Security Guards Philippines

Bank Security Guard Philippines

Security Guards Are Everywhere!

When I first arrived in the Philippines I departed the plane at the international airport in Manila.

A friend met me at the airport and drove me to his family home. His family served a snack and soda. We ate on their front porch. 

I asked about good low cost places to stay. They referred me to an apartelle. It was the first place I stayed in the Philippines.

After resting up after 3 flights and a total of almost 24 hours of air travel I went across the street to the local SM Mall. It was there I first began to see armed guards. They were at the entrance to the mall. 

Armed Guards At Mall Entrances

They poked a stick into the sling bag I was carrying and searched it. There were guards at the entrances to many shops and stores inside the mall. At the bank branches, drugstores. At the cinema.

During the next five years in the Philippines I have ridden jeepneys and taxis into and out of the main business districts of Manila and several other cities. I have been walking on sidewalks near banks when the armored trucks arrived. When the driver stops in front of a bank guards get out and join the two or more bank guards. They are armed with pistols, shotguns and even automatic weapons (Armalites). Guards facing all directions around the truck. Probably not a good idea to stick around when the armored car pulls up.

Gated subdivisions have guardhouses and armed guards at their entrances. I was looking for a house to purchase and visited a subdivision that had guards at the entrance and even had guard towers around the perimeter wall. I was told that several armed guards patrol the subdivision day and night.

At first it is somewhat disconcerting to see armed guards everywhere but one gets accustomed to it.

In fact I got so comfortable with living in the Philippines that eventually we rented an apartment in a subdivision which had no security other than the local police force. We never saw them in our neighborhood until once, when we had only a short time left on our lease, I called them to complain about our landlord who started remodeling while we were still living there.
It seems he had hired a couple of guys to start knocking a hole in the wall adjacent to us so that he could create an archway in order to combine our unit with the one next door. He thought one larger would bring him more money than two smaller units.  The workers accidentally knocked a hole all the way through our wall and debris fell on our sofa. Well I deemed that an invasion of privacy. 

The police jeep pulled up in front of our unit. The officer in charge got out with several of his troops formed a circle around him and me. Dressed in black uniforms they had rifles and shotguns at the ready. Apparently routine procedure in this rural area. 

Magalang City Hall

The officer advised me that, if I wanted to, I could go to the police station at the city hall and file a formal complaint and have the landlord "blottered." Which I did. Not long after the incident our lease was about to expire, and we moved out.

If you move to the Philippines, I am sure you will get used to the presence of armed guards. In fact, you may soon appreciate a feeling of security you may not have known in your own country.

Was this article helpful?

If you have found this article helpful, have suggestions, advice or insights please "comment" below.

This post will be expanded. Check back for more information about uniformed and armed security guards in the Philippines. Posted December 15, 2016. Last updated June 3, 2022.

Avoid Crime in Philippines

Crime in The Philippines

Avoid Criminals in the Philippines

Setups in hotel rooms - legal age lady invites an underage girl to the room (a "sister," "cousin," etc.) - next thing you know a police officer will be at the door. You will need an attorney!

Pickpockets in malls, in jeepneys, on sidewalks, in crowds.

Robbery at gunpoint - stay alert.

Be careful where you walk at night.

Ask someone where not to walk (eg. a security guard or a desk clerk at your hotel.)

Snatchers - will grab the necklace off your girl's neck and run.

Someone tries to befriend you - "Hey Joe, I've been to the US also..." - don't answer, just keep walking.

Someone tries to sell you a gun - it is illegal for foreigners to own guns - see self defense in the Philippines.

Be especially alert in bus stations.

On the bus, sit near the front of the bus so that you can make a hasty exit if armed robbers get on the bus and start demanding money (advice from a police officer.)

The two locks shown above will adjust to fit different inswing doors.

Carry some kind of traveler's security door lock to use when staying in hotel rooms. Try it when you preview the room. Make sure it fits the door before you check in.

