The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday, Aug. 16 urged those 60 years of age and older to register in the database of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) in support of the ongoing nationwide registration for all Filipino seniors.
The NCSC is currently conducting a nationwide registration of all senior citizens using an improved data form, adding some vital features to include the senior’s source of income, if applicable, skill set, and health profile.
The form can be accessed through NCSC’s official website.
DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said the nationwide database of senior citizens will be a great baseline for policy formulation and program development for the protection and promotion of the older person sector.
“The national database of the senior citizens, which records the information of every older person in the country, will serve as a game changer in the formulation and development of programs, interventions, and services for the sector,” Lopez said.
Others who may not have internet access can register through their local government office’s Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA).
The NCSC is establishing the country’s senior citizens database under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11350; the law establishing and creating the Commission, with assistance from the DSWD and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
DSWD warns against spam, claims senior citizens receive P1,000 pension
Meanwhile, DSWD asked the public to exercise caution when responding to spam texts and social media posts that claim that “all” senior citizens will receive a monthly pension worth P1,000 from the NCSC when they register online.
According to Lopez, the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens program does not require beneficiaries to register and the additional P500 monthly stipend has not yet been funded.
The DSWD also clarified that the department is still distributing the monthly Social Pension stipend of P500 to indigent senior citizens, pending the full transfer of the social pension program to the NCSC.
While transitioning, the DSWD will continue to assist the NCSC in providing appropriate services and interventions to older people.
