Strengthening Tourism Opportunities for Senior Citizens: NCSC-DOT TWG Meeting
- Information Management
- Apr 7
- 2 min read
In a landmark step toward inclusive and empowering tourism, the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) convened for a Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting at the DOT Office in Makati City. This collaborative effort builds on earlier discussions from April and May 2024 and underscores a shared vision: to uplift, celebrate, and integrate senior citizens into the vibrant fabric of Philippine tourism.
Present at the meeting were OIC and Commissioner Dr. Mary Jean Loreche of the NCSC, Undersecretary Rica Bueno of the DOT, and Atty. Glenn Ocampo, Director of the DOT’s Office of Special Concerns — key figures united in championing the active participation of the elderly in nation-building through tourism.
The Department of Tourism presented a rich portfolio of programs aimed at nurturing senior citizens’ involvement, including barrier-free tourism, cultural and farm tourism, health and wellness campaigns, and regular inspections to ensure accessibility of facilities. These efforts signal a deeper commitment to not only accommodate—but celebrate—the contributions of the elderly.
Key Action Points:
Training Needs Assessment (TNA): The NCSC will conduct regional TNAs to shape responsive, targeted programming.
Multi-Agency Collaboration: A unified front with TESDA, DOLE, DMW, and HRAs will ensure sustainability and synergy across sectors.
Program Expansion: Commissioner Loreche emphasized the need to elevate senior citizens as:
Tourism Ambassadors, who bring wisdom and warmth to cultural storytelling
Artisans in livelihood workshops, passing on skills and heritage
Contributors to the hospitality industry, through dignified employment
Capacity Building: DOT pledged to provide certified trainers to nurture competencies among elder participants.
SC3C Utilization: Community Care Centers such as the Moalboal SC3C in Cebu will pilot these initiatives, with an anticipated launch in May 2025.
Age-Friendly Destinations: Both agencies aim to reimagine tourism through a lens of inclusivity—where every destination is accessible, welcoming, and rich in meaning.
Partnership Formalization: A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will soon be signed to anchor this historic collaboration.
This meeting served as a powerful reminder: the Filipino senior is not merely a beneficiary of services, but a bearer of culture, memory, and wisdom. By opening doors in the tourism industry, the NCSC and DOT are opening hearts—to stories worth sharing, skills worth passing on, and lives worth celebrating.
Together, the agencies envision a future where aging is not a decline, but a new horizon—one where senior citizens travel not only as tourists, but as proud contributors to a more inclusive, compassionate Philippines.