On two occasions someone has tried to get into my hotel room in the Philippines. One time, at a cheap hotel in Batangas, the person used a tool, which left marks on the door and door frame, while we were sleeping. In the morning I noticed a lot of pry marks and it was hard to open the door. The other time, at the Mariche Apartelle in Cavite (across from SM Bacoor Mall), we were awake and heard someone trying our door. Both times I had inserted a steel lock like the one in the second image. It foiled both attempts to get in.

If you would like to order a lock, like the one I use, contact me. This lock works on doors which swing into the room.

Here is an idea for a makeshift lock made out of a common dinner fork. It does not appear very secure, but it looks like it would make some noise if entry was attempted, and it would provide more security than no lock at all.

Avoid Criminals. DO NOT do the following:

Do not wear gold jewelry in the Philippines.
Do not wear diamond rings in the Philippines.
Do not wear expensive glasses in the Philippines.
Do not wear expensive watches in the Philippines.
Do not display expensive cell phones or tablets.
Do not drive expensive cars in the Philippines.
Do not carry a lot of cash.
Do not hire taxicabs that have no signs on the doors or on the windowsills inside the car.
Do not walk on dark streets.
Do not be a belligerent, overbearing, bossy foreigner.

Never call anyone "stupid" if you value your life.
Always be "nice" and respectful.

Maintain a low profile as much as possible.
However, all Anglos are considered "rich" by the majority of Filipinos. In fact, all foreigners are considered rich.

Do not buy gold jewelry or diamonds or any expensive items for your Filipino girlfriend. Unless she is rich by Philippine standards, she or some member of her family will probably eventually pawn them (if they have not already been stolen from her by a stranger, "friend" or family member.) Save these purchases for after you are married. Keep in mind she may be a scammer.

This is not a complete list of tips but it should be helpful. Will add more later.

Be alert and have a good time in the Philippines.

Have you been a victim of a break in, a snatcher or a pickpocket? Or do you have ideas regarding security? Please share your experience or suggestions with other readers by making a comment below.

Update Sept. 25, 2015: Abduction close to Davao on the island of Mindanao. Read a startling and enlightening news report about it here. 

Was this article helpful?

If you have found this article helpful, have suggestions, advice or insights please "comment" below.

This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about crime in the Philippines. This page last updated June 3, 2022.

Home Security Philippines

Security Systems

Home Security in the Philippines

Many homes and apartments are fitted with window units wherein the bars are an integral part of the window unit and the swinging windows. These are cemented into the casement very securely. In essence, when you open the windows, the openings are still protected by a grid of bars on the inside.

Steel window unit with integral bars.

Most homes and apartments in the Philippines have steel or iron bars covering their windows. The bars are welded to a steel or iron frame around them. Then the bar unit is screwed or bolted into the window casement.

Window bars mounted in the casement.

Some window bars are mounted outside the casement.

Window bars mounted outside the window opening.

Some window bars are made of re-bar as are some security fences and gates. Some are fancier wrought iron.

Many apartments, homes, and townhouses have gated car parks.

Gated parking areas at townhouses.

You can purchase some inexpensive home security devices like what you find at Ace Hardware of the USA. Ace Hardware . Many Philippines stores are located in malls.

At Ace Hardware you may find smoke detectors, carbon  monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, window bars and more.

Ask around and you can find metal workers who can make security window bars and gates for your property.

Of course, some of these products are also found at other hardware stores in malls.

You can find electronics stores in malls that sell more complete home security systems which include CCTV cameras, sensors, alarms, and DVD's.

10 Ways To Secure Your Home in the Philippines

Shopping malls and many stores in the Philippines have uniformed armed guards at the entrances and inside stores.

Security guards at mall entrances.

Want to do it yourself and save money? Read "How to install a home security system." It details how to install a kit system using door sensors, window sensors and fire sensors.

Read my article about self defense in the Philippines.

Was this article helpful?

If you have found this article helpful, have suggestions, advice or insights please "comment" below.

This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about  home security and security systems in the Philippines. This page last updated April 28, 2022.

