NDO
History
Norwegians are descended from the Norse, who in the early Middle Ages united Norway into a kingdom, the forerunner of modern Norway. During the Viking Age, Norwegians and other Norse people conquered, settled and ruled parts of the British Isles, the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland.
Norwegians, like most Europeans, are largely descended from three distinct lineages: Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, descended from a Cro-Magnon population that arrived in Europe around 45,000 years ago, Neolithic farmers who migrated from Anatolia during the Neolithic Revolution for 9000 years ago, and Yamnaya steppe pastoralists.
Why did Norwegians leave Norway?
Work was only one of the reasons for emigration. Another was poverty. Between 1820 and 1925, as many as 860,000 Norwegians emigrated to the United States. The early immigrants often came from farms and therefore settled in rural areas in the Midwest of the United States.
In modern times, they flee from the tax regime, which is often particularly high for the wealthy. Others travel from the cold climate to a warmer climate that is more healthy for body and soul.
Norway's economy is a highly developed mixed economy with state ownership in strategic areas. The Norwegian economy has shown strong growth since industrialization. The quality of life is high compared to other European countries.
In 2021, Norway's GDP per capita was 89,000 dollars, one of the highest in the world. Norwegian citizens enjoy "free" education. It continues to rank highest in the happiness index along with Sweden and Denmark. Nothing is free, but everything is included in the tax system, health, hospital, school, pension and more.
In the same way that Norwegians have moved out of Norway, people from other places on the globe are moving to Norway. Some come from countries Norwegians can naturally be compared to, but many come from other countries in Europe and from other parts of the world.
Present tense
Norwegians of different origins continue to move both as tourists and permanently, i.e. to become permanent residents in countries with a different culture, different laws, rules and governance.
The Philippines is one of the countries that welcomes Norwegians both as tourists, as workers for foreign or Philippine companies and of course also as retirees to be able to enjoy life in a warm climate, on a South Sea island with palm trees, fine beaches and wonderful opportunities to enjoy nature and could live together with the local population.
As a permanent resident, we encounter completely foreign rules, and the authorities require us to follow the laws and regulations of the new "home country".
The population, who have lived here from before, have accrued advantages as we have/had in Norway. The majority of Norwegian emigrants have to deal with Norway because they are still Norwegian, receive a salary from Norwegian businesses or a pension from the state from money they have earned in Norway, have Norwegian bank connections, etc.
At the transition from 2024 to 2025, it is estimated that there will be 3-4,000 Norwegian emigrants living widely scattered around the islands in large and small towns, villages, in forest areas and in the mountains!
Wherever Norwegians live, they must comply with common regulations, even if it is easier in some places than others.
We must deal with residence permits, obtain a certificate or renew it, renew passports in Norway, contact NAV and Helfo about health and coverage of expenses, pay tax, etc.
People have different "travel times" in our paradise and many know the rules and laws, opportunities and challenges better than others.
This is one of the important reasons why some zealots chose to start this interest organization for Norwegians in the Philippines:
Norwegian descendants Organization Inc, NDO, which was established in 2024 after a long period of preparation.
NDO is by definition a non-profit organization and currently has no employees or pays salaries.
There are many social channels where you can ask and communicate if there is something you are wondering about, but due to the fact that the amount of information is enormous and sometimes hopeless to find, NDO has chosen to create a separate website to make it easier to find relevant information.
In addition, NDO works with various agreements to make it cheaper for permanent residents to live on the islands, i.e. with discounts on goods, insurance, travel, hotels and accommodation.
All agreements will be available to members on the website.
Organization of NDO
NDO is registered with the tax authorities in the Philippines in addition to the SEC (Security Exchange Commission) and reports operations and results quarterly.
The board is elected by the general meeting which is held once a year, set for March each year.
The board consists of 4 people, one of whom is the chairman, President in English/American, and there are two deputy representatives who step in if a member cannot attend. This also applies to board meetings.
An election committee with at least 2 members must be elected.
The members choose the composition of the board at the general meeting and decide the direction in which NDO will develop. The board implements according to the wishes of the members.
The NDO shall be an interest organization that is nationwide for the Philippines.
General Assembly and information meetings are held in Angeles City. Due to long distances, meetings will be held with 2-way direct transmission of sound and images from the individual member and the meeting room.
That way, everyone can participate and help decide!
It is a prerequisite that members participate actively with input, tips and are happy to help draw up guidelines and "wizards". (wizard = how to proceed when applying for everything from a visa to a certificate) and for proposals for partners with whom we can negotiate discount agreements.
Membership costs:
Individual member. P1000
Family member. P1500
The quota is used to cover operating costs in NDO.