Thanks for your valuable comment. I’m traveling today … on my way back to the Philippines, actually … I think I’ll make your comment into a stand-alone post on it’s own here.

If you check out the archives, you’ll note I’ve promoted Subic _and_ the PRA many times … I feel it’s one of the best deals ever for prospective retirees. I travel to Subic often and I’m a big ‘booster’. In nearly four years, this is the first time I have ever even seen proof there are ‘live’ people there “promoting” back. Good on you.

If the secretary wanted to, he could make a ‘silk purse’ out of the misquote by asking the Inquirer to correct their error … because, indeed, to the ‘rest of the world’ it looks very racist and exclusionary … that’s why I wrote about it … it’s a bad way of phrasing things that really shouldn’t go unchallenged … it sure caught my eye, and many Filipino eyes as well.

A contingent from PRA has just very recently, returned from a extended overseas blitz promoting the PRA initiatives to encourage participation in the Special Resident Retiree’s (SRRV) program, specifically targeting North Americans and Europeans who may wish to consider retirement in the Philippines. Moreover, the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) which includes the American, Australian-New Zealand, Canadian, European, Japanese and Korean Chambers of Commerce of the Philippines, has collectively, endorsed the PRA program and has earmarked Subic Bay as one of the five primary retirement destinations.

The PRA SRRV offers the foreign retiree a long term permanent visa with reasonably attractive incentives. (check it out: http://www.pra.gov.ph ) By comparison to other world wide retirement destinations such as Thailand, Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, Honduras, Portugal, Venezuela, and Bali, just to name a few, the PI is quite affordable, the tropical climate is suitable, and one doesn’t have to learn a foreign language to get by. Shrinking foreign currencies (and US health care worries) continue to attract more and more foreign retirees to the Philippines, despite often over-sensationalized news media reports of crime and unrest.

Initiated by the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, (SBFCC) in a tripartite agreement between the SBFCC, PRA, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (the governmental body that regulates Subic Bay) a recent commitment was made by all parties to promote Subic Bay as a primary retirement destination to all foreign national retirees. (PRA has been around for many years but until now, has not been actively promoted)

Subic Bay Freeport already boasts many American, Canadian, European and Australian foreign nationals as investors and resident retirees. The place speaks for itself with more than 25 other nationalities represented here. Transformed in 1991 from a former US Navy base, to a bustling Freeport, the quality of life in Subic Bay is quite unique to the rest of the Philippines. It provides above average infrastructure, good security, potable tap water, an International WASC accredited school, stable power, medical facilities, no traffic (ever) and an abundance of activities and attractions that foreign retirees, like myself, wish to enjoy, not to mention the scuba diving, beaches, theme parks, adventure sporta, golf, green environment and clean air..

Retirement villages in Subic charge a fraction of those stateside. Because of relatively low wages for local well trained nurses and caregivers, the quality, attention and level of care is superior. In fact, many of my fellow retirees whose parents have been blessed with longevity genes, have actually relocated them from stateside retirement homes to Subic Bay as well..Talk about a win/win.

As for housing, although foreign nationals are still prohibited from owning land, (by virtue of the PI constitution) acquiring a housing or condo long term lease in Subic Bay for up to 50 years is the next best thing.

For those who are stateside, and still shoveling snow after this winter’s record breaking spate of snowstorms, don’t just take my word for it. If you are thinking about retirement, or already there, come on over to the Philippines, take the short drive to Subic Bay and at least check out all the retirement advantages here. If you are looking for the best of both worlds, you just may be pleasantly surprised.