Money and Banking in the Philippines.

Banks in the Philippines

Money and Banking in the Philippines

Visitors to the Philippines - check out Currency Regulations in the Philippines before leaving home.

Use this handy International Currency Converter to find current exchange rates. This is not a warranty of its accuracy, but I have found it to be quite accurate. 

BPI 

Which bank to use in the Philippines? My favorite bank is the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). Banks in shopping malls often have many people waiting to be served. Some have seating for those waiting, some do not. For example, Banco de Oro (BDO) has long lines and few seats, and it is common to stand in line for up to 45 minutes before being called to a teller. On the other hand, BPI has chairs or padded benches to relax on while you are waiting to be called. BPI has a ticket system where you enter information about your transaction (deposit or withdrawal, etc.) The machine will issue you a ticket with a number on it. Your number will be called when you are next to be served. If you need to see a bank officer your wait will be shorter.

Another difference between BDO and BPI:  the last I knew BDO charges a fee to deposit and a fee to withdraw money. BPI does not charge such fees. If you discover that they now charge fees, please notify me by commenting below.

Some of the largest banks in the Philippines:

1. Banco de Oro Universal Bank (BDO Unibank)
2. Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company
3. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
4. Land Bank of the Philippines
5. Philippine National Bank
6. Development Bank of the Philippines
7. China Banking Corporation (Chinabank)

The banks most commonly found in shopping malls are:

Banco de Oro (BDO), Bank of the Philippine Islands

(BPI), and China Banking Corporation (Chinabank.)

A more complete list of major banks in the Philippines.

If you are selecting a bank, ask the bank manager if there are safe deposit boxes available. I have read that you must be a regular customer and must have large deposits in the bank. I just discovered online that Philippine National Bank (PNB) offers safe deposit boxes and has the fees posted (call the bank to confirm.)

If you are in the USA or another country and want to open an account with a Philippine bank. You may want to use PNB which has many offices in the USA and other countries.

Warning: I tried to cash Travelers Checks at Western Union in Manila and discovered that they do not accept them. Almost nobody accepts them. Do some research online before purchasing them. I have read that some banks, hotels and restaurants will accept them.

Warning: if you wire funds to a bank in the Philippines there will be a wait of about 10 days before the funds will be available to you. The money arrives at the bank within hours or a day or two but for some reason the money cannot be withdrawn fast. If you write a check on a U.S. bank it will take 30 days to clear.

If you are planning on staying for an extended length of time in the Philippines, it is a good idea to open a Peso account and a Dollar account (or an account in your home currency.) Everything is priced on Pesos. And, with a Dollar and Peso account you can wait until the exchange rate is more favorable before exchanging your currency for Philippine Pesos. Another reason is so that you can exchange Dollars for Pesos at the "onshore rate." It will cost you considerably less than exchanging in your country.

If you send money via Western Union tell them you want the money to arrive in the Philippines as US Dollars. If you send it as Pesos you will lose when your dollars are converted to Pesos by Western Union.

There are money changers with small sidewalk offices, but it is much safer to change your money in a mall. Often there is someone looking over your shoulder while changing on the sidewalk.

If you exchange a large amount of money at a mall you can ask a bank guard to request a mall security guard to take you to your car. If you do not have a car then exercise extreme caution. Be aware of who may be watching you exchange, be aware of anyone who may be following you. Take precautions. Maybe take a family member, relative, or a trusted Filipino friend with you to the bank.

Banks and bank branches usually have at least two armed security guards. One outside and one or two inside.
They are armed with pistols and shotguns, are very professional, happy to answer questions.

Armored truck personnel are more heavily armed.

Need to hire someone to work for you? See information and charts about how much money do Filipinos earn?

Check out foods to avoid in the Philippines.

Discover Filipino Foods Americans Like.

You will find many American restaurants in the Philippines.

There are grocery stores where you may buy American and European foods.

Malls in the Philippines are World Class! And they feature world class cinemas and restaurants chains from all over the world.

