Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
_______________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM FOR THE 
REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND 
DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES AND ACCREDITATION OF SOCIAL 
WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II, Section 23 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution explicitly provides, "the 
State shall encourage non-governmental, community-based, or sectoral 
organizations that promote the welfare of the nation."  
The proposed "Comprehensive System for the Registration and Licensing of 
Social Welfare and Development Agencies and Accreditation of Social Welfare 
and Development Programs and Services Act" seeks to address the critical 
need for a well-organized and regulated framework for social welfare and 
development activities in the country. 
The Philippines, like many nations, recognizes the importance of uplifting its 
marginalized and vulnerable populations through various social welfare and 
development programs and services. These programs are often carried out by 
governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-
based organizations, and other stakeholders. While the intention behind these 
initiatives is noble, there exists a lack of uniformity in terms of standards, 
accountability, and transparency in the implementation of these activities. 
This bill endeavors to promote and strengthen the partnership among social 
welfare and development agencies, national government agencies, local 
government units, nongovernment organizations, faith- based organizations, 
and private sectors. Furthermore, this bill incorporates the power of the State to 
September 4, 2023
9:38 am
9024


set standards, register, license, accredit, and monitor social welfare and 
development service providers, agencies, groups or organizations engaged in 
social welfare and development activities.  
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the 
common good of the Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is 
earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 


1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
____________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM FOR THE 
REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT 
AGENCIES AND ACCREDITATION OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND 
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Social Welfare and 
Development Agencies Act".  
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State acknowledges the important role that the 
private sector plays in the delivery of social welfare and development programs and 
services to the public. Towards this end, the State shall ensure that social welfare and 
development programs and services in the public and private sectors comply with 
national standards and adhere to the principles of human rights. The State shall set 
standards, register, license, accredit, and monitor social welfare and development 
agencies, service providers, groups or organizations engaged in social welfare and 
development activities. It shall also provide appropriate consultative mechanisms to 
enable mutual beneficial engagements of the private sector and its counterparts in 
government to set social welfare and development priorities, identify areas where 
synergies are possible, and jointly develop standards that meet the challenges and 
demands of the services they provide to the poor, the vulnerable, the marginalized, 
the disadvantaged, and the underprivileged sectors of Philippine society. 
The State shall further promote and strengthen the partnership among social welfare 
and development agencies (SWDAs), national government agencies (NGAs), local 
government units (L.GUs), nongovernment organizations (NGOs), faith-based 
organizations, and the private sector to include easy access of resources between 
9024


2 
and among them for the upliftment of the poor, the vulnerable, the marginalized, the 
disadvantaged, and the underprivileged individuals, families, groups, and 
communities in the country  
SEC. 3. Coverage. - This Act applies to all non-stock, non-profit corporations 
operating in the Philippines, both public or private, with the primary purpose of 
implementing or intending to implement social welfare and development programs 
and services for the poor, vulnerable, marginalized, disadvantaged, and 
underprivileged beneficiaries. Organizations established by a treaty or other 
instruments governed by international law or possessing its own international legal 
personality are not covered by this Act.  
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: 
(a) Accreditation refers to the process of providing official recognition to the social
welfare and development programs and services of registered and licensed social
welfare agencies (SWAs), after meeting the minimum standards set by the
government;
(b)
Beneficiaries refer to the poor, the vulnerable, the marginalized, the
disadvantaged, and the underprivileged individuals, families, groups, and communities
availing themselves of any service offered by the SWAs, including the following:
1. Abandoned, neglected, orphaned, voluntarily committed, abused and exploited
children, and other children in need of special protection;
2. Out-of-school youth and other youth with special needs;
3. Women;
4. Persons with disabilities (PWDs) or differently abled persons;
5. Senior citizens or older persons;
6. Dysfunctional families;
7. Internally displaced individuals and communities such as victims or survivors
of natural or human-induced calamities or disasters; and 
8. Poor, vulnerable, marginalized, disadvantaged, and underprivileged
individuals, families, groups, and communities, including indigenous groups and those 
in crisis situation;  
(c) Operation refers to the implementation of social welfare and development
programs and services by an SWDA, either directly or indirectly, within a specified
geographical area or place over a period of time using its own resources or the
resources of other partners and conduits;
(d) Registered social worker refers to a person who possesses a degree in Bachelor
of Science in Social Work or a Master's Degree in Social Work, has passed the Social
Worker Licensure Examination, and is a holder of a valid registration or identification
card issued by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC);


