The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is now enforcing strict monitoring on social welfare and development agencies (SWDAs) that were granted public solicitation permits, an agency executive said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City on March 8.
According to Director Megan Therese Manahan of the DSWD’s Standards Bureau (SB), the Department issues public solicitation permits to non-stock and non-profit organizations to protect the public from falling prey to fraudulent solicitation activities and resource generation efforts.
“Kapag po may mga public solicitation po, dapat kumuha po ng permit sa amin. So, kapag po kumuha ng permit sa amin, mayroon din dapat syang distribution plan, sino yung intended beneficiaries mo, ano yung region na tutulungan mo, and then after two months, kapag nag-expire na yung permit mo, kailangan mong mag-submit ng mga reportorial requirements sa amin,” Director Manahan told reporters in the weekly news forum.
With the newly-launched online portal of the agency called ‘HELPS’ or the Harmonized Electronic License and Permit System, Director Manahan said the approval of public solicitation permits will be done in a more efficient manner within 3 working days for temporary permits and 7 days for regular permits.
The Department has also delegated its Field Offices to monitor the compliance of SWDAs in their public solicitation permits.
“Very strong kami in requiring reports kasi if hindi sila nag-comply, hindi ka na pwedeng mag-renew, pwede ka rin ma-blacklist sa amin. So it’s very critical for us to see kung saan napupunta yung mga na-solicit na pera,” Director Manahan explained.
Under Presidential Decree No. 1564, also known as the Solicitation Permit Law, the DSWD holds exclusive authority over the regulation of donation solicitations and contributions for charitable or public welfare purposes.
Individuals, groups, and organizations must obtain a solicitation permit from the DSWD before collecting donations or voluntary contributions.
This requirement ensures the legitimacy of fundraising efforts and prevents fraudulent activities that could take advantage of donors\’ generosity and the needs of beneficiaries.(AKDL)