Was this article helpful?

If you have found this article helpful, have suggestions, advice or insights please "comment" below.

This article will be expanded upon. Please check back to read more about money and banking in the Philippines. This page last updated July 18, 2022.

Self Defense Philippines

Firearms & Self-Defense in the Philippines

Guns & rifles may be used under certain conditions.

Self-Defense in the Philippines

See updates below.

Thinking about moving from the USA to the Philippines to live? Basically, you will be defenseless while you are in the Philippines. As you will be in most countries you visit. You will be reduced to using your fists or if you have training in martial arts that may help in times of need. Best if you keep a low profile and treat everyone you encounter with respect. Filipinos will be friendly if you are. Treat them like dirt and you may very well regret it! I have seen a guy thrown out of a bar in Angeles City for some reason. He took a drunken swing at the bouncer. He should have left peacefully. He was the recipient of several punches from bystanders and tricycle drivers. Fortunately, he was able to walk away.

If you think gun laws in the USA are restrictive you ain't seen anything yet. Read about the

new gun laws in the Philippines which were just signed into law by the President of the Philippines (the news story is dated June 2, 2013.)

According to the story (dated June 2, 2013):
"the gun holder should be a Filipino, at least 21 years old, a taxpayer, and has not been convicted of a crime.
Under RA 10591, only small firearms may be registered by licensed Filipino citizens or licensed juridical entities for ownership, possession and concealed carry." But only the military and law enforcement "can lawfully acquire and possess high-powered weapons."  And "All licenses should be renewed after two years or risk revocation of the license and confiscation of the firearm." Learn more by clicking on the link above.

Semi-Automatic Rifles

Update March 6, 2024

Rifles for civilians to boost defense vs China

Story by Emmanuel Tupas

 • 10h

MANILA, Philippines — The decision of the Philippine National Police (PNP) allowing gun enthusiasts to own and register 7.62 semi-automatic rifles will boost the country’s external defense against China’s aggression, the head of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) said yesterday.

Update March 6, 2024 - PhilStar Global - Manila, Philippines — Civilian gun owners can now own and register 7.62mm semi-automatic rifles, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Upon enactment of Republic Act 10591, civilian ownership of rifles was prohibited although they were allowed to license and sell them, she added.

A technical working group was formed to study the possibility of amending certain provisions related to the function and authority of PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.

Update at Inquirer.net Mar. 27, 2014: Gun Owners to Go to Supreme Court Over New Rules.

Read this great post by JohnM titled

"Foreigner + Gun = Prison." He even covers the idea of your Filipino spouse owing a gun. This is a must read.

See this Wikipedia article about guns in the Philippines for more insight into past and present gun ownership issues.

Foreigners are not allowed to possess firearms in the Philippines. So, how to protect your dwelling and property in the Philippines? You could rent a home or apartment in a "secure" neighborhood. Another way would be to purchase a condo in a building which has "good" security. What does good security consist of? Well, armed guards at the entrances of condo buildings, armed guards at the entrances of residential subdivisions. Some subdivisions have roaming armed guards. And be very sure everyone you allow into your residence can be fully trusted, beyond a shadow of a doubt. If you are married to a Filipina, she and her family members could possibly get gun permits and purchase weapons at gun shows or gun stores. But as one blogger said "in the Philippines ladies are not considered to be pistol packing mamas" so, if the police respond, they will likely assume you did the shooting even though the weapon is registered to her.

Update July 15, 2016 (excerpt from newsinfo inquirer dot net)

"Gun Permits Made Easier:"

"PNP chief Director General Ronald de la Rosa said the 10 requirements for a license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) have been reduced to just four: the neuro-psychiatric screening, drug test, police clearance and the RTC/MTC or NBI clearance."

What about the carrying of knives? Here is a page from the Philippine Law Dictionary. Do you know what self-defense weapons foreigners and Filipinos are allowed to carry? Please submit a comment below.

Gun shows in the Philippines.

