When I decided to write a series of articles about Tourism in the Philippines, the whole idea was sparked when I did some research on the Web to answer a tourism question that I received from a reader of one of my blogs. I didn’t know the answer to his question, so I started looking at some websites to see if I could get the answer to the question that he had given me.
You can see what I thought about the websites by reading my first article in the series. But, in that same article, I promised to take a look at how Davao City is doing in promoting tourism over the web. So, let’s get into it and see what is happening in the realm of promoting tourism in Davao City.
There are two big events in Davao that can really attract a lot of tourists, if they are properly promoted. The first such event is the Araw ng Dabaw (Day of Davao). Araw ng Dabaw is celebrated every March 16, and is a celebration of the founding of the City of Davao. There are a lot of cultural events in conjunction with Araw ng Dabaw Festival. You can see real native people on the streets of Davao during this time, you can see a great deal of cultural expression from all over the region. It is truly a great event to witness, and I enjoy it very much. So, how is Davao doing in promoting this wonderful event? Unfortunately, not so well. The Official Website of Araw ng Dabaw is hopelessly out of date. Here it is, 2008, and the website is promoting the Araw ng Dabaw 2005! There are lots of photos of Araw 2005, and there is a schedule of events for Araw 2006. Not much help for somebody who is planning a trip in 2008!
The other huge event in Davao every year is the Kadayawan Festival. Kadayawan is a celebration of the harvest of fruits and vegetables in the Davao Region. This festival is held in August, although not on a fixed date. In my opinion, Kadayawan is an even bigger celebration than Araw is. The City practically shuts down for several days during the Kadayawan Festival, and it is a great celebration! Well, I went over to the Official Kadayawan Website, and again, it is severely lacking! Here it is, January 2008, and the Kadayawan Website is still promoting last year’s festival. And, it’s not a retrospective look back at the event, they are still publishing the calendar of events for the 2007 event! Now is the time to be giving out information about when the 2008 event will be. For people who want to come from overseas and participate in the Kadayawan Festival, now is the time that they need the information! They have to book their flights. Hotels are usually full up during Kadayawan, so if they post the schedule now, people can make early reservations, in time to still get a room!
Did you know that Davao has an Official Davao City Tourism Website? Honestly, the Official City Tourism site is terrible. I hate to say that, because I love Davao City, it is my home. But, I have to be honest, their website is terrible! Why do I say that? Well, the home page has very little tourist information (actually, it has NO tourist information). Along the left side of the site, there is a list of links for various tourist information. When you click on these links, they don’t go anywhere! They simply point back at the same home page where you were to begin with! This is an Official Website that is owned and operated by the City! One link, at the bottom of that left side link section does go to it’s own page, and that is the “Tourism Directory.” That Tourism Directory page was last updated in 2005. Three years ago. Sorry, but this is not the way to bring tourists to the City.
So, looking at the state of Web Advertising of Tourism in Davao City shows that it is in a sad state at this time. I hope it can improve! I really do hope for that, because I am proud of Davao City. Davao is different in many ways from a lot of other parts of the Philippines, and the Web is a perfect place to promote those important differences. Using the Web to do such promotion is almost free! Why is it not being used?
I will say one thing in defense of Davao. I don’t think that Davao is worse than other Cities in the Philippines in terms of Web promotion, nor is it worse than the Country in total. Sadly, though, that is not much of a defense. I am terrible, but everybody else is too…. somehow, for me that doesn’t cut it.
Hi Bob, your topic on tourism is very interesting.
can I change the subject slightly and mention the lack of public sporting venues. I am not a sportsperson myself but every city or town I have been to has public swimming pools, football/soccer stadiums and other sporting arenas. These attract thousands of tourists around the world but I haven't seen much of this in the philippines, apart from a cockfighting arena which is of no interest to me or most foreigners I imagine. I have never tried playing golf either but I live close to a golf course that is reasonably priced in england. These kinds of sports seem to cater for the seriously wealthy in the philippines. I may of course be wrong but the only sports I saw on tv over there was basketball and billiards. Soccer is the number one sport in many countries around the world but is almost none existant in philippines.
One more point is that rock/pop bands tour the world playing in stadiums, concert halls and arenas, they always seem to miss the philippines.
Regards
Phil
This may sound like a contradiction but the lack of tourists is one of the things I actually like about the Philippines.
