David, as I mentioned we live only about 243 ft. above coastal sealevel, and do NOT have aircon. However, it does seem to me that this "Global Warming" talk may have some truth to it, as last years summer seemed MUCH warmer to me than the 4 years previously. I began to toy with the idea of gettinga window ac for our bedroom....and just might do it this summer : we'll see.

Silab is about another 1.5 klms up the mountain from my place, and it IS much cooler. It will take me a few days to check on current "Asking" prices, though...OH!! Make that a week or more as I have to go to Cebu city Monday to Chung Hua hospital.
The owner of the large lot across the road from me is asking P450.00 sq.mtr. We'll have to wait and see what Silab area is going for. (I THINK much less!).
There's also another bargy. higher up in the mountain than Silab, (cooler yet!!) but it's located on Bio-os Road, close by here- still in Amlan. I know a guy who has about 3.5 hectares located past the brgy....and I THINK he WAS asking P65.00 per sq.mtr.

Contrary to what another member said about NPA in our area, his info is very outdated and no correct any longer. NPA is NOT an issue around here...and those that are somewhere far up in the mountains are a bit 'rag-tag' and don't bother to come 'down' .They do NOT pose ANY physical threat or violence in this area AT ALL.
Talk at 'ya when I get back from Cebu? Don
Here is my direct email address....you can email me directly in about a week or so....>

 

Thanks Don. Great information, I really appreciate it! As far as the NPA talk I think as long as you treat people with respect you and do not come off as an arrogant and rich you are probably OK. I plan to build a modest home and try to blend in as much as a white guy can. If you plan to live in the mountains and be flashy. That is probably a mistake. I just plan a simple cinder block home with a native style look. Drive a multi cab and eat a lot of fresh local grown food. Make friends with the locals so they help protect you by giving them some extra produce or meat from your farm and I think you are safe.

David

 

Be very, very careful that you don't get involved in the C.A.R.P (comprehensive agrarian reform program) booby trap.
Under CARP the limit of land ownership is 5 hectares.

 

I welcome this recent development. Peace indeed reign in our Province. Maybe they (NPA leaders) realized how difficult it is to be branded terrorist if ever they abduct civilians foreign or not. However my intention was only to give caution to our foreign visitors who may be planning for a permanent stay in our province. Thank you for the update anyway.

 

I was in Luzon back in the late 80's when the NPA sparrow teams were targeting and killing Americans. I remember very well the Aussies that had the "not an American" T-shirts made...

 

I was considering North for the reasons Don mentions, but we built our home in south Dumaguete for logistical reasons, despite the higher prices, pollution, crime etc -- everything we're involved with (like our farmlands, snorkling) is to the south, and i didn't want to have to drive all thru downtown to get south each time. If there is someday a Bypass Expressway loop around the west of Duma... :-)

 

My wife confirms that she's heard (from her many relatives on south coast, like Siaton & Sta Catalina) that the NPA communist guerrillas there serve to prevent the Abu Sayef Islamists from infiltrating into our fair isle, don't like them one bit. I'm sure they do a better job of that than the Army could :-) Our heroes, kinda, actually...? [if those two ever did strike an alliance, the quality-of-life in NO would take a steep dive...]

 

2.5 hectares (or so) is the limit per (Filipino) person. An easy way to avoid the limit is to put more people on the title, or form a corporation. We bought 3 hectares approximately two years ago, and my wife was "over the limit", so we added her mom to the title. Be aware of this when attempting to buy large pieces of land as all of the people on the title will need to sign off when the title is transferred/property is sold.

 

Firefly, Knowdafish, and others -- i'd appreciate more info on this C.A.R.P (comprehensive agrarian reform program) -- my wife says she does not know about this, and our joint ownership is already well-above what is being discussed.

Is there an English website on it? Does it apply to certain areas and not others? Apply to foreigners and Pinoys equally? Apply to inherited lands? Only farmlands or others?

How would one get into this "booby trap", and how does one avoid falling-in, and how might one get out of it if already ensnared...?