NCSC and DOH Collaborate to Enhance Age-Friendly Communities Through SC3C

The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) is advancing its age-friendly community facilities, referred to as Senior Citizens Community Care Centers (SC3C), by partnering with the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) administered by the Department of Health (DOH).

Dr. Mary Jean P. Loreche, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the NCSC, has engaged with DOH HFEP to enhance access to quality healthcare by consulting on standard policies for the establishment and rehabilitation of potential SC3C sites throughout the country.

With support from DOH HFEP, which provides capital investment grants for public health infrastructure in the Philippines, SC3Cs will be prioritized for facility development through the HFEP pipeline. This initiative will also enable the procurement of equipment and technology for geriatric tools, digital health records, and telehealth services. Such collaborative efforts will enhance the workforce capacity of SC3Cs to deliver geriatric and elder-friendly care that complies with HFDP and DOH standards.

In addition, the Department of Health's HFEP aligns with the objectives of the NCSC to improve and augment existing health facilities, including barangay health stations, rural health units, and local government unit (LGU) hospitals. This alignment aims to enhance access to quality healthcare services across the nation, funded by the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In pursuit of creating exemplary age-friendly facilities, SC3Cs will be integrated into local health networks, ensuring accessibility to continuous community-based services. They will remain aligned with contemporary senior-centered program designs and complement initiatives led by LGUs, DOH, and social welfare programs that treat senior citizens with dignity, compassion, and respect.

The committed collaboration between NCSC and DOH will fulfill the mandates for equitable development of health facilities, address the increasing demand for geriatric-friendly health infrastructure, enhance primary care services for the elderly under the Universal Health Care framework, and promote age-appropriate facility planning and design.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is forthcoming to establish a Joint Technical Working Group (TWG) tasked with identifying and co-developing pilot SC3C sites. This group will align with HFEP investment planning cycles and jointly develop a Monitoring and Evaluation system focused on outcomes beneficial to senior citizens.

Dr. Loreche continues to foster cooperation with various government agencies, including the DOH, to implement programs that serve the general welfare of senior citizens, as mandated by Republic Act No. 11350.