Manila, July 3 -- Senior citizen leaders are pressing for the strengthening of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) and the passage of laws that would better protect the rights and welfare of older Filipinos.

In a news release on Friday, the NCSC said the call was raised during the National Consultation on Policies for Senior Citizens recently held at the Manila Metropolitan Theatre.

The dialogue, organized by the NCSC and the National Anti-Poverty Commission-Senior Citizens Sectoral Council, gathered about 1,000 onsite and online participants from senior citizens' groups, federations, Offices for Senior Citizens Affairs, local governments, civil society, and development partners.

NCSC Chairperson and Chief Executive Offi...