The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) has sought the cooperation of various government agencies to help realize the present administration’s programs to address the health benefits and welfare of senior citizens nationwide.
Following the directive of Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., that this government “must ensure that our senior citizens have the support and resources they need to thrive,” NCSC Chairman Franklin Quijano said a “whole of nation approach” is just what the doctor ordered.
Quijano says gov’t agencies like the Department of Health (DoH), PhilHealth, the LGUs and other stakeholders have been doing their share but more push is needed to truly maximize the benefits of what this present administration is giving to our country’s elderly.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Pres. Bongbong Marcos ordered the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the release of P42,931,355,000 for the health insurance premiums, which is expected to benefit over 8.5 million enrolled senior citizens.
With the magnanimous move, the NCSC thanked and praised the present administration, saying that the Marcos administration has just provided a timely “shot in the arm” for the country’s ageing population, who still wishes to contribute and share their talents, experiences and skills to the society.
Quijano is now looking ahead at the NCSC-organized 3rd National Advisory Body (NAB) convention at the National Museum in July to further discuss, and put into action what the NAB members plan to execute in line with PBBM’s goals and objectives for the nation’s elderly populace.
He added that NAB stakeholders would make sure the elderly avail of free annual physical, mental, aural, dental, and other medical examinations to guarantee that the seniors citizens’ health program are implemented to the max in accordance with Pres. Bongbong Marcos’ plans and vision.
NCSC launches online ‘Registration on Wheels” program
Meanwhile, the NCSC’s aggressive senior citizen online database registration efforts got a big boost with the launching of “Registration on Wheels” program in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte a week ago.
Spearheaded by NCSC Northern and Southern Luzon Cluster Commissioners Reymar Mansilungan and Rainier Cruz, the novel “Registration on Wheels” has somewhat helped the NCSC, reach more than 1.6 million online registrants since it was launched five months ago.
The two commissioners and staff also held a soft launching of the “Registration on Wheels” in San Gabriel, La Union and briefed them on the NCSC’s latest programs related to the welfare and benefits of the country’s elderly.
The “Registration on Wheels” initiative simply means that instead of the seniors going to OSCA and FSCAP offices to register online, the NCSC commissioners and staff travel to their respective towns, cities and municipalities and teach them how to register online to the official NCSC website.
For three straight days, Comms. Cruz and Mansilungan and their staff has already assisted hundreds of senior citizens in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union provinces and more of this kind of sctivity lined up in the coming days.