Manila: The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) is accelerating efforts to empower older Filipinos through partnerships that promote livelihood, reskilling, and economic inclusion. Speaking at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program Wednesday, NCSC officer-in-charge Mary Jean Loreche said the commission is working closely with the Department of Tourism, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and private group SM Cares to provide work and entrepreneurial opportunities to senior citizens across the country.

According to Philippines News Agency, NCSC has inked an agreement with DOT to allow seniors to be tapped for jobs in tourism-rich areas as heritage site guides and in hospitality services. TESDA, in turn, will handle training needs for those seeking retooling or a second career, while SM Cares has agreed to support product marketing and explore hiring slots in its business networks for qualified seniors.

The NCSC also plans to launch a community-based food preservation enterprise in Kidapawan City in Cotabato, utilizing local fruit harvests and empowering seniors to participate in micro-entrepreneurship. Loreche said there are no age limits under the program. "Dalawa lang ang kailangan natin -- able and capable. At pangatlo, willing siya (We only require two things: that they are able and capable. And third, that they are willing)," she said.

Among the skills programs being developed are those in dairy production, agribusiness, and food processing, with pilot implementations set in the National Capital Region, Cebu, and Kidapawan. On top of economic initiatives, Loreche underscored the importance of promoting mental wellness and social inclusion, with community-based care centers offering programs such as 'Indak' (a form of dance therapy), aimed at preventing dementia, and digital literacy sessions in coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, all of which are targeted to start August this year.