PAGADIAN CITY (PIA) – The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) is calling on the elderly to register and be counted in their online database. 

The database will serve as the foundation for developing plans, programs, projects, activities, and events aimed at enhancing the lives of older Filipino individuals.

Regional NCSC project development officer Jorry E. Padayogdog underscored the importance of having senior citizens registered in the information system.

“Gi-encourage namo tanan mga katigulangan, mga Senior Citizen, ilang mga anak o apo na atong iparegister ang atong mga lola ug lolo sa online registration kay puhon maabot ang specific na program para sa ila, kung wala sila sa database,  possible dili sila maapila na makadawat sa maong programa,” he said.

(We encourage all elders, senior citizens, and their children or grandchildren to register their grandparents through online registration. Soon, specific programs tailored for them will be introduced. Without their inclusion in the database, they may not be eligible to participate in such programs.)

All citizens aged 60 years and older can register by visiting the commission’s website at www.ncsc.gov.ph and simply clicking on the 'Register NOW' icon on the homepage. 

The required information includes personal profile details, educational background, health information, and economic profile.

Padayogdog stated that educational information will assist the office in selecting elderly individuals with special skills for participation in their upcoming knowledge transfer program. 

The inclusion of health status details, encompassing information about illnesses or required maintenance, will aid the commission in developing various programs in collaboration with the Department of Health and other relevant agencies. 

In addition, the required economic profile will be used to determine the eligibility of senior citizens for existing and future social pensions and assistance programs for the elderly.

The NCSC has formed partnerships with local government units and the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) in all municipalities and cities, aiming to extend outreach to a broader elderly population.

For those without access to gadgets or internet connectivity, they can visit the nearest NCSC office or go to the OSCA, where hard copies of the senior citizen data form are available.

Zamboanga Peninsula has achieved approximately 39 percent of online registrations, totaling around 120,000 out of the 311,000 senior citizens in the region, based on the 2020 census.

On a national scale, out of the 22 million senior citizens, 30-35 percent, translating to more than 4 million individuals, have successfully completed their online registration.

The NCSC has set a pragmatic target of achieving an 80 percent nationwide registration rate this year. 

Simultaneously, the commission will closely monitor government agencies responsible for implementing programs and projects for senior citizens to ensure their full execution.

Padayogdog emphasizes that time is of the essence for the senior citizen. Hence, the NCSC endeavors to provide whatever programs and services are mandated by law, leveraging a whole-of-government approach.

“We are encouraging our partner agencies with specific tasks as mandated by law to provide privileges to senior citizens. We have to collaborate and strengthen our partnership so that we can create an enabling and supportive environment for our elderly,” Padayogdog said. (NBE/EDT/CCP/PIA9)