MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the establishment of eight more regional offices and the creation of 96 plantilla positions for the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC).
According to a statement released by the DBM on Tuesday, the new regional offices of the NCSC will be set up in the following regions: Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
“To ensure the efficient delivery of its mandate, the NCSC aims to establish a presence in every region of the nation,” the DBM said.
Additionally, 96 positions will be created to support the operations of the new regional offices, each to be headed by a Director IV.
Based on data provided by the NCSC, the DBM stated that the commission serves over nine million seniors across various regions including Ilocos Norte, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Region 4-A (Calabarzon), Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, CAR, and Metro Manila.
“On the account of Section 11 of RA (Republic Act) 11350, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has already transferred the program: Assistance to Older Persons under the FY 2024 General Appropriations Act,” the DBM said.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman granted approval for the creation of new regional offices and plantilla posts for the NCSC on February 26. Interestingly, this was the same day when President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law the expanded Centenarian Act.
Pangandaman emphasized that bolstering the NCSC is another significant stride in the country’s development.
“I echo the sentiments of the President when he emphasized that ‘we stand on the shoulders of giants.’ Our elders are the pillars of society. We owe so much to them. It is the time for us to recognize their significance and guarantee the dignity and rights that they fairly deserve,” she said. “They will always be valuable assets to our nation, so we really take good care of them.”
RA 11350, also known as the NCSC Act, was signed into law on July 25, 2019. This legislation mandates the establishment of the NCSC under the Office of the President.
Its primary objective is to ensure the execution of various programs and services geared towards promoting the health and overall welfare of senior citizens, as well as fostering a supportive and enabling environment for the elderly population.