3 
(e) Service providers refer to social welfare and development workers including social
workers managing court cases and pre-marriage counselors accredited by the DSWD
and who have satisfactorily complied with the set requirements and standards;
(f) Social Welfare and Development Programs and Services refer to an organized
system of programs and services designed to aid beneficiaries to attain an improved
quality of life and well-being in harmony with the needs of their family and community;
(g) Social Welfare and Development Agency (SWD4) refers to a nonstock, nonprofit,
public or private corporation, implementing or intending to implement, mainly or
generally, social welfare and development programs and services in the Philippines,
either directly or indirectly, and assessed as having the capacity to operate
administratively, technically and financially to serve the poor, the vulnerable, the
marginalized, the disadvantaged, and the underprivileged beneficiaries as defined in
this Act;
(h) Social Welfare and Development Worker refers to a social worker or any
professional who is engaged in the delivery of social welfare and development
programs and services of an SWDA;
(i) Social work refers to the profession which helps individuals, families, groups, and
communities develop, improve, maintain, or restore their capability for coping with the
demands of their environment through the use of social work methods and
interventions; and
(j) Unregistered or unlicensed SWDAs refer to those agencies or organizations that
continue to provide social welfare and development programs and services, either
directly or indirectly, without license to operate from the DSWD, or whose certificates
of registration or licenses to operate are expired or revoked.
ARTICLE II 
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES 
SEC. 5. Classification of SWDAs. - An SWDA may either be a Social Welfare 
Agency or an Auxiliary SWDA. 
(a)
A Social Welfare Agency (SWA) provides restorative, preventive, and
developmental programs and services to the poor, the vulnerable, the marginalized,
the disadvantaged, and the underprivileged individuals, families, groups, or
communities. They may be classified as:
(1) Residential-based Agency. - An SWA that provides twenty-four (24)-hour
residential care services for the marginalized sector including the abandoned,
neglected, or voluntarily committed children, women, PWDs, and older persons;
(2) Community-based Agency. - An SWA that implements community-based or
street- based programs and services delivered to beneficiaries while in their home
or in the community such as those in senior citizens centers, day-care centers and
vocational rehabilitation centers. These programs and services include


4 
sponsorship or scholarship programs, assistance to victims of disasters, and social 
services to individuals and families; or  
(3) Child-placing Agency. - An SWA that receives and processes applications of
the prospective foster or adoptive parents and facilitates placement of children
eligible for foster care or adoption.
(b) An Auxiliary SWDA provides supportive 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 such as the grant of funds, the
conduct of trainings, and other resources to help in the efficient operations of SWAs.
The following are the different types of auxiliary SWDA:
(1) People's Organization. - An SWDA with a bona fide association of citizens with
identifiable leadership, membership, and structure, that has demonstrated its
capacity to promote the public interest and engage in social welfare and
development activities. They include federation of senior citizens, youth
organizations, and associations of women and PWDs;
(2) Resource Agency. - An SWDA that provides tangibles such as funds, food,
clothing, medicines, and shelter; or intangibles such as knowledge and skills to help
various SWDAs achieve their goals in providing social welfare and development
services for their beneficiaries; or
(3) Social Welfare and Development Network. - A group of SWDAs such as a
coalition, alliance or federation that organized themselves for a common goal in
promoting social protection of the poor, the vulnerable, the marginalized, the
disadvantaged, and the underprivileged groups.
SEC. 6. Service Delivery Modes. - Social welfare and development programs and 
services may be delivered in any of the following modes:  
(a) Residence-based mode where group care is provided to residents under the
guidance of a trained staff and within a structured therapeutic environment with the
objective of reintegrating a person with the family or community or, in case of children,
until such time when a better alternative parental care is provided. This program may
also be provided for those children pursuing formal education away from their family;
or
(b) Community-based mode where the helping process takes place in the community
as the primary client system or when social welfare and development activities are
provided to individuals, groups, or families while they remain in their homes. It is
characterized by interaction between the client and worker in the community in relation
to the resolution of identified problems and concerns. These include senior citizens
center, day-care center, drop- in center, vocational rehabilitation center, sponsorship
or scholarship program, alternative placement service, assistance to victims of
disaster, and social services to individuals and families, while in their home or in the
community.