Regardless the dangers, it is reported that there are about 300,000 US citizens living in the Philippines. Some of those are dual citizenship Filipinos. I have read that approximately 30,000 US citizens are living in Angeles City.

I have lived in the Philippines for over 5 years and have only experienced 2 pick pocketing attempts and a snatching. My wife and I were walking near a bus station in Manila when a thief tore a necklace and pendant off her neck and ran back the other way. It was not an expensive necklace. We chased him through the heavy crowd on the sidewalk and down a side street. He disappeared. We approached 2 police officers near a fast food restaurant and asked for help and described what had happened. One responded, "I think I know who it was. Maybe he gave it to his aunt." I told him I would give him a reward if he could retrieve it and gave him my cell phone number. The next day he called and said that he had retrieved the pendant but not the necklace. We took a long ride in a jeepney to go meet him. He returned the pendant but I did not give him a reward because he did not retrieve the necklace and we had spent about 2 hours traveling to go meet him. My wife offered to buy him some food at the fast food place he was stationed near. He said he had plenty of food but wanted money. She told me let's just walk away and that is what we did! Living in the Philippines will take some getting used to.

Pickpockets, Crime and Security in the Philippines

Armed Security Guards check bags at most malls we have visited.
We always feel safe in the malls. We have never seen an incident.

Probably the safest places to be in the Philippines are in the world class shopping malls. There are armed guards at all entrances. They search inside all handbags, backpacks, sling bags, all other bags and even sealed boxes shoppers bring into the malls. They even do a quick pat down at the waist checking for weapons (as seen in the picture.)  

Inside the malls many merchants have uniformed guards at their entrances. 

In the Philippines all Western foreigners are called "American." Don't ask me why, I don't know. All "Americans" are considered "rich." So, whether you dress well or dress down you are still seen to be "rich." When traveling via jeepney, tricycle or bus always be cautious. The US Dept. of State issues travel advisories. In an advisory in 2011 it advised travelers to the Philippines not to ride on motorcycles, tricycles, jeepneys, buses or trains. The advice was to use only metered taxis. However, taxis are hardly ever found outside major metropolitan areas. We traveled, without harm, for over 5 years using all available modes of transportation.

Beware of pickpockets, especially when riding in jeepneys. Read my post about my run ins with thieves titled "Pick pockets in the Philippines. Crime in the Philippines."

Another excellent method of self-defense is Krav Maga. Filipinos, visit the International Krav Maga Federation of the Philippines website where Filipino is spoken.

If would like to train in your country do a Google search for "krav maga" in your city or a nearby city. 

 

There are legal self-defense methods for foreigners in the                  Philippines.

I have lived in the Philippines for about 5 years without major incident.

Find Attorneys in the Philippines.

If you have insights, suggestions or questions please let me know in "comments" below.

Was this article helpful?

If you have found this article helpful, have suggestions, advice or insights please "comment" below.

This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about self defense, foreigners and guns and gun shows in the Philippines. This page last updated July 20, 2022.

American Expat in Philippines

Expat Blog About American Expat in the Philippines

American Expat Living in the Philippines

May 15, 2012

Woke up to another day in paradise. I love the Philippines.

Just told my lovely Filipino wife that I am starting this travel blog.

We met late in 2007 when I came to visit the Philippines. She was living in Paranaque City in the Metro Manila area. We married and now have a wonderful daughter.

We have traveled some in the Philippines and flew round trip to Singapore.


We have flown from Manila to Cebu City, Lapu Lapu, General Santos City and Cagayan de Oro. Have traveled by bus and / or traveled by jeepney to Tagaytay, Batangas, Laiya Beach, Subic City and Olongapo (in the Subic Bay Area), Bataan, Angeles City and San Fernando (in the province of Pampanga). We flew as tourists to Singapore.

We have eaten in almost every brand of American fast food restaurants in the Philippines.

We have stayed in several hotels, apartelles and pensiones in several cities on several islands.

