By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A 2-storey building of the first home care for Japanese retirees opened in Mambukal Resort, Murcia, Negros Occidental yesterday.
The Sanko Mambukal Life Care Home will serve as a home for the elderly and a caregiver training center. It is operated by the Sanko Group of Companies.
Mambukal Resort manager Ellen Jalandoni said the conglomerate is leasing a 986-square meter lot from the Negros Occidental Provincial government for a 25-year term. The annual lease, which started March 17, 2015, is worth P1.2 million.
The woody area with a view of the mountain resort was where the historic Governor’s Lodge was located.
Hideaki Tanahashi, country manager of Sanko, said the structure can accommodate 10 elderly Japanese citizens and 120 caregiver trainees.
The training will run for six months which will include basic Japanese Caregiving and Japanese Language on a study now, pay later basis.
Tanahashi also said students should be able to finish the training and pass the examination to have the opportunity to apply for jobs in Japan.
They put up the structure in Mambukal after having stayed in the resort years ago, he explained. They found the locals hospitable and welcoming.
Tanahashi said the Japanese elderly are coming to Mambukal starting in August because they must still process the required documents for their stay in Sanko.
He added they are planning to expand their business in other areas of the country./WDJ