Credit Card surcharges are illegal in the Phils
I am re-posting this here because some out-of-towners may not be aware of this law that I have raised here many times.
A surcharge on Credit Cards is ILLEGAL by a Republic Act 7394 Article 81
[url]http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/.awful-says-dti[/url]
Put the RA 7394 in your phone and quote it at them.
Call them out on it and tell them you are going to report it to the Dept of Trade and Industry (DTI) and show them the numbers.
DTI-Direct. (632) 751-3330.
DTI-NCR, CAPD (National Capital Region clients) 811-8231 to 32.
The DTI has the power to close down their business.
Every time I do this I have the surcharge dropped. A few grumpy owners didn't like me because I was showing they are breaking the law.
I reported them anyway. The DTI sent me a letter of thanks.
They try this all the time in Boracay and Bohol (that I know about) because customers are used to paying surcharges elsewhere in the world. It seems Duck Inn in Manila is also in on the act.
If you don't like confrontation, then just pay cash. I am not normally confrontational but I quite enjoy watching them back down and change their tune as soon as you challenge them.
If the clerk won't do it or is confused by your request ask to see the manager (or even better, the owner).
If he / she isn't around then ask them to please show the surcharge on the receipt as well as the real price so that you can report it to the DTI.
Hospital issues. Pregnancy soon week 6.
Some weeks back I was a bit to active in mongering as I did shoot my loads into ms Quezon counsil girl pussy (or Filipino Cupid. FC girl).
Through a friend of a friend working in Norwegian embassy in Manila I have been directed to St. Lukes hospital in Quezon City as for the best follow up for the FC girl and the baby to be. Have any of you fellow mongerers any advices upon this hospital (it is private and considered as one of Manilas best according to this embassy guy)?
I have got myself a liason at the hospital who will keep me informed during her pregnancy. Not that I don't trust the FC girl but I am sure you know why I do like this? It is just to keep the record straight and get accurate information on what is going on (since I don't live in the neighbourhood). Is she following recomended consultation, lab tests, ultrasound, vitamin / dieting program and so on (I am thinking about the baby here and the girl herself). Thought that would be nice to also get a bit info behind the girls back just to make sure.
More in general. Is it free healthcare for phil citizens like in having a baby in a regular hospital? What about consultation program, ultrasound etc etc?
I would doulbt I am the only monger inside here having put my ass into a situation like this. I am in a way excited and in a way a bit scared. Was probably not the ideal way my parents would become grandparents and I become a father but what the heck what happens happens just deal with it.
I have talked quite a lot to FC girl and she is comfortable with situation. I have adviced her to mentioned hospital and she have allready been to first time consultation approx 1 week ago and everything runs according to biology. I was a bit scared as they ofcourse did a STD check as well since I am bad in using protection myself when mongering (not proud so critisism not needed). This was also the situation when bedding FC girl (I`d been with approx 10 various (give or take a few) internet datingsites girls and FL`s ahead of me and FC). She did get the test results and negative negative and so on and big smile on my face when e-mail send to me from liason. FC girl also confirmed the, in my case, happy news.
I`ve been predicted this event will cost me approx 120 - 150000PHP (average cost) and that is ok as long as FC and baby have the best follow up possible. So far they have charged me 30000PHP (and it is trustworthy hospital according to embassy) as a part of a payment program so FC girl can just come and go as she feels like within reason as long as her visits is relevant to present situation. Liason send me scanned bills as and FC keeps me informed about the cost as well. When money runs out I just add more into their account. She is so far trustworthy and I have no reason to believe otherwice as she have never mentioned money to me. Yes, after popping her multiple times I gave her 3000PHP put in an envelope marked "GIFT" which she reluctantly accepted but that was my choice. But ofcourse I have my small paranoia as we learn and hear of scammergirls all the time don't you agree? So it is some headspinning along the way I have to admit. FC claims she did not have sex for years before we fucked. I can not check that but according to her hornyness it might be true. She did atleast not carry any STD`s.
If shit hits the fan, baby born and DNA test shows it is not mine. Well what can I do? Then I just summarise the hole exp and agree I was stupid and live with a tad smaller savings account and maby do CIM / CIF / COB/CIE(come in ear) next time. Life is a learning process even at 40.
FC and me have talked a bit about the path ahead of us and I was initialy working the friend of a friend in embassy of various VISA issues bringing FC to Norway as I in the beginning trust the norwegian healthsystem more than the philippino one(in general i still do). I was thinking of putting her in my spare apt (just had to throw out a renting couple) so she had a place to live as well and ofcourse give her money so she could lead a good life here close to the polar circle. But after comforting news from embassy that St Lukes is great and of great western standards we landed it is better for FC to stay in known environment with friends and family. FC tells me daily she is afraid telling her mother about her pregnancy and how mother will handle this. I tell FC she have to figure out this herself. According to FC her family runs some shops in Quezon and are in no moneytrouble so this should be interesting. What can happen here guys? She is more concerned how her parents will deal with this as long as we don't have a formalized relationship. I have told her we live in 2013 and the world have developed quite a lot from ancient catholic times. Babies are borned worldwide in general and it would prob not be a big mistake stating and in Phils more specific.
Another interesting matter is how I will deal with this telling my parents and my half pinay GF (I guess I leave her out of it as long as possible). By the way she is finishing her edu this spring and have her career up and going herself and now she is ready to have baby as well. OMG this can once again be an interesting year.
Well ultrasound is coming up in week 6 (next week) as we have chosen that to be the best. Luckely I have some doctorfriends in Norway can guide me through this pregnancy and I hand over info from St Lukes`s liason to them as a controlfunction.
Well maby interesting for some in relevant situations and just how the situation is running so far. If not the forum is crowded by healthissues, medical issues, vacsine programs, STD discussion so I will survive, hehe.
FC is moody and sensitive (normal). She have gotten a dietscheduel consisting of a lot of meat (proteins) so baby can be strong. I don't believe to much in eating vegetables and rice when pregnant (this ofcourse according to my doctorcontacts).