The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has partnered with the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) in inviting former overseas Filipinos to retire or reinvest in the Philippines.
In a news release on Wednesday, the CFO said that aside from former Filipino retirees returning home to the Philippines, the partnership is also targeting foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in the country by giving them easier access to credible, government-backed services and information, all in one place.
“Well, I think now that we have more than one agency working on similar objectives, then we have a higher chance of success, so we look forward to this partnership,” CFO Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II said.
“It aligns with the mission of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas –to connect the Filipinos abroad to the Philippines politically, economically, and culturally,” he added.
The two agencies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday, formalizing the integration of PRA’s retirement services into CFO’s BaLinkBayan portal, a one-stop digital platform created to support returning Filipinos in their transition back to life in the country.
The partnership aims to offer a seamless path for former Filipinos and foreign retirees seeking to settle in the Philippines by centralizing information on retirement visas, investment opportunities, healthcare options, and property acquisition.
PRA General Manager Roberto Zozobrado said the agency has been trying to get more former Filipino citizens to retire in the Philippines.
“Everytime we go on a trip abroad to promote the Philippines as a retirement haven, we always want to talk to the Filipino community. With CFO’s contacts abroad, we can reach out to them and try to convince them to retire here in the Philippines,” he added.
Ang said CFO’s BaLinkBayan portal will now include content and services related to PRA’s Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV), as well as resources to guide retirees through reintegration and long-term settlement.
He said the collaboration supports the government’s broader goal of engaging the Filipino diaspora and encouraging their return to the Philippines, not just physically, but economically and culturally.
He added the partnership aligns with CFO’s mission to connect overseas Filipinos with the Philippines, especially as they reach retirement age.
The initiative is also a reflection of the Bagong Pilipinas vision of responsive and citizen-centered governance, bringing together agencies with shared goals to better serve Filipinos abroad. (PNA)