Is the Forbes article about Dumaguete really making a difference?

Like this? lol

Millennial's...

 

I know people that talk AND act almost exactly that way in Southern California, San Diego and Garden Grove, Orange County to be exact. They are probably elsewhere in Hollywierd area but those are the two places I could introduce you to them.
As far as expats contributing, I wouldn't say you are wrong about the minimal contribution of expats, most influx of money is OFW, and the other things you mentioned. However, consider this. I have been told that there are about 10,000 "foreigners" in Dumaguete. Some are real bums, with almost no income, but even the ex trailer people will get a pension of $1,000.oo a month or so, and most get much more than that. That goes into the economy. Mostly as cell phones for girl friends and beer. $1,000.00 right now is 50,000.00 Pesos and that is a huge monthly income here. I know families living on 8,000.00. Some even less. Not to be laborious, but look at the resorts. It took a lot of money to buy the land and build those and they also create jobs and pay taxes. As far as I know they are mostly foreign owned. Many foreign owned bars here also provide tax revenue and jobs. So there is a little contribution from us expats. Sometimes I feel like it was a stroke of luck to have my trailer repossessed and those warrants issued forcing me to come here. Yes it is a "shithole" but it is presently my "shithole" and I'm on the street. (free) Doing my part for Redhorse and Tanduay.
(actually RARELY drink, just joking)
Sorry for the novel but one more point. I am one of those stupid people that is ruining the locals. I see arguments here about riding to Duma for 20P and tipping nothing or 5P, but as I say am one of those ex kings you describe. I have the "Sadam Hussein" complex. I can't believe I'm not still president. Soooo, what I do is when I park I always use the same guys wherever I go and I always tip 20P. When they see me come from the mall they bring my bike to the sidewalk and help me with my packages. At Robinson's they fight over who gets to park me. When I get gas at the Shell they have free air and I never get off the bike. The guy checks and airs my tires, (electronic pressure display I can watch), and I tip him 20P also. I'm the *sshole that is ruining things for everyone in Dumaguete. To me it is worth 40 cents to still be king and besides they need the money and I'm making Dumaguete a better place 40 cents at a time.

 

Go to "Ipswich, Queensland, Australia"... 'They' walk among us! jeje
Actually; go to Youtube, look for "HOUSOS" and try and watch an episode. I lived amongst THEM and almost everyone one of their dumb @ss kids were a clone of that 'thing' in the video, 'Voices with Attitude' I sometimes call them as it makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck each time I hear them speak. The Mothers; well that is another story, reminds me of someone dragging their fingernails down a Blackboard!
I lived there for 33 years, 33years TOO LONG! d*mn I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES! lol

 

You could have condensed it with a single Link David... LOL

 

That is how I see my situation. My money comes into the country via my Pension. That money is spent 100% locally, not a single dollar of it goes back to Australia. So it is the local economy here that benefits, rather than Australia as a whole in my case. When you look at those Foreigners/ OFW's/ Filipino's living abroad who support their Spouse and/or Families here, I often wonder just how much is coming into the country on a daily basis versus what is going out of the country. I am sure that for the vast majority of Foreigners who are living here, barely a scrap is sent back to their home country... That in itself has to contribute in a creditable way to the local economy surely?

 

Looks like it is going to take me a long time to make a difference at 40 cents a throw to the parking attendants.