BAGUIO CITY — The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) is urging local government units (LGUs) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to begin developing elderly-focused services in anticipation of a steadily aging population.
“We should start preparing for services for older people, like more geriatric hospitals and services. We’ll all be senior citizens one day,” said CPD-CAR Regional Director Cecile Basawil during the “World Population Day” press conference here on Friday.
Basawil cited Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showing a declining population growth in CAR — from 1.2 percent in 2015 to 0.91 percent in 2020 — and a growing share of the elderly.
She noted that the region’s elderly population is already higher than the national average of 5.4 percent, and is projected to reach 7.2 percent by 2035.
“The population structure is changing towards a higher proportion of working age and older population, and a declining young population. The proportion of older persons in the region is higher than the national average of 5.4 percent,” Basawil said.
In anticipation of growth in the senior citizen population, Basawil called for infrastructure program readjustment to make it accessible to the elderly population.
“We need to make infrastructure accessible, such as installing handrails,” she said.
She also highlighted the need for differentiated services for two types of senior citizens: the poor and vulnerable, and those still economically capable.
She added that the region’s average marrying age is now 30, with many young people prioritizing career stability before starting families — a factor contributing to the declining youth population. **Liza Agoot