Phil
Hi Phil – Regarding sports arenas and such… well, there is a little of what you are talking about here, but mostly in Manila. For a swimming pool, most nice hotels have swimming pools, which can be used by the general public, for a fee. Yes, soccer (football) is popular in many countries around the world, but it is not a huge hit in the Philippines. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. For example, American Football is the number one sport in the USA, yet it is not too popular in other Countries – we all have our preferences, and soccer is not the preference here in the Philippines. You are very right, though, that there are not many stadium type facilities here in the Philippines. I guess there just isn't enough demand.
Oooo, I'm full of crazy ideas…
Get an NCAA bowl game in Davao, and you'll never see the end of it. Those fans are nuts and loose with the cash.
Hi RichardInSC – Something like that would certainly be a boon for Davao, but I think it would be tough to get something like that here!
there is a plan to develop a davao sports arena & sports fields in the u.p. mindanao area (government owned land). i've read some of the plans and they looked great. if i'm not mistaken, it would be government funded and would sponsor city sports events as well as the university's.
unfortunately, there have been some legal snags that have delayed the building (concerning land ownership between the university/local govt and the previous residents).
but if those problems are overcome, it would be great for the city. for a while, there was a local pro basketball team (the defunct davao eagles – the fans were nuts about them) that fast-tracked the plans but got derailed by politics (mayor v. ex-mayor v. shady funding).
i'm not a fan, but badminton has become quite a popular sport in the country. there are gymnasiums that cater to this sport and are very impressive. there are even badminton-only gyms.
there was also an adult flag football league (yep, american football) that was quite active. the league had their own unis (i know because i had to ship the equipment from the US — the commish is a friend) and logos and was connected to a national network. manila has a lot of them, but davao's is still starting out. the players ranged from athletic females, 6 foot 200 pounders, regular joes and a lot of former college basketball
players.
sports climbing, mountain biking groups are also very active in the city. there is also a white water rafting in davao. i've tried the rafting and it was quite good — as long as it's not during the summer. i'd be into it of i lived there. with the risk of exposing myself, here's a video of the rafting for those who are curious: http://maq35.multiply.com/video/item/3/davao_raft…
so there are some sports draws. the modern venues, not so much. but the natural environs are plus that's not available in many places.
We are fortunate that we have you to thank Bob. You are an excellent source of information for both foreigners and Filipinos. Most info that we need are found in your website and our questions promptly answered.
Bob here is a suggestion. I hear the Mayor of Davao is a real doe, good manager r who runs a tight ship. Is it possible something like this would be just the kind of thing that would have him acting on this as well. Might I suggest you bring this to his attention and perhaps he will realize the opportunity the city is missing. Maybe he can even give a revamping of these sites to your company for trade or some beneift for you. It's a win win for everyone.
Tourism will never take off in the Philippines when you constantly get reports like these…
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnew…
Hi Sir Bob,
I learned that Davao City Tourism is currently updating their website, and
the new site is not yet published. The new Davao City Tourism website is expected to launch this month or by February.
Hi Bob always you are (st/by) ready and give informartions
for foreigners about life in philippines.you have great ideat you write for the tourism in philippines.
I'm with you on that one Phil…I feel the same…I prefer less tourism…but its my selfish opinion when so many people depend on it…so for the benefit of humanity of the PI I'll wave the tourism flag !!
tourism is great, for as long as it is managed well…”destination planning” must precede “project planning. Is there any tourism group actively and seriously wanting Davao to be internationally positioned?
Jene
I find I learned more about life in the Philippines from watching the short video you posted on your Christmas Charity run. I'd love to see videos of a trip to the mall, rentals available in Davao City, a visit to a pharmacy and a stroll through the supermarket. Some videos of local scenic attractions would also be great. Thanks for all your efforts and keep up the good work!
Tourism body exec howls about airport sanitation
By Carlo P. Mallo
THE Davao International Airport (DIA) may be one of the country's
newest airports yet it is already plagued with cockroaches, rats,
waterless toilets, and increasing fees.
Wanda Teo, vice chair of the Davao Tourism Council, said Friday that
they have been receiving several complaints about the airport,
especially about its sanitation.
Last year, the DIA announced that the terminal fees to be paid by
domestic passengers were raised to P200 from the previously P40 only.
But still, the amenities in the airport have not improved.
One of the common complaints they received was the absence of water
in most toilets of the airport.
"Madumi talaga ang airport," Teo said.
Teo, who also happens to be a concessionaire at the airport, said
they have already raised the issue to the airport authorities but no
action has been done yet.
"They are not helping us," Teo said of the airport authorities
inaction. "And there are so much fees being paid, our monthly rental
alone is already at P18,000 when it only used to be P5,000."
