There’s nothing wrong with replicating good practices from other local government units.

This, after Marikina City Mayor Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro visited an elderly care facility in neighboring Pasig City on Friday morning.

“We visited the Magokoro elderly facility in Pasig City, together with Mayor Vico Sotto, as part of our study on good practices from other cities to further raise the level of our care, especially for our senior citizens,” Teodoro said.

Magokoro is a Japanese-style, smart care pilot facility launched through a partnership between the Pasig City government, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Japan’s INFIC Inc.

Teodoro said Marikina also plans to build a similar facility for the city’s senior citizens.

“Just like Pasig, we are also preparing for the construction of a geriatric center in our city — a facility that will provide care for our grandmothers and grandfathers,” she added.

The Japanese-style elderly care facility in Pasig opened on 21 March 2025, aiming to improve senior care services in the country.

A collaboration between JICA and INFIC Inc., a Japan-based elderly care company, the facility offers home care, day care, and short- and long-term stay services.

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 projected to reach 11.6 million by 2025, the demand for elderly care continues to grow, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The Pasig facility aims to build local capacity in geriatric services through Japan’s rehabilitation-focused and independence-oriented care model.

INFIC’s digital sensing care system, demonstrated during the opening, enhances independent living and assists caregivers.

The company said it chose the Philippines for its first international expansion due to the strength of its caregiver workforce.