CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) has cited Central Luzon as a model region for inclusive and participatory governance for older persons due to strong multi-sectoral support and active engagement for senior citizens in community and national development.
“We [NCSC] are a government institution mandated to ensure the effective implementation of all laws concerning our sector. We commit our resources, our network, and our political will to be your watchdog, your partner, and your most ardent supporter,” NCSC Chairperson Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez said.
She stressed that the Commission’s mission is to listen to the wisdom and lived experiences of senior citizens and ensure their voices are reflected in policies and decisions that affect their welfare.
“Our goal is to reach every senior across the expansive provinces of Central Luzon, ensuring that the progress of our nation is felt in every household, and that no elderly Filipino is left out of the loop of national development,” she said.
The NCSC chair noted that the treatment of senior citizens reflects the nation’s commitment to justice and equity.
“The true meaning of a nation’s justice system is not how it treats the rich and powerful, but how it treats the vulnerable,” she added.
Gutierrez said that while Central Luzon demonstrated strong community-based and private-sector support for older persons, systems must continue to evolve to replace bureaucratic indifference with approaches that recognize seniors as active participants in nation-building.
“We see a shining model of how community-based support and private-sector partnership can thrive, and we aim to ensure that the warmth and security you feel here today becomes the standard for every senior citizen across the entire Philippine archipelago,” she said.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that Central Luzon is home to more than one million senior citizens, highlighting the importance of sustained and inclusive governance for the growing elderly population.
