The Department of Social Welfare and Development has harmonized its efforts with three other government agencies to ensure a harmonious flow of resources and programs for senior citizens and persons with disabilities or PWDs.

Joint Memorandum Circular 1, Series of 2023, which was signed by DSWD, the Department of Budget and Management, the National Council on Disability Affairs, and the National Commission of Senior Citizens over the weekend, provides guidelines for the proper reporting, monitoring, and utilization of funds for the implementation of projects, programs, and activities for senior citizens and PWDs.

DSDWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agreement is geared toward holding the entire government accountable to two of the most vulnerable sectors of society — the elderly and persons with disabilities.

"We will turn it into real action by making sure that all government agencies, from the national government all the way to the LGUs (local government units), actually come up with programs that are meaningful and go beyond tokenism," Gatchalian said.

 Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, in a speech read by DBM Director Sofia Yanto-Abad, assured senior citizens and PWDs that the DBM fully supports the smooth implementation of the memorandum.

"Through the issuance of this JMC, we trust that the monitoring and evaluation of the relative programs, projects, and activities, in coordination with the NCSC and the NCDA, will translate towards a better set of data that will drive more meaningful future policy developments responsive to the emerging and holistic needs of older persons and persons with disabilities," Pangandaman said.

For his part, NCDA officer-in-charge Deputy Executive Director Dandy Victa emphasized the importance of investing in the target sectors to help them become productive citizens.

"We advocate for the basic economics that persons with disability should be part of a market, which means that disability support services are available for the development needs. However, these cannot be realized without the government investing in the human capital development of all sectors, including older persons with disabilities. With this policy, we have an instrument to ensure the programs, activities, and projects of senior citizens and persons with disabilities are implemented, monitored, and evaluated," Victa said.