The list Seems Endless; Part 2

Returned to the LTO, remember what I said last week about not allowing a person to lose face? Boo-Boo pointed out that my tag was originally issued in Pampanga, which means I would have to drive over there to renew my tag every year (Minor pain in the ass) But Boo-Boy moved my files to his office here in Olongapo and saved me the yearly trip. Remember that lesson in the future. Oh, there are no new stickers for the renewed tag, but I got a receipt.

Next on the list, is property tax, and that is something that makes me scratch my head every year? Many, many years ago the city of Dinalupihan sent an appraiser to my house to establish my property tax. He looked up, down and all around then decided my house was worth ₱ 300,000.00. I wish that was what it cost. I insured the house for ₱ 15,000,000.00 and was also told to never tell the City what the house was insured for. BTW, my insurance agent gave me that piece of sage wisdom, and like my car the insured amount on both decreases every year but still well worth carrying! Here is why I laugh every year.

This is the law; in Bataan you must pay property tax during January and February. Payments will not be accepted in December and if you try and pay in March you are late and will pay a penalty on your tax. But if you pay on time, you will receive a reward and a discount on your tax! Have a beer, think about that and then explain it to me! (LOL) This year I saved ₱ 5,000.00 just by being on time. What a wonderful place to live. Tax for the year ₱12,000.00 amount paid ₱ 7,000.00!

The next day is a speed run to the dept. of immigration to pay my head tax to the Philippine Government for allowing me to stay here. I don’t need a sanctuary Barangay to hide in; I’ll just obey the law and pay the yearly ₱310.00. This year in a few months I must also renew my Philippine I-Card which means a trip to Mega Manila, but herein lies the problem, travelling is very difficult for me, I will ask if there is an alternate way to accomplish this, but after 3 decades here I\m pretty sure I know the answer to my question. A sharp stick in my eye is more appealing than a trip to Mega Manila.

After a few minutes there at immigration I’ll take my disappointment in thinking of that long car trip, I’ll ditty Na to the American Legion and pay Jerry (My tax Dude) ₱2,000.00 to fill out my US Income Tax and mail that to corruption central in the US. It will go out using the Retired Affairs Office Embassy Post Office (Oh the RAO in the Barrio which because it’s January that membership also needs renewing too! I almost forgot that one!!! Yes I can do the taxes myself, but that is one of the ways Jerry makes money to stay here as he has no retirement, but has a wife and kids. (He owns a small farm too). For more than 30 years he has done my taxes and after I check it, he’s never been wrong. Now it’s off to Dempsey’s Restaurant for a soft Taco’s lunch.. Then home again to the mountain ziggy Zig, completing another event free day, all went as smooth as silk.

I’m sure that is all for now, Real house and car insurance in February Not as fast as paying the head tax, but pleasant still as the people whom I’ve known for years joke with me all the time.

I read the list back to Mayang, and she checked it twice, as far as we can tell 2017 is starting off just fine, albeit, something I forgot will pop up and need doing at the last moment, and of course I’ll be late and must pay a fine. So one more year off and running smoothly and ticking away like a fine Swiss Rado Watch. This year I have a minor medical problem to get fixed, I’ve been one year after my operation where because of my out of whack balance issues, I have trouble walking without me shillelagh. And still cannot operate heavy equipment or drive a 1,300 LB car. But I’m determined I will, and being thick headed is one of my strong points. So let’s see what new adventures the New Year will bring!