SEPT 9, 2015

NR # 3952B

House approves bill on comprehensive system for registration and

licensing of social welfare & devt agencies
The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill
establishing a comprehensive system for registration and licensing of social welfare and
development agencies.
The proposed law seeks to ensure effectiveness, efficiency and accountability in
the delivery of quality social welfare and development programs and services, Rep.
Cresente C. Paez (Party-list, COOP-NATCCO) said.
House Bill 5785 also aims to reinforce the regulatory functions of the Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) over agencies and organizations engaged in
social welfare and development activities.
The measure defines a social welfare and development agency (SWDA) as a
corporation, organization or association engaged in providing social welfare and
development programs and services and obtains its finances either totally or in part,
foreign or local, from any government agency or instrumentality or from the community
by direct or indirect solicitations and other fund-generating activities as authorized by law.
The bill provides for two main classifications of SWDAs, namely the social welfare
agency (SWA) and the auxiliary social welfare and development agency (SWDA).
A social welfare agency employs social workers, community development workers
and other qualified paraprofessionals who have related trainings and experiences that
directly provide restorative, preventive, and developmental programs, and services to the
poor, the vulnerable, the marginalized, the disadvantaged and the underprivileged
individuals, families, groups or communities.
On the other hand, the auxiliary SWDA provides support activities in the delivery of
social welfare and development programs and services to the poor, the vulnerable, the
marginalized, the disadvantaged, and the underprivileged sectors.
An SWA can be classified as a residential-based agency, a community-based agency
or a child-placing agency while an auxiliary SWDA can be classified as a peoples
organization, a resource agency or a social welfare and development network.
The bill enumerates the requirements for the registration and licensing of a SWDA
as well as for the accreditation of social welfare and development programs and services.

Failure of a social welfare and development agency to perform its functions or

violation of existing laws, rules and regulations shall be grounds for the suspension or
revocation of its certificates of registration, license or accreditation issued to it.
Under the bill, an SWDA may be suspended for insolvency or inability to continue
support and maintain its operation or to perform the functions for which it was granted
registration and license.
An SWDA can also be suspended for poor sanitation of facilities and surroundings
rendering these unfit for clientele and its noncompliance with social case management
standards, among others.
The use of SWDA for immoral purposes such as trafficking, gambling, prostitution,
money laundering, and terrorist financing as well as neglect, exploitation, and abuse of
SWDA clients are just some of the grounds for the revocation of license issued to an
SWDA.
The bill provides the penalty of a fine of not less than P100,000 but not more than
P500,000 or an imprisonment ranging from one year to three years to any person, group or
organization that shall operate as an SWDA without registration or license.
Aside from Paez, other authors of the bill are Reps. Anthony M. Bravo (Party-list,
COOP-NATCCO), Angelina Helen D.L. Tan (4th District, Quezon), Edgardo M.
Masongsong (Party-list, 1-CARE), Emi G. Calixto-Rubiano (Lone District, Pasay City),
Rogelio Neil P. Roque (4th District, Bukidnon), Magnolia Rose C. Antonino (4th District,
Nueva Ecija), Lilia Macrohon-Nuo (2nd District, Zamboanga City), Estrellita B.
Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija) and Gina P. De Venecia (4th District, Pangasinan).
Reps. Gavini C. Pancho (2nd District, Bulacan), Emmi A. de Jesus (Party-list,
GABRIELA), Leah S. Paquiz (Party-list, ANG NARS), Raneo E. Abu (2nd District,
Batangas), Isagani S. Amatong (2nd District, Compostela Valley), Victoria G. Noel (Partylist, AN WARAY), Ruby M. Sahali (Lone District, Tawi-Tawi), Susan A. Yap (2nd
District, Tarlac), Sharon S. Garin (Party-list, AAMBIS-OWA), Maria Leonor GeronaRobredo (3rd District, Camarines Sur), Raul V. del Mar (1st District, Cebu City) and Gus
S. Tambunting (2nd District, Paraaque City) are also authors of the measure. (30) mvip