5 
SEC. 7. Administration and Management. - An SWDA is managed by individuals 
whose qualifications meet the criteria set under the rules and regulations to be issued 
to implement the provisions of this Act. It may be operated by:  
 
(a) Private individuals, educational institutions, civic organizations, and faith-based 
organizations, or  
 
(b) NGAs, LGUs, government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), and state 
universities and colleges with social welfare and development programs and projects.  
At least sixty percent (60%) of the seats in the Board of Trustees of SWDAs operated 
by nonstock and nonprofit corporations must be held by Filipinos.  
 
SEC. 8. Salaries, Wages and Other Benefits. - All SWDAs shall comply with existing 
and relevant labor laws and regulations regarding the salaries, wages, and benefits of 
employees, provided these are within the minimum standards set by the Civil Service 
Commission (CSC) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). In the 
absence of a standard salary scale for social workers and other social welfare and 
development workers of the SWDAs, the pay scale set by the CSC and the DOLE, in 
consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), shall be 
followed.  
 
SEC. 9. Operating Expenses. - An SWDA shall utilize at least seventy percent (70%) 
of its funds for direct social welfare and development programs and services and not 
more than thirty percent (30%) shall be expended for administrative concerns. Funds 
of the SWDA shall be deposited in the name of the organization in a banking institution 
regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Financial transactions, books of 
accounts and other reports shall be made available to the public, agency staff, and 
other concerned individuals or agencies for transparency and monitoring purposes.  
 
Any donation received by the SWDA, both in kind and in cash, shall inure only to the 
welfare of the beneficiaries and the operating expenses of the SWDA.  
 
The DSWD, in consultation with public and private SWDAs, shall set standards to 
determine specific expenditures for program and administrative expenses.  
 
SEC. 10. Submission of Reports. - Each SWDA shall submit to the DSWD an annual 
accomplishment and financial report duly audited by an external certified public 
accountant or a representative from the Commission on Audit (COA) and other reports 
as may be required by the DSWD.  
 
The financial reports of SWDAs whose total income and expenditures are less than 
Five hundred thousand pesos (PS00,000.00) shall be audited by its internal auditor.  
 
The annual reports shall be submitted to the DSWD not later than one hundred twenty 
(120) days after the end of every fiscal year.  
 


6 
ARTICLE III 
REGISTRATION, LICENSING, AND ACCREDITATION 
 
SEC. 11. Registration. - (a) An SWDA shall register with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (SEC) for purposes of establishing its juridical personality. To be officially 
recognized as an SWDA operating within the purview of social welfare and 
development, the SWDA shall also apply for registration with the DSWD not later than 
six (6) months from the issuance of the certificate of registration from the concerned 
government agency.  
 
(b) An applicant for registration as an SWDA shall submit the following documentary 
requirements:  
(1) Certified true copy of registration with the SEC or the CDA;  
(2) At least two (2) years approved work and financial plan for the implementation 
of its programs and services indicating the planned activities and corresponding 
amount of funds and sources of donations;  
(3) The names of qualified technical and administrative staff and a copy of their 
licenses or certificates of professional eligibilities as well as an agency guide that 
outlines its operations; and  
(4) Other documentary requirements, as provided for under existing laws, rules, 
and regulations, as may be deemed necessary to ensure the welfare and safety of 
its beneficiaries and staff.  
 
(c) For an SWDA that has been in operation for less than two (2) years prior to the 
passage of this Act, the following additional requirements must be submitted:  
(1) A manual of operation or handbook of its programs and administrative policies, 
procedures and strategies to attain its purposes; and  
(2) Diagram of physical facilities, including location map and other documents 
showing ownership or legal custody of property where the SWDA shall operate 
from.  
 
(d) For an SWDA which has been in operation for at least two (2) years at the time of 
the application for registration, it shall submit at least one (1) year audited financial 
report, in addition to the abovementioned requirements.  
 
SEC. 12. Licensing. - An SWA shall be given a permit and a legal authority to operate, 
after having met or complied with the following licensing requirements:  
 
(a) Documentation showing that it is engaged in social welfare and development 
programs and services;  
 
(b) Certification showing that it employs the necessary number of registered social 
workers, community development workers, and other employees trained on specific 
programs and services to be implemented, and a copy of their respective licenses or 
certificates of professional eligibilities: Provided, That the requirement for social 
workers and other professionals shall depend on the nature of the social welfare 
programs and services; and  


7 
 
(c) Certification of the record of cases it managed or is currently managing and social 
welfare and development programs and services implemented.  
 
