel: 02 817 4444
  10. Hungary – Belgium processes visa applications for Filipinos
  11. Iceland – Norway processes visa applications for Filipinos
  12. Italy – Zeta Building, 191 Salcedo Street, Legaspi Village Makati City. Tel: 02 892 4531
  13. Latvia – The Netherlands processes visa applications for Filipinos
  14. Liechtenstein
  15. Lithuania – Austria processes visa applications for Filipinos
  16. Luxembourg – Belgium processes visa applications for Filipinos
  17. Malta – Consulate – Megaplaza Building, ADB Avenue crn Garnet Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Tel: 02 687 7245
  18. Netherlands – Equitable Bank Tower, 8751 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. Tel: 02 786 6655
  19. Norway – Petron Mega Plaza Building, 358 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City. Tel: 02 886 3245
  20. Poland – The Netherlands processes visa applications for Filipinos
  21. Portugal – The Embassy of Greece processes visa applications for Filipinos
  22. Slovakia – The Czech Republic processes visa applications for Filipinos
  23. Slovenia – Belgium processes visa applications for Filipinos
  24. Spain – ACT Tower, 135 Sen Gil Puyat Ave. Makati City. Tel: 02 818 3561
  25. Sweden – Switzerland processes visa applications for Filipinos
  26. Switzerland – Equitable Bank Tower, 8751 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. Tel: 02 757 9001

 

 

Portugal no longer has an embassy in the Philippines although does have a consulate in Cebu, which does NOT process visa applications.

VFS Global process Visa applications from the Philippines for these countries:

Australia
Canada
Denmark – Schengen
Malta – Schengen
Netherlands – Schengen
Norway – Schengen
Saudi Arabia
Spain – Schengen
UK
USA

6 Month Tourist Visa for Philippines

6 Month Visa or Long Stay Visa for Visitors

Those two terms are actually the same thing, but many people think they can apply for this before entering the Philippines. They can’t.

This 6 month visa is an extension visa only, and the visitor MUST have already renewed the initial 30 day to have stayed for 59 days before applying for the 6 month visa extension.

The COST of a 6 month visa extension.

This is a subject that gets many answers, and many of them are different answers.

The OFFICIAL cost is:  11,500 pesos.

My cost, when I got my Six month Visa Extension in April 2015 was 8,250 pesos.

The price I was quoted by Visa Agencies in my area varied between 16,000 and 18,000 pesos, and their charges for doing it for me ranged between 2,000 and 2,500 pesos (included in the previous figure.)

NOTE: These figures are for Non Visa Required Nationals. ie: People who are allowed to get a visa on arrival at the airport etc in the Philippines.

Why was mine cheaper?

I already had an ACR-I card, saving of 2,600 pesos

So that should be down to 8,900 pesos.  still a difference of 650 pesos.

So there are still a few other differences:

The application was 900 and not 910
The certificate fee was 500 and not 510
The Extension fees came to 3,000 and not 3,010
The ECC was 700 not 710

Here is a breakdown of expected costs and actual costs:

Stated Cost Cost breakdown My Cost
PHP 3,010 Monthly Extension Fee PHP 3,000
PHP 910 Monthly Extension Application Fee PHP 900
PHP 1,010 ACR Re-issuance PHP 250
PHP 250 Head Tax PHP 250
PHP 710 Emigration Clearance Certificate PHP 700
PHP 510 Certificate Fee PHP 500
PHP 2,100 I-Card
PHP 1,500 Express Lane Fee PHP 1,500
PHP 1,000 Express Lane Fee(Certification) PHP 1,000
PHP 500 Express Lane Fee (ACR-I card)
Legal Research Fee PHP 50
Visa Sticker Fee PHP 100
PHP 11,500 TOTAL PHP 8,250

 

Actual Cost Quoted in April 2015:

Visa Cost 6 months

Bureau of Immigration – Cebu

Bureau of Immigration Offices in Cebu

Bureau of Immigration – Cebu District Office

2nd Level J Centre Mall,
A.S Fortuna St.,
Bakilid,
Mandaue City,
Metro Cebu 6014

Contact:

Tel: 032 505 4166

Bureau of Immigration – Gaisano Immigration Satellite Office

Ground Floor, Gaisano Mactan Island Mall
ML Quezon National Highway
Pajo
Lapulapu City
Metro Cebu 6015

Contact:

Tel: 032 495 2852

The Old Cebu Bureau of Immigration office.

Bureau of Immigration – Cebu

P.J.Burgos
Mandaue City
Metro Cebu

Contact:

Tel: 032 345 6442

 

Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Mindanao

Siargao Islands consist of a group of 48 islands and islets.

The Siargao islands consist of nine municipalities: Burgos, Dapa, Del Carmen, Gen. luna, Pilar, San Benito, San Isidro, Santa Monica, and Socorro.

Surigao del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao.

