srrv classic with pension
 

hello all
I am new here so please forgive me if these questions of mine have had answers to them before??
has anyone used the services of vaningen management
by Mary Rose ......in Makati City MANILA they are on the PRA web page...
I have just started my journey and hope these fine people are
good to deal with and TRUST WORTHY ?
they seem to me to be very nice people and very helpful.
Any help that is offered with regard my SRRV CLASSIC progress through the system will be gratefully accepted
keithg6nvc

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

Mary and her husband have been working with the PRA for many years. Mary as an accredited agent and Eli as a lead member of the European expat association, also linked on the PRA web page as Eurama expat.

I understand that you are looking at CDO

Kingston lodge towards the old Lumbia airport is a good place to start, expat owned and run and a center of expat activity. They have self catering units as well as non catering options two small pools restaurant and lots of information as to what is going on and where to stay long term if so minded etc
https://www.facebook.com/kingstonlodgehotel/

Hope the above helps

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

MIKE
Thank you for this information it really is what I`d hoped the answer would be.
Mary is VERY HELPFUL and I have talked to her on the phone as she is at home in NEDRLANDS at this time and NOTHING seems to much problem for her and of course PLENTY of Very Useful advise........
YES I am locating to CDO very close to KINSTON LODGE
out at LUMBIA ..... I CAN CONFIRM it is a very well run establishment 5 star.
I have an apartment that is being totally re furbished at the moment.....
My next trip out end of March will be THE trip as I will be staying GOD WILLING..... thanks for Confirming MARY is a good person
keithg6nvc

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

I've had a different experience from mikemike. Great to start with but .... I'd rather not post negative comments on an open forum about someone who is unable to defend themselves. Is it possible to send a private message to the original poster here and if so, how?

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

Hiya
Being new on here I'm not sure how to PM
at the moment I'm sure I will get used to the how too
But unable to help at this time
... As I find more things to use I will of course send you a message for any help you can give me it will be much appreciated but until then I'm stumped I'm afraid
Cheers now AND MANY THANKS
FOR YOUR INPUT
Keithg6nvc

SRRV Classic with Pension - Choice of Accredited Agent
 

keithg6nvc If you've already committed yourself, then there's little point in my saying anything. However, if you haven't committed and would genuinely like to have another opinion, then we shall have to wait until a moderator or a more experienced member can inform us how to PM, if that is actually possible. Do submit another post please, stating whether or not you are already committed to the agent as that would be a crucial factor in deciding whether or not to pursue the PM route.

I may have misquoted mikemike earlier as I note he was purely stating a fact rather than his experience. Sorry about that mikemike. Anyhow, I don't want to leave you hanging in the air with this one, therefore I will state the following: everything that mikemike said about Mary is true, i.e.: 'Mary and her husband have been working with the PRA for many years. Mary as an accredited agent and ......' I've never met her husband so I cannot comment on that front.

I just thought I'd give you my 2 cents worth before you fully commit yourself to the said agent so that you are in a position to make an informed decision. What you haven't heard is the experience of someone who has already used that agent from start to finish and how professional they were in my opinion. To be fair, if you are already committed, don't worry as at the end of the day, the agent you are referring to will be able to assist you in processing your SRRV application, so you have nothing to worry on that front. Besides, my opinion is purely that, just an opinion.

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

You do not need to use an agent. I did it on my own. All within three weeks of arrival over the xmas period

The davao office in mindanao is pretty good and the jounrney is not that long if you are going to apply once you are here

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

mikemike, That's the way to go. The agent sounded so helpful at the start and the cost was so little I thought I had nothing to lose. If I had to do it again, I would definitely do it myself, no question about that. Even better if you can do it somewhere other than Manila.

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

Click on the name of the poster and select "send a private message'. simples when you know how!

Re: SRRV Classic with Pension - Choice of Accredited Agent
 

hiya
I have committed to that route it seems to me my best option as I have NEVER had to deal with any agency over seas and I want as much help as I can get for an EASY PASSAGE ....
As for Manila office I can understand that NO one would want to be stuck there in my opinion its like ALL MAJOR CITYS but I need to visit there cos my friend has family there so kill two birds with one stone ......
You have survived the SRRV process so it must be do able
ok thank you for your concern and input and I'm happy to listen to ALL input
cheers kithg6nvc

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

Please tell me that you did not pay the agent!! All agents are fully funded by the PRA who pay them commissions

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

mikemike, you will be pleased to hear that I didn't pay any fee to the agent. However, I distinctly recall a refundable fee of approximately $25 being requested at some stage. It may have been mentioned during our initial telephone conversation. Something along the lines of you get the fee back when you finish your application. I believe it had something to do with 'covering the agent's time and work' in the event that an applicant starts but doesn't finish the process. In other words, some people start the process, gain all the help and advice from the agent and then don't go through with their application or ditch the agent and continue the process themselves (this last scenario sounds a tad underhand). My understanding is that agents don't get paid their commission unless the SRRV application is finalised and accepted. Under those circumstances, I though the 'deposit' mentioned was reasonable, fair and wouldn't break the bank. Anyhow, for whatever reason, the agent must have felt that I was a sincere applicant because thankfully she didn't ask again for the deposit and I didn't offer it. Getting fees 'returned' at a later stage is often a dodgy concept in my experience.

