While work-from-home jobs have been around for several years, it has gained more prominence during the pandemic.
Working remotely in the Philippines has its advantages. Apart from avoiding heavy traffic and the inadequate transportation system, the geographical situation lends itself easily to remote work.
Most remote workers also cut costs on various items like transportation (again) and food.
However, we mostly hear about the popularity of remote working in bigger cities like Manila and Cebu or famous tourist spots such as Boracay or Palawan.
We rarely hear about remote workers from Mindanao when the island itself has plenty to offer.
Perhaps, it could be that Mindanao has risks when it comes to working from home. In this article, we tackle the challenges of remote working in Mindanao and how to go about it.
Topography
Mindanao is located in the southern part of the Philippines. It is the second largest island after Luzon.
Unfortunately, much of the region has this image of being “unsafe” due to conflict.
What most people may not know is that Mindanao has a pleasant climate all year round.
Still, one of the biggest challenges of remote working (like the rest of the country) is how some places are affected by heavy flooding due to monsoons. These areas include Northern Mindanao, Surigao, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, and Agusan del Norte.
As such, it may be best to move to a location that is on the higher ground like Bukidnon, for example. Camiguin is also not prone to floods.
Having a work-from-home job might make relocating more convenient since you can function from virtually anywhere.
Standard of Living
Another challenge with remote working in Mindanao is the standard of living.
Undeniably, some areas are deemed unsafe due to deep-rooted clashes between the government and some terrorist groups.
However, these locations do not represent Mindanao as a whole. Some places are highly urbanized and are considered commercial centers.
Iligan, Bukidnon, Davao, and Zamboanga are just some of the areas that are good to live in.
The cost of living is also relatively lower in Mindanao. For instance, in Davao, you can live comfortably within a monthly income ranging from ₱45,000-₱50,000.
Still, take these numbers with a grain of salt. The idea of comfortable living varies from person to person.
Electricity and Internet Connectivity
Of course, one of the biggest concerns when it comes to remote working is if electricity and internet connections are reliable.
After all, it is often an annoyance to have disrupted workdays. Not to mention, it can cause a loss of income.
In some areas, electricity comes from the waterfalls, which may be more dependable since the water flow is constant.
Electricity in Mindanao also comes from other sources such as geothermal, coal, and oil. If there are power interruptions (as in any other part of the country), it would be because industrial factories are given preference.
Telcos like PLDT and Globe are also established on the island. Fiber optic internet is also available for faster speeds.
In all, remote working in Mindanao does not seem too impossible. There are ways to approach this should challenges arise.
Still, there is a certain level of privilege attached to working from home. After all, not everyone can relocate anywhere they wish for the sake of convenience.
Nonetheless, weigh your options and see what you are willing to sacrifice to achieve yours and your family’s financial needs.
On that note, if you are looking for a work-from-home opportunity, check out Remote Staff’s job listings. It is regularly updated so keep an eye out for positions that might fit you.
Remote Staff has been around for 15 years and has helped thousands of remote workers. If you wish to be part of the team, register today!