The registration and licensing of an SWA may be done simultaneously, and, upon 
approval, a certificate of registration and license to operate shall be issued.  
 
SEC. 13. Exemption from Registration and Licensing. - All public residential care 
facilities of the DSWD, social service units of LGUs, public hospitals, courts, and other 
social welfare facilities of NGAs and GOCCs, by virtue of the legal basis of their 
establishment or charters, are exempted from the registration requirement and from 
securing a license to operate from the DSWD. However, they shall apply for 
accreditation following the same requirements and standards and shall be subjected 
to regular monitoring by the DSWD.  
 
SEC. 14. Accreditation. - All social welfare and development programs and services 
of registered and licensed SWAs shall be accredited by the DSWD or its authorized 
intermediaries not later than one (1) year after the issuance of a license to operate. A 
SWA must comply with the standards on accreditation set by the DSWD on 
administration and organization, program management, case management, helping 
strategies or interventions, physical structures and safety, and client protection policy 
prior to the accreditation of its programs and services.  
 
SEC. 15. Fees and Charges. - All applications for registration, license, and 
accreditation shall be charged with corresponding fees to be determined by the 
DSWD. The fees and charges shall be deposited with the National Treasury.  
 
SEC. 16. Validity, - The certificate of registration and the license to operate issued to 
an SWA by the DSWD shall be valid for five (5) years. The accreditation certificate, 
however, may be valid for a period of five (5) to seven (7) years depending on the level 
of accreditation standards set by the DSWD.  
 
The existing certificate shall remain valid until the DSWD has acted on an application 
for renewal which must be filed within one hundred (100) working days prior to the 
expiration. The DSWD shall act on the application for renewal of registration, license, 
and accreditation not later than one hundred (100) working days after submission of 
complete requirements by the SWDA.  
 
ARTICLE IV 
BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT 
AGENCIES 
 
SEC. 17. Benefits and Privileges of Registered SWDAs. - A registered SWDA is 
entitled to the following benefits and privileges:  
 
(a) Inclusion in the DSWD's directory of registered, licensed, and accredited SWDAs;  
 


8 
(b) Technical assistance in the areas of capability building, packaging of project 
proposal, provision of program materials and skills enhancement to strengthen 
program and service implementation; and  
 
(c) Other benefits and privileges as may be deemed appropriate by the DSWD.  
 
SEC. 18. Benefits and Privileges of Licensed SWAs. - In addition to the benefits and 
privileges of a registered SWDA, a licensed SWA is entitled to the following benefits 
and privileges:  
 
(a) DSWD's endorsement to the DOF for duty- and tax-free importation of foreign 
donations subject to compliance with the prescribed requirements;  
 
(b) Resource augmentation for program implementation, subject to compliance with 
the requirements as may be established by the DSWD; and  
 
(c) Other benefits and privileges as may be deemed appropriate by the DSWD.  
 
SEC. 19. Benefits and Privileges of Accredited SWAs. - In addition to the benefits and 
privileges of registered SWDAs and licensed SWAs, an accredited SWA is entitled to 
the following benefits and privileges:  
 
(a) DSWD's endorsement to the DOF for done institution status and other relevant tax 
incentives as provided by law;  
 
(b) DSWD's endorsement for resource augmentation or other assistance from any 
government agency or private donor subject to compliance to set criteria;  
 
(c) DSWD's endorsement to utility service providers for the grant of discount on the 
cost of electricity, water consumption, and telephone service to the residential care, 
group homes, and community center-based facilities that are operated exclusively for 
the beneficiaries subject to the set requirements of the utility service providers;  
 
(d) DSWD's endorsement to appropriate government agencies and private 
establishments for discount for the processing of documents of intended beneficiaries 
such as birth registration, passport, safety certificates, among others, for residential 
care and community-based SWA facilities;  
 
(e) Assistance in establishing linkages with local, national, and international 
organizations and networks for the generation and sharing of resources;  
 
(f) Nomination of board members, employees, or volunteer workers to participate as 
presentors or resource speakers in local or foreign trainings or conferences;  
 
(g) 
Plaque 
of 
recognition 
as 
a 
model 
SWDA; 
 


9 
(h) 
Cash 
incentives; 
 
(i) DSWD's endorsement of the SWA as an agency for research and for other learning  
opportunities 
such 
as 
Lakbay 
Aral; 
and 
 
(j) Other benefits and privileges as may be deemed appropriate by the DSWD.  
 