Apart from the monthly rental fee, Teo said they are made to pay the
monthly electrical bill amounting to an average of P7,000 per month,
garbage collection fees, and water bills.
Teo added that they tried to resolve the issue of pests on their own
by hiring the services of a pest control, but it was not enough.
"We would spray in our area, the cockroaches and the rats would just
run to the other areas," Teo added.
Department of Tourism-Southern Mindanao chief Sonia Garcia promised
to look into the issue and has already sought the assistance of the
Manila International Airport Authority.
"The Davao International Airport is still being subsidized by the
National Government," Garcia said.
Being under the subsidy of the National Government here means that
the revenues collected by the airport are all passed on to the
central office in Manila, before these are "returned" as allocations
for airport operations. It's not clear though how much are retained
by the National Government.
As to the proposal of the Davao City council to transfer the control
of the DIA to the local government unit, Garcia said it would be a
big leap. "The subsidy provided by the MIAA is quite big," Garcia
added.
The tourism director expressed her apprehensions over the proposed
transfer as it might result in the same fate as what happened to the
Mactan International Airport.
"Mactan (International Airport) is having problems with its funds,"
Garcia said.
(January 19, 2008)
Sun.Star
Travelling from the northernmost part to the southernmost part of the Philippines, I found one very glaring fault which is overlooked by the tourism promotions and marketing people is the lack of knowledge on the importance of providing airport amenities (not only in Davao but in most airports such as – lack of water; lack of toilet papers; baggage trolleys being illegally sold by airport workers, to incoming travellers!
Hi macky – I'm sure you know about the big sports arena that was constructed in the hills near the diversion road under the term of our previous Mayor here in Davao. I don't know for sure if it is true or just political gamesmanship, but that project was supposedly riddled with corruption, to the point that it is considered unsafe, and thus is not used. What a boondoggle!
Hi Bobby – Thanks!
Hi Vicki – Perhaps such an offer would be accepted, but my feeling is that it would not be welcome. It is complicated to explain the feelings on this, and also if I voice too much opinion, I feel that it could lead to trouble, so I don't want to go down this road. I hope you understand.
Hi Graham – Yes, that article does not sound very good!
Hi Mamai – Nice to hear from you, I Hope you are doing well. I also hope that it is correct that the site will be updated, and that it remains updated in the future!
Hi Zois – Thank you very much.
Hi brian – I am like you, I don't want the place to be overrun with tourists, but I also want that there is enough tourism to aid the local economy and help the people who need it so badly.
Hi David S. – Thanks for your feedback. I do have plans to do such videos in the future. I'll do my best!
Hi Graham – Thanks for sharing that. Quite interesting!
Hi Bob — Yes, I've heard of that arena near the diversion road and have seen pictures of the partially built arena. That's a dead project. Too much political bad blood there. The mayor has vowed that that one will never be built and the building materials have started to deteriorate.
The UP sports complex project is still alive though and I hope that project is completed someday — and the lawsuits settled. I was studying there when the plan was in its infancy stages. Sounds bad, but considering that the plan is still alive is a good thing.
Hi Bob: Graham's article based on travel advisories from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs is indeed concerning. Yes, there have been a few, isolated incidents (such as the ones in Makati at Glorietta) but I for one on my several trips to Manila and Philippines generally have never felt unsafe. Graham is quite right: these kinds of warnings deter tourism to Phils, but seemingly not to Bali where in 2002, 88 Australians were killed tragically. As for mentioning scams, well of course these exist in many places, and the key is not to be guillible. So the Phil Govt needs to spend some pesos and undertake a TV advertising campaign in places like Sydney and Melbourne, not to mention the US, Canada and the UK.
Hi to Bob and to all of you. Yeah, it's indeed a sad thing. Even the website might be updated next month, Davao City will not loose its (sometimes very) negative) image. I am also sad about it, but as others said: "Good, if not so many tourists will come here!" Which side of the medal do we like??? 😥 😆
Hi BOB , 20 years ago , there was no webside, and i wrote letters to several newspapers. Most of them wrote me with adress of places and i baught a travel book. So then i wrote to hotels , tourist office , but never get answers. You had to fly with Philippine Air , very expensive , and they had own hotels and the boat was terefying.
Later on the internet you found maps , lists and adresses,
But around iligan only 2 hotels has internet. 2 years ago i found a list with hotels in iligan and i wrote some. From 5 , i got only 1 letter back ,
telling me that pricelist was about 8 years old.And the City of iligan has
a side what included tourism.'
