Araw ng Dabaw Special – Samal as retirement haven

This second class city with a population of 82,609 people (as of the 2000 Census) is already an established vacation site thanks to its white sand beaches with 118.5 kilometers of continuous coastline and pristine clear waters. However, the island city may just end up in the world map once again as a retirement haven.
“That’s part of our vision —-to be a retirement haven,” Island Garden City of Samal information officer Noel Daquioag said.
The Philippine Retirement Authority is also confident about the potential of IGACOS as a haven for retirees. Daquioag said “the agency is active here and they have been talking to foreigners, usually married to Filipinas, encouraging them to invest here in Samal.”
“There have been initial talks about signing a Memorandum of Agreement with the local government since last year and we hope to continue with that after the elections since this is a busy season,” PRA regional chief Jaime Llanes said.
Llames said the MOA primarily consist of talking points declaring Samal as a retirement destination especially for foreigners. It is a very strategic area for retirees and some of them have already settled in the area, he added.
Most of the retirees prefer the tropical weather of Samal with temperatures normally ranging from 26.9 degree Celsius to 33 degree Celsius at this time when it’s really very hot.
Samal is deemed a coastal paradise with five major urban area namely Penaplata in Samal District, Villarica and Pichon in Babak Disitrict as well as Sta. Cruz and Poblacion in Kaputian District.
Upscale resort residences
Retirees easily get attracted to Samal not only because of the beaches but also because of the various resort residences already in place and other which are already poised for development.
Most retirees opt for beachfront areas in Samal but even if they don’t get that lucky, they would still be able to enjoy the beaches offered by the small and private to the world class resorts in Samal. But more than that, it is the residential resorts that catch the retirees’ attention.
Take for example the Samal Highlands Garden Resort in barangay San Isidro in Babak, Samal which has been likened to Singapore’s Sentosa once completed, although in a smaller scale.
This retirees’ haven which faces the Liguid Islands, is just nine kilometers away from the Ferry Terminal in Babak which is the main gateway to the mainland. There is a regular ferry service up to eleven in the evening.
The P800 million project which spans 45 hectares consists of three development phases namely Costa de Azure (which will include recreational and wellness facilities), Terrazas de San Isidro and Emilia Garden Residences (both of which will be high-end residential areas). The project will also include the development of a Yacht Club and the San Isidro Cove Marina which will feature floating restaurants and other amenities.
The 18.9-hectare Emilia Garden Residences with 119 lots is called a farm subdivision because the contract will mandate buyers to use only 25% of the lot for the house while the rest will be developed into a garden area, in keeping with the subdivision’s existing 1,500 mango trees.
Llames said there is a need to develop the healthcare facilities in Samal, because at present, it is not able meet the needs of retirees who have serious medical conditions. Retirees who are presently residing in Samal however go back to their own countries for their yearly medical check ups since they have medical insurance.
The development is however expected to include a medical tourism complex that will not only increase Samal’s bid as a retirees’ haven but which will also complement Davao City’s bid to become a major medical tourism destination.
At present, there are two hospitals in the city located in Samal District and another one in Babak District. There is also a Lying-In clinic located at Kaputian District.
Another resort development in Samal is the Filinvest-owned Kembali Coast located in Kaputian, Samal. This 50-hectare development has already attracted a lot of celebrities, with phase one already 90% sold out and phase 2 already 20% sold out. Filinvest Davao manager Allan Barquilla said Kembali Coast is a high-end resort development priced at P3,000 per square meter with a minimum of 750 square meter per lot.
Samal is a tourist destination by itself so retirees who opt to live here are assured of very accessible destinations for a lot of water-based activities like snorkelling, scuba diving or island hopping as well as land-based activities like trekking (think of Hagimit Falls or Mt. Putting Bato), of zip lining. It is also the home of the most interesting caves in the world including the world-famous Bat Caves of Monfort which boasts of having the largest population of the Geoffrey Rousette Fruit Bats. There is an estimated 5 million species of bats in Samal and this alone ensures the high quality environment Samal has.
Samal offers a pretty laid back life for the locals and the foreign retirees except for the few bars that some of the resorts offer. BlueJaz Resort for one offers acoustics night during Fridays and Saturdays while Sunday is dedicated as a Family Day.
“Samal  has very active retirees as of now so they can still enjoy these attractions,” Llames said. However, he added, the local government has to prepare for the possible influx of retirees in the city so they have to develop their water system and power supply. The Island Garden City of Samal Water District caters to the needs of barangays Catagman, Guilon, Lawig, San Jose, Sta. Cruz, Toril, Bandera, Mambago-A, Limao and Penaplata. The other barangays rely on their own water systems.
Fastest Way to retire in Samal
If you want to retire to the Philippines particularly in Samal, the fastest way would be by getting a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa. This is a non-immigrant visa and is distinct from the visa categories identified under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.
“This is the only visa that is non-renewable so if you have this visa it is actually your passport to permanently retiring in the country,” Llames said. To get this, you have to pass through the country’s retirement program which is being managed by the PRA.
Llames said those who have the SSRV Visa will get multiple-entry privileges and they can stay in the country permanently or indefinitely provided they meet the minimum deposit and other requirements like NBI or police clearance as well as medical exam.
Non pensioners who want to avail of the retiree’s visa should have a time deposit of $50,000 for those within the age of 35 to 49 and $20,000 for retirees 50 years old and over. Those who are 50 years old and above but with pensions need to maintain a time deposit of $10,000 plus the minimum $800 monthly pension for singles and $1,000 for couples.
“Most retirees opt for this visa since it is uncomplicated and has fewer restrictions,” he said. The retiree’s visa is also the best option for those who do not have Filipino spouses. Former Filipino citizens who are at least 35 years old are also required to have a time deposit of $1,500 to apply for the visa. Foreign country ambassadors who have served and retired in the country are required to maintain a time deposit of $1,500 to avail of the visa.
The increasing number of retirees in Samal Island will greatly contribute to the economy of the city. “If you have a family of retirees here then you already have a small scale industry since they employ at most five people who will do their laundry, drive and cook for them,” Llames said. These retirees live here according to their lifestyles so they would really spend, adding to the city’s income, he added.
While there is no requirement to declare Samal a retirement city before it can become a haven for retirees, the PRA is still hopeful that they will be able to sign the MOA with the local government to pave the way for a collective effort to promote the city as a retiree’s haven. In the meantime, those who have already found the beauty of Samal City irresistible continue to live in the city while enjoying its healthy environs.