Saturday, May 06, 2006
Shelter projects for alien retirees eyed
TRADE and industry officials in Central Mindanao are eyeing the possibility of building villages that would serve as retirement places for workers and executives from Western and Asian countries.
The development came after the Philippine Retirement Authority, an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Inc. recently vowed to fast track the development of the local retirement industry.
Ibrahim Guiamadel, regional trade director, said the existing infrastructure and natural beauty of the region would make Central Mindanao an ideal place for expats who wish to retire in the city.
"We are looking into how we in Soccsksargen region could take advantage of this opportunity. Major cities in the Philippines like Cebu are now establishing retirement villages and tourism centers, among others," he said.
Among those being considered are Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.
Sarangani has been promoting the white sand beaches in Glan town while Sultan Kudarat has three towns with beaches that are virtually unspoiled.
General Santos and the two Cotabato provinces host several amenities and shopping and recreation centers that are retiree-friendly.
Guimadel said the renowned Filipino hospitability is also an added factor.
Philippine Retirement Authority chairperson Edgardo Aglipay said the support of the local developers would help not only in the increase of employment but also generation of foreign investments with the move to attract foreign retirees to the country.
Subdivision and Housing Developers Association Committee on Retirement Program chairman Bienvenido Uy explained that there is a need for the country to be aggressive in attracting foreign retirees just like what Malaysia and Thailand did.
Uy added that the increasing number of retirees in the developed countries like US, Japan, Germany, Italy, France, and United Kingdom are giving opportunities for the local retirement industry.
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(May 1, 2006 issue)
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