CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) announced on Oct. 3 that more community hubs catering to senior citizens will soon open in different parts of the country.
The facility called the ‘Senior Citizen Community Care Center’ or SC3C, is set to deliver a broad range of services such as social support and assistance, recreational and socialization activities, livelihood training, disaster risk management training, medical checkups, and other healthcare services.
NCSC officer-in-charge and commissioner Dr. Mary Jean P. Loreche said in a press conference in line with the celebration of National Elderly Filipino Week that three more senior SC3Cs will open in the province of Bukidnon and Cotabato City,.
Additional centers will also be offering services to senior citizens in Camarines Sur, Albay, and General Santos City by 2025.
“We continue to collaborate with more LGUs in the country, and this is part of our initiatives in helping our elderly because we want them to be able to avail of the services of the government. We want them to be part of nation-building to be active and proactive,” said Loreche.
NCSC launched on Sept. 20 the country’s 2nd SC3C in Cabatuan, Iloilo Province.
The opening of SC3Cs was a huge boost for the commission in fulfilling its mandate of advancing the health and well-being and protecting the rights of senior citizens, according to Loreche.
Meanwhile, the NCSC official also stressed the importance of collaboration among partner agencies in ensuring the success and sustainability of this initiative, emphasizing the need for assistance, resource sharing, and effective program planning and coordination.
“Tinitingnan natin ngayon kung sinong pa na mga LGUs yung meron nang center ibig sabihin merong available na infrastructure, and if the LGU is willing to work with NCSC to develop the programs for senior citizens, then we tap the DOH, TESDA, DOLE, and other agencies to arrange and implement the programs,” Loreched said.
“If the center is operational, it is under the LGU, the LGU is the one who will manage and take control of the center, and kami naman sa NCSC, we will help in the planning of the programs by collaborating with our partner agencies,” she added.
The country’s 1st SC3C was opened in the Municipality of Moalboal, Cebu in May this year. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)
