Why are you not wealthy yet?

Filipinos are among the most hardworking people in the world. We wake up early, hustle from job to job, send money to our families and even go abroad just to give our loved ones a better life. But despite all that effort, many still struggle to build lasting wealth.

The answer may not lie in how much we earn, but in how we think about money.

Many Filipinos fall into habits and mindsets that unknowingly sabotage our finances. These aren't just about poor decisions or lack of discipline. Often, they're rooted in cultural norms, emotional patterns and long-held beliefs that go unchallenged. If we want to change our financial future, we first have to recognize the hidden traps keeping us stuck.

One of the most common traps is the idea that as long as we have a job, we're financially secure. Earning money and building wealth are two very different things. Without savings, investments or a clear plan, that income can disappear quickly in an emergency. True financial security comes from what you keep and grow, not just what you earn.

Then there's the "I deserve this" mindset or "healing my inner child" which leads to lifestyle inflation. After receiving a salary increase or a windfall, many of us feel the urge to upgrade our lives — buying a new phone, eating out more often or booking a vacation we can't really afford. It's a way to reward ourselves after working so hard, and in many ways, we do deserve comfort. But when every increase in income leads to increased spending, we end up right where we started — broke, stressed and living beyond our means.

Another trap is the tendency to overextend ourselves for the sake of family. Supporting loved ones is noble, and helping each other is part of who we are. But there's a fine line between helping and sacrificing your own financial stability. When you're constantly bailing others out, you may end up needing help yourself. The best way to truly support your family long term is to ensure your own financial foundation is strong first.

Related to this is the "utang disguised as love" phenomenon. Filipinos are generous and loyal, especially when it comes to friends and family. When someone asks for a loan, we feel obligated to say yes, even if it means borrowing ourselves just to lend to others. Saying no feels like turning your back on someone. But true generosity doesn't require self-destruction.

Another common mindset is the fatalistic "bahala na" attitude. Many Filipinos leave their financial future to fate, hoping things will work out even without a concrete plan. But hope is not a financial strategy. Faith is important, but it needs to be paired with action. Having a small emergency fund, getting insured or creating a basic savings plan are small but powerful steps in the right direction.

On the flip side is the fear-based resistance to investing. Many Filipinos avoid anything related to stocks, mutual funds or financial instruments because of horror stories about scams or past mistakes. While caution is wise, fear can be paralyzing. Avoiding all investments due to one bad experience can keep you from opportunities that could grow your wealth. The key is to educate yourself, seek professional advice and start small. Investing doesn't have to be scary when you're informed.

Then there's the comparison trap, magnified by social media. You scroll through Facebook or Instagram and see friends posting about their new car, their out-of-town trip or their latest business venture. Suddenly, you feel pressured to catch up, to spend more, to show that you're not being left behind. This "sana all" culture fuels spending based on appearances rather than priorities. But your financial journey is not a race. Everyone's path is different. Peace of mind and financial security are more valuable than impressing others online.

At the core of these money traps is this truth: wealth-building isn't just about numbers, budgets or investments. It's about psychology, habits and awareness. Most of us don't realize we're trapped until it's too late.

The good news is it's never too late to change. Whether you're just starting your career or preparing for retirement, there's always time to shift your mindset. Ask yourself honest questions. Where is your money really going? What beliefs do you hold about money? Who are you trying to impress or save?

Once you see the traps, you can avoid them. Once you understand the patterns, you can break them. And once you take control of your mindset, you can finally take control of your money.

Source: Manila Times

Point of contact for complaints regarding obstruction of public roads

Is your neighbor blocking the sidewalk or road?

Pursuant to the president's directive during the 2019 State of the Nation Address to reclaim public roads used for private ends and to remove all illegal structures and obstructions thereon, the Department of the Interior Local Government (DILG) issued Memorandum Circular 2019-121.

This circular mandates all local government officials to assume responsibility and to uphold said directive.

