, 
,
SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE. 
Senate Bill No. 
1934 
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NOV1B P5:49 
Introduced by SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II, Section 23 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution explicitly 
provides, "the State shall encourage non-govemmental, community-based, 
or sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the nation." 
Non-government 
Organizations 
or 
NGOs are 
intermediary 
organizations between the people and the government, and they speak or 
work for on behalf of the less fortunate and underprivileged. 
Furthermore, NGOs deliver social welfare and development activities to 
the poor and marginalized sector of the Philippines. NGOs in 
the Philippines are regarded as one of. the largest and most diverse in 
terms of interests and advocacies in: Asia. lThe NGOs have been hand in 
hand with the government in the escalation of the political, social and 
economic sector. 
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 set standards, register, license, 
accredit, and monitor social welfare and development service providers, 
agencies, groups or organizations engaged in social welfare and 
development activities. 
In light of the foregoing immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
()(;--
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO 
1 http://en,wikipilipinas,org/jndex.php?title=PhjJippine_Non-GovernmencOrganizations 


SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. _'_1_9_3_4_ 
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NOV 18 P5:49 
Introduced by SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM FOR 
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 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 (SWDAs) Act of 2013". 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to 
ensure that social welfare and development programs and services in the 
public and private sectors comply with national social welfare and 
development standards and adhere to the principles of human rights. 
Towards this end, the State shall set standards" register, license, 
accredit, and monitor social welfare and development service providers, 
agencies, groups or organizations engaged in' social welfare and 
development activities and provide appropriate consultative mechanisms 
and necessary assistance to them to ensure their compliance with the set 
standards and cope with the challenges and demands of providing social 
welfare and development services to the poor, the vulnerable, the 
marginalized, the disadvantaged and the underprivileged sectors of 
Philippine society. 
The State shall also 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 to include accessing of 
resources between and among them for the uplifting the poor, 
disadvantaged, marginalized, vulnerable and underprivileged individuals, 
families, groups and communities in the country. 
SECTION 3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to afl social welfare 
and development service providers including individual, public and 
private groups, associations and organizations that are engaged in or 
want to engage in social welfare and development activities. 
SECTION 4, Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the 
following terms are hereby defined as: 


" 
(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 disadvantaged, marginalized, 
and vulnerable individuals, 
groups, 
families, 
and 
communities availing themselves of any of the services 
offered by the SWDAs which include, among others, the 
following: 
, 
(1) 
Abandoned, neglected, orphaned, voluntarily committed, 
abused and exploited children and other children in need of special 
protection, such as children in conflict with the law and children 
involved in armed conflict; 
(2) Out-of-school youth and other youth with special needs; 
(3) Women in especially difficult circumstances; 
(4) Persons with disabilities; 
(5) Senior citizens; 
(6) Marginalized and disadvantaged individuals, families, and 
communities, which shall include, but not limited to, indigenous people, 
people living with HlV / AlDS, those in crisis situation, and internally 
displaced due to armed conflict and other developmental projects; and 
(7) Victims of natural and man-made calamities or disasters. 
(c) 
Department r~fers to the Department of Social Welfare 
and Development. 
(d) 
Dissolution refers 
to 
voluntary 
termination of operation of SWDAs. 
or 
involuntary 
(e) 
Intermediaries refer to persons, groups, networks of 
SWDAs, or local government units trained, accredited, 
and authorized by" the Department to perform specific 
functions in the process of registration, licensing and 
accreditation. 
(t) 
Licensing refers to the provision of a permit and a legal 
authority to SWDAs to operate as social welfare agency, 
after having met or complied with minimum standard 
requirements provided under this Act. 
(g) 
Operation refers 
to 
either 
direct 
or 
indirect 
implementation of social welfare and development 
programs and services by a SWDA within a specified 
geographical coverage or place over a period of time 
using its own or tapped resources and conduits. 
(h) 
Registered social worker refers to a worker who is a 
graduate of Bachelor of Science in Social Work or 
Master's Degree in Social Work and who has passed the 
" 