Hotels in Surigao del Norte Province

 

Best Hospitals in Manila

Medical Tourism in the Philippines

With the Philippines becoming another affordable medical tourist destination in Asia, the following hospitals in Metro Manila are listed as possible hospitals to consider.

For example, the St. Luke’s Medical Center’s (SLMC) Quezon City and Global City hospitals have both been certified as medical tourism destinations by German-based accrediting body TEMOS.

Earthquake Magnitude 4.7 hits Bohol, Cebu. 30 March 2015

Parts of Cebu shake at about 10am March 30th, 2015

An earthquake 9:47 a.m today shook parts of Cebu.

As the ground began to shake for a few seconds, many people near the waters edge were seen to be looking at the water, no doubt with thoughts of “Tsunami” on their minds, but they soon looked away again as there was no movement on the water.

The earthquake was at a depth of 3 kilometers, and was located 8 km south-east of Buenavista, Bohol.

Intensity 5:

San Miguel, Bohol,

Intensity 4:

Lapu-Lapu City and Buenavista, Bohol.

Intensity 3:

Cebu City, Bacolod City, Bogo City, Tagbilaran City and Iloilo City.

Intensity 1:

Pres. Roxas, Capiz

No damage and aftershocks are expected from this earthquake.

Philippine Institute Of Volcanology And Seismology
Earthquake Information March 30 2015

Date/Time                    : 30 Mar 2015 – 09:47:47 AM
Location                       : 10.05°N, 124.18°E – 008 km S 69° E of Buenavista (Bohol)
Depth of Focus (Km)     : 003
Origin                           : TECTONIC
Magnitude                   : Ms 4.7

Philippine Earthquakes of similar or larger magnitude during March 2015 have been:

Date Magnitude Location
27 March 2015 4.9 110 km South 33° East of Governor Generoso (Davao Oriental)
15 March 2015 4.8 250 km South 35° East of Sarangani (Davao Ocidental)
30 March 2015 4.7 8 km South 69° East of Buenavista (Bohol)
8 March 2015 4.7 46 km North 85° East of Legaspi City
8 March 2015 4.7 53 km South 68° East of Sarangani (Davao Occidental)
1 March 2015 4.7 107 km South 23° East of Sarangani (Davao Occidental)

Child Care or Day Care Centres Makati, Metro Manila

Child Care and Day Care Centres – Makati City

Colors and Shapes Daycare & Learning Center. G8, Prince Plaza 1 Condominium, Legazpi Street, Makati City. Tel: 0927 527 1234
Family Partners Learning Center. Union Church of Manila Bldg., Legaspi cor Rada St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Tel: 02 812 6062
Fun-D-Mentals Preschool. Salcedo Mansion, 109 Tordesillas Street, Salcedo Village 1227, Makati City. Tel: 02 818 9764
Life Preschool. 5394 Gen. Luna St., Poblacion, Makati City. Tel: 02 890 1709
Playworks at Three Salcedo, 2F Three Salcedo Place, 123 Tordesillas Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City. Tel: 02 555 0497
Playworks Learning Center. Aguirre Building, 108 H.V. Dela Costa, Makati City. Tel: 02 816 3273
Pre-school Camp. 54 Victoria Street, Magallanes Village, Makati City. Tel: 02 852 4921
Schola Progressio. 119 Dela Rosa Corner Castro Street Legaspi Village, Makati City. Tel 02 810 8890

A Fixer in the Philippines

Fixers in the Philippines

The Philippines Republic Act No. 9485 is also known as the “Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007″. It is designed to improve efficiency in the delivery of government service to the public.

The Anti-red tape law in the Philippines punishes fixers and violators of the Act.

Section 4 of the Philippines Republic Act 9485, defines a “fixer” as any individual whether or not officially involved in the operation of a government office or agency who has access to people working therein, and whether or not in collusion with them, facilitates speedy completion of transactions for pecuniary gain or any other advantage or consideration.

Section 11 of the Philippines Republic Act 9485 specifies various “fixer” offences, including:

Grave Offense – Fixing and/or collusion with fixers in consideration of economic and/or other gain or advantage.

Section 12 of the Philippines Republic Act 9485 states that fixers will be charged with criminal liability.

Penalty – Dismissal and perpetual disqualification from public service.

In addition to Sec. 11 (b), fixers, as defined in this Act, shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment not exceeding six years or a fine not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) but not more than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

Republic Act No. 9485 (Anti Red Tape Act)

Midea Automatic Washing Machine Error Codes

Midea MT700W Washing Machine Error Codes

F0 Turn off power, wait 5 minutes, turn on power and start again
F2 EEPROM fail. It needs a Repair.
E1 Not enough water pressure. Turn on water tap, or increase water flow.
E2 Draining has not finished correctly. Check drain hose, and clear if required.
E3 Lid not closed. Close lid before Spinning action.
E4 Load out of balance. Move clothes to equalise balance in machine.
F8 Water level sensor failed. It needs repair.
HU Power Voltage Protection error.

