Real Property Tax Season

Miggy has been accompanying me the past few years to pay for our real property tax (RPT). I'm involving him more in doing adulting stuff so he could learn. 

I've so far shied away from doing the online route since it's not well ironed out yet bases on the comments I read online. Anyway, we also get our cedula at the same time, so at least we got two birds with one stone when we go to city hall.

I was happy to see that our city hall made some improvements in the building. The process of paying was cut in three: 

Step 1 - get the confirmation paper for your property at the Assessment Office

Step 2 - get the assessment

Step 3 - pay for your real property tax

*It used to be just step 1 and 3

It took us an hour this year, since there were many people in steps 1 and 2. Surprisingly, it took us less than 10 minutes at the treasury. They had more windows open at the treasury than at the step 1.

Check out your city hall's page on the discount you can get for paying early.

#BeKind #StaySafe

SM Bicutan's New Wing (*Tower)

It's been more than 5 years since I've been to SM Bicutan. It got too crowded, so we've been avoiding it. Friends though posted that the new Wing (building C) is now open. We quickly planned to visit to see what's new. 

We went last Monday and got directions from the security guard how to park in the new building. As we came in we were asked if there was a senior or PWD in the car. We showed my PWD ID and got a free parking ticket*. We were able to park right at the entrance. 

We were surprised to see that a whole floor was dedicated for tech (Cyberzone). The stores that sold gadgets used to be scattered across building A and B. They are now all located on level 2 of building C (same floor as the old cinema and food court of building B). The cinema is also in a nook behind the tech stores. There are a couple of snack stores also open in the area. 

After a quick breakfast at Auntie Anne's we checked out the other floors. The lower ground level housed service stores for haircuts, brows, travel, shipping, laundry and shoes & bag repair. The upper ground level had a few shops open. We checked-out the "Art Comes to Life" installation. Kids would definitely enjoy that space. Level 3 wasn't open yet, but we overheard that they're planning to put a fitness center there since there's none in the area. 

What we're looking forward to are the restaurants that are going to open. We were also surprised that a couple of our favorite haunts from Singapore are going to be available. If you're curious to see what's open now and what's coming, check out the list on our Paranaque City Life blog. 

*The free ticket is give to Paranaque senior citizens/PWDs only.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Finally Got My PWD ID (And the Pain We Went Through to Get It)

Ended an ongoing saga today. It started last year when I asked my former cardiologist if I was eligible for a PWD ID. After doing some research I asked for my doctor if she could write a medical certificate for me. Months passed and she just kept saying her assistant could write it for me. Followed-up frequently and I eventually decided to switch doctors since she didn't seem interested to take care of me. 

First appointment with my new cardiologist and he immediately wrote a medical certificate for me. He said I was definitely qualified for it. Then we had a hard time chasing the barangay health center doctor. They said the doctor was always out. Two months after we were told the doctor was re-assigned to the city hall. The replacement would just come in two hours a day, but you had to call at 8 in the morning to check if she was coming in. Oh, and I failed to mention that they limit the number of people who consult everyday. 

Tried going a couple of times to the barangay health center, but our attempts was unsuccessful. I also always picked up some germs whenever I went and I would immediately get sick after. Our barangay health center is also not PWD friendly. I always had palpitations and SOB whenever I tried to go up the stairs to see the MIA doctor. Yes, it was very frustrating. 

After six months of chasing the barangay health center doctor we decided to check the PDAO office at the Paranaque City Hall. Sweetie found out you could actually go straight to them if you have an ID with your address on it. Just also make sure that your doctor indicates the type of disability in your medical certificate. Good thing I had an appointment with my current cardiologist and he added the type of disability I had on the medical certificate he previously made). 

Sweetie as my guardian applied for me. He applied for me again today at the PDAO office at the Paranaque City Hall and finally got my ID and booklet. Hooray! The ID will really help me since my medication isn't covered by my medical insurance. Would have asked Sweetie to bring my 5 kilo worth of medical test results if they still pushed back, haha. 

Thank you the the Paranaque City PDAO for helping us! 

Here's the process we followed: https://paranaquelife.blogspot.com/2023/12/how-to-apply-for-pwd-id-in-paranaque.html

#BeKind #StaySafe

I Just Can't Sit Still

It's hitting closer to home. Our building in Manila where our unit is has five active cases. Our village where my Mom lives is on calibrated containment because of the surge of cases. Thirteen percent of the total new COVID-19 cases today in the Philippines is from my home city.

The government has just announced a stricter ECQ to start on March 29, Monday at 12 midnight. I had a feeling this would happen when cases started to rise two weeks ago. I instructed my family to stock up on supplies. I kept reminding Miggy to make sure he was safe when he had to go out and wash his hands. Also kept reminding him to sanitize at home. He also kept updating me on the increase in cases in our compound. 

I've been super exhausted all week with the consultations and appointments I had to keep. And then I injured my hand from sewing too much. Without a fully functioning hand I couldn't do much. I knew i had to sit still. But I couldn't. I feel so anxious about what's happening back home. I helped the best way I could - by putting together vital information for my city. 

I put myself in the shoes of someone who has a loved one who is infected. What should I do first? Find the COVID-19 hotlines most relevant for my city and barangay. The information wasn't easy to find. I did a lot of Google searches and also searched on FB. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack. 

I found the city-level information and now I'm compiling the barangay level information. I'm also researching more information about getting vaccinated in our city. I've even reached out to senior citizens on Twitter who tweeted about getting vaccinated to ask how their experience went. I'm reading through threads of neighbors to get pertinent information. You can check out our family blog Paranaque Life for the information I've been compiling. 

I just can't sit still. I know I should be resting. I'm sure my doctors will scold me, but this is me. I hope the info I'm compiling can help others.

Please take care everyone. Stay home and stay safe. 

CB///351  #StuckAtHomeDay/Yr2/14 #StayHome #BeKind