My Philippines Page

Why buy properties in the Philippines?

The natural beauty of the Philippines alone can be the reason why you must buy a property here. With warm and vast beaches, green mountains and breezy nature or the bliss of the busy streetlights and modernity of the city and most of all, the hospitality of the Filipinos. Living with the nature around you gives you a life of contentment. Here are the reasons why buying properties here are very rewarding:

Location for Good Investment

Strategic location makaes it a strong contender to be Asia's leading regional transshipment and tourist hub. If you want to build business, Philippines are the perfect spot for you because it is located in the heart of South East Asia. You can buy or rent a place for your business and your own home at a very reasonable price.

Property Cost

There are property categories that you might choose when buying properties in the Philippines. One is the subdivision and the other is the house and lot outside the subdivision and the condominiums. Subdivision is more costly than the 2 because of own community infrastructure and security. Prices varies depending on the amenities these subdivision offers. Most subdivision offered a flexible payment scheme for those who can’t pay in full but additional interest rate are applied. Another category is the house and lot outside the subdivision which is cheaper than subdivisions but prices always varies on the place where the house and lot stands. Locations outside the major city are much cheaper because of lack of major cities usual services such as waste removal, transportation and electricity for worst scenario but if you have lived in a simple life you can easily adapt into it. Some bring the cities limelight to this place by renovating the entire place and installing what is needed for their own comfort. The last category is the condominium which is mostly located in the cities and sometimes to tourist destinations. It also has the same flexible payment and amenities offered by subdivision but are more costly.

Ease of buying

You can buy a genuine property with the help of a licensed Realtor that are accredited and supported by the government that has standardized real estate services. You can verify legitimate realtor and contact them via own and group website, referrals and observe in the vicinities for their offices. They can assist you through every step in buying the one you like.

Ways of owning a Property if you are a Foreigner

Foreigner cannot buy property directly. Most foreigners have their Filipino spouses’ right to buy for them as the easiest way

Foreigner must have a Special Retirement/Investment Visa which allows almost all of the investment privileges of A Filipino Citizen. Application requirements are: you must be 35 yrs old, meet the bank deposit requirement which can be withdrawn at a later date for your investments, pay processing fee and the amount of the deposit/investment needed depends on whether or not you are married to a Filipino or former Filipino.

Leasing a property is the safest way. With the proper legal documents, this is a good way of controlling the property through lease. Leasehold is essentially purchasing an island for a specific period of time. When leasehold was completed it was returned to the state or the original owner.

The last option for owning an island involves forming a paper company. A corporation can own land, and you can own up to 40 percent of the corporation. If the corporation is set up diligently, you can control the entire corporation, thereby effectively owning an island. One person alone cannot incorporate a company; you will require Filipino incorporator who will technically own sixty percent of your company, and your island.

Visit the Pearl of the Orient Seas

Bring a map, a few necessities wrapped up in your travelling bag and be ready to visit the Philippines for the first time. Read the visitors information for your quick guide.

TIME ZONE

There is only one time zone for the entire country, which is 120° East Meridian Time and eight hours in advance of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

GETTING THERE

Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark, Subic, and Laoag are the international gateways. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila is the premier gateway. It is served by more than 30 airlines which fly to different cities around the world.

The Mactan International Airport (MIA) in Cebu handles regular flights from Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Busan, Doha, Seoul, and Australia as well as chartered flights from the United States and other major travel capitals.

Davao International Airport handles regular flights from Indonesia and Singapore. Seasonal flights are also available to Macau.

The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (also known as Clark International Airport) in Pampanga handles regular flights from Malaysia, Macau, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Subic International Airport handles regular flights from Taiwan and different cargo flights.

Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte services regular flights from China.

Philippine Airlines, the country's flag carrier, has 32 international and 20 domestic points.

Major cruise liners call on the port of Manila.

ENTRY REGULATIONS

A valid passport is required.

Except for stateless persons and those from countries with which the Philippines has no diplomatic relations, all visitors may enter the country without visas and may stay for 21 days provided they have tickets for onward journey. Holders of Hong Kong and Taiwan passports must have special permits. Visas and special permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies and consulates.

