I. Program Overview

Brief Description

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Standards Bureau (SB) and Field Office Standards Section (FO SS) regulates Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs) to ensure the legitimacy and quality delivery of Social Welfare and Development (SWD) programs and services as well as protect the beneficiaries of these SWDAs.

Private SWDA – are non- stock, non- profit organization duly established and / or recognized under the Philippine laws performing social welfare and development activities.

Public SWDA – those managed by National Government Agencies (NGAs) of local Government Units (LGUs) which are exempted from registration and licensing but its SWD programs and services are required to be accredited.

Registration refers to the process of assessing the applicant organization to determine whether its intended purpose is within the purview of SWD, where the determination of the same shall result to the inclusion of the agency in the Department’s registry of SWDAs. A Certificate of Registration shall be issued after having complied with all the prescribed requirements.

Licensing refers to the process of assessing the qualifications and authorizing a registered SWDA to operate as a SWA or as an Auxiliary SWDAs A License to Operate shall be issued after having complied with the set criteria and all prescribed requirements,

Accreditation refers to the process of assessing a licensed Private SWDAs and Public SWDAs if their SWD programs and services are compliant to the Department’s set standards. After compliance of the same, a Certificate of Accreditation shall be issued as proof of official recognition of the quality delivery of SWD programs and services.

Objectives

  1. To regulate and enforce SWD standards to public and private organizations in the country that are engaged or planning to engage in SWD programs and services endeavors through registration, licensing, and accreditation;
  2. To protect the clients against abuses, exploitations and inefficiency from organizations engaging in SWD activities;
  3. To recognize the vital contributions of private and public SWDAs in the promotion of the welfare of the poor, disadvantaged, and vulnerable individuals, families and communities; and
  4. To promote transparency and accountability of SWDAs to their respective donors, clients and general public.

Legal Bases

  1. Section 4 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10847 of 2016 (An Act Lowering the Age Requirement for Applicants taking the Board Examination for Social Workers, Providing for Continuing Social Work Education, and Upgrading the Sundry Provisions relative to the Practice of Social Work)
  2. Section 26 of Rule V of Professional Regulatory Board for Social Workers Resolution No. 03 series of 2017 (Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA No. 4373, otherwise known as an Act to Regulate the Practice of Social Work and the Operation of Social Work Agencies in the Philippines and for other Purposes, as amended by RA Nos. 5175 and 10847)
  3. Article IV of Sections 24 and 25 of RA 4373 of 1965 (An Act to Regulate the Practice of Social Work and the Operation of Social Work Agencies in the Philippines and for other Purposes)
  4. Section 3 of RA No. 5416 of 1968 (Social Welfare Act of 1968)
  5. Memorandum Circular No. 17 Series of 2018 “Revised Guidelines Governing the Registration, Licensing of Social Welfare and Development (SWD) Agencies and Accreditation of SWD Programs and Services”

II. Target Beneficiaries

Regulatory Services of Private and Public SWDAs/ SWAs Target Beneficiaries/Clientele
1. Registration Private agencies and organization engaged or planning to engage in providing direct or indirect Social Welfare and Development (SWD) programs and services.
2. Licensing
3. Pre-accreditation assessment Private SWDAs with valid registration and license to operate and public SWDAs.

III. Documentary Requirements

REGISTRATION

  1. Duly Accomplished and Notarized Application Form
  2. Updated Copy of Certificate of Registration and latest Articles of Incorporation and by-laws indicating that the organization’s primary purpose is within the purview of social welfare and development issued by SEC that gives a juridical personality to a non-stock non -profit organization to operate in the Philippines
  3. Copy of any of the following:
    1. Handbook or Manual Operations of its programs policies and procedures to attain its purposes
    2. Brochure
    3. Duly signed Work and Financial Plan for at least two (2) Years by the Head of Agency

