USA or PHL

[A and T 82]

Socialism is an economic concept that advocates public ownership of all resources. The production and distribution of resources with a society are then controlled by members of that society collectively or by the government that represents that society. Goods are produced and distributed based on need rather than on market forces such as profitability, price and consumers' purchasing power. In a socialist economy, workers contribute to society based on their ability and receive according to their needs, rather than being paid wages and using that money to purchase what they want. Private possessions are limited to personal-use items such as clothes, and there is no need or ability for individuals to accumulate wealth, so there is equality among the people.

I don't see it, 'socialist government' individuals do accumulate wealth and poverty is rampant. There is no equality among the people only the have and have not!

I'm simply saying that its my person perspective that the philippines is more socialist than the USA. They have some government healthcare , you pay a tax to support senior citizens. Often the government subsides , Jeepney drivers get fuel subsidies http://business.inquirer.net/39305/jeepney-drivers-with-fuel-smart-cards-to-each-get-another-p2k-subsidy

"The program, which was launched May last year on the initiative of the Department of Energy, gives fuel subsidies to jeepney and tricycle drivers to help them cope with the spiraling oil prices. "

Not a big deal for me, i'm more worried about the terrible humidity.

[actob99 156]

Didn’t they just have a typhoon yesterday, and more on the way ? Safety hmmm

I'm here right now currently north of Manila getting all of the paperwork in order... The earthquake was nothing, probably my snoring was felt more. We have had rain, but just typical.. In my fiancee's province, 9 hours south of Manila, the weather did get a little worse, but just like every other Thunderstorm in the world. Only issues were couldn't get in the 8 ft banka boat and head to the city via the OCEAN... They were still cooking fish outside and drinking Tuba, sounds safe enough for me.

The weather in the Phils wouldn't prevent me from retiring in the Phils, I enjoy the weather here and I think its safer than Minnesota,, The con for me retiring in the Phils would be MEdical if I had any serious health issues.. If I'm healthy and only need a few med's and check-ups, medical is extremely cheap.

Our plan is to live and travel both places, I love the winters in the PI(Great weather) and I love the weather in The Northern US in the summer!!!

TAGAY!

[Hank_ 9,174]

Minni-snow-da! My sister emailed that they got smacked with some serious wind and rain, no tornado though... she lives just south of the Twin Cites.

I wouldn't mind summer up north but winters, no way! Winter in the Phils would be more appealing.

[Caryh 5,206]

Minni-snow-da! My sister emailed that they got smacked with some serious wind and rain, no tornado though... she lives just south of the Twin Cites.

I wouldn't mind summer up north but winters, no way! Winter in the Phils would be more appealing.

South of the cities got hit pretty bad recently. Right now north of the cities is getting hit real hard. Duluth is flooding out and interstate 35 is shut down up there. "Up to 8 inches of rain fell on the area overnight and the soaking continued Wednesday."

[Hank_ 9,174]

I don't miss living up there except when it times to go fishing...

[Caryh 5,206]

I don't miss living up there except when it times to go fishing...

I had been planning to bring my wife up to Duluth soon. I was going to take her last weekend, then realized Grandma's marathon was going on, so we went southeast following the Mississippi River. Now it looks like we'll be waiting a bit longer before going up to Duluth. Maybe I'll take her fishing instead?

[Hank_ 9,174]

I use to do ride up to Duluth and Grandma's for lunch. Ride Wisc 35 on the way up, stop for lunch at Grandma's then ride the north shore maybe stopping at Betty's Pies.... for pie! Then a speed run back down I-35 to the cities.

Edited June 20, 2012 by Hank_

[actob99 156]

I use to do ride up to Duluth and Grandma's for lunch. Ride Wisc 35 on the way up, stop for lunch at Grandma's then ride the north shore maybe stopping at Betty's Pies.... for pie! Then a speed run back down I-35 to the cities.

[actob99 156]

South of the cities got hit pretty bad recently. Right now north of the cities is getting hit real hard. Duluth is flooding out and interstate 35 is shut down up there. "Up to 8 inches of rain fell on the area overnight and the soaking continued Wednesday."

I just heard that about the weather, that sucks.. Was going to head back to MN tonight for a weekend of fishing near Hayward, WI,, but I guess that is squashed... I guess more SML's please..

[Caryh 5,206]

I just heard that about the weather, that sucks.. Was going to head back to MN tonight for a weekend of fishing near Hayward, WI,, but I guess that is squashed... I guess more SML's please..

I'm not sure how the Hayward area made out. I don't think anything bad really or the media here would have at least mentioned it. As long as you don't need to pass through the Duluth area to get there, you're probably fine. The storm in the Duluth area stayed pretty much in that area. They say the hills and a bit of lake effect rain was most likely part of the reason they got hit so hard. Looks like a new 24 hour record for rainfall. I've seen some pretty wild pictures from friends of what happened, besides what the media has put out.

[Hank_ 9,174]

We won't be riding up to Minnesota until August most likely, spend a little time around the Twin Cities then north to the Cross Lake area, not expecting weather issues but one never knows.

