Pres. Duterte signs law creating national commission for senior citizens

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure creating the National Commission of Senior Citizens tasked to assist and provide services for the elderly.

Under Republic Act No. 11350 or the National Commission of Senior Citizens Act, the body is tasked to ensure the full implementation of laws and government programs for senior citizens and formulate policies for the promotion and protection of the rights of the elderly, among others.

It will also represent the Philippines in international functions or conferences on senior citizens.

The collegial body shall be composed of a chairperson and 6 commissioners from different regions appointed by the President.

It will in turn appoint an Executive Director who will be responsible for implementing the policies, rules and regulations of the body.

The law also abolishes the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board, which was created by virtue of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

It also transferred the functions and programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged senior citizens to the newly-formed commission.

--Report from Joyce Balancio, ABS-CBN News