LICENSING

  • FOR APPLICANT INTENDING TO OPERATE
    1. Basic Documents
      • Duly Accomplished and Notarized Application Form
      • a) A certification of plan to hire the required Registered Social Worker (RSW) or staff complement; or b) Profile of Employees and volunteers, whichever is applicable
      • Manual of Operation containing the SWDAs program and administrative policies, procedures and strategies to attain its purpose/s among others.
      • Profile of Board of Trustees
    2. Documents Establishing Corporate Existence and Regulatory
      • Certified true copy of General Information Sheet issued by SEC
      • Notarized certification from the Board of Trustees and/or the funding agency to financially support the organization’s capacity to operate for at least two 2 years
      • Work and Financial Plan for the two (2) succeeding years
  • FOR APPLICANT ALREADY IMPLEMENTING PRIOR ITS APPLICATION
    • MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS
      1. Basic Documents
        1. Duly Accomplished and Notarized Application Form
        2. Manual of Operation containing the SWDAs program and administrative policies, procedures and strategies to attain its purpose/s among others.
        3. Profile of Board of Trustees
        4. Profile of Employees and Volunteers
          • a. For Social Work Agency, to consider the following staff requirement:
            • a.1 At least one (1) RSW to supervise and take charge of its social work functions for residential care agencies and community based agencies that caters to beneficiaries that requires social case management.
            • a.2 For Center Based (Residential Based), to observe the     caseload requirement of client ratio of the social worker and house parent
            • a.3 For Center Based (Non-Residential Based), to observe at least one full time social worker for drop in center, processing center and vocational rehabilitation center while for senior citizens           center and the like, a part-time social worker is   considered.
            • a.4 For Community Based, implementing community development or community organizing, any of the following shall be hired in full/part time basis per region:
              • a.4.1. Graduate of Bachelor Degree in Social Work or Community Development; or
              • a.4.2. Other professionals who have at least three (3) year work experiences in the field of social welfare and development
          • b. For Auxiliary SWDA, at least one (1) full time staff who will manage its operations
      2. Documents Establishing Corporate Existence and Regulatory Compliance
        1. Certified true copy of General Information Sheet issued by SEC
        2. Certification of no derogatory information issued by SEC (for those operating more than six (6) months upon filing of the application)
        3. ABSNET Membership
          Certification from the Regional ABSNET (RAB) President or Chairperson of the Cluster ABSNET (CAB) or the authorized ABSNET Officer attesting the active ABSNET membership of the applicant SWDA.
          (Not applicable for first time applicants)
        4. Declaration of Commitment from the applicant SWDA of no support to tobacco in compliance with provisions of Executive Order No. 26 of 2017 (Providing for the Establishment of Smoke-Free Environments in Public and Enclosed Places) and RA No. 9211 Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003)
      3. Documents Establishing Track Record and Good Standing
        1. Duly signed Work and Financial Plan for the two (2) succeeding years
        2. Notarized certification from the Board of Trustees and/or the funding agency to financially support the organizations to operate for at least two (2) years
        3. Annual Accomplishment Report of the previous year
        4. Audited Financial Report of the previous year. Audited Financial Report submitted to SEC and/or Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) shall be accepted. However, financial report based on the DSWD template shall also be submitted. For those SWDAs with a total revenue of less than Php 500,000, an unaudited financial statement prepared by the Financial Officer and concurred by the Head of Agency may suffice.
        5. Profile of clients/community being served for the preceding and current year
        6. Profile of clients/community being served for the preceding and current year
    • ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS (both for intending and already operating)
      1. Basic Documents
        1. For those operating in more than one region
          • List of main and satellite/branch offices with contact details, if any
          • Certified true copy of the notarized written agreement of partnership or cooperation between the agency and its partner agency e.g Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), Contract of Partnership, among others
          • For Applicant SWA’s implementing Child Placement Services Certification from DSWD or photocopy of the certificate of training attended by the hired RSW related to child placement service.
      2. Documents Establishing Corporate Existence and Regulatory Compliance
        1. For those operating in more than one region validation report from concerned DSWD Field Office or Certification from Regional ABSNET/Cluster or LGUs attesting to the existence and status of operation of the organization in the area/s of jurisdiction.
          There is no need to get a validation report/certification of existence for the region where the main office of the applicant is located.
    • For Center Based (Residential Based and Non-Residential Based) Copy of the valid safety certificates namely:
      • Occupancy permit (only for new buildings) or Annual Building Inspection/Structural Safety Certificate (for old buildings)
      • Fire Safety Inspection Certificate
      • Water Potability Certificate or Sanitary Permit
    • For applicant serving within the Ancestral Domains of Indigenous People (P) – Photocopy of NGO Accreditation from the NCIP C.
  • Documents Establishing Track Record and Good Standing
    • For applicant with past and current partnership with the DSWD that involved transfer of funds
    • Certification from DSWD Office and/or other concerned government agencies that the applicant is free from any financial liability /obligation

