In choosing to live here, I wonder if we fully realize all that is involved. I live in Roosevelt, Dinilupihan Bataan. While I was at the city hall I asked why there was no trash collection in my barangay. Their response being, that it was to far from Dinilupihan for the truck to go.
Now using their logic, I asked them if I could give that same reason for why I’m not paying my property taxes this year, because it’s too far for my car to go. That left the entire building scratching their heads. But I paid the tax.
When I first purchased the land ten years ago, the road from the National Highway was uphill and dirt. I required 67 large dump trucks full of dirt to level my land. Of course the trucks destroyed the uphill section of the road. I hired a crew of local unemployed laborers, purchased cement, steel bar, sand, and gravel then fixed the road since I felt it was my fault that it was a mess.
Three days later (after all the work was done) we were blessed with arrival of all the Barangay Officials taking pictures and credit for the new section of road. They then re-named the street after one of them. Yet, since my low to the ground car could now reach my house I felt that all was good and normal here in paradise.
Two years later during the rainy season, they showed up to pave the road, from the highway to my next door neighbor, skipped the front of my house and started up the hill finishing it all in four days. Hard to believe; think about the logic, as it was explained to me. In the front of my house there are patches of broken asphalt put in by the original owner of the land, so leaving that section undone it is more cost effective. Hell you can’t fight logic like that, but next election they will finish the road!
Swiftly moving towards the 2010 election, here comes the road crew, cement trucks right behind, they went right past my house and up the hill laying a new section of road. When my el Kaptain came by, I asked if my section would also be done soon. I knew the answer when I saw the hand reach up to scratch his head, all I could do was smile, he smiled in return, and we had a cold San Magoo and spoke of other things. For I know, as the stars are in the heavens, that someday it will come to pass. The road will be fully paved, just not this year.
The one good thing is the young boys in my Purok can’t spray paint their undying love for their girl friend in the sand in front of my house. Although one young man did spray paint on my gate, and signed his name. He’s in love, just not bright. I spoke with his father and the problem was solved. His dad told me the sad part was that the girl on my gate was not interested in the artist. Unrequited love and he had to clean the gate too!
It’s my road and I choose to live here. Paved or not!
Hi Paul – Seems as though every road is uphill!
We have some road paving going on here, too. A “service” road that isn’t supposed to exist (but does) and cuts a meter or two off the edge of our property (but only temporarily until another “main” road is paved) is starting to receive the cement treatment. They put in 15 meters worth of new pavement where the job will end. The remaining paving job along our property, etc., to the National Highway will get done a little closer to the elections. 😉
When I asked the municipal engineer personnel and tax assessors what kind of remedy will I receive for having land taken for a road that isn’t supposed to exist and is now getting paved, the answer (after a little head scratching) was that they’ll just “even things out” on the opposite property line. I don’t have the heart to tell my neighbor that he may be losing a strip of land a couple meters wide. 😆
Hi Paul;
And the streets were paved in gold! Last month they tore up my sidewalk to lay new water pipe, I foolishly wasted my time, and asked if they were going to repair the sidewalk. I knew the answer when the foreman said, “Later Sir!”
I think you will go a long way toward communicating with your Philippine counterparts if you have a local do the talking. You are an American in the Philippines. Therefore you are a minority and nothing you request, demand or ask for will be considered seriously. Get a well liked local to be your liaison and I guarantee you will get a lot more done. Your pure “Tongue in Cheek” if anybody is offended, He’ll lose no sleep over it, but here’s a quick Mea Culpa in advance attitude is easily recognizable by the sensitive Filipino who should never be underestimated. If I were you I would never try to do busines with Filipino officials or delegates. They see you coming from a mile away. You may have gotten away with that attitude as a Chief but you are in the Philippines now. It’s not your country, you have no influence and you are not in charge of anything, including your property. You own nothing, you have no say and I suggest you just enjoy the cost of living and the tropical paradise that surrounds you. Do good by your neighbors and expect nothing in return. You expect too much and I’m sure they get particular delight out of making sure you don’t get anything you want, demand or expect.
Good luck Chief!
Rich
Hi Rich;
I also like Tanduay Superior Rum! Rich I was here under Marshall Law and after, and understand the Philippines quite well (although not 100%). I agree with most of your comments, but I think you’re a tad harsh about Philippine Officials, as I’ve had countless dealings with them and found them on the most part to be fair and polite with me. As a matter of fact I’ve found it easer here, than in the States to get things done.
Hello Paul, somehow I do detect a twinge of sadness over how you are treated there. There has to be a reasonable explanation why the garbage truck does not come to your house. I would still pay the property tax but I should be given an official explanation why I am exempted from this service. The same goes for the repair of roads. I am sorry if I have to point this out but I think your wife should also say something about this. Or at the very least, inquire about it in your behalf.
Take care, Paul.
Hi Roy;
No one in my barangay has trash pick-up. As we are the furthest one from the city, it’s about 20 miles. I pay the third highest property tax here and understand that that does not make me any better than the guy that pays the lowest. Someday a truck will come, and someday the road will be paved, we’ll just wait for it, along with everyone else. The beer is still good and cold. So life on the mountain is also good!
Paul, I think you need to have a talk with John Miele. I’m sure he can be pursuaded to rid your road of it’s evil spirits so the garbage man will come and the road crew will pave your section.
Hello David;
That would steer up something to see a Kano performing voodoo up and down the road. If we could just stop Meann’s multiple boyfriends from spray painting her name on the road, I’d settle for that. Also, why do you think that John has that power?
P.S., if I were 17 I’d be buying cases of spray paint.
Paul I must admit I love your attitude in life ! You are the epicenter of the K.I.S.S. logic…Keep It Simply SanMiguel !
Cheers !
Brian;
Thank you! I for sure like your definition of K.I.S.S. it is better that any other I’ve heard! My attitude has caused me a little problem in the past. But! I just didn’t give a S–t. It worked for me.
Paul,
You have a singular talent for describing frustrating issues in a most humerous manner! LMAO! But, “wateryagonadoo, right?” Still, it could be worse. You could offer your Bo. Captain a beer and get the response, “No thanks, I’ll go first.” That’s when you know you’re hooped! As well, you have a natural speed bump, so vehicles might go a bit slower past your place.
Mike
Mike;
You’re the first to find the positive side of the road, a glass half full kinda’ guy! The speed bump angle is a good one. I should have re-paved the front of my house, vice rebuilding the hill at the end of the road. (There’s another way in) BTW thanks for your kind words to Paul K, Mike was a good man, and its, our lose with him gone. He was and is a legend in the Subic Area.