This was a make or break week and much of it has been spent sorting accounts with Metrobank to ensure I can manage my account from abroad. Unfortunately their new all signing and dancing Internet backing system does not work so the old version has been reinstated. The result, tons of paper work to get simple tasks initiated to ensureI can pay money owing to other people. I then discovered limitations on my Debit card which meant I could not pay for airline tickets. I raised the issue with my bank and after going around the houses after times. They admitted they had no system in place to raise the limited and I was the first person to request a change.

I tried Metrobank's phone banking as an alternative to the Internet only to discover that rather than having a real person on the line it is a menu based system and if you want to to transfer funds to a new account you need to set this up by filling in forms at your branch.

My House insurance is due later this month so I emailed the insurance company but of course go no reply when I requested their bank details it seems once again this has to be done via the bank. What a way to run a business, and people ask why I am leaving the Philippines.

The week started with the worst possible news from the Cyprus Consul to say my families Visa had been refused because of an "immigration risk". Once again I set a precedence my challenging the decision and was told I need to contact the Department of Foreign affairs in Cyprus, but the Consul could not provide me the either the number or the name of the person.

After some 4 hours of calling and being transferred from pillar to post, including being referred back to the Cyprus Consul in Manila. I managed to speak to someone who worked for the Minster of the Interior, So I outlined my case that as a family of an EU Citizen they cannot be refused a visa, so 30 mins later I was informed that the Minister of the Interior has granted them a 3 month Visa which would allow time for residential visa formalities to be completed. This information would be passed to the Consul and the visa's could be picked up the following day.

Tuesday midday I phoned the consulate. The secretary had just arrived and I asked her for an update and she repeated the visa had been refused, so I directed her to go to the fax machine and read the latest fax. She came back 2 mins later and said "How did you manage that" It seems people normally meekly accept matters here. She then advised the visa's would be issued on Monday. So I corrected her and said the Minister had told me that Jasmin could pick up the passports today, It does not take six days to stamp and sign a visa. she Replied the Consul was not in the Office (that is why she was late to work), so I fine I would send a courier to pick up the documents on Wednesday and all being well they will arrive Friday. I can then finalise and pay for my airline tickets.

David Ogden
Dipolog city
+639991141149

http://seriouswealth.net

Banking in the Philippines is a nightmare area which I have written about before, the problem being that no bank communicates with any other bank, resulting in the need for many businesses and individuals holding accounts in different banks. My task this last week has been to decide which of the accounts I have in the Philippines will be retained.

The banking issues if further confused when information given on websites does not match reality And when you approach staff they have no idea what is going on, for instance. According to the Social Security website payment of contributions can be made online via BANKNET. I logged into the system connected to my PNB bank filled out the forms but kept getting message please try again later after three days I emailed Banknet and they suggested I approach PNB. A woman PNB could not understand why I would want to pay on line when I could just go to the SSS office at the other side of town and pay over the counter. When I explained I was going to be thousand of miles away she still did not understand but told me to go the the SSS office.

The SSS office were a bit more switched on but said they did not think the system was working yet in Dipolog City but might work in Manilla. she however gave me the address of the President who would be able to enlighten me.

My next port of call was to visit the Electricity Supplier Zanaco to arrange payment of future bills. Their opening statement was "its not possible we don't have an online system " This was like a red rag to a bull so I rephrased my question another way and asked them which Bank they use to deposit money into and when they said Metrobank I asked for their account number. I reminded the guy that I was a member of the Co-operative and as such he worked for me to which he replied the magic words you need to see the General Manager so Two hours later I got what I wanted, On a monthly basis they will email me a copy of my bill and I will use my online system to pay into their account confirming the transaction my email. Mission Accomplished.

My the end of the week it seems that the everyone I need to pay has account with Metrobank, so It looks like that will be the account i retain. I also discovered that Payment from Metrobank to SSS also appear to work. I posted a test transaction and will see if that reaches the SSS next week.

I still need to resolve how I can instruct my bank to send money to another country without having to return to the Philippines but as Metrobank is upgrading its system this weekend this just might be possible. My removers have been in touch and are planning to pack my possessions on 23 April so everything is falling into place, but still no word on Visa's

David Ogden
Dipolog city
+639991141149

http://seriouswealth.net

The past week has been a confusing time as Jays Passport finally arrived and we were able to submit Jasmins and Jay's passport to the Cyprus Consul in Manila complete with visa applications and backup. What a mountain of documents for what should be a simple matter as they are my dependents and have a right under European laws to travel and live in Cyprus. but of course Cyprus has some arguments at the moment with the EU so nothing is certain. The consul did request one additional document regarding Jasmin's Annulment which I had not forwarded as I could not get it authenticated due to the internal procedures of the National Statistics Office which take months to update their systems.

We also had a delay in payment of fees when we choose the wrong method of payment, this has delayed the onward transmission of our documents to Cyprus so we will not know of the decision until around 19th April which is only seven days before planned departure.

One further confusing fact is that Jay is using his Fathers surname even though he is illegitimate and the Cyprus authorities may request his fathers approval for travel although under Philippine law the mother has full responsibility and control of illegitimate children.

The next piece of good news is the sale of our car but once again not a straight forward transaction, as the buyer need to raise money to pay off the balance. the contract has been drawn up for a conditional sale so that ownership will not pass until September when final payment is made. however the buyer is also trying to arrange a loan on the car using it as collateral which is a no on. so we will see what happens/

We also have had a few sniffs at our House for Sale including one rental enquiry so hopefully we will have some good news on this front soon as well.

David Ogden
Dipolog city
+639991141149

http://seriouswealth.net

Our life is once again on hold thanks to local bureaucracy, Jay passport should have arrived at the weekend so we now have to chase up the couriers and the Passport office as passport should have been available on 14th March. This now will means a slippage on our schedule to move to Cyprus

Just happened to be passing LBC and they say they tried to deliver at weekend and no one home, seems strange because my office overlooks our gate and I waited all day. Any way we now have passport which was issued on 4th Feb, great so it took over a month for it to be released as issue date provided was 14th March. what a way to run a country.

Well with the recent news it might be a case of out of the frying pan into the fire. No good financial news coming out of Cyprus as they have stolen money from everyones bank accounts, this might give other countries ideas. Never do trust any foreign bank so only transfer sufficient funds to cover living expenses,

My next task is to chase up the local branch of the NSO to get an amended marriage certificate annotated with the fact that the marriage was annulled. Once again the bureaucrats are taking their time, but we have just over a month to leave the country as my Visa will run out so time is of the essence.

Today I Have the visas applications ready to go to the Cyprus Consul in Manila but do not know what the fees are. Have tried calling but only get a fax machine, now thinking that they have stopped work due to an extended bank holiday to give banks time to work out how they are going to thousands angry customers when they open.

Finally got through and things are now moving again, visa Application will be in Manila tomorrow and hopefully on to Cyprus at the weekend, there is a chance we just might get back on track but with Easter to contend with its going to be tight.

David Ogden
Dipolog city
+639991141149

http://seriouswealth.net