This is the list of Error Codes for the Midea MT700W model washing machine, taken from the official manual at: http://www.midea.com.sg/images/download/MT700W_UserManual.pdf

Cost of Living Comparison Manila v Brisbane

Manila or Brisbane, which is the cheapest cost of living

Calculation of Comparative Cost of Living in Two Cities comparing costs to the Average Income after tax

More Expensive in Manila

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) is 1.01 times the Brisbane cost
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre is 1.08 times the Brisbane cost
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) is 1.16 times the Brisbane cost
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant is 1.2 times the Brisbane cost
Water (0.33 liter bottle) is 1.23 times the Brisbane cost
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) is 1.31 times the Brisbane cost
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre (per month) is 1.35 times the Brisbane cost
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre (per month) is 1.47 times the Brisbane cost
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) is 1.57 times the Brisbane cost
Meal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course is 1.57 times the Brisbane cost
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) is 1.69 times the Brisbane cost
Tomato (1kg) is 1.76 times the Brisbane cost
Imported Beer in Restaurant (0.33 liter bottle) is 1.87 times the Brisbane cost
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre (per month) is 1.89 times the Brisbane cost
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) is 1.9 times the Brisbane cost
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre is 1.99 times the Brisbane cost
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat is 2.06 times the Brisbane cost
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) is 2.11 times the Brisbane cost
Imported Beer in Market (0.33 liter bottle) is 2.16 times the Brisbane cost
Rice (white), (1kg) is 2.29 times the Brisbane cost
Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg) is 2.31 times the Brisbane cost
Eggs (12) is 2.55 times the Brisbane cost
Water (1.5 liter bottle) is 2.6 times the Brisbane cost
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre (per month) is 2.64 times the Brisbane cost
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) is 2.73 times the Brisbane cost
Potato (1kg) is 3.12 times the Brisbane cost
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) is 3.42 times the Brisbane cost
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) is 3.57 times the Brisbane cost
1 Pair of Men Leather Shoes is 4.04 times the Brisbane cost
Cappuccino (regular) is 4.1 times the Brisbane cost
Lettuce (1 head) is 4.15 times the Brisbane cost
Monthy Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment is 4.25 times the Brisbane cost
Gasoline (1 liter) is 4.35 times the Brisbane cost
Apples (1kg) is 4.37 times the Brisbane cost
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) is 4.46 times the Brisbane cost
Local Cheese (1kg) is 4.51 times the Brisbane cost
Oranges (1kg) is 4.63 times the Brisbane cost
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) is 4.63 times the Brisbane cost
Internet (6 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) is 5.23 times the Brisbane cost
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes is 5.39 times the Brisbane cost
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult is 5.47 times the Brisbane cost
Milk (regular), (1 liter) is 8.05 times the Brisbane cost

More Expensive in Brisbane

Monthly Travel Pass (Regular Price) is 1.98 times the Manila cost
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) is 2.36 times the Manila cost
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) is 2.37 times the Manila cost
Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) is 2.48 times the Manila cost
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) is 2.72 times the Manila cost

Average Monthly Disposable Salary (After Tax) for Brisbane and Manila

PHP 25,096 Manila, Philippines
A$ 3,808.50 Brisbane, Australia

Original data figures taken from www.numbeo.com, and then compared against each City.

Notes:

These comparisons are based on the percentage cost of each item when compared to the average income for each country.

Example:

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre

  • Brisbane is $5,716.67 or 1.5 times the Brisbane Average salary
  • Manila is PHP 75,021 or 2.99 times the Manila Average salary. Therefore more expensive in Manila.

The fact that the Manila cost is the equivalent to only A$2,143.46 (as at March 2015)  is not relevant in this comparison, but would be if the person in Manila was earning an Australian wage.

Freight – Shipping from Philippines to Australia

Moving your goods from the Philippines to Australia

Using your baggage allowance on an airline can be down to about PHP 1,000 (about A$30 at March 2015) for 10 kgs (that’s the difference between 30kg and 40kg on Cebu Pacific flight to Sydney.

You can also pay A$600 for THREE boxs (this is the minimum shipment) using the reverse the Reverse Balikbayan Cargo Service from BM Express.com. This has a size limit but says no weight limit. This has a 4-5 week shipping time, and the receiver must pick up from the agents warehouse in Australia.

The same company also offers a Door to Door Air Cargo service for A$12 Per Kilo + A$10 Handling Fee. Minimum 25 Kilos and maximum size of their BM box sized: 493 x 442 x 360 mm. Minimum charge for this is A$310 for 25 kgs in a relatively small box.

From various websites I have seen the following information:

  • LBC 80 dollars for one box unlimited weight.
  • DHL a 25 kg box cost between 6,000 and 7,000 pesos.

The International Organization for Migration [IOM], is also able to offer some people options for increased baggage allowance on flight, and maybe even cheaper flight, but these are designed for people Migrating to Australia, or other countries.
The IOM normally need you to have the relevant Visa before approaching them for the transportation arrangements.

Freight Companies that state a service from Philippines to Australia include: