Corruption? ECC. Cebu Jcenter mall immigration office

[Jollygoodfellow]

Bit of a spin off from what are the cost of ECC these days.

Today arrived at the Jcenter mall around 10.30. First thing to do was find the photo place I used last time for the photos needed for ECC.

Unfortunately gone so asked immigration where and they pointed to shop across from them. Yes they do photos but to busy so gave directions to an internet cafe. Went there and they took me out of the shop up against a white wall and used a cell phone but anyway before long we left with photos.

Incidentally 

Immigration has moved around the corner, same floor. Smaller office, no air-conditioning, less seats and seats out in the mall hall way including the first desk to get the forms you need. No place to fill the form out or lean on. Complete mess and difficult.

Anyway finally filled out form, GF did I should say while I fanned her.

I had a copy of my last visa receipt and everything need or so l thought, she went to first window which sent her to ECC window. There they said we need the receipt for ARC, why I dont know as you would think its all on file in a computer but I forgot it so immigration woman handed a little piece of paper and the woman said to see so and so at the ARC office which is across from old immigration.

So we go there and I dont know what went on as l stayed outside. GF came back and headed to ECC window again so did not need receipt.

Then its wait for name to be called to make payment. During that time a security guard asked her what she was waiting for and she told him. Only said should not be long.

Finally called to pay, cashier says no more express lane and you have to come back in 3 days. Just after that security approaches again and says, mam are you from out of town or dont want to come back in 3 days, she told him from city but does not want to come back and why no express. He says no more or something.

He then tells her if you want express he will talk to ECC window, she asks me and I said yes. So guard talks and Im just sitting back watching.

Finally done but then GF says we can come back in about an hour and I asked what was going on. She said she paid the cashier for certificate and then at ECC window had to pay express. I asked how much, she said P1000 and I said thats high I think. Anyway at first the immigration woman said come back in 3 days until she realised money was in side my passport and thats when it become 1 hour.

So after we got out of immigration to wait the hour I asked the full story which is above so I said its corruption. By now Im starving but needed cash so lined up at an ATM but turns out every ATM was down so by now I have had enough. 20 minutes later they came back on so had lunch and went back to immigration and my clearance was ready.

After getting home I looked at receipt and paperwork and notice the only receipt I had was 500 express lane fee? I said why did we get this and no certificate receipt? She does not know and I asked what the story was again.

Turns out she paid 500 to official cashier and then P1500 to ECC window. No other receipt so that 1500 must have gone into the donation box and i'm sure only one window is authorised to take money.

So seems some immigration staff are onto a new scheme.

RANT

My photo was attached to the certificate with one staple. 

Backward, outdated, messed up, corrupt Philippines immigration office. Who decided on a smaller office should be fired for a start.

 

[Dave Hounddriver]

Ahhh the corruption in the Philippines.  Didn't you say, in a post some time back, that things were getting better.  I remember 4 years ago in Dumaguete.  Right at the police department.  I needed something from them to transfer the registration of my car to my name.  The lady did the paperwork and then told me to put 500 pesos in the "donation box".  I asked if that was mandatory and if I get a receipt for that.  She said, as she held my papers out of reach,  "Its not mandatory, and I cannot give you a receipt for it, but everyone does it if they want these papers signed by the In-Charge".  I paid.

[JJReyes]

If GF was not present, they would not have asked for an additional express fee.  Government clerks wouldn't know if the foreigner, whose is by himself, would understand the reason why gift giving is necessary to reduce the wait from three days to one hour.  A foreigner might make trouble by reporting the incident to the media.  The Filipina knows better than to do this.  

[scott h]

5 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

corrupt Philippines

Oh how times have changed........

I am just speaking for myself now, and not to your specific situation. I remember 12 years ago during a visit before our retirement and we were deciding whether to retire here or not. After living my life in the USA and being in the military where my life was governed by rules and regulations. I found it refreshing how life here was so "informal" Get caught speeding,,,slip the cop 500 pesos,,,counter flow or double park with out fear. Building inspection? Give the inspector 1k peso and merianda "looks good Sir!" Express lane fee? Its just a slush fund. Etc. etc. etc.

Now its just frustrating...........but what can ya do? You can join the Expat forum and vent!!!! Here at least is a sympathetic shoulder 

[RBM]

it appears to be wide spread in Government departments,.We had to pay a a heap just to receive the clearance from the HPG which is valid just 8 days. If not pay wait for ever simple as that, ingrained in the system.

[Old55]

WIth rising inflation and Bam Bam in office should we expect to see an increase in corruption do you think?

[Colsie]

@Jollygoodfellow be interesting to see what happens when I go to get my ECC this morning 

[Freebie]

Heard about a guy this weekend who paid an IT guy in DOH 65,000 pesos to buy his VaxCertPH card showing hes had 2 vax and 2 boosters. 65k ?????  HE said he needed for an emergency and that he was anti vax.........just shows, corruption is never ending. As long as theres a buyer, theres a seller and visa versa.

[Freebie]

4 hours ago, Old55 said:

WIth rising inflation and Bam Bam in office should we expect to see an increase in corruption do you think?

Not much change. Been going on for 100 years at high and low levels. and Presidents come and go. None can stop nor do many Presidents seem to do much to stop it,

[Colsie]

3 hours ago, Colsie said:

@Jollygoodfellow be interesting to see what happens when I go to get my ECC this morning 

OK just come out of immigration. 

Cost for ECC was 500 peso 

I was the only one there when I turned up and they processed the ECC in about 15 minutes. 

I already filled out the form before I arrived and had the following ready 

1. 3-off 2x2 photo

2. Photocopy of; a.  passport bio page. b. Receipt of most recent visa extention. C. Copy of most recent arrival stamp. 

3. Also had to show original extention receipt, passport and passport with arrival stamp (old passport) 

All done, was asked to show the ECC with ext receipt at airport immigration next week when I leave.