I mailed them several times but got no answers.
Do you know , that iligan has a tourism office in Manila ?
I also got no answers from them
Than i mailed the Mayor and other officials [ their name are on the side ]
but again nobody answered.
And the same with Dalipuga and other small city's around iligan .
The only one who mailed me back was Bobby Timonaro [ photographer]
and a letter from Minanao newspaper.
And until our last vacation [ august 2007 ] i spend a lot of time on the net and mailed or wrote , but most of time no answers.
That was allso what i mailed to the mayor of iligan , he had wrote something about promoting iligan tourism and tourist sight.
18 waterfalls to see , but when you see 2 or 3 you have see them all ,
22 hotels , and i visit them all , but only 3 or 4 is good for visiters , and untill now places who allready close down ore when you go there allready rent the rooms to families living there permanent.
And then they are building the new airport there. But where will the tourist go ?
Hi Macky – That arena is maybe not completed, but it looks like it is almost complete! Imagine how many millions of Pesos are going to waste there!
Hi Ted – I do agree that the warnings have some impact, but I think it is not the biggest problem. After all, there have been such warnings for so many years, I don't know that the reputation of the Philippines could get any worse! 🙁
Hi Klaus – For me, I would like to see tourists come and spend their money here. It would lead to improvements in the City for us to enjoy.
Hi Anton – I agree, the situation is the same in Iligan as in the rest of the country! By the way, Bobby Timonera is one of my best friends. I'm glad to hear that he answered your requests!
Can I tell you that not only are emails to places in the Philippines unanswered but three times I wrote emails to the Philippines Embassy here in NEW ZEALAND . . . . and no answer. Finally I rang them. They acknowledged the fact that they had received the emails. The only answer I can come up with is maybe they feel their written english is not good enough.
Such a warm friendly people and yet certain courtesies seem missing.
From what I understood few years back (and perhaps until now) that when it comes to promoting tourism to New Zealand would be under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Tourism Office which is based in Sydney. This is one of the important role of the Sydney Phil Tourism Office.
Sorry I haven't commented lately Bob, but I fell ill 3 days ago, shaking chills high fever of 39. Turns out I went to the doctor today and I have an infection in my right ankle due to the eczema on my feet. If it's not one thing it's another, I swear I'm a walking disaster. Tourisim is so important to the Philippines, but it's hard to promote tourisim when Inflation is high and the dollar buys less pesos than before.
Hi Bob
I just read your Tourism trilogy, excellent stuff, very interesting reading. Sorry to some folks here but I will soon be praying for tourists to come to Philippines.
I think the more other countries like Australia warn against travel to the likes of Philippines means the more slice of the touristic pie remains for them, especially when they are relatively close, but it is unforunate that it will have an impact.
Other than that, I think we have a consensus that more funds need to be injected into the tourism industry for marketing and streamlining what is already in place.
Hi Richard – I wonder what it is about answering e-mails that is so hard for Philippine establishments? For me, it is by far the easiest way to communicate!
Hi Louis – I hope you are feeling better! I just don't think that is a factor. If it was, it seems like the place would have been crawling with tourists when the Peso was at it's low a couple years ago. Yet, there were fewer tourists then!
