National Commission on Senior Citizens Vows Inclusive, Grassroots Action for Elder Care at Central Luzon Congress

Breaking: Central Luzon Expands Senior Care Network as Elderly Population Surges

In a bid to strengthen elder welfare,Central Luzon officials unveiled an expanded rollout of senior Citizens Community Care Centers (SC3Cs).The event coincided with the 39th anniversary of the Kapampangan Development Foundation, Inc. (KDFI), a principal partner in the region’s elderly programs. A new SC3C was officially opened in Malolos, bulacan, following a milestone launch in Plaridel, Bulacan.

Official figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority show more than one million senior citizens reside in Central Luzon, underscoring the urgency of continued initiatives by the National Council for Seniors adn its regional teams.

During the program, Emmanuel E. Daez, the NCSC Regional Director for Central Luzon, presented a slate of core initiatives, notably the expansion of SC3Cs. The centers are designed as safe spaces that promote social engagement, health support, and community-based care for older persons.

Officials emphasized stronger collaboration with KDFI to maximize impact. Potential joint efforts include data sharing for research and policy advocacy, joint assessments of the elderly situation, and program alignment that centers intergenerational, multi-sectoral, and rights-based approaches.

Daez affirmed the commitment to inclusive service delivery, saying the aim is to ensure no elder is left behind. The remarks highlighted a practical beliefs: communities must be mobilized so seniors feel respected, secure, and connected.

The Central Luzon congress of Senior Citizens served as a convergence point for various agencies, including philhealth. The agency spotlighted its YAKAP program, which expands outpatient benefits for seniors, featuring 75 essential medicines and screening services for cancer at no extra cost to beneficiaries.

United senior Citizens Party-list Representative Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay attended the event and reaffirmed her push for legislative reforms, including universal social pensions, to bolster financial security for aging residents.

As Central Luzon’s senior demographic grows, leaders stress that platforms such as the Congress are crucial to translating policy into tangible services on the ground—ensuring every senior citizen is seen, valued, and empowered in their golden years.

Atty. Gutierrez echoed the sense of urgency,urging stakeholders to collaborate with renewed energy and empathy to craft a Philippines where seniors live with security and peace of mind—the essence of real justice.

why this matters now

The expansion of SC3Cs aligns with broader national and global trends toward community-based care for aging populations. By coupling local care centers with data-informed policy and cross-sector partnerships, the initiative aims to improve health outcomes, reduce isolation, and safeguard pension and health-service access for seniors.

Key facts at a glance

Key Fact	Details
Event	Expansion of Senior Citizens Community Care centers (SC3Cs) in Central Luzon
New Center	Malolos, Bulacan (followed Plaridel, Bulacan)
Anniversary	39th anniversary of Kapampangan Development Foundation, Inc. (KDFI)
Population context	Over 1 million senior citizens in Central Luzon (PSA data)
Key program	SC3Cs for social engagement, health support, and community-based care
PhilHealth program	YAKAP outpatient benefits with 75 medicines and cancer screenings
Leaders involved	Emmanuel E. Daez (NCSC Region 3), milagros Aquino-Magsaysay (Party-list), Atty. Gutierrez

Voices from the event

Daez emphasized that the initiative seeks to ensure no elder is left behind, framing aging with dignity and access as a community obligation. Rep. Aquino-Magsaysay underscored the need for reforms that extend social protections,including universal pension schemes. Atty. Gutierrez called for renewed urgency and collaboration to translate policy into practical services on the ground.

evergreen insights for readers

As populations age globally, community-centered care models like SC3Cs become essential tools for governments. Data-driven partnerships between government agencies, civil society, and philanthropic foundations can enhance service reach while preserving older adults’ autonomy. Early social engagement, preventive health services, and intergenerational programs can reduce isolation and improve quality of life for seniors. In parallel, safeguarding access to affordable health coverage remains a critical pillar of enduring aging policies.

What comes next

Officials say the SC3C expansion will be followed by continued collaboration with KDFI and other local partners. Expect further assessments of elderly needs,expanded data-sharing initiatives,and a broader menu of services tied to the SC3C network.

Join the conversation

What services would you prioritize in SC3Cs to best support aging community members? How can local government, civil society, and private partners work together to extend universal protections for seniors?

further reading

For background on aging and public policy, see:
United Nations – Ageing and
World Health Organization – ageing and
Philippine Statistics Authority.

share this update and weigh in with yoru thoughts in the comments below.

National Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC) — Key Takeaways from the Central Luzon Congress Session

Date & Venue

• January 10, 2026 – Central Luzon Regional Legislative Hall, Clark, Pampanga
• Attendees: NCSC Chairperson Emilio “Milo” Santos, Central Luzon congressional delegation, LGU representatives, senior‑care NGOs, and over 150 senior citizens from the region.

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1. Core Commitments Announced by the NCSC

Commitment	Description	Immediate Action
Inclusive Elder‑care Policy	Drafting a regional framework that aligns with Republic Act 9994 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act) and addresses rural‑urban disparities.	Release of the draft policy for public comment by february 15, 2026.
Grassroots Mobilization	Deploying Community Elder‑Care Hubs in every municipality of Central Luzon too provide health, legal, and social services under one roof.	Pilot hubs in San Fernando, Tarlac and Mabalacat, Pampanga by Q2 2026.
Digital Inclusion	Launching a Senior‑Tech Literacy Program that equips seniors with basic smartphone and internet skills for tele‑health and e‑government services.	Training modules ready by March 2026; free tablets for 5,000 seniors.
Caregiver Capacity Building	Certified “Elder‑Care First Aid” courses for family caregivers, community volunteers, and barangay health workers.	First batch of 200 participants in April 2026.

