THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has committed to harmonizing and strengthening the programs and services for senior citizens after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. transferred the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) from the Office of the President to the agency.
Social Welfare Assistant Secretary and spokesman Irene Dumlao yesterday said the President’s directive will enable the DSWD “to support the current initiatives of the NCSC.”
She also assured senior citizens in the country of the smooth transition of the NCSC to the DSWD.”
Marcos, on September 18, issued Executive Order 96 that placed the NCSC under DSWD to “strengthen policies and programs for senior citizens, with the goal of enhancing delivery of social services and promoting the overall well-being and protection of the elderly.”
The EO directed the DSWD to lead in the implementation, distribution, and management of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) program in coordination with the NCSC.
The SPISC provides a P1,000 monthly pension to indigent senior citizens or poor and vulnerable Filipinos aged 60 and above who are frail, ill, or living with a disability, and who have no regular income, pension, or family support.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that as of 2020, there are around 9.2 million senior citizens, while NCSC records show that there are 8.7 million elders registered to the commission as of September 2025.
