Living in Cebu

In early 2006 I will be moving to Cebu, Philippines with the entire family.

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Making A Living
in the Philippines

“MAKING A LIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES!”

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This book has been written with you in mind; the average, everyday guy who wants to escape to the Philippines and live every day with the Filipina of his dreams but still needs to make a living!

For many its the need to make a living that is stopping them from living in the Philippines but here is where You can find out how to work, start a business or invest in the Philippines and escape.

Getting my Lic. part II

After getting the required medical and drug testing clearance I was taken to the LTO, which stands for Land Transportation Office.

As a non-national I am only entitled to a non-Professional license. I would assume any sort of driving would be including in the long list of prohibited professions. I did see the entire list in the appendix to Perry’s book Making A Living In The Philippines. I am entitled to work here in theory but have not intention to and after skimming over that list there seems very little open to non-nationals even when they do have visa entitlement to work.

Anyway back to the LTO. My contact knew some people that work in the LTO office and I was lead around the back and inside. There I handed over the forms I had completed and was asked for “700 Pesos Filipino money”. This was more than I was told I would need to hand over but I did so and was then taken around the front and told to wait for my name to be called. I waited a while and then my name was called and I stood in front of a window with a hole and camera. My picture was taken and I was asked to sign a digital tablet. Then I was told to sit down again. I waited for sometime again and was called to the next window and give a receipt (for 299.76) and told to go to yet another window. This was a busy area with lots of people trying to pass their receipts across a table to a single person. I eventually handed mine and then was told to wait outside. Soon my name was called again and another picture was taken. I was then told to go back into that office and there I received a temporary paper license with my photo printed on it and was told my plastic license would take six months. Thus the two separate Photo sessions.

I was probably at the LTO office for 1 to 2 hours total. If I include the medicals and drug testing maybe 3 hours in all. The lady that assisted me firmly refused my offer of money when I went back to see her saying “next time”. The officers inside LTO made an extra 400 pesos for the day. Everyone was happy.

Going through one of the “Fixers” would have been a lot more expensive from all report but the longer I stay here my view towards such services is changing. If they can save you spending hours and hours then why not pay them to wait in the long lines instead.

All my papers were in order so my application was simple. I have heard horror stories about expats taking weeks to get their license because of paperwork requirements. Not sure if they were just being taken for a ride or not.

I was also told about a Korean that did not have a Passport (how he could stay here without a passport is another issue) and he was able to get his drivers license by pay 5000 pesos. It seems just about any problem can be fixed for money in this country.

Posted: Thursday 13th July 2006, 4:08 AM

Learn To Speck Cebuano

If you are planning no living in Cebu then its a good idea to learn the language and I have found a great teacher here in Cebu. He can also assist you online and is available to translate any documents.

If you plan to live in Cebu then why not learn to speak the language and earn to Speak Cebuano - Translation service also available