NCSC calls on all senior citizens to register @ncsc.gov.ph, know their rights

CEBU CITY— Atty. Franklin Quijano, chairman of the National Commission for Senior Citizens called on all the senior citizens in the country to have themselves registered with the NCSC website @ncsc.gov.ph to enable them to know their rights, services and activities beneficial to them.

In a forum, “Senior Voices Unite: Empowering the Elderly” on October 5 at the Gansenwinkel Hall, University of San Carlos Law Building, Pelaez St, Cebu City, Quijano told a group of senior citizen organizations and homeowners in Lapulapu City that it is very important for all of them to register at the NCSC.

Quijano said he wants to listen to the elderlies’ concerns and other issues relevant them such as pensions, healthcare, others.  He actually called on all SCs to get enrolled at Philhealth and get a yearly check-up for free.

“Under the Universal Healthcare Law, all senior citizens have a P5,000 budget each for a yearly check-up in hospitals that’s taken cared of by PhilHealth,” Quijano said.

Quijano also huddled with the local media and shared updates on the NCSC’s programs and activities beneficial to the country’s elderly.  He added that this is the first time that there is an agency that focuses on the SC.

“We are just functional this year from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the NCSC.  We have a handful of projects, creating an agenda for the SC for that Plan of Action to encourage all local government units in the country for elderly age-friendly governance and programs,” Quijano said.

Quijano bared that there are more than three million SCs registered at the NCSC to date but cascading information on the various programs and services for the elderly are slow and weak.  He cited the comprehensive health assessment program for the SC every two years, this must be reviewed.

“PhilHealth has a P43B budget for the SC health benefits including a yearly check-up but, only a few SC know this. Let us help the elderly to get registered at the NCSC so we can guide them,” Quijano concluded. (Photos: MBCNewman)