social work licensure examination and with valid 
registration 
identification 
card 
issued 
by 
the 
Professional Regulation Commission. 
(i) 
Registration refers to the official recognition of the 
operation of a SWDA within the purview of social welfare 
and development through the issuance of a certificate of 
registration by the Department and inclusion in the 
directory of SWDAs after having complied with the set 
requirements of the Department. 
m 
Revocation refers to the cancellation of the registration, 
license and accreditation certificates of a SWDA for the 
commission of any of the grounds as provided under 
this Act. 
(k) 
(1) 
(m) 
(n) 
(0) 
(p) 
Social services refer to those organized activities that 
are primarily and directly addressed to disadvantaged 
individuals 
or 
groups 
to 
maximize 
their 
social 
functioning. 
Social welfare and development workers refer to social 
workers or other professionals who are engaged in the 
delivery of social welfare arid development programs and 
services and are accredited by the Department. They 
may include social workers managing court cases, 
marriage and pre-marriage counselors, and day care 
workers among others. 
Social welfare refers 
to an organized 
system of 
programs and services designed to aid individuals, 
groups and communities to attain improved quality of 
life and well-being in harmony with the needs of their 
families and community. 
Social Welfare and Development Agency (SWDA) refers 
to a corporation, organization or association engaged in 
providing directly or indirectly 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. 
Social work refers to the profession which helps 
individuals, families, groups, and comm~nities develop, 
improve, maintain or restore their capability for coping 
with the demands of their environment through the use 
of social work methods and interventions. 
Suspension re'fers 
to the temporary cessation 
of 
operation as a form of penalty imposed to a SWDA for 
commission of any of the grounds stipulated under this 
Act. When a SWDA is under suspension, it shall neither 
accept nor admit any additional clients and shall be 
under close 
supervision and monitoring by the 
Department. 


,------------------~--------------------------------..------
(q) 
Unregistered SWDAs refer to agencies or organizations 
that provide direct or indirect social welfare and 
development programs and services without registration 
and/or license to operate from the Department . 
. ARTICLE II 
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT- AGENCIES 
SECTION 5. Nature and Purpose. - A SWDA shall be a nonstock, 
nonprofit organization or association organized and operated for social 
welfare and development programs and services, and no part of the 
funds or donations in kind generated by the SWDA shall inure to the 
benefit of any private individual but for the benefit of the beneficiaries 
and its operating expenses. 
SECTION 6. Classifications of· SWDAs. -
The two (2) main 
classifications of SWDAs and their sub-classifications shall be defined as 
follows: 
(a) Social Welfare Agency (SWA). - A SWDA, which 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 
poor, 
vulnerable, 
marginalized, 
disadvantaged, and underprivileged individuals, families, groups 
or communities. A SWA may be classified as follows: 
(1) 
Residential-Based Agency. -
A SWA that provides twenty-
four (24)-hour residential 
care 
services 
for 
abandoned, 
neglected or voluntarily committed children, women, persons 
with disabilities, and older persons, among others; 
(2) 
Community-Based Agency. 
A 
SWA 
that 
implements 
community-based and street-based programs 
and 
services 
delivered to beneficiaries while in their home or in the 
community. These programs and services include senior 
citizens center, day care center, vocational rehabilitation 
center, a sponsorship or 'Scholarship program, assistance to 
victims of disaster, and social services to individuals and 
families, among others; and 
(3) 
Child-Placing Agency. -
A SWA that receives and processes 
applications of the prospective foster or adoptiv~ parents and 
facilitates placement of children eligible for foster care or 
adoption. 
(b) Auxiliary SWDA. - A SWDA which provides supportive activities in 
the delivery of social welfare and development programs and 
services to the poor, vulnerable, marginalized, disadvantaged and 
underprivileged sectors. An iiUxiliary SWDA may be classified as 
follows: 
(1) 
People's Organization. - A 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, 
such as federation of senior citizens, youth 


(2) 
(3) 
organizations, and associations of women and persons with 
disabilities, among others; 
Resource Agency. - A SWDA that provides tangibles such as 
funds, food, clothing, medicines and shelter; or intangibles 
such as knowledge and skills to help various SWDAs to achieve 
their goals in providing social welfare and development services 
for their beneficiaries; and 
Social Welfare and Development Network. - A group of SWDAs 
that organized themselves for a common goal in promoting 
social protection of the poor, 
vulnerable, 
marginalized, 
disadvantaged and underprivileged groups, such as coalition, 
alliance or federation. 
SECTION 7. Service Delivery Mode. - The manner by which social 
welfare and development programs and services are delivered which shall 
include, but shall not be limited to, the following: 
(a) Residential-Based Mode. - Refers to the programs and services 
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; and 
(b) Community-Based Mode. - Refers to the programs and services 
rendered when 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 ih the community in 
relation to the resolution of identified problems and concerns. 
These include, but not limited to, 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, among others, while in their home or in the 
community. 
SECTION 8. Administration and Management. - A SWDA shall be 
managed by individuals whose qualifications meet the criteria set under 
the rules and regulations to be issued to implement this Act. It may be 
operated by national government agencies, local government units, 
government-owned and -controlled corporations, state universities or 
colleges, private individuals, educational institutions, civic organizations 
or faith-based organizations as part of their extension services or social 
welfare activities or projects. For SWDAs operated by private institutions, 
educational institutions, or faith-based'organizations, at least sixty 
percent (60%) of its board of trustees shall be Filipinos. 
SECTION 9. Salaries, Wages and Other Benefits. - The SWDA shall 
comply with all existing and relevant labor laws and regulations 
regarding the salaries, wages and 'penefits of employees provided these 
are within the minimum standards set by the Civil Service Commission 
(CSC) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The 
standard salary scale for social workers and other social welfare and 
development workers of the SWDAs shall be set by the CSC and the 


DOLE, in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management 
(DBM). 
SECTION 10. Operating Expenses. - The SWDA shall utilize at least 
eighty percent (80%) of its funds for direct social welfare and 
development programs and services and not more than twenty percent 
(20%) 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. Financial 
transactions, book of accounts and other reports shall be available to the 
public, agency staff, and other concerned individuals or agencies for 
transparency and monitoring purposes: 
The Department, in consultation with public and private SWDAs, 
shall set standards to determine specific expenditures for program and 
administrative expenses. 
SECTION 11. Submission of Reports. - All SWDAs shall submit to the 
Department their annual accomplishment and financial reports duly 
audited by an external certified public accountant or a representative 
from the Commission on Audit (COA), as the case may be, and other 
reports as may be required by the Department. Financial reports of 
SWDAs whose total income and expenditures are less than Five hundred 
thousand pesos (P500,000.00) shall be audited by its internal auditor. 
The annual reports shall be submitted to the Department within one 
hundred twenty (120) days after the end of every fiscal year. 
ARTICLE III 
REGISTRATION, LICENSING AND ACCREDITATION 
SECTION 12. Registration. - All SWDAs as classified under Section 
6 of this Act shall first register yvith the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (SEC) or Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) for 
purposes of establishing their juridical personality. Within six (6) months 
from the issuance of the Certificate of Registration from the said 
government agencies, the concerned SWDA shall apply for registration 
with the Department. The requirements for registration of a SWDA shall 
include, but shall not be limited to, the following: 
; 
(a) Certified true copy of registration with either the SEC or the CDA; 
(b) Manual of Operation or Handbook of its, programs and 
administrative policies, procedures and strategies to attain its 
purposes; 
(c) At least two (2) years approved Work and Financial Plan for the 
implementation of its programs and services indicating the 
planned activities and corresponqing amount of funds and sources 
of donations; 
(d) At least one (1) year audited financial report for a SWDA which is 
in operation for at least two (2) years upon application; 
(e) Diagram of physical facilities which shall be designed to promote 
the safety and security of its beneficiaries and staff, including 
location map and other documents showing ownership or legal 
custody of property where the'SWDA shall operate from; and 


(f) The names of qualified technical and administrative staff and a 
copy of their licenses or certificates of professional eligibilities. 
SECTION 13. Licensing. - All SWAs as classified under Section 6 of 
this Act shall comply with the requirements for licensing, which shall 
include, but shall not be limited to, the following: 
(a) Documentation showing that it is engaged m social welfare and 
development programs and services; 
(b) Certification showing that it has employ 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; and 
(c) Certification of the record of cases it has or.is curreptly managing 
and social welfare and development programs and services 
implemented. 
The registration and licensing of a SWA can be done simultaneously. 
Upon approval, a certificate of registration and license to operate shall be 
issued. 
SECTION 14. Exemption from Registration and Licensing. -
All 
Department residential care facilities, social service units of local 
government units, public hospitals, courts, and other social welfare 
facilities of national government agencies and government-owned and-
controlled corporations, by virtue of the. legal basis of their establishment 
or charters, are exempted from securing registration and license to 
operate from the Department. However, they shall be required to apply 
for accreditation following the same requirements and standards and 
shall be SUbjected to regular monitoring by the Department. 
SECTION 15. Accreditation . ..:. All social welfare and development 
programs and services of registered and licensed SWAs shall be 
accredited by the Department or its authorized intermediaries within one 
(1) year after the issuance of a license to operate. The applicant must 
have complied with the standards set by the Department on 
administration 
and 
organization, 
program 
management, 
case 
management, helping strategies or interventions, physical structures and 
safety, and client protection policy, among others. 
SECTION 16. Fees and Charges. - All applications for registration, 
license, and accreditation shall be charged with corresponding fees to be 
determined by the Department. The fees and charges shall be deposited 
with the National Treasury as income of the general fund. 
SECTION 17. Validity. - The certificates ·of registration and license to 
operate shall be valid for five (5) years. The accreditation certificate shall 
be valid for three (3) to five (5) years depending on the compliance of the 
SWDA with accreditation standards. 
In case of failure by the Department to act on an application for 
renewal of registration, licen.se and accreditation within. one hundred 
(100) working days upon submission of complete requirements by the 
SWDA, the existing certificate shall remain valid until the Department 
has processed its application. 
. 


ARTICLE IV 
BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES 
OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES 
SECTION 18. Benefits and Privileges of Registered SWDAs: -
Registered SWDAs shall be entitled to the following: 
(a) Inclusion in the Directory of Registered, Licensed and Accredited 
SWDAs; 
(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 iniplementation; 
(c) Endorsement to other government agencies on the availment of 
missionary or working visas of foreign board members, employees 
or volunteers subject to eligibility requirements for securing visas; 
(d) Endorsement to the Department of Finance (DOF) forduty-
free importation of foreign donations subject to compliance with 
set requirements; and 
(e) Other benefits and privileges deemed appropriate by the 
Department. 
SECTION 19. Benefits and Privileges of Licensed SWAs. -
In 
addition to the benefits and privileges of a ,registered SWDA, a licensed 
SWA shall be entitled to the following: 
(a) Endorsement to the DOF for duty- and tax-free importation of 
foreign donations subject to compliance with set requirements; 
(b) Resource augmentatior;t for program implementation, subject to 
compliance with the requirements as may be established by the 
Department; and 
. 
(c) Other benefits and privileges deemed appropriate by the 
Department. 
SECTION 20. Benefits and Privileges of Accredited SWAs. - In addition 
to the benefits and privileges of registered SWDAs and licensed SW As, 
accredited SWAs shall be entitled to the following: 
(a) Endorsement to the DOF for donee-institution status and other 
relevant tax incentives as provided by law; 
(b) Endorsement for resource augmentation or other assistance from 
any government agencies or private donors subject to compliance 
to set criteria; 
(c) Endorsement to the utility service providers for at least fifty 
percent (50%) 
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) Endorsement to concerned government agencies and private 
establishments for at least fifty percent (50%) discount for the 