[Shawn C 11]

I was hoping to bring Marife to my reunion outside Rochester MN this August, but it doesn't look like our visa work will be done yet (stupid waiting). I will DEFINITELY not take here there in the winter though. My ex and I went there just after arriving in the US for Christmas and she didn't think she was going to live through the cold

[neodragon0l 6]

I know these children are innocent or did not have any idea. However, I feel cheated when someone gets a break when there's a big line of people waiting patiently for their turn. I thought I was over with the entire immigration thing. I waited my turn and also suffered. I am going through it again for my fiancee. I don't need to tell my story. After going through this process, I feel cheated somehow of the time I spent waiting. It feels like a person waiting in line to get in the NBA Finals, or the biggest concert. You waited in line to get a ticket and to get into your seat. Suddenly you see a bunch of people sneak in. The security says, don't kick them out because they are already inside anyway. There seems to be no incentive in following the immigration rules. That's just me, and Life is not fair anyway.

[Clariz 2]

The words from an Expat

Reality Check. Philippines – a tropical paradise for the retiree?

　

Those who are looking for an affordable tropical retirement location.

The Philippines is not a budget version of Hawaii or Key West or Mallorca. It is an impoverished developing nation with about the same land area as the State of Arizona, but with more than 90 million residents. In cities, poverty, pollution and environmental degradation are everywhere. Open sewers and the smell of sewerage are frequent companions. Trash is strewn everywhere. There are hardly any parks. Power blackouts are frequent.

The creatures of the land and sea have mostly been devoured by a hungry population. Vehicles belch black diesel fumes along main roads. Mangy dogs wander the streets. The raucous beat of karaoke shatters the night and ever-present roosters wake you at four in the morning. You’ll need walls and bars on the windows of your house to prevent break-ins.

If you’re careful, decent routine medical and dental care can be found in the larger cities, but questionable care is a real possibility. Dengue fever, malaria and other tropical diseases are risks as are hepatitis and tuberculosis. If you can’t pay up front for medical care, you will not receive any. Emergency medicine usually involves taking a taxi to the nearest hospital.

It can be inexpensive to live in the Philippines, but the biggest savings come when you can adapt to living more like Filipinos; buying chicken and pork rather than Australian steaks, skipping Cheerios and other imported products, eating eggplant and other fruits and vegetables that grow in the Philippines rather than imported broccoli and apples, using a fan rather than air conditioning, riding the jeepney rather than maintaining an SUV. Those who insist on trying to live a Western lifestyle, may not find the savings so great, especially when you consider you must pay all health care expenses.

Some rural places in the Philippines can be quite inexpensive and really are paradisaical, but you’ll be hours or days from medical care, Internet, books and so forth. Shopping will be restricted to fish, local vegetables and a few canned goods. If you’re healthy and self-sufficent and your material needs are simple, this might well be your paradise. We have found a good compromise, living 20km outside of a city in a quiet rural place, but with relatively easy access to the city.

For my wife and me the Philippines is a paradise, but it’s the people who make it so. Filipinos, especially in the provinces, treat foreigners with great kindness and respect. In turn, I respect them for who they are and the way they live their lives. Every day I see them face their often very difficult lives with inspiring dignity and good humor. They are truly a special people and I feel privileged to live among them.

Our monthly expenses living near Iloilo City. We find that, with care, we can live fairly well in Iloilo City on about $2,000 per month. We own or own home so no rent is included. The main cost of living questions you need to adjust for are:

Prescription drugs and medical care. A $2,000 per month budget may cover routine medical and dental care for a reasonably healthy couple. Someone requiring expensive prescription drugs or expensive medical care needs to adjust

Health Insurance in the Philippines

The Philippines has a totally pay-as-you-go health care system. Your first stop at the hospital (as it is in the US) will be the cashier’s office. You must have money to pay for health care, otherwise you will not get care, will not be admitted to a hospital no matter how dire your situation. A very few hospitals will accept foreign medical insurance cards, but most will not. Larger hospitals accept credit cards (St. Paul’s does) but many do not.

Do not come to the Philippines unless you have the resources to pay for medical care. Even if you are admitted to the hospital, security guards will probably prevent you from leaving the hospital until your bill is settled. See the story of Thomas Hunt for a horrifying example.

Routine health care expenses in the Philippines can be very inexpensive. Your total cost for routine health care may be less than you’ll pay for deductibles and co-payments in the U.S. Still, care for a serious illness (coronary bypass surgery, cancer treatment for example) can run in to the many tens or thousands of dollars.

The US medical insurance program for the elderly, Medicare, does not cover care in the Philippines. Some US veterans can receive care through VA clinics. Some retiree medical insurance programs will reimburse you for care paid for in the Philippines. A very limited number of Philippine hospitals accept US Blue Cross Insurance. One is Asian Hospital in Alabang, a southerly suburb of Manila. If you’re well enough and are covered by Medicare, you can return to the US for treatment.

Sorry, but I’m not familar with how or if European, Canadian or Australian national health insurance programs work (if at all) in the Philippines. Please add any information you can share in the comment box below.

