NCSC Bolsters ECA Implementation Through 2-Day Harmonized GAD Guidelines Workshop

The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) conducted a two-day “Workshop on the Application of the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG) in the Expanded Centenarians Act (ECA) for the Development of the 2026 GAD Plan and Budget (GPB)” on 27–28 November 2025.

The activity brought together officials and personnel from the Central Office and all 16 Regional Offices through both face-to-face and virtual participation.

The workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of NCSC staff to integrate gender perspectives into the implementation of the ECA, ensuring that programs, services, and processes remain equitable and responsive to the needs of senior citizens.

Aligned with the NCSC’s observance of the Philippine Commission on Women’s 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), the event also underscored the importance of gender mainstreaming in government programs.

Ms. Norilyn Quesada-Rivera, an Accredited National GAD Resource Pool member of the PCW and Planning Officer IV from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), led the sessions. She facilitated in-depth discussions on gender analysis, capacity-building needs, results-based project design, and the application of the HGDG across ECA processes and future NCSC initiatives.

For over a decade, the HGDG has served as a key tool in promoting gender-responsive planning and guiding agencies toward inclusive and sustainable project outcomes.

Ms. Quesada-Rivera emphasized that strengthening gender perspectives in the implementation of the ECA not only enhances service delivery for senior citizens but also supports improved compliance with GAD requirements.

The workshop concluded with group presentations outlining how gender considerations will be integrated into planning and budgeting processes for 2026.

This successful activity reflects the NCSC’s continued commitment to gender-responsive governance and to delivering inclusive programs that uphold the rights and well-being of Filipino senior citizens.■