National Commission of Senior Citizens Act

Republic Act No. 11350

Summary of Republic Act No. 11350 (National Commission of Senior Citizens Act)

Short Title (Section 1)
- This Act shall be known as the "National Commission of Senior Citizens Act."

Declaration of Policy (Section 2)
- The State shall adopt measures to:
    - Assist and appreciate senior citizens by the community
    - Provide services and activities beneficial to senior citizens, their families, and communities
    - Establish community-based health, rehabilitation, educational, and socioeconomic programs for senior citizens
- The State shall promote advocacy, collaboration between stakeholders and senior citizens to ensure effective implementation of programs and services for senior citizens' development, health, well-being, and a supportive environment.

Creation of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (Section 3)
- The National Commission of Senior Citizens (the Commission) is created under the Office of the President.
- The Commission shall establish its principal office in the National Capital Region and may set up field offices in coordination with appropriate government agencies.

Composition (Section 4)
- The Commission shall be composed of a Chairperson and six (6) Commissioners, acting as a collegial body.
- The Chairperson shall be the Chief Executive Officer.
- The six Commissioners shall represent different geographical regions of the Philippines and shall hold office in their respective regions.
- The full Commission shall meet at least once every month.

Term of Office (Section 5)
- The Chairperson and Commissioners shall have a term of office of six (6) years, without prejudice to reappointment by the President.
- Of those first appointed:
    - The Chairperson and two (2) Commissioners shall hold office for six (6) years
    - Two (2) Commissioners shall hold office for four (4) years
    - Two (2) Commissioners shall hold office for two (2) years
- Appointment to any vacancy shall only be for the unexpired term of the predecessor.

Qualifications (Section 6)
- The members of the Commission must:
    - Be citizens and residents of the Philippines
    - Be at least sixty (60) years old at the time of appointment
    - Be of good moral character
    - Be bona fide members of senior citizens associations
    - Hold a college degree or have relevant experience in the affairs of senior citizens
    - Be of good health and sound mind
    - Have not been convicted by a final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude
    - Be recommended by a general assembly of senior citizens organizations
- At least two (2) Commissioners shall be women.

Functions (Section 7)
- The Commission shall:
    - Ensure the full implementation of laws, policies, and programs pertaining to senior citizens; review and conduct studies on the same; and recommend appropriate actions to Congress and the President (Section 7a)
    - Formulate policies for the promotion and protection of the rights and well-being of senior citizens (Section 7b)
    - Conduct information, education, and communication campaigns to raise awareness on the rights of senior citizens (Section 7c)
    - Establish and maintain cooperation and consultation with local government units and national government agencies on matters pertaining to the general welfare of senior citizens (Section 7d)
    - Represent the Philippines in international functions, fora, or conferences on senior citizens and establish and maintain linkages with international senior citizen or senior citizen-serving institutions or organizations and counterpart government agencies of other states (Section 7e)
    - Constitute and convene when necessary, an advisory body composed of representatives from the government, nongovernment organizations, civil society, and the private sector, to assist in the performance of its functions (Section 7f)
    - Develop appropriate mechanisms and procedures for the selection and nomination of the members of the Commission for appointment by the President (Section 7g)
    - Perform such other actions and functions for the promotion of the welfare of senior citizens, as may be directed by the President (Section 7h)

Organizational Structure (Section 8)
- Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Commission shall:
    - Determine its organizational structure and staffing pattern
    - Create offices, divisions, or units as it may deem necessary
    - Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with civil service laws, rules and regulations
- The remuneration structure for the positions in the staffing pattern shall strictly conform to Republic Act No. 6758 (Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989).

Executive Director (Section 9)
- The Commission shall appoint an Executive Director who shall be responsible for:
    - Implementing the policies, rules, regulations and directives of the Commission
    - The management of the Commission's daily operations
    - Coordinating and supervising the activities of the different offices, divisions, and units of the Commission
- The Executive Director shall be a Career Executive Service Officer and shall have at least five (5) years of relevant experience in any of the following fields: law; economics; commerce; management; social services; or finance.

Abolition of the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board (Section 10)
- The National Coordinating and Monitoring Board created by Republic Act No. 9994 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010) is hereby abolished.

Transfer of Functions from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) (Section 11)
- All functions, programs, projects and activities which are being undertaken by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the formulation, implementation, and coordination of social welfare and development (SWD) policies and programs for the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged senior citizens shall be transferred to the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC).

Appropriations (Section 12)
- The amount necessary to fund the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Implementing Rules and Regulations (Section 13)
- The Commission, after due consultation with the DBM, DSWD, Department of the Interior and Local Government, League of Cities of the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, and other stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act, within one hundred eighty (180) days from its effectivity.

Separability Clause (Section 14)
- If any section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions shall not be affected.

Repealing Clause (Section 15)
- Section 11 of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act No. 9257 and further amended by Republic Act No. 9994, is hereby repealed.
- All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Effectivity (Section 16)
- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.