Private heath insurance is available such as Blue Cross Philippines. I’ve had mixed reports about it. Some have had satisfactory experiences, others are very unhappy. Pre-existing conditions will be excluded.

Definitely sign up for the Philippine government program, PhilHealth. Benefits for inpatient treatment are not comprehensive, but very worthwhile. With major surgery you may save tens of thousands of pesos. The cost is P100 per month and the insurance covers the whole family including the foreign spouse can be covered. If you are your spouse are going to be responsible for all or part of the medical needs of the extended family, make sure they are all signed up.

Here is what the PhilHealth web site says about a foreigner signing up on his or her own. ”…the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 7875, as amended by RA 9241, provides for the inclusion to the National Health Insurance Program the citizens of other countries residing and/or working in the Philippines. If the foreign national is employed, he/she shall be registered under the Employed Sector Program. Meanwhile, if he/she is self-employed or merely residing in the country, he/she may enroll as an Individually Paying Member. He/she only needs to accomplish and submit to any PhilHealth office, the PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) and a photocopy of his/her Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to prove his/her residency in the country.”

The Iloilo City PhilHealth office is well-run and signing up a fairly painless process. You can pay annually. We pay through our bank each December for the upcoming year. In our case the bank does not have the payment form (why is that?) so that we have to go to the (nearby) PhilHealth office to get the form and then pay the bank. Ask for several payment forms so that they can be used in subsequent years. It’s essential that you obtain and retain the official receipt for your PhilHealth payment. You’ll need to have it when you file a claim.

Our experience with PhilHealth was good when Carol was hospitalized in Manila. Due to mis-communication I had to visit the incredibly busy PhilHeath office on Taft Avenue in Ermita, Manila. Although the office and the harried staff were so busy, the office was well run, most everyone was patient, and was not the nightmare I feared. On the first trip there, I obtained the Member Data Record (MDR), but I had to go back and get a record of our premium payments on the second visit. Once you have those documents, the hospital cashier’s office will take over. Your PhilHealth benefits will be calculated and deducted from the hospital and physician fees you owe.

　

　

　

Cost of Living in Philippines

the budget accordingly. A reserve account to cover emergency medical expenses is a must.

Support you provide to your spouse’s Philippine family — routine and special such as medical emergencies.

Family size.

Dining out, entertainment

Expenses in ones home country.

Immigration fees.

Overseas travel.

Any installment payments such as for a motor vehicle.

Here’s our expenses for 2011 (in U.S. Dollars)

Auto 454.88

Bank Charge 80.74

Books, Magazines, Music 381.46

Clothing 388.12

Computer 1,150.68 (includes hardware)

Dining Out 715.77 (includes travel)

Entertainment 96.97

Family Help 5,795.32 (medical, education, funeral)

Gifts 105.82

Groceries 3,975.95

House Construction 1,425.41

House Furnishings 1,160.30

House Landscaping-Garden 456.46

House, Maintenance 523.77

Household 1,274.56 (includes generator)

Labor 698.79

Medical/Dental 7,124.75 (includes major surgery – about $5,000)

Photography 443.54 (includes camera)

Postage, Shipping 179.95

Rent 00.00 (own house)

Tax 219.06

Transportation 149.68

Travel 1,501.01

Bottled Water 175.15

Electricity house 1114.22

Garbage & Recycling 55.80

Generator fuel 39.41

Internet 411.18

Propane 95.11

Telephone 314.48

Total Utilities Utilities 2,205.35

Total 2011 Expenses $31,000 (approximate)

Notes.

Expenses were high due to completion and furnishing of new house, family medical (including major surgery) and funeral expenses.

Would be Philippine retirees often ask if they can live in the Philippines for $600 per month or $800 or $1000 per month. The answer to all these is yes. If you are healthy, can be happy living in a rural area, riding public transport, shopping in the public markets, avoid imported foods and can get along without air conditioning and maybe Internet access (if you’re reading this maybe you can’t), you can live on very little.

The big problem in returning in the Phil is the retiree's health... Medicare is not carried over to Phl and there are fil am who are rallying behind it but I don't think it will be a success. Once you return back to Mnl/phl a number of diseases will sprout out like allergies- the phil is smoke free (from kerosene while they cook meat for sale anywhere, bonfires, burnt bus oils at night etc.) and has different bugs-bacteria to insects ( a bite of an insect can cause a big bump of an itch etc.) remember that..i lived abroad including the usa for years... now that I went back to the Phil my number one enemy is allergies... when am in the us i don't have them or in australia etc.

[sjr09 155]

The big problem in returning in the Phil is the retiree's health... Medicare is not carried over to Phl and there are fil am who are rallying behind it but I don't think it will be a success. Once you return back to Mnl/phl a number of diseases will sprout out like allergies- the phil is smoke free (from kerosene while they cook meat for sale anywhere, bonfires, burnt bus oils at night etc.) and has different bugs-bacteria to insects ( a bite of an insect can cause a big bump of an itch etc.) remember that..i lived abroad including the usa for years... now that I went back to the Phil my number one enemy is allergies... when am in the us i don't have them or in australia etc.

Nothing new to me. Everything your saying has been said “The words from an Expat” confirmation I guess?