HEALTH REGULATIONS

A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required for travelers coming from infected areas.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

Airport and Facilities: Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is 7 km. from the city center, while the Manila Domestic Airport is one kilometer from the NAIA. The international airports have adequate traveler facilities: duty-free and souvenir shops, tourist information and assistance counters, hotel and travel agency representatives, car rental services, banks and automated teller machines, postal service, national and international direct dial telephone booths, medical clinics, and baggage deposit areas.

Facilities for the Physically-Handicapped: The airports are handicapped-friendly. Wheelchairs are available on request from the airline ground staff.

Customs: Visitors are advised to fill in the Baggage Declaration Form before disembarking to facilitate Customs examination. The following are allowed duty-free: reasonable quantity of clothes, jewelry, and toiletries; 400 sticks of cigarettes or two tins of tobacco; two bottles of wine or spirits of not more than one liter each. Porterage: Baggage carts are available for free. Porter services are also free. Tipping is traditional.

Airport Transfers: Visitors are advised to avail of accredited fixed rate or metered taxis at the NAIA's Arrival Area. At the Manila Domestic Airport, accredited transfer services are available on pre-paid coupon basis. Other airports are served by metered taxis. All airports have counters for hotel transport and car rental service. Airport Fees: P750 for international departure or its US dollar equivalent as of March 10, 2007, $15.50 US dollars; and P200 for local departure (paid in Philippine pesos only). Departing passengers for international destinations are advised to check with airport or tourist information counters (Tel. Nos 524-1703; 832-2964) The departure fees may change without further notice.

Automated Teller Machine: American Express

Duty-Free Shopping: Duty-Free Philippines near the NAIA is the country's largest duty-free outlet carrying quality imported items and selected Philippine export products.

CLIMATE

March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy. November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78°F/25°C to 90°F/32°C; humidity: 77%.

WHAT TO WEAR

Light, casual clothes are recommended. Warmer garments are needed for mountain regions. When visiting churches and temples, propriety dictates that shorts and scanty clothing be avoided. Formal occasions require dinner jackets and ties (or the Philippine barong tagalog) for men and cocktail dresses or long gowns for women.

CURRENCY

Unit of currency: Peso (P) = 100 centavos. Bank notes: P10, P20, P50, P100, P200, P500 and P1,000. Coins: 5c, 10c, 25c, P1, P5, P10.

TIPPING

Tipping is expected for many services. The standard practice is 10% of the total bill. Tipping is optional on bills that already include a 10% service charge.

LOCAL TRANSPORT

By air, Philippine Airlines (Tel. No. [632] 855-9999) and Cebu Pacific (Tel. No. [632] 702-0888 ) provided daily services to major cities and towns. Asian Spirit (Tel. No. [632] 851-8888), Laoag International Airlines (Tel. No. [632] 551-9729), and Seair (Tel. No. [632] 891-8708) service the missionary routes. There are also scheduled chartered flights to major domestic destinations serviced by smaller commuter planes.

By sea, interisland ships connect Manila to major ports. Ferry services connect the smaller islands.

By land, Philtranco connects Manila to Bicol in Southern Luzon, to Samar and Leyte in the Visayas, and Davao in Mindanao.

Metered and fixed rate taxis are widely available in key cities nationwide. Jeepneys and buses are inexpensive ways of getting around most places. In Metro Manila, the fastest way of commuting is via the railway system. LRT-1 (yellow line) connects the northern district of Monumento to the southern district of Baclaran with stations situated at major intersections. MRT traverses the length of EDSA and connects North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, passing through the major arteries of Makati's financial district. LRT-2 (purple line) starts at the university belt in Recto, passes through Sta. Mesa, Cubao, Katipunan, and ends in Santolan, Pasig.

LANGUAGE

Filipino is the national language. English is the business language and spoken widely.

ACCOMMODATIONS

In Metro Manila, key cities and towns throughout the country, a wide selection of de luxe, standard, economy, and pension-type accommodations are available. In island destinations, there is a variety of resorts ranging from de luxe to special interest category.
The Department of Tourism has a Homestay Program in several destinations outside Manila. The program offers visitors the comfort of modest homes and an insight into Philippine life. For information, contact the Tourist Information Center at Room 106, Department of Tourism Building, tel. nos. (632) 524-2384 / (632) 524-1703.

DINING OUT

Filipino food is an exotic, tasteful blend of Oriental, European, and American culinary influences. There is a wide variety of fresh seafood and delectable fruits. First class restaurants offer gourmet specialties as well as Filipino cuisine.