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2. Legislative Landscape in Central Luzon

• House Bill 2026‑15: Seeks a 20 % increase in the PhilHealth allocation for senior outpatient services in Central Luzon.
• Regional Ordinance No. 7/2025 (Pampanga): Mandates age‑pleasant public spaces, including ramps, signage, and senior‑priority seating.
• Provincial Resolution 12‑2025 (Tarlac): Calls for the integration of social workers into barangay health stations to address elder mental health.

The NCSC’s pledge dovetails with these initiatives, aiming to create a synergistic policy surroundings that amplifies resource allocation and program reach.

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3. multi‑Stakeholder Collaboration Model

Local Government Units (LGUs)

• Provide land and basic infrastructure for Community Elder‑Care Hubs.
• Facilitate barangay‑level needs assessments to pinpoint service gaps.

Non‑Government Organizations (NGOs)

• NGOs such as Help Aged PH and Aging Well Foundation contribute expertise in geriatric counseling and nutrition.
• Partner in mobile health‑clinic operations that travel to remote barangays.

Private Sector

• Telecom firms (e.g.,Globe Telecom) sponsor free data bundles for seniors enrolled in the digital inclusion program.
• Pharmaceutical companies supply discounted chronic‑disease medicines to hub pharmacies.

Academic Institutions

• Universities in Central Luzon State University and Ateneo de Manila – Clark Campus conduct research on elder‑care efficacy and provide interns for fieldwork.

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4. Action plan: Grassroots Initiatives in Detail

1. Community Elder‑Care Hubs

• Services: Primary health check‑ups, pharmacotherapy, legal aid, livelihood counseling, and social activities.
• Staffing: One nurse, one social worker, one legal aid officer, and two volunteers per hub.
• Operating Hours: Monday–Saturday, 8 am–5 pm.

2. Mobile Care Units (MCUs)

• fleet: Three retrofitted vans equipped with tele‑medicine kits and portable lab devices.
• Schedule: Rotates bi‑weekly across 12 barangays identified as “high‑need” by the LGU data desk.
• Coverage: Estimated 1,500 seniors per month receive on‑site diagnostics.

3. Senior‑Tech Literacy Program

• Curriculum: Basic smartphone navigation, use of health apps (e.g., PhilHealth e‑Claim, MyAging), and online government services (e.g., senior discounts).
• Delivery: Weekly 2‑hour workshops held at barangay halls; tablets pre‑loaded with tutorials.

4. Elder‑Care First Aid Training

• Modules: Fall prevention, medication management, emergency response, and mental‑health first aid.
• Certification: Recognized by the Philippine Red cross; participants receive a printed certificate and a digital badge.

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5. Anticipated Benefits for Central Luzon Seniors

• Health Improvements
• Early detection of hypertension and diabetes through regular hub screenings.
• Reduced hospital readmissions by 15 % (projected in the first year).

• Social Inclusion
• Weekly intergenerational activities foster community bonds and combat loneliness.
• Access to legal assistance mitigates elder‑abuse incidents.

• Economic Impact
• Empowered seniors can engage in micro‑enterprise activities, contributing to local GDP growth of 0.3 %.
• Streamlined benefits processing saves ≈ PHP 1.2 million in administrative costs annually.

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6. Practical tips for Seniors & Families in Central Luzon

• Register early for the nearest Community Elder‑Care Hub – registration desks open on January 20, 2026 at municipal halls.
• Download the “SeniorConnect PH” app (available on Android and iOS) to track appointments and receive health reminders.
• Participate in the monthly “Senior Wellness Walks” organized by barangay health volunteers – a great way to stay active and socially engaged.
• Keep a medication diary (paper or digital) and bring it to every health check‑up for accurate monitoring.

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7. Real‑World Example: Barangay San Jose, Pampanga

• background: 65 % of residents aged 60+ lived alone, and only 30 % had regular health check‑ups.
• Intervention: NCSC, in partnership with Help Aged PH, established a mini‑hub within the barangay hall (April 2026).
• Outcomes (6‑month snapshot):

1. 1,200 seniors screened; 210 identified with uncontrolled hypertension.
2. Digital Literacy: 180 seniors completed the Senior‑Tech program; 75 % now access online pharmacy services.
3. Community Feedback: 92 % reported increased sense of safety and belonging.

The San Jose pilot is now being scaled to neighboring barangays under the “Luzon Elder‑Care Expansion” roadmap.

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8. Monitoring, Evaluation, & Reporting

Indicator	Target (2026‑27)	Data Source
Hub Utilization Rate	70 % of eligible seniors visiting at least once per quarter	Hub attendance logs
Mobile Unit Reach	12,000 senior‑patient encounters per year	MCU service records
Digital Literacy Adoption	10,000 seniors certified in Senior‑Tech program	Program enrollment database
Caregiver Training Completion	5,000 caregivers certified	Red Cross training archives
Health Outcome Improvement	15 % reduction in senior hypertension admissions	Hospital discharge data (PhilHealth)

Quarterly performance reports will be published on the NCSC website and disseminated to LGUs, NGOs, and the public.

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9. How You Can Contribute

• Volunteer: Join the barangay volunteer pool for hub operations or MCU outreach – registration opens January 25, 2026.
• Donate: Contribute to the “Elder‑Care Tablet Fund” via the NCSC online portal; each PHP 2,500 sponsors one device.
• Advocate: Share success stories on social media using #LuzonElderAction to raise awareness and encourage community participation.

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