PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — The Provincial Government of Palawan and the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to promote Palawan as a retirement destination for foreign retirees.
The Retiree Care Partnership MOA signing was held at the Provincial Capitol on April 14, 2025, which aims to encourage more foreign retirees to live in Palawan.
Palawan Provincial Tourism Promotion and Development Officer Maribel C. Buňi, representing Governor Victorino Dennis M. Socrates, signed on behalf of the provincial government while General Manager Roberto Z. Zozobrado signed on behalf of the PRA.
Buñi said that the signing is a significant milestone in the province’s journey towards sustainable progress and inclusive growth. This partnership will also unlock the potential of Palawan as a haven for retirees seeking a peaceful, beautiful, and vibrant environment.
“This collaboration promises to bring significant benefits. First, economic growth, because the influx of retirees will not only stimulate local businesses, creating jobs and generating revenue for the province. And this will lead to improved infrastructure, better services, and a higher quality of life for our people. Second, the increased investment will support the development of the necessary infrastructure to cater to the needs of the retirees, maybe a retirement village zone, including improved healthcare facilities, transportation network, and recreational amenities. Third, sustainable and responsible tourism, as retirement tourism will promote sustainable tourism practices, ensuring that our province’s natural beauty is preserved for generations to come,” Buñi added.
In his message, Zozobrado said that among the 60,000 foreign retirees in the country, over 300 of them are living in Palawan.
“Right now, we have more than 60,000 foreign retirees all over the Philippines. And every region of our country has a foreign retiree, and Palawan today has exhibited what they have done to our more than 300 foreign retirees who are in the province right now,” he explained.
Zozobrado’s group will visit other municipalities in Palawan for similar activities, specifically the town of San Vicente.
“My team and I are busy going around the country trying to sign memoranda of agreement with the different LGUs. Because we want our foreign retirees to feel that it’s easy for them to be integrated into the community, we want them to feel that they are welcome.” Zozobrado added.
The signing of the MOA between the PGP and PRA was the first time in the province since the PRA was established in 1985. (OCJ/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)
