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You are the one has has not done any research before sharing their thoughts. Your comment shows lazy ignorance. You could have simply done an Internet search on foreign owned business in the Philippines to see that I was correct. I see that your post has received up votes so there are others who think as you do.

I will explain in as simple terms as possible so that you may understand.

The Foreign Investments Act of 1991 states:

As a general rule, there are no restrictions on extent of foreign ownership of export enterprises.

the term “export enterprise” shall mean an enterprise wherein a manufacturer, processor or service (including tourism) enterprise exports sixty percent (60%) or more of its output, or wherein a trader purchases products domestically and exports sixty percent (60%) or more of such purchases;

To understand the law you need to understand some business terminology:

“Foreign ownership” and “foreign equity” is the percentage ownership of a business by foreigners.

“Paid-up capital” is the amount of money an investor invests into the business.

The foreign investment negative list (“FINL”) is a list of activities that the Philippine government exerts additional regulation. Except for the ownership of cockpits, these activities fall into two types of activities. Domestic market enterprises that need protection and those activities that can be dangerous to the community no matter where the product is sold. (ex: explosive manufacture, etc.)

“Domestic market enterprise” vs “export enterprise” is where the business generates its income (revenue). Both of these business enterprises are located in the Philippines. The difference is from where they generate their income. For example, the hypermart generates all of its revenue from the local Filipino population. The hypermart is a “domestic market enterprise”.

Some businesses export products like sugar. In the age of the Internet many businesses export services. Qualfon is an exporter of Filipino services. The Qualfon call center located in Dumaguete generates its revenue from sources in the US. US companies “outsource” their call center services to Qualfon in the Philippines. Qualfon is a business processing outsourcing (“BPO”) company. The Qualfon call center that is physically located in Dumaguete is an “export enterprise” because it generates its revenue from the US. Qualfon is majority owned by foreigners. The majority owner is a Mexican citizen.

Export enterprises benefit Filipinos because they bring money from foreign economies into the Philippines. They provide jobs for Filipinos without the Filipinos having to go overseas. This is much better than OFWs who have to leave their families for employment. This is very good for the Philippines and they want as much of this as possible. For this reason there is no foreign ownership restrictions on “export enterprises”. Furthermore, foreign ownership is often required because it is the foreign owners who have connection to foreign markets.

This is the end of my story because I intend to create an export enterprise that I can own 100%. I will continue so that you are fully informed.

The challenge is the protection of domestic market enterprises. Here the law tries to balance protection of Filipino business owners with the economic value of foreign investment. There is no point in trading Filipino business owners with foreign business owners without an increase in the economy. Here is where paid-up capital and the foreign investment negative list comes into play.

For example the negative list states:

No foreign equity in retail trade enterprises with paid-up capital of less than US$ 2,500,000.

This protects the local Filipino small shopkeeper from foreign competition. On the other hand 100% foreign ownership is allowed if the investment is more than US$ 2,500,000. For example, a foreigner can start a retail business located in Dumaguete that competes with the local hypermart if the foreigner invests more than US$ 2,500,000. Here the government considers the investment of US$2,500,000 valuable enough to offset the detriment of foreign competition in the domestic economy.

Filipinos are not stupid. Please make an effort to keep up.

 

Even when a guest in a country other than your own, you stand respectfully silent and still (hat off) for that country’s national anthem. It’s called “manners.”

 

I first heard about the airport proposal in 2014 that it was to be built in Combado, Bacong. In 2015 it appeared in the Negros Chronicle as a news headline that said: "New international airport at Bacong has been officially approved". Late last year I went to the Bacong town planning office and spoke to the city engineer and as far as they were concerned it was being surveyed and going ahead. They even gave me a photocopy of the proposed site and location of the runway (on a scrap piece of A4 paper printed out of Google maps, don't ask me to upload it). There was a small concern from one independent surveyor about the wind being too strong and that the runway could not run parallel to the mountains. I don't know if they may have changed the runway direction since. In the last few months new rumors have emerged that say it is going to be built in Siaton and even Bayawan but they are just wishful thinking. I have also been told by a few brokers that many landowners in Combado, Bacong have been approached by government officials for the buy back of their land. So, in summary, it is still going ahead with building to commence in 2018 in Combado, Bacong. However, we will never be sure until heavy equipment starts to clear land there. If it does go ahead you can expect to see Bacong become the next Dumaguete and house and land prices will increase for sure. The widening of the southern national highway is being done for a reason, and it's a much-needed improvement.

 

I decided that I would get my dive certification while I was on the Philippines on vacation earlier this month. After a bit of research I made reservations at Mikes Beach Resort in Dauin and completed the classroom portion of this online before I came to the Philippines in order to save some time.

Tom was my diving instructor and he did everything possible to accommodate my schedule in order that I could complete my certification and make it to a family reunion on Luzon. In spite of my demanding schedule they managed to get me through the practical portion of the padi course and get me to Apo Island for my final certification dive. I also had the opportunity to complete two additional dives at Apo on the same day.

I was overall impressed with all of the staff, everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. The dive staff was all very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. The wait staff at the restaurant and bar were very friendly and exceptionally courteous. The food was also very good and I enjoyed every meal that I ate there.

My room was one of the deluxe rooms and had an awesome view of the sunrise coming up over Siquijor Island every morning. The maid service was excellent and the room was quite comfortable convenient as it was directly across from the bar where I had most of my meals as well as my morning coffee.

I fully intend to be back one day to do it again.

 

My partener had a run in with a guy that took her from hypermart to a petrol stn then told her he dId not want to take her to phill health as was agreed on for 20 peso before theystarted . she reported him and he was called in to the transport office she also had to attend . the man lissened to her story and told the driver it was a National offence to put someone off in mid journey and said he would get 2000p find and 30 days suspension . my partener felt sorry for him and droped the charges, he got 400p find and had to attend a day seminer . Why i tell this story is the officer told me and my partener that they know many drivers are bad but no one bothers to complain so their hands are tyed. he went on to say a trip in the city limits is 9 peso thats for all peddy cabs with a 4 diget number. they are not allowed to refuse a fare.and not allowed to demand a higher price. now i call out their number and say see you at the seminer lol it works . I always pay double or more as i take up a lot of the seat and not many will hop in with an expat..moral to the story speak up if your not happy

 

None of us including the Philippines government were prepared for this epidemic. It must be extremely difficult to think of all the repercussions when you quickly have to take strategic steps to address this calamity so I can understand the government making multiple changes as necessary. There may not be a “perfect solution” so making modifications as we move forward and see what is working and what is not is going to happen and we need to be flexible and smart. Let’s hope the next 14 days will put us ahead of the curve. Painful but necessary.

 

Yup that's the one, it's now called true love.

We arrived around 8pm and were immediately met by the very affable owner, sorry forgot his name. The place is not fancy how ever spotlessly clean and adequate for a nice meal. We chose to sit outside as inside is quite small and a few people there.

Soon as we sat the complimentary food arrived, honestly larger than a normal starter. He is doing a dis service to himself here. Curries were excellent as was the chicken. Very impressed with costings and quality, my partner was given a tour of the kitchen which she compared to a surgery.

The owner is over friendly and never left our table, this could be a consideration to first time diners wanting privacy. The guy is so friendly. Further he is involved in many charitable acts, feeding homeless kids and the like.

All in all excellent food, modest surroundings, very affordable, we shall return, highly recommended.