Whats the deal on porters

We took our M/C from Cebu to Dumaguete and arrived in Dumaguete very late at night.Of coarse I want to hurry up and leave to get a room but we needed some paper to get off the pier.We found a guy who went away for 20 minute to wake someone up I think anyway we were allowed to leave.I don't remember if there was a fee but if there was it was small.I was the one who loaded and unloaded the bike at both ends so no porter fees just the feight price of the M/C.
When we left we took what I call a landing craft from some dock around San Jose to the southern tip of Cebu.It was only like 30 minutes to cross.Again I was the one to load and un-load and no fees.

 

I recommend learning a few Visayan phrases to let them know (or make them think) that you've been here before and you're not a newbie when it comes to traveling in the PI. Foreigners are not the only people these thugs try to weasel money out of, but also those they think are newbie travelers to the place.

Try saying:
"Ako ra." (ah-co rah) = I'll do it myself. (That is if you want to carry your own luggage.)
"Duol ra kaayo." (do-all rah kah-ah-yo) = It's really near.
"Mahala pud!" (ma-hah-lah pood) = That's too much/really expensive!
"Dili ra." = No, thanks.

For example, if the pedicab driver offers to charge you any more than P300 (about US$7) for baggage/cargo that fills the entire pedicab (excluding the roof top) for anywhere within Duma, but outside the city center, say "Mahala pud." and offer a lower price, starting with P200 going up to P300. That P300 already includes you and another passenger and is already a little generous. If the driver is really nice and polite, maybe add another P50.

If its just from the pier to a tourist inn/hotel in the city center, start at P100 and max should be P200. If they offer more than than, say "Mahala pud! Duol ra kaayo." If they insist, say "Dili ra" and wait for another pedicab.

For porters, P50 per porter should be enough; P70 is already very generous. And choose the number of porters depending on your cargo. But if you want to carry your stuff yourself, say "Ako ra." Sometimes they ask to 'help' you even if they can see that you can do it yourself.

I hope that helps.