PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, (PNA) — With the emerging developments nowadays, many people are thinking about the readiness of this city to be the next haven for retirees.
Aside from having a sound environment and scenic spots, the city is indeed a blessed place.
Being spared from various calamities, everyone agrees that it is not only the “City in a Forest” but also “The City of the Living God”.
City Councilor Matthew Mendoza, who chairs the Committee on Tourism at the Sanguniang Panlungsod, believes that all potentials are here because of recent developments.
“What is lacking right now is the one who will initiate the project first,” Mendoza said.
He added that having retirement facilities here is another milestone for the city government.
“Although it’s early to say, there are potential investors eyeing to build a retirement facility here. But in doing so, there are matters that need to be settled between the two parties. Puerto Princesa is suitable for this project not only because of our environment and land area but also with the latest developments that we have, including the improvement of our facilities and services,” he said.
This observation is shared by Tourism Officer Rebecca V. Labit, who was a legislator before. Being involved in the industry for a couple of years, Labit witnessed the transformation of the city.
“Speaking for the industry, even tourism establishments modified its institution too in order to adhere with the quality standard and to make it accessible for everyone. These changes are strong indications that Puerto Princesa is ready to level up its service,” Labit said.
On the part of the stakeholders, Alexander N. Onghocgan, vice-president of the Association of Accredited Travel and Tours Agencies in Puerto Princesa, recognizes the endeavors of the city government to elevate the services however but there are some factors that need to be considered, especially in serving the people with special needs.
“Before these retirees stay in a certain place all facilities needed for their care should be placed because at their age, they are very much aware of their health and what they need,” Onghocgan said.
For him, additional hospital equipped with modern facilities should be prioritized including health experts to attain the needs of the patients.
“I think the city is ready for that but our government should first prioritized the health facilities here although some of our hospitals here had already improved their facilities but as we’ve noticed hospitals are still jam-packed with patients coming from other areas in Palawan,”, he explained.
Previous political leadership has built two provincial hospitals located in the north and southern part of Palawan. But in some cases, patients confined in these hospitals are still brought in the city proper for medication.
Presently, there are four hospitals in Puerto Princesa, such as the Ospital ng Palawan at Malvar Street, the private hospitals Medical Mission Group Cooperative Hospital at Abad Santos Street, and Palawan Adventist Hospital along the national highway in San Pedro; and the military hospital Camp Gen. Artemio Ricarte Station Hospital inside the Western Command headquarters in San Miguel.