The past President said that there are about 300,000 American expats living in the Philippines. Some of them are dual citizenship Filipinos who have moved back to the Philippines from the USA.
And, about 30,000 Americans live in and around Angeles City.

Living in Paranaque, Metro Manila, Philippines

Entrance to compound where we lived for 2 years.

We lived for 2 years in the city of Paranaque in

Metro Manila in a 2-bedroom 1 bath dwelling of about 40 sq. meters or about 400 sq. feet. At times there were 8 family members residing there. The main room serves as kitchen, dining area and living room or "sala." We had TV and we had wireless internet via Smart Broadband. The family has "rights" to the dwelling (meaning there is no cost to live there.) It was crowded but enjoyable because of the warmhearted family members and neighbors. The compound consists of about 20 attached dwellings arranged in a rectangle around a central concrete "courtyard" of about 1,500 sq. feet. Children play there and women wash clothes and hang them on lines. The living units are single story with the exception of a couple which are 2 story units. Our daughter grew up here for the first 2 years of her life. She had plenty of kids to play with.

At times it would be very hot in the dwelling, temperatures often rose to 95F and even to 100F on really hot days. So fans were on constantly day and night. After about a year and a half we installed a ceiling (to separate the hot air space under the steel roof from our living area) and bought and installed a used air conditioner. That helped a lot, but it almost doubled the electric bill. In Metro Manila electricity cost about twice as much as in the USA.

Passenger jets taking off from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) often fly over the compound. Makati City, the central business district of Manila, is only about 30 minutes away by either jeepney or taxicab. The cost of a taxi ride to Ayala's Glorietta Mall in the central business district of Makati City is around 130 pesos (about $2.90 US).

Nearby the compound where we were living is a very large "squatter" area consisting of hundreds of dwellings, mostly attached to each other. The sidewalk in the picture above goes through the compound and winds around and through the squatter area. Access to the dwellings in the squatter area is mainly via a matrix of concrete sidewalks, not roads. The dwellings there are mostly built of concrete blocks and have corrugated metal roofs. Most do not have air conditioning.

If you have the opportunity to live in a compound or a squatters' area don't pass it up. Live for a while like a great many Filipinos do. Get a real "feel" for the way most Filipinos live in the Philippines. It is an adventure. Use the dwelling as a base from which to explore other islands and other cities. From our compound we visited Tagaytay, Batangas, Bataan, Subic Bay, Olongapo and flew to General Santos City and Cagayan de Oro on the island of Mindanao. A couple of times we flew to Cebu. During our travels in the Philippines, we have stayed at all kinds of

hotels and apartelles.

Staying in a 4- or 5-star hotel you will never get a sense of what life is like for most Filipinos. And you will never get to really know the people.

Typhoon Gener and monsoon rains have caused heavy flooding during the last week of July and the first 2 weeks of August this year, 2012. I saw a cell phone video today, August 9, 2012, of our relatives walking back from the store on the street that leads to their house in Paranaque. Flooding has not been severe there. But, the water was almost up to their knees. Flooding did not reach their house. Half of Metro Manila is flooded as is Quezon City.

See dramatic photos of flooding.

While living in Metro Manila we traveled mainly by jeepney, tricycle and train. And occasionally by taxi and pedicab.

If you are going to visit Metro Manila area it would probably be best to plan your trip for the drier times of year. Typhoons are common June through October. But regardless the season people remain gracious.

The main reason not to stay in the big cities in the Philippines for very long is the air pollution.

Getting my shoes shined on a Sunday, across from a church in Paranaque.

Living in a Small Town in the Philippines

We lived another 2 years in a newer apartment in Magalang (near Angeles City) in the province of Pampanga.

Christmas 2010 at our apartment in Magalang (N. of Manila)

We leased an apartment we found online. In a newer building, of only 4 units, it was a ground floor 2 bedroom 1 bath unit of about 40 sq. meters (over 430 sq. ft.). Monthly rent was 3,500 pesos (or about $84 US @ an exchange rate of 43 pesos to a dollar) and included a gated car park in front of the unit. Try to find a rental rate like that in the USA! Rental rates for similar size and similar age apartments in the central area of Angeles City were about 12,000 to 20,000 pesos per month.

