Others hopefully will comment but this ACR card is basically for someone who like you mentioned lives here over 6 months but when it expires you just get a new one there's no late fee's like a Permanent Resident or 9g work visa, so the tourist (long stay tourist) Voluntary ACR card is just a basic ID card that helps the PBI locate where you live.

I would think once you've left the Philippines the count starts all over again to 6 months but you can voluntairly get an ACR at any time and it could help if anyone is reading this topic get you some services or as a valid ID card, it's pushed though by the PBI if you've been here 6 months as a way of keeping track of you so when you renew again and have moved you update the information, if it's the same spot then the PBI has all that information online already.

You don't need to cancel the voluntarily ACR card it doesn't work like that and it just expires so when it does renew it again. Like I mentioned you left the Philippines and the clock starts all over again to 6 months, there's no requirement for an ACR card if your on a tourist Visa it's volunteer until Immigration tells you to get one.

Voluntary Application for ACR I-CARD

Voluntary Application for ACR I-CARD Who can apply? A foreign national who voluntarily applies for an ACR I-Card Where to apply? BI Main Office What to bring? Checklist with complete documentary requirements Application Form How to apply? Secure and fill out an application form and attach...

immigration.gov.ph

 

Others hopefully will comment but this ACR card is basically for someone who like you mentioned lives here over 6 months

The same website also has this, so I assumed that I'd have to apply for the ACR card when I past 59 days, not 6 months.
Admittedly, it says anyone past 59 days can apply, but it doesn't say must apply.

 

@La Cebra

Not sure about my wisdom but I can give you my experiences over the last 14 years back and forward.

1/ I read you are supposed to hand in your ACR1 card when leaving the Philippines, I never did and simply carried on and renew it annually.

2/ Upon exiting PH even for a week or a few days on a 9a then you start again even if you have time remaining on an existing visa extension, don't worry I've tried that once or twice over the years with immigration upon arrival and no, you have a 30 free visa sir, if you want to extend for the 29 days it basically costs the same as a 59 day visa extension and will cost P3080.

3/ From what I've heard the 6 month extensions have gone and back to 2 months only

4/ It's got me beat why they all it a 59 day visa as my 2 month renewals or 6 per year add up to 60.83 days per renewal.

Seems to me that if you hand in a current ACR1 card then you will pay again US 50 bucks at the 2 month mark.

Good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

 

@La Cebra

Matters little and getting an ACR1 card is Automatic on you next visit to immigration at 59 days preferably a week or two earlier in case there's a hiccup, as said I believe the 6 month extensions disappeared long ago. An annual fee of US 50 bucks for the coffers, welcome to the Philippines and as visitors can't change the thinking here and simply go with the flow, like most things here. The only time I need to pull my ACR1 card out of my wallet is for immi and a few times opening a bank account, a trial on its own.

I just pay my P22 or 23K a year and so far no problems.

Cheers, Steve.

 

As an ID, the bank/internet/electric companies will ask for the ACR card but they seem to prefer the Philippine Driver's License for further transactions.