The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will streamline services for the elderly in Northern Mindanao and Soccsksargen regions.
On Tuesday, NCSC Commissioner Franklin Quijano gathered in this city officials of different regional agencies and universities to discuss expansion partnerships following the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between NCSC and DSWD Regions 10 and 12.
“This is already past due. Our seniors have been complaining that some benefits are no longer commensurable with the present situation,” Quijano, a lawyer, said.
The agreements involve the free use of office space for the NCSC at the DSWD Regional Offices 10 and 12 here and in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, respectively, and for data sharing and management.
Quijano also said preparations are underway for the formal review of the elderly benefits and privileges set in Republic Act (RA) 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, the first in 13 years.
The periodic review will be spearheaded by Commissioners Enriqueta R. Rodeles and Edwin G. Espejo, he said.
RA 11350, the law that created the NCSC, mandates the body to review and conduct studies of laws, policies and programs of the government about senior citizens and recommend appropriate actions to Congress and the President.
Quijano said they initiated the move in response to clamors from senior citizens and other concerned sectors during its nationwide consultations and initial studies made by the NCSC.
He noted that the 5 percent discount for weekly groceries — worth up to PHP1,300 for senior citizens on necessities and prime commodities, which used to cost only PHP65 — has decreased significantly over the years due to inflation.
“In 2010, you can buy a sack of rice for PHP1,300, but now you can only get a half sack for that,” he said.
Transition
Meanwhile, NCSC and DSWD have been working closely to fast-track and ensure the smooth transfer of programs for older persons being implemented by the latter to the Commission as provided for in RA 11350.
This includes the social pension for indigent senior citizens, the centenarian gifts program and the administration of government-operated residential care facilities aimed at assisting neglected, abandoned, unattached, or homeless elders.
The NCSC, represented by Quijano and Espejo, signed separate MOAs with DSWD Field Offices 10 and 12 in preparation for the transition at the regional level.
Ramel F. Jamen, DSWD-Region 10 director, said the MOAs are part of their commitment to ensuring that the implementation of programs for older persons will not be hampered.
“This is a significant step because we are laying down the groundwork to make sure that the senior citizens programs will continue running in the two regions as we continue the transition,” he said. (PNA)
