°µÍø½ûÇø

        Glad I am retired.

Agree mugtech, talking to the better half the other day 12 years ago his wage was 712 pesos per day, chatting to his ex workmates the wage is the same for them so no increase but the cost of living is through the roof, I wonder how those supporting families survive given the cost of living increases, even I see it with our original budget blown out of the water. Cheaper countries around but as we are we are here we deal with the cost increases.

Like PilHealth, for the better half 8 years ago was P 2.4K per year, now P 6K per year, not a small increase, no extra services but we have to have it, at least eggs are still affordable.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl

What does your better half do to make money there? If I may ask?. I'm going to be moving there. I need to know what I have to do to stay there permanently. Thankyou

Hey Earnest, welcome to the forum.

Better half is retired like myself.

As for living here permanently will depend on your circumstances. Married, single, retired etc.

There is plenty to read here as well as internet searches. Any questions ask away and good luck with your move.

Cheers, Steve.

Steve

Is there anyone I can contact to learn things I need to know about moving to the Philippines like how to handle your bank account, mail. Forwarding and most importantly how to ship.my doh. I will.gladly.pay for this council

Hello everyone,Labor laws and regulations are constantly evolving. Staying informed of these updates as an °µÍø½ûÇø in the Philippines helps you in navigating your professional experience and °µÍø½ûÇø career. We would like to invite you to share the latest or upcoming changes in labor laws in the Philippines:  ... (snip)Cheryl°µÍø½ûÇø Team - @Cheryl

Good questions Cheryl, both timely and important

There's very good discussion and relevant documentation here:

Where they have: 

"Employment & Labour Laws and Regulations  Philippines 2025"

ICLG - Employment & Labour Laws and Regulations - Philippines Chapter covers common issues in employment and labour laws and regulations – terms and conditions of employment, employee representation and industrial relations, discrimination, maternity and family leave rights and business sales.

Overall and from a small-business employers point of view, the laws seem fair and modern in perspective. They seem balanced, and don't seem to especially favour either side, employers or employees. Neither left or right wing politics.

I think this seems a considered and balanced approach by our Philippine law makers regarding employment and workers rights and responsibilities. And as such, will be a useful checklist for current law re employment and employee rights and matters

Happy trails

Steve
Is there anyone I can contact to learn things I need to know about moving to the Philippines like how to handle your bank account, mail. Forwarding and most importantly how to ship.my doh. I will.gladly.pay for this council - @Travelnman59

Lots of research as well as a few visits to see if this is where you want to live.

Good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

I'm planning to move to Davao as soon as my house sells

I will need to move quickly so i.need to get my mail forward set up and my bank situation settled so I can get money after i.move

Hi,

be carful with the mail. Overseas mail does not always arrive in the Philippines and especially not outside of Manila. I am waiting for some documents here in Boracay but they did not arrive. If it is important mail, then consider to send it with a shipping company. Forward the US mail to someone in the US and ask the one to send it with an international shipping company. There you trace where the mail is.

Regarding the banks here: Most banks (BDO, BPI) want to see an ACR card before they open an account for you. They do not even open a passbook with a debit card. You can try the RCBI which has less strict rules (at least here in Boracay). However, I would not take the money from an US bank account. The Peso is devaluating and so is your money. Leave the money on an US bank account and make a monthly  money transfer with WISE. The fees are low and you have the money on the account in the Philippines within minutes. Never transfer more money than you need in one month.

Davao is a place where you have to be careful. If you buy or rent a condo you should be safe but I would never buy or rent a house anywhere in Mindenao.

@Travelnman

Have you ever spent time in the Philippines?

As for up rooting and moving countries involves a lot of research and planning. We spent 2 years planning and organising before the final move including shipping a container with all our belongings.

Already had an Aussie alias address for debit and credit cards, we both had Philippines phone numbers for years prior to moving. Setting up your last will and testament as well as an executor and someone with power of attorney, your superannuation should have a nominee in case you kick the bucket.

We already had bank accounts with BDO and their debit cards in Manila from when we lived there near 14 years ago but when we moved into our home here 6 hours north had to start again with the same bank as they are all franchised.

All institutions both government and private, I had all my mail digitised and receive by email instead of postal and works fine. Already had my Aussie drivers license renewed online several years ago and in the midst of renewing my passport, all while in the Philippines.

As said thought and planning and getting all your ducks in a row and you will avoid frustration when you move here,,,,,,, lol, there is plenty of that here already.

As others have said you won't be able to open a bank account here until you obtain an ACR1 card from immigration, in the mean time you can use your US debit card to withdraw from a hole in the wall, most have limits of P10K, some P20K while HSBC will allow P40K. Don't forget to advise your bank you are traveling O/S or they could block your accounts. The list goes on.

Can I ask why you picked Davao?

Good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl

As others have said you won't be able to open a bank account here until you obtain an ACR1 card from immigration,

Many people moving here now are considering the SRRV retirement visa. That visa is a bit separate from BI hence they do not issue an ACR1 card. In my case I never found reason to open a Philippine bank account and I know many institutions never list SRRV id as acceptable. I do have MAYA and GCASH which are debit cards that work at all the Phils ATMs. MAYA and now, very recently, GCASH accepts SRRV ids. Rather than have a home-country debit card that is harder to replace after it expires, you can use MAYA and GCASH as easy-to-replace domestic debit cards where you can transfer smaller amounts instantly ($500 per transaction or so) using WISE.

See what you are saying Dan but firstly you rock up here on a 30 day visa, to apply for an SRRV you need a 60 days valid visa While they process it so in the mean time the home country debit card will put food on the table and pay the rent until a bank account is secured here.

Are you saying that those coming here to live set up Maya, Gcash etc before they move here? Not sure how that works nor if you want a couple of million Pesos for a car or construction work etc. A bank account here we simply transfer from Oz to the account, go into the branch and draw it out, stick it in the safe at home.

Regardless we don't know what visa type Travelnman man wants/needs from what I have gleaned. It's all seems pretty vague. We all have our preferred ways to move funds here but simply advising your bank of your move will give your debit and credit cards clearance to work.

Cheers, Steve.