SEC. 20. Tax Exemption. - All grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and 
contributions made to the registered, licensed, and accredited SWDA that will be used 
actually, directly and exclusively by the said SWDA are exempt from donors' tax and 
the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from the gross income of the 
donor for purposes of computing the donor's taxable income in accordance with the 
provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.  
 
A foreign donation to a registered, licensed, and accredited SWDA, upon certification 
by the DOF, shall be exempted from the payment of taxes and customs duties in 
accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the 
"Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)."  
 
ARTICLE V 
OTHER REGULATORY POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE DSWD 
 
SEC. 21. Monitoring and Evaluation of SWDAs. - The DSWD shall conduct monitoring 
and evaluation including spot visits to all SWDAs at least once a year or as the need 
arises to ensure that their social welfare and development programs and services are 
implemented as planned. The result of monitoring and evaluation shall be used to 
address problems and issues and to provide the framework for interventions of the 
DSWD.  
 
SEC. 22. Dissolution of SWDAs. - Any of the following acts or omissions is a ground 
for the voluntary or involuntary termination of operation or dissolution or closure of 
SWDAs:  
 
(a) 
Inability 
of 
SWDA 
officers 
to 
sustain 
its 
operation; 
 
(b) Noncompliance with or violation of any provision of this Act; and 
 
(c) 
Other 
causes 
as 
may 
be 
determined 
by 
the 
DSWD. 
 
The constitution and by-laws or articles of incorporation of an SWDA must explicitly  
state that in case of dissolution, the assets shall be utilized for social welfare and 
development activities after payment of all financial liabilities.  
 
A final and executory judgment by the DSWD finding an SWDA liable for any of the 
violations stated in (a), (b) and (c) is a ground for the cancellation and revocation of 
the agency's registration or license to operate as an organization or agency, and shall 
be endorsed to the SEC for its appropriate action.  


10 
 
SEC. 23. Deputation of Intermediaries. - Authorized intermediaries may be deputized 
by the DSWD to conduct an assessment of the operation of an SWDA and social 
welfare and development workers for purposes of registration, licensing, and 
accreditation. The DSWD shall provide transportation or subsidy allowance to 
deputized intermediaries in accordance with the rules and regulations of the COA. 
Further, the DSWD shall provide continuous capacity-building activities to the 
deputized intermediaries.  
 
For purposes of this Act, intermediaries refer to persons, groups, networks of SWDAs, 
or LGUs trained, accredited, and authorized by the DSWD to perform specific 
functions in the process of registration, licensing, and accreditation.  
 
SEC. 24. Investigation and Resolution of Complaints. - The DSWD shall accept 
complaints, investigate and initiate appropriate proceedings on cases involving 
SWDAs. Upon lawful cause, the DSWD shall suspend the operations of the SWDA or 
revoke its registration, license, and accreditation certificates and close its facilities in 
coordination with law enforcement agencies, without prejudice to the filing of criminal 
or civil case against erring officials and personnel of the SWDA.  
 
ARTICLE VI 
COMPLAINTS AGAINST SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES 
 
SEC. 25. Complaints. - In handling complaints against an SWDA for a violation of this 
Act, the DSWD may consider any of the following information to initiate an inquiry or 
investigation thereon: 
  
(a) Report of an authorized personnel or office of the DSWD based on the assessment 
and monitoring of the compliance with program and service standards;  
 
(b) 
Report 
from 
an 
SWDA's 
clients 
or 
beneficiaries; 
 
(c) 
Verbal 
information 
from 
a 
person, 
group, 
or 
organization; 
 
(d) 
Signed 
and 
unsigned 
letters, 
documents 
or 
reports; 
 
(e) Printed materials or articles in newspapers, magazines and similar publications; (f) 
Information sent or received through broadcast or electronic media and information  
and communication devices such as text messages, emails and posts in the social 
media; or  
 
(g) Other sources of information such as minutes of meetings, consultations, and fora. 
In the case of a verbal or unsigned complaint, the DSWD shall validate the alleged 
violations or actions of the SWDA being reported. If and when validation is not 
possible, the personnel or office of the DSWD that received the complaint shall file a 
report on the difficulty to validate the same. Documented information and printed 
materials must be evaluated in accordance  


11 
with the procedures in handling complaints or information.  
 
