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I have never heard of a one year in and out visa in the Philippines there is in Vietnam, I know a guy who lives here in the Philippines but works in Vietnam on an oil rig he is on and off ever two weeks the next time I see him I will ask how he does it, sounds like a lot of trouble unless there are some provision for that

Within certain countries like Britain, Canada, Australia and the USA, It is possible to get a one year multi entry Visa for the Philippines.  Each trip is good for a maximum of 59 days and the Visa is good for one year.  It cannot be purchased in the Philippines, only at the Philippine embassy or consulate office in your country of residence.
The first time I requested this Visa, I was told that for my first Visa it would be a single entry type only.   Next time, I was given the multi entry Visa.  For trips longer than 30 days or less than 59 days, this is the cheapest and simplest Visa to have in your possession. 
Even with this 59 day Visa, your trip/visa can be extended within the Philippines if you wish.

Many thanks for your reply. Advice from tour friend would be really appreciated.

Pre-arranged non-immigration visas have 3 forms.
3 month single entry
6 month multiple entry
1 year multiple entry.

All allow maximum stay for 59 days and all can be extended in the normal way. I can obtain a pre-arranged visa only from the Philippine Embassy in London. I was offered only a 3 month single entry visa. On the work front, things are looking up with clients looking for me to do some very early work in Australia and Hong Kong so I am likely to be in and out of the Philippines very quickly.

It is going to be difficult to do things like open a bank account or get a driving licence unless I can stay in the country for a long period without leaving.

I guess I'll have to do things the Philippine way and find some work arounds.

Why not just come in on a 30 day free visa every trip. Then if you go out before 30 days all you do is get on the airplane. If you find after say 21 days that you will be here longer then simply extend the 30 day visa to a 59 day visa. Or take a cheap ticket AiaAsia to HK returning the next day and get a new 30 day free visa. (Leave last flight of the day return after midnight and you are good to go, not much more cost than an extension and no need to visit a BI office all day.

How long are you intending to stay in the area? If it is an indefinite or at least multi year stay, you may want to consider an SRRV. You can come and go all you want, stay indefinitely with no extension requirements, and are exempt from exit clearances, ACR card and the need for an onward ticket. You are also entitled to get a Philippine DL, can get work permit, can easily open bank accounts get leases etc. Downside is healthy application fee ($US1700) annual fee of $US 360 a year and the need for a refundable deposit (anywhere up to $US 50,000 depending on age, pension, and past work experience. If you are a former military from a foreign country then you can get it for a deposit of $1500 US) and there is a minimum age of 35.

There may also be some tax advantages of being a resident. As a Canadian it ensures that I will be considered a non resident of Canada for tax purposes so foreign earnings will be non taxable by Canada.

Thanks for the further advice.

I might be on a perpetual 30 day visa. This concerns me, as I have been hearing some horror stories about entry refusals for people with a large number of entry stamps, particularly at Cebu, which will be my entry point.

I am planning to stay indefinitely but I will be working around SE Asia Australasia, hence the need for multiple entries. I am considering a classic SRRV. It seems odd looking to get a retirement visa so as I can work.

There do seem to be some advantages to this I've done some sums. The application fee is high but I would break even after less than 2 years compared to even free 30 day visas with extensions, I-ACR card, exit taxes, etc.

On first reading of the advantages of an SRRV, I thought that it was only pensions and annuities that were tax free. I have made further enquiries and have confirmed that any income from outside the Philippines is exempt from tax so this might be very favourable for me as a UK citizen. The downside for me is that my application will take several weeks, during which, I will not have a passport. I expect my work to hit the ground running and I might be spending the first weeks of my relocation working in Hong Kong. I'm sure I will sort something out.