Hi Jack – Good luck to you with your resort! I hope it goes well for you. Make sure you answer all your e-mails! 😆
Hi Bob. Excellent trilogy indeed and spot on to the idea that the government should strive to create jobs inside the Philippines. Please allow me to 'paste' this write up by "Leslie" in November 2002 at the old Inquirer Forum ( I think he or she is here):
No filipinos would travel overseas for a job if they can find it at home. It is disheartening for fathers and mothers and young adults leaving home and try their luck abroad for a job.Due to to increase of sending workers overseas it created dysfunctional families, growing kids lacking parental supervision because mom and dad must leave the country to earn a living and support them. Either stay in RP and starve to death making a salary that can barely bring food to the table or work overseas so the kids can go to school and get a proper education. Its a delimma for parents everytime one of them decides to work overseas especially for married people. They're not sure when they come back their husband or wife is still at home waiting for them or already have an affair. A lot of OFWs suffer from loneliness working overseas especially if they have wife/husband and kids. When I was living in another country, I've witness a lot of our fellow filipinos crying whenever they receive letters from their kids especially mothers and sometimes the kids have bad news about their dad. And men received bad news too just like women but the WORST they don't receive any letters from their loveones. If foreign investors is allowed 100% ownership of their business I can see a LOT OF FILIPINOS doesn't have to travel overseas for a job as the job is at home. We have a lot of well educated filipinos, the problem there is NO JOB opportunities in RP, so they must try their luck overseas even if they don't want to be away from their family. If they work at home they generate revenue for the government in the form of taxes and it is always witheld from their paychecks. One person working in RP is putting 4 people at work. An office clerk working, has to buy her food, the tindera at the carinderia makes money from her, the tindera hires a cook or waitress, that person puts another pinoy at work, the tindera buys produce and meat for cooking, that is another person in business..the vegetable vendor buys her product from the farmer. Just imagine how many people can be put to work by one person working as a clerk. This protectionism practice in RP that has been going on since we declared independence in 1946 actually was CREATED to concentrate the WEALTH of the NATION to the elite ONLY. This is an uneven distribution of wealth because a common filipino cannot benefit from that. In fact the rich get richer at their own expense. There's a big gap between the rich and poor in RP. Here in the US if Donald Trump and Bill Gates can eat fillet mignon an ordinary American can eat it too because it is within the person's reach. A Mcdonald sales clerk can eat fillet mignon if she wanted to, that is only $20 the most and if you cook it yourself that is much cheaper you can feed 3 people with fillet mignon. When there's a LOT of work and majority of the people are working, the price of basic commodities will also go down because farmers would be planting like there's no tomorrow, the market would become highly competitive. Filipinos are DECENT, I'm very very PROUD of my race and my people. If we have a lot of jobs back home, people wouldn't commit a crime like kidnapping and etc, because THERE IS WORK. They wouldn't even join the NPA-CPP because they have better things to do with their life and that is making an HONEST LIVING. If the Arroyo administration is really serious with her goal to build a strong republic this is one avenue in our government that MUST be change. A strong republic relies on the health of its people not rhetorics or hiring more cops and judges. I'm totally dissapointed with the sitting President; she wants to build a strong republic but she is NOT making changes in our laws that could have GREATER IMPACT in our economy and put a LOT of people to work. WE filipinos are very attach to our home, we have a close knit family ties which is an envy of other nations. But we are losing that. I hope people in the House of Congress would change that law as right now the laws we have is very unfriendly to foreign investors but it feeds corrupt individuals; a common filipino is lucky if he receive a crumb from that.
Good and concrete incidents that you pointed out about effects on families from distant relationships due to work opportunities. I think these are the outcomes and effects…but the real cause I believe is the absence of a “real effective form of government that addresses the ills of the present Philippines. Too much ‘bureaucracy’!
Jene
Hi Dr. Long – Thanks for sharing that, it fits in nicely with my series about tourism in the Philippines.
Hi Sir Bob,
Davao City Tourism site has been updated http://davaotourism.com and they are currently updating the Araw ng Dabaw.
Hello Mamai – That is good news!
I will be visiting Davao for a week and wish to know where I an obtain information re public swimming pools in Davao:
-name of pool
-address/location
-hours and days of operation
-admission fee
Thank you very much.
Hi Sam – You can find pools (not public pools, but private pools where you can pay to swim) at lots of places. Almost all of the nicer hotels have pools. Also check Woodridge and Ladislawa Subdivisions, and Holiday Health Spa. Most of these pools operate all day – early morning until 9pm or 10pm or so. Admission ranges from about P100 to P150 per day.
may i suggest merigrande resort, nice pool. restruant and cottages, things for the kids to do and not expensive.
Hi john – Hmm… I've lived in Davao for 6 years already and never heard of the place! Where is it located? Can you provide any additional information on Merigrande Resort?
i think that's mergrande resort, formerly villa victoria beach resort.
Hi ramesh – thanks!
Hi Sir and to everybody,
Kindly visit kadayawan.com, the site is now updated & online for the 2008 Kadayawan event.
Thank you & Have a nice day to all! Madayaw Dabaw!
That website (kadayawan.com) sucks! The colors are so horrible it hurts my eyes!!! I wonder why the organizers of Kadayawan do not hire people that are more competent. Don't they realize this will cause more harm to the festival? I honestly think the website cheapens Kadayawan Feestival.
Hi Mamai – Thanks for passing that along.
Hi Gigi – Personally, I did not find the colors to be a problem.
Hi Sir and everybody,
Just want to share this video for the Kadayawan 2008 event.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lgbvRnL87M
You can also visit the Kadayawan website, the video is already embeded in the site.
