EMPOWERING BAGUIO’S SENIORS: NCSC URGES REGISTRATION FOR GOVERNMENT BENEFITS

March 29, 2024 Metro BLISTT

35k seniors in the city now registered with NCSC

Baguio City

The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) Cluster 1 is urging people ages 60 and above to register to their online database. The ongoing registration aims to empower the elderly by granting them access to various government benefits and programs tailored to their needs. This concerted effort reflects a broader commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility, ensuring that senior citizens in Baguio City are not only supported but actively
involved in the fabric of community life.

Central to the agency’s initiatives is the esteemed ‘9 Core Program’, which encompasses essential divisions such as Wellness, Health, Emergency response and Benefits Division (WHEREBED), Senior Citizens’ Unit for Rights Improvement (SECURE), Participation, Communication and Education (PACE), among others. These programs strategically address prevalent issues faced by senior citizens such as social, economic, health and security concerns.

Ms. Charlotte Collado, NCSC Cluster 1 In-charge of office, disclosed that out of Baguio’s senior citizen population of 50,000, approximately 35,000 have already completed registration—an encouraging indication of the community’s
engagement in this initiative. Recognizing the digital dvide, the NCSC has established registration outlets in key locations across Baguio City, including Baguio CenterMall, 2nd floor of Porta Vaga, Igorot Garden, Kayang St. in AZCKO Barangay, and KM 5 in La Trinidad. Volunteers are on hand to provide assistance to elderly individuals who may encounter challenges during the registration process.

The NCSC, established under RA 11350 of 2019, serves as the primary government agency dedicated to
safeguarding the welfare and upholding the rights of Filipino senior citizens. Notably, the recent transition of plans and programs for senior citizens from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the NCSC, in
accordance with Section 11 of the mandate, underscores the government’s commitment to prioritizing the needs of this demographic.

Rainbow Rivera -\/UB-Intern