Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2
House Bill No. 8424

Introduced by Honorable FLORENCIO T. MIRAFLORES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to amend Article 13 Section 483 of the Local Government Code maké
the appointment of a Social Welfare and Development Officer mandatory for the provincial,
city and municipal governments.

‘The government’s delivery of social intervention programs particularly for the
marginalized sectors of society depended on the complete staff work performed by the Social
Welfare and Development Officers assigned in the nearly two thousand municipalities in the
country. These field officers conduct thorough interviews, ficld and home visits, make
assessments and evaluation reports and assist in the entire process of delivering the needed
social services. They are in the frontlines of assisting individuals, families, groups and
communities in crisis situations and as such, they are more often exposed to risks that are
inherent in field work. This is very true for the many who are working in areas where peace
and order conditions are unstable and where there are natural calamities and disasters. Yet for
all their sacrifices and hard work, these personnel are not given the proper appointment in the
municipal local governments because of the limitations on the budget for Personnel
Services(PS). It is very unfortunate that many of them stake their lives especially in armed-
conflict situations and yet get no proper government appointment. This is so because the
Local Government Code of 1991 has provided that while the appointment of a Social Welfare
and Development Officer is mandatory for the Province and City government, it is optional
for the municipal government.

In view of the foregoing premises, approval of this bill is earnestly sought

FLO! iO T. MIRAFLORES


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 8424

Introduced by Honorable FLORENCIO T. MIRAFLORES:

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 483, ARTICLE 13 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160 MAI
THE APPOINTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER -
MANDATORY FOR PROVINCIAL, CITY AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 483 (a) of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

SECTION 483. Qualifications, Powers and Duties. — (a) No person
shall be appointed social welfare and development officer unless he is
a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the local government unit
concerned, of good moral character, a duly licensed social worker or a
holder of a college degree preferably in sociology or any other related
course from a recognized college or university, and a first grade civil
service eligible or its equivalent. He must have acquired experience in
the practice of social work for at least five(5) years in the case of the
provincial or city social welfare and development officer, and three (3)
years in the case of the municipal social welfare and development
officer. The appointment of a social welfare and development officer is
mandatory for provincial, [and] city [governments], and [optional for]
municipal governments.

SECTION 2. Separability Clause. If any part of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional, other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in effect

SECTION 3. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,