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

Mike
NO , no money has been paid the agent has told me their fee comes out I'm my $1,400.00 SRRV fee to PRA
So to answer NO Mike

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

Mike
I dont recall a $25 fee
BUT as you have stated
if they only get paid on results and are treated underhand
then I say that a small fee should be up front if applicant goes on after
most of work is done and the agent is NOT left high n dry
as I said I spoke to Mary Rose herself in Holland by phone
and filled out paperwork for her online so am waiting for next stage
of process.....

cheers keith

Re: srrv classic with pension / UK medical records
 

hello all
can anybody enlighten me as to what I do about my medical records
in UK .... do I ask for a copy of them to take with me ??
if so do I ask my GP or who /were? or does the Philippine system have access to my records ??
thanks keithg6nvc

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

Yes, ask your GP for a copy. They can charge you - a maximum of £50 I think. We had my wifes copied before we came here due to her long term health problems and it proved very useful to her diabetic consultant here. IIRC it cost us £17.50 for an inch thick wad of photocopies! Are you taking any regular medicines? If so, post the names and I'll find the equivalents here and their costs.

Re: srrv classic with pension / UK medical records
 

Quiltman
oh thank you that is good I didn't know about that, I will ask my GP
can you explain IIRC for me please ? I am taking Ramipril 5mg (blood pressure) Quinine sulfate 200mg(night cramps) Synalar gel (psoriasis)
also need a B12 jab every 90 days
so nothing too serious really but you never know what else is in front of us
cheers
keithg6nvc

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

IIRC means If I Recall Correctly. I'll go check your medicines - it may take a day or so, especially the B12 jab.

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

Oh sorry that one passed me by.........
ok many thanks that is so good of you
cheers keith

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

Right Keith, here's what I've got so far.
Ramipril 5mg - Many versions here, Ramipro 5mg is 525pesos for 30 tablets

Quinine Sulfate 200mg - According to MIMs (Pharmacists bible) only 325mg available here at 1361pesos for 100 tablets.

Synalar Gel - only Synalar Cream or ointment, 25% is 273pesos per 5g tube and 10% is 253pesos per 5g tube.

Re B12 injection. This is shown as part of B complex injection but MIMs does not give prices, only size of injection vials. not surprising as I assume generally only doctors/clinics/hospitals would use them and not self injected? I can ask at our local doctors but to be fair, there are shelves filled with multi vitamins here - tablets, powder, capsules etc. Unless you MUST have the injection then you'll have no problem finding the right combination of vitamins!

Generally speaking, very few medicines here need a prescription but it does to some extent depend on your local pharmacist. where we get my wifes from they should ask for prescription certainly for her Tramadol and angimax, but they never do! any other medical queries you have, let me know and I'll try and help.:nod:

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

Oh you are a Good man
That is great news
Many many thanks.
Yes the B12 is a jab every 90 days so will have to get doctor to do that
Again many many thanks
That has given me a start to know that medication is on tap so to speak...
Cheers
Keithg6nvc

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

Quiltman, if its not too much trouble can I ask you to check the availability of a medicine for myself?
It is Co-Diovan 160/12,5
Much appreciated.

David

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

No problem David. Listed as Novartis Co-Diovan 160/12.5mg tablet, packed in 28s at 2362.65pesos a pack. There are no generics listed, but that does not mean there aren't any!
Something for both you and Keith to be aware of is that a lot of drugs are not stocked by the pharmacies or they only have small quantities, they have to order them in as here it's common to buy just one or two tablets at a time and you may need to visit a couple of pharmacies to get what you need. For example, I can get the generics my wife needs (Statin, aspirin, losartan) from Watsons but her Tramadol and Angimax we get from another pharmacy who deal with that particular wholesaler/importer and are cheaper than Watsons.Her insulin we get from her consultant as he's cheaper than any Pharmacy!:thumbup:

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

Many thanks for that Quiltman. Thats exactly the same as I am paying in Dubai.
Cheers

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

You're welcome!

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

Yes most chemists here have limited supplies, especially of the more expensive drugs. I always go to the same branch of Watsons for mine, and now find I can get thirty tablets at P140 each in one go. As the ordering system is computer controlled. They expect me the second week of each month, with my shipping order, now down to P11200 for thirty days supply of medicine. I use my SM loyalty card to collect the points, reducing the price by ½% effectively.
A lot of generic pharmacies have sprung up, and most mainstream drugstores offer generic alternatives, if you want them, and they are available.

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

:goodpost: We usually order 3 months worth at a go. Most of my wifes tablets are in range of 25/60 pesos each , with aspirin and losartan being a lot less than 25pesos. It's the insulin that's the killer! :rofl:

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

Yes the Lozartan is P27.25 a shot, as opposed to Hytrin at around P90.
An American friend living here, returned to the States, because of the cost of his Insulin.
We must be saving the NHS a fortune living here. I hardly needed the NHS in UK, but I guess I am a lot older now.

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

My good lady certainly is! On the other hand, her diabetic consultant here has done more to get her sugars under control than the NHS did in 20 years!

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

Absolutely Quiltman. The treatment I have received here is first class. I was an emergency admission to Chong Hua last year. My prime physician, was on a day's leave, but immediately on hearing from her Intern, left a family gathering, and was in A & E with me within the hour, and starting off the treatment. Everything was thorough, and done quickly.
Then the medicine, I was warned that my preference, although better with many advantages, was about ten times the cost of the alternative. However I opted for the better one.
The doctors here explain everything to you, and you can ask questions, which are answered.

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

So true, they use words of one syllable and make sure you understand. none of this "Don't question me, I'm the consultant" attitude only too prevalent in the NHS.

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

It is grand that there are some good medical services here. But I had Dengue Fever a few months ago and the local doctor prescribed antibiotics for it.

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

ok many thanks for that information I will keep that in mind you are a mine of information Thank for helping me with all this health care stuff
cheers keithg6nvc

Re: srrv classic with pension
 

No problem Keith, we've all been through the same steps when we came here. Feel free to ask questions on any aspect of life here in Paradise.:rofl: