07 AUG 2013

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) AL PH
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. No. 2325

Introduced by Teodorico T, Haresco Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 483, Article Thirteen, Book IIl of Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the
Local Government Code provides that “the appointment of a social welfare and development
officer is mandatory for provincial and city governments, and optional for_municipal
government.”

The role of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is crucial to the
lives of many, especially the marginalized sector. The Department envisions a “society where
the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged are empowered for an improved quality of life’. It is the
arm of the government tasked to deliver social services and social protection programs to the
Filipino citizens. Thus, there are social workers assigned to every local government units to
develop and implement the plans and strategies pertaining to social welfare programs upon
approval of the governor or mayor. They identify the basic needs of the people especially the
disadvantaged and impoverished then formulate appropriate measures to ease their problems
and difficulties.

This representation believes that there is an urgent need to professionalize the delivery
of various basic social services by making the qualifications of these social workers comparable
with their counterparts in the local government units.

This bill seeks to make the appointment of a social worker mandatory because the Local

Government Code of 1991 mandates the appointment of a social worker to a municipal
government only optional. Hence, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.No._2325

Introduced by Teodorico T. Haresco Jr.

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 483, ARTICLE 13 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160 MAKING 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 of the Philippines 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 / she
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. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations or any part
thereof inconsistent herewith are deemed repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 3. Separability Clause. In case any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall

continue in full force and effect.


1 SECTION 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
2 two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

3 Approved,