SEC. 26. Who May File a Complaint. - A complaint against an SWDA may be filed 
with the DSWD by any of the following:  
 
(a) 
Offended 
party; 
 
(b) 
Parent 
or 
legal 
guardian 
of 
a 
client; 
 
(c) Ascendant or collateral relative of the client, such as a child within the third degree  
of 
affinity 
or 
consanguinity; 
 
(d) 
Duly 
authorized 
officer 
or 
social 
worker 
of 
the 
DSWD; 
 
(e) Officer, social worker, or representative of a registered, licensed, and accredited  
SWDA; 
 
(f) 
Punong 
Barangay 
or 
other 
local 
government 
official; 
or 
 
(g) Person who has personal knowledge of the acts complained about or reported for  
action.  
 
SEC. 27. Review Committee. - There shall be a Field Office Review Committee 
(FORC) and a Central Office Review Committee (CORC) to handle cases and resolve 
complaints against SWDAs, whether they are registered or unregistered, licensed or 
unlicensed, or accredited. For complaints and violations involving any SWDA 
operating in one or more regions, the FORC that has jurisdiction over the areas where 
the cases happened shall have exclusive jurisdiction in handling and resolving the said 
complaints or violations. The decisions, orders or findings of the FORC shall be 
appealable to the CORC. The CORC may intervene or assist the FORC in handling 
complaints, if necessary.  
 
The composition of the FORC and the CORC shall be determined by the DSWD: 
Provided, That there are two (2) members representing licensed and accredited 
SWDAs who are themselves members of the network organized by the DSWD. The 
representatives must be provided with an allowance in accordance with the rules and 
regulations of the COA.  
 
Further, the DSWD shall formulate guidelines on the protocols of handling complaints 
against SWDAs, including the terms of reference of the FORC and CORC.  
 
SEC. 28. Procedures. - The procedures in handling and resolving of complaints and 
appeals by the FORC and the CORC shall be made in accordance with the existing 
rules and procedures of the DSWD.  
 
SEC. 29. Suspension, Revocation or Closure. - The certificates of registration, license 
to operate or accreditation issued to an SWDA by the DSWD shall be suspended or 


12 
revoked if, after due process, the DSWD finds that the SWDA committed any of the 
grounds stipulated under Sections 30 and 31 of this Act.  
 
A suspended SWDA shall cease its operation. However, the DSWD may allow it to 
continue its operation subject to the following conditions:  
 
(a) If the suspension will cause prejudice to the best interest of a substantial number 
of beneficiaries;  
 
(b) If there are no other available registered, licensed, or accredited SWDAs that can 
accommodate the beneficiaries of the suspended SWDA;  
 
(c) If the SWDA agrees to be under the close supervision of the DSWD; and  
 
(d) If the SWDA agrees not to accept any additional beneficiaries. The suspension, 
revocation of license or closure of an SWDA shall be effected without prejudice to the 
filing of criminal or civil case under existing laws.  
 
SEC. 30. Grounds for Suspension. - The suspension or temporary cessation of 
operation as an SWDA may be of any of the following grounds:  
 
(a) Insolvency or inability to continue to support and maintain its operation or to 
perform the functions for which it was granted registration and license;  
 
(b) 
Noncompliance 
with 
social 
case 
management 
standards; 
 
(c) Poor sanitation of facilities and surroundings rendering these unfit for clientele; 
 
(d) 
Violation 
of 
the 
SWDA's 
constitution 
and 
by-laws; 
 
(e) Failure to submit annual accomplishment and audited financial reports for two (2)  
consecutive 
years; 
 
(f) Failure to apply for accreditation or renewal of accreditation after two (2) 
consecutive  
notifications and monitoring or spot visits and technical assistance every six (6) 
months from the DSWD or authorized intermediaries; or  
 
(g) Other causes as may be determined by the DSWD.  
 