ACCREDITATION

I. MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

A. Basic Documents

  1. Duly accomplished and Notarized Application Form
  2. Pre- Accreditation assessment conducted by concerned FO
  3. Duly Accomplished Pre- Accreditation assessment tool signed by the SWA’s Head of Agency or Authorized Representative

B. Documents Establishing Corporate Existence and Regulatory Compliance

  1. Certification of no derogatory information issued by SEC (except those operating for less than six (6) months upon filing of the application)
    (not applicable for public SWDAs)
  2. ABSNET Membership Certification from the Regional ABSNET (RAB) President or Chairperson of the Cluster ABSNET (CAB) or the authorized ABSNET Officer attesting the active ABSNET membership of the applicant SWDA.

C. Documents Establishing Track Record and Good Standing

  1. Duly signed Work and Financial Plan for the two (2) succeeding years
  2. Notarized Update Certification from the Board of Trustees and/or the funding agency to financially support the organizations to operate for at least two (2) years
    (not applicable for public SWDAs)
  3. Annual Accomplishment Report of the previous year
  4. Audited Financial Report of the previous year
  5. Profile of clients/community being served for the preceding and current year

D. Documents Establishing Corporate Existence and Regulatory Compliance

  1. Certification from the SWA’s Head of Agency on their observance and compliance to the provisions of Executive Order No. 26 of 2017 (Providing for the Establishment of Smoke- Free Environments in Public and Enclosed Places) and RA No. 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003)

II. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Basic Documents

  1. Manual of Operation
  2. Profile of Board of Trustees or its equivalent
  3. Profile of Employees and Volunteers
    Staff requirement shall be based on Staff Client ration per standards on accreditation of specific programs and services
  4. For those operating in more than one region
    List of main and satellite/branch offices, if any
  5. For applicant SWAs implementing Child Placement Services Certification from DSWD or photocopy of the certificate of training attended by the hired RSW related to child placement service.

B. Documents Establishing Corporate Existence and Regulatory Services

  1. Certified true copy of General Information Sheet issued by SEC or any regulatory agencies
    (not applicable for public SWDAs)
  2. For Center Based (Residential Based and Non-Residential Based)
    Copy of the valid safety certificates namely:
    • Occupancy permit (only for new buildings) or Annual Building Inspection/Structural Safety Certificate (for old buildings)
    • Fire Safety Inspection Certificate
    • Water Potability Certificate or Sanitary Permit
  3. For applicant serving within the Ancestral Domains of Indigenous People (IP) – Photocopy of NGO Accreditation from the National Council on IP(NCIP)

C. Documents Establishing Track Record and Good Standing

  • For applicant with past and current partnership with the DSWD that involved transfer of funds
    1. Certification from DSWD Office and/or other concerned government agencies that the applicant is free from any financial liability /obligation

IV. Contact Person/s

MELECIO C. UBILAS JR.
Chief Administrative Officer/Policy and Plans Division Chief
(072) 687-8000 local 244
ppd.fo1@dswd.gov.ph

NARESSA GARVIDA-AGUINALDO
Project Development Officer III
(072) 687-8000 local 244
standards.fo1@dswd.gov.ph

AGNES TAMBALO
Project Development Officer III
(072) 687-8000 local 244
standards.fo1@dswd.gov.ph

V. Links