Just back from a tour in the central pacific (Saipan). My fiance is from the Philippines so I get the low-down on what is going on over there. Your assessment of utility service in the Philippine Islands (PI) is dead on and it is not getting better. Take note that water service is also sporadic and what comes out of the tap is not fit for consumption. The government there (as it is on Saipan) is rife with rapacious greed, corruption and nepotism. As with most organizations, 'leadership' starts at the top and it's example works it's way down. Kidnappings of westerners is are now becoming endemic. Recent changes in PI law make it very difficult for you to defend yourself. You will not be allowed to own any weapons of consequence. If you can afford it, 'hardened' Mercedes are sometimes available in Wash DC. I have even seen a late 90's diesel S class for ~$9 grand on Craigslist (!)
Sounds about like time for a revolution in the Philippines now. And we won't even mention Mexico...
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Nick A
"You know what I wish? I wish that all the scum of the world had but a single throat, and I had my hands about it..." Rorschach, 1975
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."- Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759
"Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes out the trees, then names the streets after them." Bill Vaughan
"The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." Plato
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