PRA eyes Iloilo as satellite area for Cebu as retirement destination

The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) has identified Iloilo as a satellite area for Cebu as retirement destination, a move that generated a strong endorsement from the Iloilo City government through Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.

PRA Chairman, Ret. Gen. Edgardo B. Aglipay, who met with the business sector and officials of the city government, Thursday said they have already identified various sites in the country that can be developed as retirement centers.

These are Baguio, Subic and Clark in Pampanga, Metro Manila, Tagaytay, Cebu and Davao.

The cities of Iloilo and Bacolod will serve as satellite areas for Cebu.

With this, Aglipay cited the need for Iloilo and Bacolod to have international flights and a tertiary hospital for these cities become at par with retirement destinations.

Nonetheless, he believes that Iloilo City has a great potential to become a good destination for the retirees.

He cited the good climate of the city, the friendly people, the more than five domestic flights a day and the good peace and order situation.

Mayor Treñas, on the other hand, expressed optimism over the project, adding that he has long been waiting for Aglipay to introduce the project to the business sector in the city.

"We have seen that there is a market in the retirees and this will benefit not only our businessmen but the multiplier effect of this investment is tremendous. It will create more jobs, more support services and this will definitely help in making Iloilo City the next big thing," he noted.

Treñas said these efforts are in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's thrust of making the Philippines a retirement haven for foreigners.

He disclosed his series of meetings with the interested developers of the old airport site in Mandurriao district whom he requested to provide a theme park, a convention center, a Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-accredited information technology park and a hospital that could cater to the demands of medical tourism.

Treñas was optimistic these facilities would lure foreign retirees to consider the city as a retirement destination. (PNA)