MARCOS TRANSFERS NATIONAL COMMISSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO DSWD

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed Executive Order (EO) No. 96, placing the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) under the supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to further strengthen policies and programs for the elderly sector.

The order, signed on September 18 and effective immediately, directs the transfer of the NCSC from the Office of the President (OP) to the DSWD to ensure stronger policy and program coordination.

“Pursuant to the Administration’s eight-point socioeconomic agenda, which includes improving bureaucratic efficiency, a strong organizational link between the NCSC and DSWD must be established to further strengthen policies and programs for senior citizens, with the goal of enhancing delivery of social services and promoting the overall well-being and protection of the elderly,” the EO stated.

Despite the transfer, the DSWD will continue handling the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) program and may collaborate with the NCSC for its effective implementation.

The NCSC was created under Republic Act (RA) 11350 in 2019 to oversee the full implementation of laws, policies, and programs protecting the rights and welfare of senior citizens. Under the law, all DSWD functions and programs for poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged elderly were transferred to the NCSC, which was originally attached to the OP.

Meanwhile, the SPISC was established through RA 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, granting monthly financial assistance to indigent seniors for their subsistence and medical needs. This was further expanded by RA 11916, signed in 2022, which doubled the monthly pension from ₱500 to ₱1,000.

The move is seen as part of the Marcos administration’s efforts to streamline government services and reinforce social protection for one of the most vulnerable sectors of society.

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