Los Baños, Laguna — Officials from the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), led by OIC and Commissioner Dr. Mary Jean P. Loreche and Commissioner Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III, met with the OSCA Heads Association of Laguna Inc. (OHALI) on March 13, 2025, to discuss key programs and initiatives benefiting senior citizens. The meeting was held alongside a site visit to the Senior Citizens Community Care Center (SC3C) in Brgy. Anos, Los Baños, Laguna.
The visit aimed to assess the SC3C facility's readiness, identify potential improvements, and reinforce stakeholder collaboration in delivering services for the elderly. Chairman Efraim C. Genuino of the Los Baños Federation of Senior Citizens provided insights into the center's role, highlighting the reorganization of senior citizen federations, establishment of an emergency clinic, and enhancement of existing elderly programs. The officials also acknowledged the generous support of Los Baños Municipal Mayor Hon. Anthony F. Genuino in allocating resources for the establishment of the SC3C, ensuring better facilities and services for the senior community.
During the OHALI meeting, OIC Dr. Loreche emphasized the NCSC’s ongoing efforts to uphold the rights and welfare of senior citizens. The discussion addressed the growing senior population in Los Baños, which now comprises 9.4% of residents, underscoring the need for expanded healthcare and social services. The OIC highlighted the necessity of age-appropriate nutrition, improved emergency preparedness, and dedicated geriatric medical care, drawing insights from best practices at the Bicol Regional General Hospital and Geriatric Medical Center.
Commissioner Cruz provided clarifications on the Expanded Centenarian Act, including recent amendments, eligibility criteria, and the 2024 beneficiary application process. He also discussed updates on the Universal Pension program, reinforcing the government’s dedication to enhancing social protection for seniors.
The meeting also resulted in key agreements, including the extension of the deadline for submitting indicative targets for the Expanded Centenarian Act until March 21, 2025, and the validation of 312 applications from 21 LGUs for the January-June 2025 period.
The leadership of Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) Head Remia Adedoja and Senior Citizens Federation President Jun Montemayor was also acknowledged for their active role in advancing senior citizen programs and ensuring effective coordination among their peers.
Moving forward, NCSC aims to institutionalize the SC3C model as a national standard, strengthen partnerships with agencies like the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and enhance legislative advocacy for senior citizen rights and welfare.
The event reinforced the NCSC’s commitment to ensuring accessible, high-quality programs and services for the elderly, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for senior citizens nationwide.