processing of documents of intended beneficiaries such as birth 
registration, passport, safety certificates, among others, for 
residential care and commuriity-based SWA facilities; 
(e) Assistance in establishing' linkages with local, national and 
international organizations and networks for the generation and 
sharing of resources; 
(0 
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; 
(h) Cash incentive, among others, depending on the availability of 
funds; 
(i) 
Laboratory for trainings and research; and 
0) 
Other benefits and privileges deemed appropriate by the 
Department. 
ARTICLE V 
OTHER REGULATORY POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF 
THE DEPARTMENT 
SECTION 21. Monitoring and Evaluation of SWDAs. -
The 
Department shall conduct monitoring and evaluation of all SWDAs every 
six (6) months to one (1) year 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 of interventions of the 
Department. 
SECTION 22. Dissolution of SWDAs. - Any of the following shall be 
a ground for dissolution or closure of a SWDA: 
(a) Inability of SWDA officers to sustain its operation; 
(b) Noncompliance or violation of any provision of this Act; or 
(c) Other causes as may be determined by the Department. 
The Constitution and Bylaws! Articles of Incorporation of SWDAs shall 
explicitly state that in case of dissolution, the assets, after payment of all 
financial liabilities, shall be utilized for social welfare and development 
activities. In the absence of such provisions in the Constitution and 
ByLaws! Articles of Incorporation of SWDAs, the Department shall issue 
recommendatory guidelines in the.disposition of assets of the dissolved 
or closed SWDAs. 
;' 
. 
, 
SECTION 23. Recommendation to Obtain Donee-Institution Status. -
The Department shall be the only agency to recommend or endorse to the 
DOF the conferment of a donee-institution status and the grant of other 
tax benefits to accredited SWDAs. 
SECTION 
24. Deputation 
of 
Intermediaries. 
Authorized 
intermediaries may be deputized by the Department to conduct 
assessment of SWDAs and social welfare and development workers for 


. 
purposes of registration, licensing· and accreditation. The Department 
shall provide those deputized with transportation or subsidy allowance in 
accordance with the rules and regulations of the COA. Further, the 
Department shall provide continuous capacity-building activities to the 
deputized intermediaries. 
SECTION 25. Investigation and Resolution of Complaints. -
The 
Department shall accept complaints, investigate and initiate appropriate 
proceedings on cases involving 'SWDAs. Upon lawful cause, the 
Department shall suspend or revoke the registration, license and 
accreditation certificates and close the facilities in coordination with the 
concerned law enforcement agencies without prejudice to filing of 
criminal or civil case against erring officials and personnel. 
ARTICLE VI 
COMPLAINTS AGAINST SOCIAL WELFARE 
AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES 
SECTION 26. Sources of Complaints. - Complaints against a SWDA 
may come from any of the following sources: 
(a) Report of an authorized personnel 'or office of the Department 
based on the assessment and monitoring of standard compliance 
and program and service implementation; 
(b) Report from the 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; 
(D Information sent or received through broadcast or electronic media 
and information and communications technology devices, such as 
text messages and emails; or 
(g) Other sources of information, such as minutes of meeting, 
consultation and fora. 
In case of verbal and unsigned information, the Department shall 
conduct a validation on alleged violations or actions of the SWDA being 
reported. If and when this is not possible, these shall be documented by 
the receiving personnel. or office· of the Department. Documented 
information and printed materials shall be dealt with according to the 
procedures in handling complaints or information. 
SECTION 27. Who May File a Complaint. - A complaint against a 
SWDA may be filed with the Department by any of the following 
complainants: 
(a) Offended party; 
(b) Parent or legal guardian of a client; 
(c) Ascendant or collateral relative of the client, such as child, within 
the third degree of affinity or consanguinity; 
(d) Duly authorized officer or social worker of the Department; 
(e) Officer, social worker or representative of a registered, licensed and 
accredited SWDA; 


(f) Barangay chairman or other local'government official; or 
(g) Person who has personal knowledge of the acts complained about 
or reported for action. 
SECTION 28. Review Committee. - There shall be a Field Office 
Review Committee and a Central Office Review. Commi~tee to handle 
cases and resolve complaints against unregistered or unlicensed, 
registered, licensed and accredited SWDAs. If complaints and violations 
involving SWDA operating in one (1) region or operating in more than one 
(1) region, the Field Office Review Committee that has jurisdiction over 
the areal s where the cases happened, shall have exclusive jurisdiction to 
handle and resolve the said complaints or violations. The decisions, 
orders or findings of the FieldlOffice Review Committee shall be 
appealable to the Central Office Review Committee. 
The composition of the Field Office Review Committee and Central 
Office 
Review 
Committee 
shall' 
be 
determined 
by 
the 
Department: Provided, That there shall be two (2) representatives from 
licensed or accredited SWDAs who are members of the network organized 
by the Department. The representatives shall be provided with subsidy or 
transportation allowance in accordance with the COA rules and 
regulations. 
SECTION 29. Procedures. - The procedures in handling and resolving 
of complaints and appeals by the Field Office Review Committee and the 
Central Office Review Committee shall be made in accordance with the 
existing rules and procedures of the Department. 
SECTION 30. Suspension, Revocation or Closure. - The certificates of 
registration, license or accreditation issued to SWDA shall be suspended 
or revoked if, after due process, the Department finds that the SWDA has 
failed to perform its functions or has violated existing laws, rules and 
regulations. 
In case of revocation, the Department shall, after two (2) consecutive 
notices, close the SWDA. 
Likewise, the Department shall close 
unregistered or unlicensed SWDAs. The suspension, revocation of license 
or closure of a SWDA shall be without prejudice to the filing of criminal 
or civil case under existing laws. 
' 
SECTION 31. Grounds for Suspension. - The grounds for suspension 
of a SWDA shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: 
(a) Insolvency or inabilitY,: to continue 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 Bylaws; 
(e) Failure to submit annual accomplishment and audited financial 
reports for two (2) consecutive years; 
(I) Failure to apply for accreditation or renewal of accreditation after 
two (2) consecutive notifications and monitoring visits and 
technical assistance of every .six'(6) months by the Department or 
authorized intermediaries; or, 
(g) Other causes as may be determined by the Department. 