Likewise, to ensure the continued implementation of the aforesaid road-clearing directive, the DILG crafted Memorandum Circular 2020-027 explicitly authorizing the creation of a grievance mechanism where ordinary citizens can report obstructions and clearing operations concerns, and specifically, designating the Punong Barangay as the focal person to take charge in the resolution of issues relating road clearing compliances, to wit:

"Specifically, all local government units shall:

"6. Establish a grievance mechanism, either physical or electronic, through which citizens can report unremoved obstructions, provide suggestions and air out implementation concerns.

"All Punong Barangay shall be in charge of the conduct of road clearing operations in barangay roads and minor public-use streets within their jurisdiction, as well as the maintenance of other local roads turned over by the city or municipal government.

Further, they shall harmonize barangay ordinances with this directive, collaborate and coordinate with the Mayor in regards to road clearing and undertake information dissemination campaigns in their respective barangay. Reports on barangay compliance shall be submitted monthly to this Department, through the National Barangay Operations Office, pursuant to DILG Advisory dated January 8, 2020."

Hence, from the foregoing, any ordinary citizen may report and file a complaint to the punong barangay which has jurisdiction over the locality concerning the obstruction.

The punong barangay, in turn, shall coordinate with the mayor and the appropriate national government agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in conducting the road clearing operations as prescribed in the guidelines for road clearing operations, as follows:

"f. Local government units may coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highway or the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in conducting road clearing operations in national roads or any other roads under the direct management and maintenance of these national government agencies. Likewise, local government units may coordinate with and request assistance from the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection in ensuring security and order during the conduct of road clearing operations."

You may approach your punong barangay to report the obstruction caused by your neighbor who blocked the road in your neighborhood.

What Are Your Options When Faced with Overlapping Titles?

'I tried to apply for a title over a plot of land; however, the concerned government agency informed me that a patent title had already been issued to someone else, covering a large portion of the land I occupy. What is the governing Philippines law and what can I do?'

In the Philippines, land titles and patents are governed by several laws, including:

1. Public Land Act (Commonwealth Act No. 141, as amended) – This law governs the classification and disposition of public lands, including the issuance of patents.

2. Property Registration Decree (Presidential Decree No. 1529) – This law governs the registration of land titles under the Torrens system.

3. Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA, R.A. 8371) – If the land is ancestral, this law may apply.

4. Free Patent Act (Republic Act No. 10023) – Governs the issuance of free patents to certain public lands.

What You Can Do:

Since a patent title has already been issued to another person over the land you occupy, here are your possible legal remedies:

1. Verify the Title’s Validity

• Secure a Certified True Copy of the title from the Register of Deeds to confirm its authenticity.

• Check if the title is registered under the Torrens system and verify if there were irregularities in its issuance.

2. File an Administrative Protest

• If the title was issued through a patent (e.g., free patent, homestead patent), you may file a protest with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Land Management Bureau (LMB) if you believe it was erroneously granted.

• Grounds for protest may include fraud, lack of jurisdiction, or improper procedure in granting the patent.

3. File a Petition for Cancellation of Title

• If the patent titleholder obtained the land fraudulently or through misrepresentation, you can file a Petition for Cancellation of Title before the Regional Trial Court (RTC), specifically in its land registration court.

• Grounds include overlapping claims, fraud, or lack of legal basis for the issuance of the title.

4. Reconveyance Case

• If the land was wrongly titled to someone else but was originally yours, you may file a case for reconveyance in court, proving that you are the rightful owner.

• This is particularly applicable if the titleholder misrepresented ownership to obtain the land patent.

5. Seek Judicial Reconstitution of Title

• If your previous title or land rights were lost due to errors, overlapping claims, or destruction of records, you may file a petition for judicial reconstitution to restore your ownership.

6. Consider an Amicable Settlement

• If you have proof of prior possession, you may negotiate with the titleholder to relinquish or transfer ownership, especially if they acquired the land in good faith.

7. Consult a Lawyer

• Given the complexity of land laws in the Philippines, hiring a real estate or land dispute lawyer is strongly advised.

• Your lawyer can determine the best course of action based on available evidence, historical land records, and existing jurisprudence.

Since a patent title has already been issued to another person covering the land you occupy, your next step is to gather proof of your rightful claim, verify the patent’s legality, and explore administrative or judicial remedies to contest it. Act quickly, as there are legal time limits for filing land disputes.

Source: Ziggurat Real Estate