Thank you and Madayaw Dabaw!
first, thanks for loving my country the PHILIPPINES (of chinese ancestor), i used to lead taiwan tourists to Pearl Farm during 1992 till 1998. today, their is direct flight from china to the city, I hope the local government donot turn off the tourists, specially the new DAVAO International airport. do not copy what manila NAIA is still doing. (you know what I mean). Davao city have a strong mayor, more power to him, and wish him keep up the good work, and BOB, may i know w/c city in the Philippines you stay.(e me privately) you too take care.
Hi ding – I live in Davao City, and have for a little over 6 years now. I lived in GenSan for 2 years before coming to Davao.
yeah, i agree with you. I'm a dabawenyo too but I'm really dissapointed with our website… bulacan's website is, I think, the best government website ever!
Hi JedMeister – Hopefully it will improve! I think they have already started making steps in that direction, but they still have a way to go yet!
Hello Bob:
I will be in Davao first time in October. I plan to spend my retirement there. I will be coming from Chicago. Being I am a retiree, I like to find a place to stay till I find my own apartment. Hotels on the internet are priced like holiday inn and Days Inn in usa.
Is there decent and safe place to stay for less than 1000 pesos a night?? Is davao safe considering what is in the news about mindano??
Hi Dave Watts – You might try We Are Inn, which is located on J.P. Laurel Ave. It is between P800 to P1,000 per night.
I consider Davao quite a safe location. I've lived in Davao for 6 years now.
Hello Bob:
This is me again. Dave from chicago. You have answered some of questions already. Here I go again.
1. Is there a bank in Davao, with which I could open a account from usa online and remit money in it instead of carrying it with me??
2. I read in "livinginthephilippines" that the best way to get money there is to depost a check drawn from usa and it would go thru in several weeks.
3. Could you recommend a bank which would allow online transfer from USA account into davao bank without using western union or other cash transfer agenccies.
Any thing else I need to know about the money matters, I would really appreciate your guidance. Thanks
Dave Watts
Hi Dave Watts – I don't know that I would say that "writing yourself a check" is the best way to do it, but it is a decent way. To answer each of your questions:
1. I know of no bank in the Philippines that you can open an account in online. Pretty much, you need to be here to do that. And, in many cases you will need to have some kind of permanent visa in order to open a bank account here.
2. There are lots of ways to get your money. I have a number of bank accounts here, but I also have US bank accounts. Mostly, I just use ATM machines here to get the money that I need, and I take it out of my US accounts.
3. Any bank here will accept wire transfers from abroad. It's a huge business for them!
Good luck!
Thanks Bob:
I hate to be pest and asking questions.
1. If I use ATM card with credit card I know credit card compnay will charge me cash advance and plus ATM fees. that could be expensive.
2. If I use ATM machine with DEBIT CARD/CHECK CARD do I withdraw in dollars?? and then find some one to exchange in pesos…OR ATM converts is pesos….if so how much ATM machine fees and is the conversion rate market compatible??
At this time every thing seems confusiing, but every thing may sink in when I am there in October.
I got one entry visa from chicago and plan to keep extending till I meet a filipina to marry…Is there possibility to open a bank account??
Thanks Bob
Have a good day and God Bless.
You are doing a excellent service to ignorant people like me who want to visit or live in phils…
Dave Watts
Hi Dave Watts – I'll answer each question individually:
1. Yes, if you use a credit card in the ATM machine, that would be true. I personally use my ATM card from my US account, so there are no cash advance fees involved. Thankfully for me, I also have a bank account which guarantees that I will never pay any ATM fees, so any fees are waived, even fees charged by banks here in the Philippines are credited back to me by my bank. Unfortunately, the account is no longer available for sign-up.
2. There are no dollars in local ATM machines. The machine makes the exchange into Pesos for you. The ATM fees that you will pay depend on what your bank charges (every bank is different). Talk to your bank and ask them what their fee is for a foreign ATM withdrawal, or check the paperwork on your bank account.
Without a permanent resident visa, you may experience some trouble getting a bank account, but if you look around it should still be possible to find a bank that will open one. Legally, there is nothing stopping you from getting one here, but many banks just won't do it for somebody on a tourist visa.
Good luck!
Thanks Bob
Hi Dave Watts – Happy to assist!
Hello Bob:
This is me Dave from Chicago,
I am all packed up and ready to catch my flight in two days..
Last question do I bring a Laptop from usa or
I can find at better price in phils??
I dont have one, I used desk top here, I hate to spend
money here and carry one if I can find at better price
in phils….
Thanks
Hi Dave Watts – laptops are very expensive here. Expect to pay around double the price that you would pay in the USA.