So, if you want an inexpensive apartment,

live in a rural area!

We had been advised by a Filipino friend and also by his policeman friend that it would be best to live in a "secure" subdivision or a "secure" building. Secure meaning with an armed security guard or guards.

However, we lived for almost 2 years in this rural apartment, in the town of Magalang, without security guards or incidents. We drove an old car and made friends with the local tricycle drivers and our neighbors.

The worst thing about the place we were living was that it was near pig farms. Check out my article about pig farms and chicken farms in the Philippines. Before you buy or lease a residence be sure to search for pig and chicken farms via Google earth, you may download it for free. Do not rent or buy a house near a pig or chicken farm!

Pickpockets, Crime and Security in the Philippines

Armed Security Guards check bags at most malls we have visited.
We always feel safe in the malls. We have never seen an incident.

In the Philippines all foreigners are called "Americans." Don't ask me why, I don't know.
All "Americans" are considered "rich." So whether you dress well or dress down you are still seen to be "rich." When traveling via jeepney, tricycle or bus always be cautious. The US Dept. of State issues travel advisories. In an advisory in 2011 it advised travelers to the Philippines not to ride on motorcycles, tricycles, jeepneys, buses or trains. The advice was to use only metered taxis. However, taxis are hardly ever found outside major metropolitan areas. We traveled, without harm, for over 5 years using all available modes of transportation.

Beware of pickpockets, especially when riding in jeepneys. Read my post about my run ins with thieves titled "Pick pockets in the Philippines. Crime in the Philippines."

Cost of living in the Philippines

The costs of living for foreigners may be considerably higher than for locals, depending on where you live and the lifestyle you choose. If you want to live more like a Filipino your costs can be very low. Read about wages in the Philippines.

Before I came to the Philippines I had read stories about how expats were living, with a wife and kids, for as low as 20,000 Pesos a month. I do not know how they do it. The only way I can imagine is that they are living in a province, away from major cities and are eating a Filipino diet of rice, fish, pork, coconut, and other local foods. I heard that one can buy a fresh 1 to 5 pound fish, just caught, for about 25 pesos from a young fisherman in provinces away from the major cities. My expenses, for our family of 3, were a minimum of 40,000 Pesos a month. This included rent (3,500 Pesos a month), electric, water, groceries, and some meals out in fast food restaurants like McDonalds, Jolibee, KFC and other American "restaurants" found in the Philippines. We also purchased some foods at grocery stores that featured imported American foods. Add in the numerous visits to doctors and hospitals and the cost can easily go up to 60,000 Pesos a month or higher. Read about our experiences at hospitals in the Philippines.

Visit this currency converter to convert Pesos into US Dollars and vice versa, or to convert any other currencies.

See my article about foods and drinks to avoid. I never drink the tap water or eat raw vegetables. And, if a drink comes with ice I always ask if the ice was made from was purified water.

We lived from 2007 until 2012 in Central Luzon.
I asked my wife and daughter if they wanted to go to the US and they answered "yes." So we flew to the USA in 2012, lived there for five years and moved back to the Philippines in 2018.

Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope to provide much more information about living in the Philippines. 

If you are a foreigner living in the Philippines please tell about your experiences by making a comment below.

A beach on Boracay Island, Philippines

If you are flying to

meet ladies of the Philippines consider that you may have jet leg when you arrive. 

If flying from the USA, you may find that you will stay awake all night and sleep all day for a week or two. The farther you travel to get to the Philippines the more you will be affected by jet lag.

There are many American fast food restaurants all over the Philippines.

If you are considering buying real estate in the Philippines.

Meet Filipinas

Was this article helpful?

If you have found this article helpful, have suggestions, advice or insights please "comment" below.

The article on this page will be expanded. Come back to read more about expat living in the Philippines. Last updated June 26, 2022.