Photo from Official Gazette/Website
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Tuesday said it approved the creation of additional regional offices and plantilla positions for the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC).
The DBM said a total of eight new regional offices were approved, specifically in Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Mimaropa (Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan), Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and Cordillera Administrative Region.
The approval of the offices’ creation which aims to strengthen the NCSC, coincided with the inking of the expanded Centenarian Act on February 26, 2024, according to the DBM.
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“The strengthening of the NCSC is another important step in the development of our country. Our elders are custodians of tradition and culture. Often, they are mediators of peace, mentors, and community leaders. They will always be valuable assets to our nation, so we really take good care of them,” said budget secretary Mina Pangandaman in a statement.
With this, a total of 96 positions have been created by the DBM for the approved regional offices.
“On the account of Section 11 of RA No. 11350, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has already transferred the program: Assistance to Older Persons [to NCSC] under the FY (fiscal year) 2024 General Appropriations Act,” said the DBM.
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The NCSC was formed on July 25, 2019, under Republic Act No. 11350 to advocate for and facilitate collaboration between stakeholders and senior citizens.
It also aims to guarantee the successful implementation of programs and services focused on advancing the health and well-being of senior citizens.
Based on data from the NCSC, the agency caters to more than nine million senior citizens aged 60 and above in the country.