SEC. 31. Grounds for Revocation of License. - The revocation or cancellation of the 
registration, license to operate and accreditation certificates of an SWDA issued by 
the DSWD may be of any of the following grounds:  
 
(a) Use of SWDA for immoral purposes such as trafficking, gambling, prostitution, 
money laundering, and terrorist financing;  
 


13 
(b) 
Neglect, 
exploitation, 
and 
abuse 
of 
SWDA 
clients; 
 
(c) 
Cessation 
of 
operation 
as 
SWDA; 
 
(d) 
Mismanagement 
of 
funds; 
 
(e) Falsification of the requirements for registration, licensing, and accreditation; 
 
(f) Revocation of its registration from juridical personality by the SEC or other  
regulatory 
agencies; 
 
(g) Noncompliance of SWDAs on the agreed action plan during the accreditation  
assessment for two (2) consecutive monitoring visits with interval of six (6) months by 
the DSWD; or  
 
(h) Other causes as may be determined by the DSWD.  
 
SEC. 32. Delisting of an SWDA. - An SWDA with expired registration, license, or 
accreditation certificate and which failed to reply or send a letter of intent to renew its 
registration, license, and accreditation to the DSWD, after receiving three (3) notices 
shall be delisted from the DSWD's roster.  
 
An SWDA whose certificate of registration and license to operate have been revoked 
shall be delisted from the roster of registered, licensed, and accredited SWDAs. 
Likewise, the SWDA that voluntarily ceases its operation shall be delisted.  
 
SEC. 33. Closure of Unregistered or Unlicensed SWDAs. - After receipt of two (2) 
notices from DSWD requiring them to apply and submit requirements for registration 
and licensing and to undergo technical assistance, unregistered or unlicensed SWDAs 
that continue to engage in social welfare and development programs and services, 
either directly or indirectly, shall immediately be closed upon receipt of an order from 
the DSWD.  
 
ARTICLE VII 
STRENGTHENING THE STANDARDS BUREAU OF DSWD 
 
SEC. 34. Strengthening of the Standards Bureau. - The Standards Bureau shall, upon 
approval of the Secretaries of Social Welfare and Development and Budget and 
Management, be reorganized and set up to effectively and efficiently implement the 
regulatory functions of the DSWD in pursuance with this Act and existing DSWD rules 
and regulations. The Bureau shall be headed by a Director and Assistant Director who 
shall have the rank of Director IV and Director III, respectively. Both shall be appointed 
in accordance with existing rules and regulations of the CSC and the DSWD. They 
shall report directly to the DSWD Secretary.  
 
SEC. 35. Functions of the Standards Bureau. - The Standards Bureau shall perform 
the following duties and functions:  


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(a) Formulate, develop and revise policies and guidelines pertaining to social welfare 
and development standards implementation, registration and licensing of SWDAs, 
accreditation of service providers and programs and services of SWDAs, regulation of 
regional and national fund campaign and duty-free entry of foreign donations and 
handling of complaints;  
 
(b) Develop strategies which will promote quality social welfare and development 
programs and services for the welfare of the beneficiaries;  
 
(c) Register qualified organizations engaged in social welfare and development 
programs;  
 
(d) License social welfare agencies;  
 
(e) Accredit social welfare and development programs and services of the SWDAs 
and service providers;  
 
(f) Manage complaints and information on cases of violations against registered, 
licensed, and accredited SWDAs and service providers;  
 
(g) Monitor and provide technical assistance and resource augmentation to field 
offices, SWDAs and intermediaries to ensure sustainability of quality service delivery;  
 
(h) Develop and manage information management system relative to standards 
development, compliance and monitoring of the registered and licensed SWDAs and 
accredited service providers;  
 
(i) Identify other benefits and incentives for registered, licensed, and accredited 
SWDAs; and  
 
(j) Perform such other acts which are necessary or incidental to the proper exercise of 
its functions and duties.  
 
SEC. 36. Divisions of the Standards Bureau. - The Standards Bureau is composed of 
three (3) divisions that shall perform the following respective functions:  
 
(a) Standards Development Division (SDD). - The SDD shall set the standards on the 
implementation of social welfare and development programs and services, and 
develop strategies which will promote quality social welfare and development 
programs and services for the welfare of the defined beneficiaries.  
 
(b) Standards Compliance Division (SCD). - The SCD shall process and assess 
applications for registration, licensing, and accreditation of SWDAs and service 
providers, ensure their compliance to the implementation of the social welfare and 
development programs and services and determine the benefits that shall accrue to 
licensed and accredited service providers and SWDAs. It shall also enforce regulatory 


15 
policies, including the imposition of the necessary penalties, on unregistered and 
unlicensed SWDAs and service providers whose certificates of registration, 
accreditation, and licenses have expired.  
 
