Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian urged the public anew on Tuesday (March 18) to fully-utilize its online permit system, particularly individuals and organizations covered by the agency’s regulatory services.
“Sa mga kababayan natin, we encourage na pumunta kayo sa official webpage namin, at sa mga official social media accounts namin. Doon niyo po makikita yung mga digital systems natin, at mga dapat nating gawin para makakuha ng mga permit at ‘yung mga serbisyo ng DSWD,” Secretary Rex Gatchalian said in an interview with DZRH Operation Tulong.
The DSWD chief told DZRH that it recently-launched a digital system aptly called “Harmonized Electronic License and Permit System” or HELPS, which serves as the virtual one-stop-shop for regulatory services for social welfare and development agencies (SWDAs) engaged in public service.
Secretary Gatchalian explained that the HELPS is part of the agency’s efforts to ease strain among well-intentioned organizations who are equally committed to elevating social welfare services in the country.
“Partner natin sila sa pagkalinga at sa pag-ahon ng ating mga mamamayan mula sa kahirapan, so dapat gawin natin mas mabilis yung pagbigay ng permit sa kanila,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.
Under Republic Act No. 43734, SWDAs, which are better known as foundations or charitable organizations to the public, are required to acquire certification for registration, license to operate and accreditation (CRLA) from the DSWD. This process guarantees quality standards in the implementation of SWD programs and services.
From the manual process that could take up to 6 months and multiple visits to DSWD offices, the HELPS led to an expedited process. Now, SWDAs can apply for certification of registration, license to operate, and accreditation (CRLA) in as fast as 20 minutes and receive it within 14 days.
The public solicitation permit can be processed within 3 days for temporary permit and 7 days for regular permit, all through the streamlined digital platform.
“Ngayon, bagama’t mahigpit tayo mag-review, hindi na natin sila pinahihirapan, basta tama ang kanilang mga dokumento,” the DSWD chief told DZRH.
Secretary Gatchalian also took pride in the new digital system for minors travelling abroad (MTA), explaining that the automated way to obtain travel permits streamlined the process and addressed bureaucratic delays.
“Dati rati, manual rin ‘yan, pupunta ka pa sa aming opisina. Ngayon, nandun na rin sa web page namin. Ang kagandahan nitong MTA system na to, convenient na kasi ‘di ka na pupunta sa aming opisina. Tatlong araw lang o mas maikli pa, makukuha mo na yung permit. Basta, ulitin ko, kumpleto ang requirements,” the DSWD chief explained.
According to Secretary Gatchalian, the digital system also has a new feature, which is particularly geared at strengthening the government’s anti-child trafficking measures.
“May interview ng social worker natin, ‘yung magulang, ‘yung guardian na sasama at yung menor de edad. Kasi dito natin makikilatis kung valid ba talaga ang pag-travel at kung dapat ba natin bigyan ng permit,” the DSWD chief said.
Secretary Gatchalian underscored that the digitalization overturned the flaws of the old process, where the child need not appear in interviews and third party applications are accepted for as long as there is a special power of attorney (SPA) provided.
“Sa panahon ng teknolohiya, talagang dapat natin gamitin ang teknolohiya para mapabilis at maging secure ang pag-deliver ng serbisyo ng gobyerno. Utos ‘yan ng ating pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr,” the DSWD chief pointed out. (LSJ)