Collaboration Among National and Local Agencies for the Inauguration of the First Senior Citizen Community Care Center (SC3C) in Luzon, Los Baños, Laguna

The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) convened a Stakeholders' Collaborative Meeting comprising various national and local agencies to initiate the first Senior Citizen Community Care Center (SC3C) in Luzon. This event took place on March 28, 2025, in Barangay Batong Malake, Los Baños City, Laguna.

The collaborative management efforts among NCSC partner agencies have led to the establishment of another SC3C, which is scheduled for launch in April 2025. The local government unit of Los Baños City, Laguna, has taken the lead in providing a building for the SC3C, featuring comprehensive facilities and distinctive amenities, including a gymnasium, audiovisual room, massage center, and coffee shop designed specifically for senior citizens.

Efraim C. Genuino, Chairman of the Los Baños Federation of Senior Citizens, who is also a senior citizen and the father of the local mayor, envisions a world-class facility for seniors. He aspires for the SC3C in Los Baños to serve as a model standard across the nation.

Mayor Anthony Genuino of Los Baños expresses his pride in the new SC3C, highlighting its exemplary structure and ideal locale designed to promote the welfare of senior citizens and provide a nurturing environment for them within their community.

Dr. Mary Jean P. Loreche, Officer-in-Charge and Commission Member IV of NCSC, articulated the significance of the SC3C in delivering comprehensive senior care, accessible support services, empowerment measures, and fostering the inclusion of senior citizens.

The SC3C will consolidate various services and programs under one roof, which encompass, but are not limited to:

1. Health and Wellness: Medical consultations, preventive care, health education, nutrition, and fitness programs

2. Social and Recreational Activities: Arts, crafts, music, dance workshops, sports, physical fitness sessions suitable for seniors, group games, movie screenings, and cultural activities

3. Counseling and Mental Health Support: Stress management, emotional support groups, grief counseling, coping strategies, and dementia care

4. Legal and Financial Assistance: Guidance on claiming senior citizen benefits, pensions, entitlements, and legal aid services for seniors facing abuse or discrimination

5. Programs and Services from other National Government Agencies: Make available programs and services from other agencies for livelihood grants, skills training, and others

The following National Government Agencies are poised for key collaborations and the extension of services for SC3Cs:

Department of Health (DOH): For Elderly health and Oral Care Services
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD): Sustainable Livelihood Program, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Feeding Program
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA): Livelihood training and certification of skills
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG): LGU participation in senior citizen centers
Philippine Information Agency (PIA): Awareness campaigns through media
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth): Health insurance coverage and Konsulta package
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE): Advocacy for age-friendly workplace and senior “balik” programs
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI): Entrepreneurship, business support, and market access
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA): Policy, planning, and social protection programs
Department of Information and Communications Technology: Digital literacy trainings and technology support

Currently, there exist five operational SC3Cs throughout the country: Moalboal, Cebu (inaugurated on May 24, 2024), Cabatuan, Iloilo (September 22, 2024), Malaybalay City, Bukidnon (October 2024), Kidapawan City, Cotabato (February 4, 2025), and Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental (February 27, 2025).

During a full-day collaboration, the SC3C in Los Baños received support and service offers from NGAs present at the stakeholders meeting, including: (1) DOH, which provided free medical check-ups, elderly fitness programs, and oral healthcare; (2) DSWD, which offered financial and support programs, including social pensions and mental health services; (3) DILG, which reviewed the implementation of its HAPAG program and committed to maintaining social protection and digital literacy for the elderly; (4) DOLE, which is providing training and raw materials in April 2025 for at least two Senior Citizen Associations, each comprising a minimum of 15 members, amounting to funding of P300,000.00; (5) the Department of Agriculture; (6) TESDA, which is facilitating livelihood marketing enterprise development, training, and urban gardening programs to promote self-sufficiency among seniors; and (7) PhilHealth, which is enhancing the initial patient encounter for senior citizens in the community and ensuring ongoing healthcare coverage under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.

The event culminated in a Commitment Signing Ceremony, wherein NCSC, NGAs, and the Los Baños local government unit pledged to fortify multi-sectoral cooperation in order to establish the SC3C as a sustainable model, which can be replicated in other regions, particularly as the first initiative in Luzon.

Also in attendance were Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III (Ret.), Commissioner IV of NCSC CRO 3, and Commissioner Reymar R. Mansilungan, Commission Member IV.