MANILA, Sept. 20 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has placed the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) under the supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in a bid to strengthen policies and programs for the elderly.

Executive Order (EO) 96, signed by Marcos on Sept. 18, and which takes effect immediately, mandates the transfer of the NCSC to the DSWD from the Office of the President (OP) for purposes of policy and program coordination.

"Pursuant to the Administration's eight-point socioeconomic agenda, which includes improving bureaucratic efficiency, a strong organizational link between the NCSC and DSWD must be established to further strengthen policies and programs for senior citizens, with...