Dumaguete among cheapest in world to retire

CEBU, Philippines -  Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental was listed as among the nine places around the world which is considered as the most affordable places to retire.

The US NEWS in its world report placed the city of Dumaguete as the fourth most affordable place to retire based on studies conducted along with Nha Trang in Vietnam,  Chiang Rai in Thailand, Ipoh in Malaysia, Cayo in Belize, Loja in Ecuador, Granada in Nicaragua, Tralee in Ireland and Carcassonne in France.

Dumaguete city Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria said the estimates are reasonable for a retiree with a monthly budget of $1,000, it can afford to stay in Dumaguete and live comfortably.

He said when foreigners and tourists retire in Dumaguete, it can expect a boost in the economy, even as this early subdivisions are being prepared, pension houses are sprouting all over the city, notwithstanding the fact that colleges and universities are here are catering to hundreds of students from around the world.

With 100 tourists alone spending $1,000 a month, is already millions of pesos being circulated in the locality.

Aside from being an English-speaking locality as a university town, with ample restaurants and medical facilities, Dumaguete City is only 20 minutes away from Cebu with plane flights daily, and one hour to Manila with at least two flights everyday.

Sagarbarria  believes that foreigners and tourists would like to stay in Dumaguete because of the things being undertaken by his administration, to include but not limited to maintaining a clean surroundings and peaceful environment, even as "we also have our own share of problems but very manageable compared to the other cities in the country."

He added that the scheduled declaration of Negros Oriental as a conflict manageable and development ready province can also boost the city's standing before the international community.

Aside from the central boulevard which serves as the show window to the city,  Mayor Sagarbarria said development of the North Boulevard is going on with an initial appropriation of P3.8 million, and future plans is to expand to the south  from Tinago to the Dumaguete Business Park where Robinsons is situated.  (FREEMAN)