Creation of nat’l body for senior citizens pushed

Various senior citizens’ groups have expressed support for the passage of a measure seeking to create a National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC).

The measure, which was filed by Sen. Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV, seeks to ensure that rights and privileges they are entitled to are properly given to them.

The bill seeks to amend Section 11 of Republic Act 7432 or the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010, abolishing the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board and replacing it with NCSC.

Officials and members of the different organizations met with Aquino at the Senate yesterday to express their full support for the enactment of Senate Bill No. 674 into law.

The groups include the NAPC Senior Citizens Sectoral Council, Federation of Senior Citizens of the Philippines (FSCAP), Confederation of Older Persons Association of the Philippines (COPAP), Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Inc. (COSE), and Pederasyon ng Maralitang Nakakatanda (PAMANA) with DSWD, NCDA, CWC, and House Committees on Government Reorganization and on Population and Family Relations.

Aquino said it is imperative to have such a commission for a specific sector of society.

“If we have one for the youth, we should definitely have one for senior citizens as acknowledgement of their contribution to the growth and progress of the country,” said Aquino.