There is a big difference between a tourist and an expat when it comes to getting the best exchange rates, a tourist is only doing a few exchanges every now and then, thus the rate is not as important as it probably should be to those who live in the Philippines and have a home or condo in the Philippines.
Over a period of even one year, p250 pesos a month difference adds up to around $60 a year difference, how many of you just throw away $5 a month or $60 a year back home, sorry but I would rather spend the $60 on a few nice dinners out than not have it, thus I scout out the best money changer as we walk around the malls anyway for exercise or shopping we keep an eye on rates and then I have the bank we do business with call their money changer for their rate and play them against each other.
Also something to be aware of, many exchange places will give higher rates for larger amounts if you ask them, in the past I had worked them against each other and then had them come to my bank to do the exchange, so we could deposit the money directly into our account rather than carry it.