SECTION 32. Grounds for Revocation of License. - The grounds for 
revocation of license of a SWDA shall include, but'shall not be limited to, 
the following: 
(a) Use of SWDA for immoral purposes such as, but not limited to, 
trafficking, gambling, prostitution, money laundering and terrorist 
financing; 
(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 from the 
SEC or other regulatory agency; 
(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 Department; or . 
(h) Other causes as may be determined by the Department. 
ARTICLE VII 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAW AND RULE MAKING AUTHORITY 
SECTION 
33. Implementing Rules and Regulations. 
The 
Department shall, in consultation with the DOF, the Department of 
Justice (DOJ), the Department of the Interior and Local Government 
(DlLG), the DOLE, the DBM, the CSC, the COA, the SEC, the Philippine 
National Police (PNP) , the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the 
Bureau of Immigration (BI) and other concerned government agencies, as 
well as three (3) representatives from any of the coalition of SWDAs and 
social welfare and development workers, promulgate the necessary rules 
and regulations within ninety (90) working days from the effectivity of 
this Act. Other policies and procedures necessary in carrying out the 
provisions of this Act shall likewise be issued by the Department. 
SECTION 34. Assistance from Law Enforcement Agencies. - Law 
enforcement agencies such as the PNP, the NBI and the BI shall provide 
assistance to the Department in the enforcement of this Act. 
SECTION 35. Immunity of Officer or Staf! - The duly authorized 
officer or staff of the Department and law enforcement agency involved in 
the implementation and enforcement of this Act and who acted in 
accordance with the due process clause of the Constitution shall be 
exempt from any civil, criminal and administrative liability. 
ARTICLE VIII 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 36. Penalties. - Any person, group or organization that 
shall operate as SWDA without registration or license shall be penalized 
with a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (PlOO,OOO.OO) 
but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) and/or 
an imprisonment ranging from one (1) year to three (3) years at the 
discretion of the court. The penalties shall be without prejudice to 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 directly involved shall be liable therefor. 
If the offender is a foreigner, the offender shall be referred immediately to 
the DOJ for appropriate action. 


If the offender is an official or employee of the Department or any 
government agency, the offender be penalized in accordance with the civil 
service rules and regulations 
SECTION 37. Transitory Provision. - All SWDAs required to be 
registered and/or to be licensed under this Act but currently operating 
without registration and/ or license from the Department shall have a 
period of one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act to apply for 
registration or license to operate with the Department. Likewise, within 
sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department shall notify 
all registered and licensed SWDAs on. the implementation of this Act. 
Upon compliance of required documents, new registration and license to 
operate shall be issued. 
SECTION 38. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the Department of 
Social Welfare and Development shall include in the Department's 
programs the implementation of this Act, the initial funding of which 
shall be charged against the current year's appropviations of the 
Department. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continued 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act. 
SECTION 39. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this 
Act be found unconstitutional by a court of law, such provision shall be 
severed from the remainder of this Act, and such action shall not affect 
the enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 40. Repealing Clause. -' All laws, decrees, letters of 
instruction, resolutions, orders or parts thereof which are inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 41. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen 
(15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,