PRRD signs law on senior citizens coalition

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte recently turned into law a measure that will create a commission for senior citizens’ activities and services.

Republic Act 11350, or the creation of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), will be headed by a chairperson and six commissioners from different regions appointed by Duterte.

Members of the commission will then appoint an executive director, who will be responsible for implementing the policies, regulations and directives of the body.

Among the functions of the Commission are “to establish and maintain cooperation and consultations with local government units and national government agencies on all matters pertaining to the general welfare of senior citizens, formulate policies for the promotion and protection of the rights and well-being of senior citizens and ensure the full implementation of laws, policies and programs of the government pertaining to senior citizens.”

The National Coordinating and Monitoring Board created by virtue of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 will be abolished as part of the recently signed law.

The law transferred as “all functions, programs, projects and activities” of the Department of Social Welfare and Development “for the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged senior citizens” to the NCSC.

The funding of the Commission shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act./PN