PRA Office now open in Davao

[Tommy T.]

I just made a phone call to the PRA office here in Davao. The guy who answered the phone told me that they can now renew my SRRV. Mine expired on May 24, but there is no problem - according to him - to renew now...

I will go there tomorrow morning early and report back how this all goes...

[Tommy T.]

Here is an update regarding PRA here in Davao:

I went there this morning and the director of the local field office here was the one to help me with renewing my SRRV that technically expired on April 24 this year. 

He told me that the office had reopened for business on June 6. I mentioned that I did not know that and perhaps his office might send out an e-mail or text message to inform "members" of the reopening? He said that a notification had already been sent out, so I told him that I did not receive any... He told me that he would look into that.

Apparently they have staggered shift days so, instead of three people being there every day, only one or two are there. They are quite helpful and efficient. They accepted my payment, gave me the proper, legal receipt and I was thus saved from having to go to the Land Bank myself...they did that before and will do that again. That's what I call service!

I learned two new things today. First, I was not previously aware that I could pay the annual fee in advance for up to three years. I only had enough cash for two years, but readily paid that. It was P36,720 for the two year payment. They told me the new card would be available in about one month. But, meanwhile, I have a receipt to prove the continuation and payment.

Secondly, the director asked where I lived and I told him about the rented apartment and also mentioned that my partner and I were building a new home and showed him some photos. He was very interested. He told me to let him know when it was completed and he would then process some paperwork that will do two things: It will guarantee that I maintain ownership of the constructed building and any improvements on the leased land, regardless about my relationship with my partner. It will also free up my US$10,000 deposit for the visa and allow me to withdraw all of that, in the same manner that foreigners can do if leasing or owning a condo or apartment. So, the real estate will replace the cash deposit as "collateral" for the visa.

I asked him further questions and he said this was totally legal and above board and common practice. However he said that not all directors would necessarily go through the drill to do this always because it took some work and time on their part to deal with it.

I have always been impressed with this PRA office and today's experience supported those feelings.