In a show of solidarity, the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) has pledged to support Korean retirees who have been displaced following the takeover of leased areas within Camp John Hay in Baguio City. The retirees, numbering around 40, had been living in hotels managed by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), which recently took over the area following a Supreme Court order implemented on January 6, 2025.
Eric De Ausen Pati, head of the PRA North Luzon Satellite Office, emphasized the agency’s commitment to assisting foreign retirees, stating that it is part of their mandate to ensure the welfare of those who have chosen the Philippines as their second home. The PRA’s involvement is crucial not only for the retirees but also for the national treasury, which benefits significantly from foreign retirement investments.
The affected retirees, including octogenarians and a young family, had invested in condotels at the Manor Hotel and Forest Lodge, expecting to reside there peacefully until at least 2046. The sudden eviction has left them in distress, with some expressing concerns about their future and ongoing charitable activities in the community.
Jangean Lee, an 82-year-old retiree, lamented the loss of their peaceful second homes due to the takeover. Similarly, Sungil Lee, 70, shared his disappointment over having to halt his scholarship programs due to the forced relocation. Heewoong Ahn, a younger retiree with a Filipino spouse and child, called for media support to help resolve their situation peacefully.
Despite respecting the Supreme Court’s decision, the PRA is determined to mitigate the impact on the retirees to safeguard the country’s reputation as a retirement destination.