The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) in partnership with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) conducted a one-day Consultation Dialogue on Programs and Services for Older Persons on April 14, 2023 at the Cavite Collaboration Center for Public Health Auditorium, Trece Martires City. Heads and representatives from the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs, senior citizen officers from all the 23 local government units of Cavite as well as the City and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers were present in the event.
The consultation dialogue formally started through the acknowledgement of participants done by Mr. Ciriaco S. Angeles, Regional and Provincial Federation of Senior Citizen President, immediately followed by the messages of Provincial Administration for Community Affairs Alvin S. Mojica and Board Member Romel R. Enriquez, Chair- Committee on Social Services, Family, Women, Children and Elderly. They both stressed that the consultation dialogue will be a great help to formulate programs for the elderly and assured that the provincial government will support the undertakings.
Mr. Jarryd Bello represented Vice Governor Athena Bryana D. Tolentino and relayed her message emphasizing the importance of providing programs and services that cater to the needs of older persons, as they are essential part of society.
NCSC Commissioner Ricardo Rainier S. Cruz III’s discussion focused on the transition, gaps and challenges in the implementation of programs and services for older persons which were all previously undertaken by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Among the programs mentioned are the distribution of social pension and registration of senior citizens (online and offline) and emphasized the proposal to rationalize the selection of indigent senior citizens.
Republic Act 11350 or the National Commission for Senior Citizens Act was highlighted in the presentation of Commissioner Reymar R. Mansilungan along with other legislations implemented to ensure the welfare of senior citizens. This law which created the NCSC under the Office of the President mandates the commission to ensure the full implementation of laws, policies, and programs of the government on senior citizens, review and conduct related studies, and recommend policy to Congress and the President. It abolishes the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board created under RA 9994 and transfers related functions from the DSWD to NCSC.
On the other hand, Ms. Jhoana M. Nodora of DSWD-Region IVA discussed the updates of the programs and services for senior citizens offered by their agency. Services include social pension for indigent senior citizens, centenarians and assistance to older persons.
An open forum was facilitated after the talk where participants were able to raise their issues and concerns which were addressed by the commissioners from NCSC and Ms. Nodora of DSWD-Region IV-A. (PICAD)