Manila, July 11 -- 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 a...