⌛ Why do people choose to live/retire to the Philippines

So you're not like Ken Dodd then, a tax dodger. :D

 

If you like the place and you like the people and the only thing that will make you stay is if Duma has a decent or even a half decent medical facility and healthcare, why not work to make it happen?

There are medical missionaries that goes there all the time, why not tap into their resources, raise funds, donations of used equipments, medications, etc. to make it safer for you and the local population to live there. That will be a great legacy for all of you. Show the goverment that the expats are there to make a difference and not just drink beer and chase skirts. GK (Gawad Kalinga)started as an idea and has changed the lives of many Filipinos, so how about a GK (Gawad Kalusugan/Kalinga) Dumaguete style, sponsored by the Expats. There may be resources in the countries of your origin that may be able to help, corporate sponsorship, etc.

How about that for a challenge?

Would you rather die in pain than do something about it. Everybody knows the problem it seem, but nobody is making a move to find the solution. It may not work but planting the seed of change might be enough.

 

indeed panday pera!

 

Ken Dodd a tax dodger ? did he? no Doddy..:D :D :D

Seriously though Jim when you reflect on life in UK and you pay Taxes and National Insurance all your life. Then when you can't look after yourself or wife or vice visa you end up having to sell your home to pay for elderly care in a nursing home.
Would much prefer to help the local community in PI by employing a local to do the things needed EX; Housework, cooking shopping etc.At least that helps everybody to benefit......regards JB

 

sorry PP to sound rude, that is total crap, many people here are so blindfolded and infected with the "Silliman-bacillus" like I saw it only in the history 60+ years back in Germany.

We tried to talk to so many people/officials here already, tried to move things, get things going, it is nothing more than deeply frustrating.

I just came back from a few weeks traveling, we were in Cities where officials were happy to get some support, where they want to work together to help those who need support.

You guys really don't wanna know what a disaster it is here in Dumaguete to get even to speak to somebody.

The skirt-chasers you talk about are tourists (or of course me) most expats here are married bought something (lot house) and cant get out of both deals anymore.

Sounds hard, but as I travel quite a bit I am sure that I see and can judge the difference between other towns with 100 - 150 k population and Duma.

Why I am still here ? again it fits my needs at present (I love the diving here, some friends, cold beer), Easy to reach easy to leave.

I won't be here after my little little one finishes elementary (most likely earlier). I want education for her and no blindfolded narrow minded "we are the best"-crap totally without value for her life.

I love to help, work together and support but I don't need to do it here where officials count how many seconds their opponent is on TV and p*ss on our leg when we try to organize charities.

There is no challenge in Duma, before you get the permit for that you are 6 feet under...

The permit for the Oktoberfest ( a charity event) last year took about 6 weeks, the same in a similar city took me 1 hour. I have way better things to do in my life than showing a fire extinguisher for my notebook after falling in line 2 hours (and that is NO joke) ...

 

How about that for a challenge?

Would you rather die in pain than do something about it. Everybody knows the problem it seem, but nobody is making a move to find the solution. It may not work but planting the seed of change might be enough.[/QUOTE]
Panday you make good points
"From little acorns grow mighty oaks"
I believe there are Expats doing good works already around Duma from what I read on this forum.
But you are quite right if people have influence or wealth why not try to make things better for everyone, after all that's what Christianity is about.
And you don't have to be a Christian to help your fellow man.

 

JB, you probably posted while I was writing...

another example. Since 2 years is a full functioning recompression chamber in a Duma hospital. That would benefit heart patients , divers and many other people. It needs less than 1000 $ (a few pipes and valves) to make it work. But there are guys in charge of who rather buy new cars for their family than doing anything.

"Better let people die as long we can stuff money in fancy new buildings and our pockets... " (BTW, my 2 friends I mentioned earlier would most likely be alive, if there would be a simple piece of equipment in that great building, what is existing in each better diveshop worldwide...)

The little acorn you plant here got overrun by a trike, there will grow nothing out of it...

 

No offense taken. All ideas are welcome especially by the locals that deal with the crap the politician throw around everyday.

Rhoody, you missed something in my post. Not once did I mention "Politicians". Sad to say but I know exactly what you meant and how frustrating it is to deal with the local goverment. I'm talking of a project that is completely independent of the government. That is the GK model. NO goverment help or resources was used. Everything was from donations. The local people that do not have money to donate, donated their trade knowledge and muscles in building houses for the poor.

Medical care can be independent of the govenment also and that is what I have in mind. Mark my word, once the politician see that you are successful they are the ones who is going to come to you and willingly volunteer their support (to earn "Brownie Points" of course) but then by that time it will be up to you to take them up on it or remain independent.

How it can be done we can probably brainstorm here....

P.S. You have to explain to me what the "Siliman Bacillus" is?

 

No need to expalin the Siliman Bacillus, I got it after re-reading your post.

I can feel your frustration but giving up is the wrong option. There is a saying that goes, "We should leave this earth better than when we found it."

Maybe there is still a chance for Duma and the friends that you will leave behind, because remember they do not have the option of going somewhere better.

 

PP I am not giving up, I just set other priorities. Duma is IMHO a lovely City, most people are wonderful and the surrounding is awesome.... there will be even a real movie-theater in 2018

With several Projects I am running with my guys I may even have multiple City-zenship and travel in between those.

As you know the way I post, I always point things you while exaggerating a little bit or simply stirring up some sh@#.

Before I went for my trip I had a good discussion with some friends here and we are preparing something which we publish here and invite to participate several members.

As the final form is not done yet, I wont say much. But it may help to save some lives when having a accident or heart attack on a sunday afternoon and you can't pull money for your rescue cause the ATM are offline or empty...

off to pick up the Dane from the airport and get my exchange-liver at a local vet...
cheers

Rhoody