Japan-style care facility inaugurated

A new Japanese-style elderly care facility opened in Pasig City last Thursday aiming to improve senior care services in the Philippines.

The facility, a collaboration between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and INFIC Inc., a Japan-based elderly care company, will provide home care, day care and short- and long-term stay services.

Officials said that the 200-square-meter facility is designed for accessibility and safety, featuring handrails, step-free flooring, and wheelchair-accessible washstands.

A team of nine trained staff members and three Japanese specialists will provide care and train families in home care techniques.

With the Philippines’ aging population expected to reach 11.6 million by 2025, the demand for elderly care is growing, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

“It has become imperative to nurture future caregivers with specialized knowledge and skills to meet these growing challenges,” said JICA Philippines chief representative Baba Takashi.

The initiative was made possible through JICA’s public-private partnership promotion scheme, which introduces Japanese technologies and expertise to developing countries.

The Pasig City government has been a partner in strengthening healthcare services for its elderly population. The facility aims to build local capacity in geriatric services through Japan’s rehabilitation-focused and independence-oriented care.

INFIC’s digital sensing care system, demonstrated at the opening, enhances independent living and assists caregivers, adding that it chose the Philippines for its first international expansion, citing the country’s caregiver workforce.