Got my ECC today in Cebu's immigration office. Was there just after 9am. I was in and out in 15-20 minutes with the completed ECC ready for the airport. They required 3 2x2 photo's with a white background (I had more as I had heard 5 were needed now and a blogger recently said they were asked 6). I had photocopies of EVERYTHING and they wanted NOTHING of it. 500p was the fee. I did make sure to go on a Tues as figured Monday and Friday are going to be busier.

What sucked in the Ceres bus from Dumaguete to Cebu and then back again for something that took less then 20 minutes (and 5 of that was me filling out a very short 1 page form easier then the extension form).

 

Not quite correct. Holders of an SRRV never need to leave the country if they choose not to, and can enter and exit as they please.

However, if an SRRV holder stays in the Philippines more than 12 (I think) months consecutively, there is a "Travel Tax" that must be paid upon leaving (re-entering?) the country. It is the same tax which Filipino citizens are subject to, so it is not discriminating against foreigners.

 

I don't have first hand experience with this but according to PRA: Philippine Retirement Authority SRRV holders are exempt from the travel tax.

 

Only if you leave the country within 12 months of your last arrival.

 

Having for the first time in 7 years a close look at my ACR card I noticed that:
I' quoted as Permanent Resident with Immigrant status and on the bottom of the back side: "This card serves as re-entry permit (RP) or special return certificate (SRC)"
I'm wondering or I need an exit clearance too.

 

I am also a permanent resident. Ever time I leave the country the BI collects about P2270 (or so). Part of that fee is an ECC plus a bunch of random charges.
I pay at the airport. No need to make a special trip to the BI for the ECC. The ECC is charged wether I have been in the country for 2 weeks or 2 years.

 

TRAVEL TAX AND AIRPORT FEES
Philippine Nationals are expected to pay for the Philippine Travel Tax upon departure from the Philippines. It is usually paid at the airport upon departure or; oftentimes, already included in the cost of the ticket when purchased. US Nationals and Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders) are exempt from the Philippine Travel Tax. US Permanent Residents need to secure a Travel Tax Exemption Certificate from the Philippine Tourism Authority at the Department of Tourism Building at TM Kalaw Street, Ermita Manila. The Philippine Travel Tax is PHP1,620.00 (approximately $35.00).

Embassy of the Philippines - About the Philippines

I always pay my exemption tax at the airport.

 

That was what I read on a blog or other forum somewhere when I was looking for a bit more current info just to make sure. I always try and be safe then sorry. One guy said it was 5 pictures now and someone else said they were required 6 in comment. Like you suggested though they probably had other issues at play such as missed extensions or something else.