IN AN effort to provide a "supportive and enabling environment for the elderly", President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law creating the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) that will operate under the Office of the President.
Republic Act (RA) 11350, inked by Duterte on Thursday, July 25, abolishes the National Coordinating Council and Monitoring Board, which monitors the implementation of RA 9257 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003, to allow the NCSC to function as the sole body attending to the needs of senior citizens.
"It is the policy of the State to adopt measures whereby our senior citizens are assisted and appreciated by the community as a whole, provide services and activities beneficial to our senior citizens, their families and the communities they serve, and establish community-based health and rehabilitation, educational, and socioeconomic programs for all senior citizens," RA 11350 reads.
"Consistent with this policy, the State shall promote the advocacy of and collaboration between different stakeholders and senior citizens to ensure the effective implementation of various programs and services, particularly on the development of senior citizens and advancing their health and well-being, and ensuring a supporting and enabling environment for the elderly," it adds.
The new commission will be composed of a chairperson and six commisioners.
The chairperson will serve for six years while two commissioners will hold office for six years, two others for four years, and the remaining two for two years.
They must be "citizens and residents of the Philippines; at least 60 years old at the time of their appointments; of good moral character; bona fide members of senior citizens associations; holders of a college degree or have relevant expertise in the affairs of senior citizens; of good health and sound mind."
They must also "have not been convicted by a final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude and recommended by a general assembly of senior citizens organizations."
The commission is mandated to ensure the full implementation of laws, policies, and programs of the government pertaining to senior citizens; review and conduct studies on the same; and recommend appropriate actions thereon to Congress and the President.
It is also required to formulate policies for the promotion and protection of the rights and well-being of senior citizens.
The law also directs the NCSC to conduct information, education, and communication campaign to raise awareness on senior citizens' rights.
The commission is also tasked 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.
RA 11350 also orders the commission to represent the Philippines in international functions, fora or conferences on senior citizens; and constitute and convene an advisory body; develop appropriate mechanisms and procedures for the selection and nomination of its membrs for appointment by the President.
"The six commissioners shall represent different geographical regions of the Philippines and shall hold office in their respective regions," the law said. "The full Commission shall meet at least once every month."
All functions, programs, projects and activities undertaken by the Social Welfare development for the formulation, implementation and coordination of social welfare and development policies and programs for the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged senior citizens will be transferred to the NCSC.
Subject to the approval of the Budget department, the Commission will determine its organizational structure and staffing pattern, create offices, divisions, or units as it may deem necessary, and appoint its officers and employees in accordance with civil service laws, rules and regulations.
The remuneration structure for the positions in the staffing pattern shall strictly conform to RA 6758 or the Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989.
The amount necessary to fund the implementation of the new law will be included in the General Approrpiations Act.
A copy of RA 11350 was released by the Palace on Friday, July 26. (SunStar Philippines)