Senior citizens, especially those who have been abandoned, neglected — with no one to care for them — are among the most vulnerable sectors in the country. Both the public and private sector ought to help them with their day to day needs.
Fortunately, there are now several facilities where abandoned and neglected senior citizens are being cared for. One of these is the Co Su Gian Home for the Aged, which is located in Davao City. In this article, we shall learn more about this residential care facility.

Image Credit: City Government of Davao / Facebook
What is Co Su Gian?
The Co Su Gian Home for the Aged started out as a meeting place for the Davao City Senior Citizens Federation in the 1980s. It is situated on a 6,829-square meter lot, which was donated by Henry Wee and named after his mother. In 1993, the facility was converted into a temporary shelter for homeless senior citizens.
The Senior Citizens Federation operated the facility for many years. Eventually, however, due to lack of funds, it was turned over to the City Government of Davao through the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO). This was in 2012, during the term of then Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
When Rodrigo Duterte became Mayor again, the annual budget for the Co Su Gian facility was sustained. It received a PHP 15 million budget from the City Government of Davao, along with a PHP 1 million donation from Pinoy Big Brother winner and now show host Ruben Gonzaga. The facility got a much needed “facelift,” and since then has been receiving budget for operations and maintenance form the City Government.
Today, Co Su Gian is the only center for the care of senior citizens in the country that is fully supported by the local government’s social services and development office. The facility can accommodate up to 80 elderly residents. As of June 2016, it housed a total of 47 residents, with 24 males and 34 females.

Image Credit: Noni Calonia / Facebook
Target Clients
Co Su Gian Home for the Aged is a residential care facility for less-fortunate elderly who have been abandoned, neglected, or homeless. It caters to senior citizens in Davao City as well as those from different parts of Mindanao.
Programs and Services
Before senior citizens are admitted into the facility, the CSSDO first conducts a screening regarding their situation. Their families and/or relatives are contacted, to see if the elderly can be reintegrated back to their families. In any case, the elderly are temporarily housed in the facility, where they are provided with basic services, health and nutrition services, recreational services, and more.
Basic Services. Residents are provided temporary shelter, clothing, and basic needs such as personal hygiene kits.
Health and Nutrition Services. Residents are provided with healthy meals to ensure proper nutrition. Nurses and caregivers are also sought to address their individual medical needs and concerns. The facility has partnered with the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) to attend to some of the residents’ medical concerns.
Recreational Services. Throughout the year, the facility conducts various indoor and outdoor activities such as film showings, beach outings and even a “Lolo and Lola ng Co Su Gian” pageant.
Income Generating Activities. From time to time, residents participate in income-generating activities such as vegetable gardening, pillow-making, and the creation of potholders, rugs, and shawls.

Image Credit: Noni Calonia / Facebook
Latest Updates
Interestingly, many groups — from both the public and private sector — come and visit the Co Su Gian facility to provide financial assistance, food donations, and other services. Here are just some of the recent updates regarding these visits:
Free Eye Check Day. Based on a Facebook post by the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) Graduate Studies Supreme Government, the group held a free “Eye Check Day” for residents of the Co Su Gian facility on May 19, 2024. In addition, the group donated sports equipment to the Zonta Village community.

Image Credit: UIC Graduate Studies Supreme Government / Facebook
Senator Go’s Visit. According to the Facebook page of Senator Bong Go, the senator paid a visit to the residents of the Co Su Gian Home for the Aged on June 14, 2024. Prior to this, he had attended the groundbreaking ceremony for soon-to-be built Multipurpose Building Crisis Intervention Center, and visited the children and youth at Balay Dangupan, also in Davao City.
Senator Go was accompanied by his friend, actor Philip Salvador. They gave food and grocery packs to 55 residents of the Co Su Gian Home for the Aged. The senator also provided assistance to the staff of the facility.

Image Credit: Bong Go / Facebook
“Read, Learn, and Connect.” Based on a Facebook post by the Davao City Library & Information Center, its Mobile Library Team held a “Read, Learn, and Connect” activity at Co Su Gian Home for the Aged on June 21, 2024. The team engaged the residents in book reading, story telling, drawing, and other enriching activities.
Notably, the activity sought to promote literacy, bring joy, and foster a sense of community among the residents of the facility. During the event, the elders ate nourishing “lomi” soup,which was provided by the City Government of Davao.

Image Credit: Davao City Library & Information Center / Facebook
Video: Senator Go Visits Co Su Gian Home
As mentioned earlier, Senator Bong Go paid a visit to the Co Su Gian Home for the Aged facility last June 21, 2024. Here is a video from his official Facebook page, featuring the highlights of his visit:
Contact Information: Co Su Gian Home for the Aged
If you are interested in visiting or making a donation to Co Su Gian Home for the Aged, you can get in touch with the facility through the following contact details:
Address: Dragon Compound, Lower Cabatian, Buhangin District, Davao City
Telephone: 300-2001
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
Thanks to the Co Su Gian Home for the Aged facility, senior citizens who have been neglected, abandoned, or homeless would have a place to stay, at least until they are reintegrated back to their families. Hopefully, other local government units in the country can establish their own residential care facilities for the elderly, as well.
Speaking of the elderly, have you heard of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC)? This is the main government agency that deals with senior citizens’ concerns. If there’s a senior citizen in your family, make sure that they are registered with the NCSC; check out this article to learn how to register!