THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has created eight additional regional offices (ROs) of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC).

Various quarters said the setting up of the new NCSC regional offices reflects the national government’s genuine concern over the welfare of senior citizens (SCs).

Of the country’s more than 110 million population, an estimated 9.2 million are senior citizens, according to government statistics.

The DBM also created 96 plantilla positions for the eight NCSC regional offices, according to Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

The ROs will be estabished in Region I, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Cordillera Administrative Region.

Secretary Pangandaman said the creration of the additional regional offices “will ensure the efficient delivery of its (NCSC) mandate.”

Chaired by lawyer Franklin Quijano, the NCSC is mandated to effectively implement various programs and services, notably on the development of SCs.

The lady DBM secretary echoed the sentiments of President Marcos, who earlier emphasized that we stand on the shoulders of giants.

She added: “Our elders are the pillars of society. It is the time for us to recognize their significance and guarantee the dignity and rights that they fairly deserve.”

Without doubt, the Marcos government is on the right path in giving the country’s more than nine million senior citizens the protection they need.

Together with their loved ones, our senior citizens expect the government to deliver on its avowed pro-elderly agenda.

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