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE

Metro Manila is the center of entertainment and cultural activities. The premier venue for the performing arts, theCultural Center of the Philippines, features world-class performances by local and international guest artists. Museums located in Manila and in some parts of the country offer a glimpse of Philippine history and culture. Art galleries exhibit the works of the country's leading and promising visual artists.

Manila's nightlife is one of the most vibrant in Asia, reflecting the Filipino's love for music. The hubs of nightlife activities are the Remedios Circle in Malate, Ayala Center and The Fort at Bonifacio Global City in Makati, Timog and Tomas Morato Avenues in Quezon City, and Eastwood in Libis, Quezon City. Nightclubs, music lounges, pubs, and sing-along bars feature Filipino bands and singers who are known for their great musical talent. De luxe hotels offer a variety of live musical entertainment. Concerts and stage plays form part of the country's entertainment scene.

For visitors who want to try their luck at the gaming tables there are casinos in Metro Manila and in the cities of Angeles, Olongapo, Tagaytay, Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, and Laoag.

SHOPPING

Visitors can choose from an exciting selection of great buys in a country known for export-quality items at reasonable prices: South Sea pearls, handwoven cloths, embroidered fineries, fashionable ready-to-wear and haute couture clothes, terra-cota, porcelain, and home accessories. Artifacts, pineapple fiber shirts, prehistoric jars, native handicrafts, and footwear are interesting items, too. The Philippines also produces fine basketry, furniture, fresh and processed fruits, exquisitely crafted jewelry, and gift items made of wood and stone.

Big malls are located in Manila, Makati and EDSA, while handicraft, antique and curio shops abound at the Ermita District in Manila.

BUSINESS AND BANKING HOURS

Private and government offices are open either from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Some private companies hold office on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Most shopping malls, department stores, and supermarkets are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. There are also 24-hour convenience stores and drugstores nationwide.

Banks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, with automated teller machines (ATM) operating 24 hours.

CREDIT CARDS

International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Mastercard, and American Express Card are accepted in major establishments.

ELECTRICITY

220 volts, A.C. 60 cyles. Most hotels have 110-volt outlets.

WATER

Water in Metro Manila and in key cities and towns is potable and safe for drinking. Bottled water is available in many hotels, restaurants, resorts, supermarkets, and convenience stores.

COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES

The country has international and national direct dial phone and facsimile services, mobile phone sites, internet and e-mail facilities, and worldwide express delivery service. The postal system is efficient.

Most national dailies are in English. Foreign publications are sold at major hotels, malls, and bookstores in Metro Manila and key cities. There are 7 national television stations which broadcast mainly in Filipino. Cable TV is available in many hotels in Manila and in many parts of the country.

CONVENTION FACILITIES

Manila, the pioneer convention city in Asia, has played host to a number of prestigious international events. The Philippine International Convention Center is equipped with modern convention facilities and services. It can accommodate 4,000 delegates in its Plenary Hall and 5,700 persons in its Recepcion Hall. The World Trade Center near the PICC can hold huge exhibitions and events. Smaller meetings can be held in hotels and other establishments. Out-of-town hotels and resorts are alternative convention sites.

MEDICAL SERVICES

Hospitals in the country are equipped with modern facilities to meet any medical need. In some remote towns and cities, clinics and health centers provide emergency medical attention. Most hotels and resorts provide medical assistance. Hospitals are listed in the "Yellow Pages" of the local telephone directory.

TOURS AND SPECIAL INTEREST ACTIVITIES

Tour packages, from day trips to five-day programs, are special ways of discovering the Philippines and its wealth of culture. Special interest activities include golfing, game-fishing, diving, white-water rafting and other aquasports, trekking, spelunking, and safari trips.

Information on tour itineraries may be obtained from the Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa), tel. (632) 893-0284, or from the Tourist Information Center located at the ground floor of the DOT Bldg. on T.M. Kalaw Street, Manila, tel. (632) 524-2384/(632)524-1703.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

New Year's Day, January 1; Edsa Revolution Day, February 24; Araw ng Kagitingan, April 9; Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, moveable; Labor Day, May 1; Independence Day, June 12; National Heroes Day, last Sunday of August; All Saints' Day, November 1; Bonifacio Day, November 30; Christmas Day, December 25; Rizal Day, December 30.

Reference:
Official Philippine Government Portal
Escape Artist
Private Island Online