PRA names Makati most 'retirement-friendly' city

MANILA, Philippines - Makati has been named the “most retirement and ageing friendly city” in the Philippines by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. said Saturday.

Binay said the recognition was given by the PRA after the city fully complied with the “age-friendly city criteria” of the World Health Organization.

Binay was also given the “Best of RADAR 2012” Award by the PRA in recognition of his “commitment and contribution to the retirement industry.” Binay is the first local chief executive in the country to have received the Retirement Areas Deemed as Retiree-Friendly or RADAR award.  

“Makati has attained its present status because our senior citizens have toiled hard ahead of us. The city government would like to give them more benefits to pay back what they done for us, the younger generation,” he said.

According to the PRA, Makati has the largest number of foreign retirees in the country, with 70 to 80 percent coming from Asia (Chinese, Japanese and Koreans), five percent from Europe, five percent from North America, five percent comprising Filipinos who have either changed citizenship or availed of dual citizenship, while the rest consists of other nationalities.

Makati also has the highest attraction rate for retirees because of the proximity of malls and hospitals, security, investment and business-friendly climate, and a livable environment.

Binay said Makati has recently increased the bi-annual allowances of the senior citizens through the passage of Ordinance 2012-017 to P1,500 every June and December for those aged 70 to 79 years old and P2,000 for those aged 80 and above.

Other benefits given to the elderly include free mobility aids (walking sticks, quad canes, wheelchairs), exemption from the city’s vehicle number coding, free movies, birthday cakes delivered during their birthdays, free haircut and salon treatments, free massages, cash gifts and burial assistance.