Unionbank EON Card Replacement

As a freelancer you will most likely have a PayPal card and if you're like me who doesn't own a credit card (which is required for verifying your PayPal account) you will have likely gotten a Unionbank EON account and card.

I had gotten my EON card 3 years ago and found out that my card was expiring through PayPal this month. I didn't wait until the last minute because I couldn't afford a period where I had to wait to withdraw money. I went to the nearest Unionbank (Novaliches) for my card replacement. I was confident I would get it in one week because when I had first gotten my card I received it within the promised time.

I go back after a week expecting to get my card and it turns out it hadn't been delivered. Now my patience has lengthened tremendously over time so I didn't get angry instead I listened to the reasoning behind the delay.

I was told that from March 14 onwards all card replacements would be experiencing a delay because of a system upgrade. Well, obviously that was out of their hands. As I needed the money in my account I opted to withdraw over the counter (with a withdrawal fee of Php100.00).

I was told to try again in 2 days. Seeing as I had withdrawn the money I needed and wouldn't need to get the card yet I waited 5 days. This time I made a call before going there and to my dismay my card still hadn't arrived. I still proceeded to the bank to withdraw over the counter and for an update on the delivery of my card.

Upon arriving at the bank I inquired as to how long the delay was to be expected. I was told that it would be indefinite! I was caught off guard because this is NOT an answer you give to a customer. Was I expected to just wait forever, what about my PayPal verification, the withdrawal fees and the trip I have to make each time? I was truly frustrated and people who know me well, they know I won't take that sitting down. I demanded for a resolution and action to be taken.

It was totally unacceptable that they could not provide a proper timeline. If they were not able to provide me with my card they needed to find a way to resolve my problem which mainly was a card that I could use to verify my PayPal account.

In respect to the manager of the Unionbank Novaliches branch, she was very accommodating and did not give me any attitude. Instead she and one of the bank officers tried to find a solution to my problem. I applaud their efforts and their effectiveness in handling customers and getting me what I needed.

In the end, they offered to set up a new account for me and provide me with my EON card right there and then. They also waived the new account fee of Php350.00 and the withdrawal fee of Php100.00 (I had to return later that day to withdraw over the counter as the system was down when I was there!). After signing up online on their computer, filling out some forms and paying the deposit fee of Php200.00 (this is required by PayPal but is also returned to you) I got my EON card. I have to wait 3 days for the account and card to link to my details and then I'll be able to verify my PayPal account.

If you are experiencing a similar difficulty this is probably the best way to go rather than waiting indefinitely for a replacement card that may never come.

It's easy to get angry at the staff and manager when things go wrong but who is really wrong here? Unionbank is a credible banking institution and you would think that they could provide a better answer than "We're not sure". They should be able to provide a timeline to customers and not leave them hanging. It seems their is a required bank system upgrade made by Bankgko Sentral so maybe even Unionbank isn't at fault. No matter who the perpetrator, it's hard working citizens like us that get stuck with the problem.

How Does PayPal work for Online Workers?

If you're an online worker then you're probably familiar with the common payment methods such as PayPal. PayPal has been a trusted online payment site with services such as sending and receiving money.

For online workers in the Philippines you might notice there's a fee when receiving money from other countries. There's a 3.9% fee being deducted from the amount you receive. This is apart from the fee you incur when withdrawing your money to your chosen bank account or card.

To guarantee you receive the agreed upon payment you can advise your employer to cover your PayPal fees so that your payment is received in full. Many employers are considerate of this and happily agree to cover the fees.

*More information about fees can be found in the User Agreement for PayPal Services section.

To determine the fees you are currently being charged when receiving payments go to the 'History' section at the top of your My Account tab.

To calculate the fees you incur over a year's period you can download the transaction for a year and import to Microsft Excel. Follow the steps below:

An easy way to check your fees is with a PayPal calculator at Greg Ledet. For those on the go there's an app you can download to calculate the fees. 

13th Month Pay for the Freelancer

December is an exciting month for employees to look forward to with the holiday break (if you're lucky to be working in an office that observes this) and most importantly the 13th month pay!

In the Philippines the 13th month pay is mandatory for all rank and file employees regardless of their position and employment status. As long as you have worked 1 month you are entitled to this benefit.Now how does this fit in with freelancers?

According to Presidential Decree No. 851 (Thirteenth Month Pay Law) those excluded from the 13th month pay law are the following:


1) Managerial employees

2) Those covered under the civil service law

3) Those already receiving 13th month pay or its equivalent. Christmas bonus, mid-year bonus, cash bonuses and other payments amounting to not less than 1/12 of the basic salary are treated as equivalent of 13th month pay

4) Household helpers and persons in the personal service of another

5) Those paid on purely commission, boundary, or task basis, and those who are paid fixed amount for performing specific work except those paid on a piece-rate basis.

Freelancers would fall under number 5. However, this also depends on what has been agreed upon between employer and employee. There are some freelancers that receive a 13th  month pay, some that receive a bonus or some who don't receive anything in December but receive a bonus on their anniversary date.

13th month pay is computed as 1/12 of the basic salary of an employee within a calendar year. This does not include allowances, leave credits, overtime pay, night differential, holiday pay and the like.

13th Month Pay Rules

• Should be given before December 24- some employers split this into two and give it as early as November while other present their 13th month pay to employees in one lump sum. 

•  Non-taxable as long as 13th month pay and other benefits for the year do not exceed Php30,000. Being a freelancer gives you the freedom to work from home and at your own pace. The drawbacks are not receiving benefits such as the 13th month pay.

Arguably, the reason that employers hire freelancers is to save on costs. The 13th month law is not a common requirement in other countries and comes as a surprise to most out of country employers. However, there are some that offer this to further entice the best of the best to apply for their openings. 

Without a doubt this is a sure fast way to get an employee committed and have them stay happy with their jobs. 

Freelance on the Rise

This is an informative infographic on freelance work that I hope helps others understand my line of work. These figures are from 2011 but it is still relevant in showing which industries and countries are slowly gaining in freelance workers.