(c) Standards Monitoring and Enforcement Division (SMED). - The SMED shall 
monitor the compliance of registered, licensed, and accredited SWDAs and service 
providers with the minimum standards of quality for social welfare and development 
programs for the poor, vulnerable, marginalized, disadvantaged, and underprivileged 
sectors of the society. The SMED shall also be responsible in the handling of 
complaints against SWDAs in relation to their programs, services and activities.  
 
SEC. 37. Regional Counterpart. - The counterpart units that shall perform compliance 
monitoring and standards enforcement in all regional offices of the DSWD shall be 
strengthened to enable them to efficiently monitor and enforce compliance of SWAs 
and SWDAs with standards set for the delivery of programs and services. The head 
of these units shall occupy a position not lower than a Social Welfare Officer IV. The 
regional office shall have at least two (2) of the three (3) offices in the Standards 
Bureau, namely: the Standards Compliance Section (SCS) and the Standards 
Monitoring and Enforcement Section (SMES). The appropriate number of staff 
complement of these two (2) sections shall be created in accordance with the existing 
rules and regulations of the DBM, the CSC, and the DSWD.  
 
SEC. 38. Additional Plantilla Positions. – The number of assigned plantilla positions 
for the DSWD Standards Bureau and its regional counterparts shall be increased in 
order to ensure the proper implementation of this Act and the effective performance of 
the offices organized herein, subject to the evaluation and approval of the DBM.  
 
ARTICLE VIII 
ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS 
 
SEC. 39. Assistance from Law Enforcement Agencies. - Law enforcement agencies 
such as the PNP, NBI, and BI shall provide assistance to the DSWD in the 
enforcement of this Act.  
 
SEC. 40. Immunity of Officer or Staff. - The duly authorized officer or staff of the DSWD 
or of any of the law enforcement agencies involved in the implementation and 
enforcement of this Act who are found to have acted in accordance with the due 
process clause of the Constitution shall be exempted from any civil, criminal, and 
administrative liability.  
 
SEC. 41. Penalties. -Any person, group, or organization that operates as a SWDA 
without the corresponding valid certificate of registration or license to operate issued 
by the DSWD shall be penalized with a fine of not less than One hundred thousand 
pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) 
or imprisonment ranging from one (1) year but not more than three (3) years at the 


16 
discretion of the court. The penalties imposed are without prejudice to other penalties 
such as the seizure of equipment, instruments and other facilities of the SWDA.  
 
If the offender is a corporation, organization, or any similar entity, the officials or 
employees thereof who have directly participated in the violation shall be held liable 
therefore.  
 
If the offender is a foreigner, the offender, after serving the sentence, shall be deported  
immediately 
without 
further 
proceedings. 
 
If the offender is a government official or employee of the DSWD or any government  
agency, the offender shall be penalized in accordance with civil service rules and 
regulations.  
ARTICLE IX  
FINAL PROVISIONS 
 
SEC. 42. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Social Welfare and Development shall 
include in the DSWD's programs the implementation of this Act, the initial funding of 
which shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DSWD. 
Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continued implementation shall be included 
in the annual General Appropriations Act.  
 
SEC. 43. Transitory Provision. - All unregistered or unlicensed SWDAs that are 
currently operating shall have a period of one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act to 
apply for registration or license to operate with the DSWD.  
 
The DSWD shall notify all registered and licensed SWDAs in writing about the 
implementation of this Act within one hundred twenty (120) days from its effectivity. 
Upon compliance with the requirements, a new registration or license to operate shall 
be issued to them.  
 
SEC. 44. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) working days from 
its effectivity, the Secretary of the DSWD shall, in consultation with the DOF, DOJ, 
Department of the Interior and Local Government, DOLE. DBM, CSC, COA, SEC, 
Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, and other appropriate 
government agencies, as well as three (3) representatives from any of the coalition of 
SWDAs and social welfare and development workers, shall promulgate the necessary 
rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.  
 
SEC. 45. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain 
in full force and effect.  
 
SEC. 46. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, letters of instruction, executive 
issuances, resolutions, orders or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.  
 


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SEC. 47. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Approved,