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President Marcos has ordered the transfer of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) from the Office of the President to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in a bid to strengthen policies and services for the elderly.
The move was formalized under Executive Order (EO) No. 96, signed on Sept. 18, which attached the NCSC to the DSWD for “policy and program coordination.”
It likewise underscores Marcos’ push to rationalize government operations while improving the welfare and protection of vulnerable groups, particularly senior citizens.
Based on the EO, the transfer aligns with the administration’s eight-point socioeconomic agenda, particularly its goal to enhance bureaucratic efficiency and ensure the delivery of better social services.
“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 order read.
The NCSC was created under Republic Act (RA) No. 11350 or the National Commission of Senior Citizens Act of 2019 to implement laws and programs promoting the rights and welfare of the elderly. Initially, the agency was attached to the Office of the President.
While the NCSC is now under the DSWD, the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) Program will remain with the department, as provided under RA 9994. The pension program grants cash subsidies to qualified seniors to help with daily needs and medical expenses.
The EO directs the DSWD to continue implementing and distributing social pension benefits, but allows the department to seek the NCSC’s assistance to ensure an efficient rollout.
By law, the social pension program will be fully transferred from the DSWD to the NCSC within three years of RA 9994’s effectivity.
Malacañang also cited the recently passed Government Optimization Act, which authorizes the President to transfer or integrate functions among agencies to streamline bureaucracy.