‘Don’t fall in line, Go online’
This sums up the kind of service that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is now providing to the public with its three digital initiatives on the issuance of licenses and permits as well as in providing a venue for donations to charitable groups and works.
In a radio interview with Bombo Radyo on Monday (March 31), DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the recently launched Harmonized Electronic License Permit System (HELPS) online portal benefits the Filipino public needing assistance through social welfare and development agencies (SWDAs) or more commonly known as foundations or non-government organizations (NGOs).
Through the HELPS, the processing for the Certificate of Registration, License to Operate, and Accreditation (CRLA) of these SWDA’s is now done online, streamlining the process from six months to 7 to 14 days provided the application is compliant with all requirements.
The DSWD chief said this is a significant breakthrough in achieving an efficient governance especially as this service means that organizations contributing to the work of government can operate in less than a month after application.
“Noon, napakahirap kumuha ng permit. Anim na buwan at napakaraming hinihinging papeles. Ngayon, i-streamline na natin, konti na lang ang hinihinging papel at 7 to 14 na araw, matatanggap mo na ‘yong license to operate mo. Ang punto namin doon, gusto niyo na ngang tumulong sa publiko, gusto niyo na tulungan ang DSWD, bakit pa namin kayo pahihirapan?,” Secretary Gatchalian explained to Bombo Radyo.
More than streamlining the process, the DSWD chief said the online system allows the public to apply for the services online, in their own time, in the comforts of their homes, or wherever they may be.
Aside from the issuance of CLRA, the HELPS portal menu also includes the online Minors Traveling Abroad (MTA) permit system, which is part of the DSWD’s statutory service to ensure that children going abroad are protected from trafficking and other forms of abuse.
“Ganon din yung pagkuha ng MTA permit, ito yung para sa mga menor de edad na aalis ng bansa na hindi kasama ang kanilang mga magulang. Ganun din, ini-streamline na natin, binawasan ng requirements at lahat online na siya. Hindi niyo na kailangan pumunta pa sa aming mga tanggapan para kumuha ng permit na ‘yon,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
The Department also launched the Kaagapay Donations Portal which aims to give donors a simpler and more convenient way to extend their generosity to the DSWD, as well as to foundations and civil society organizations (CSOs) accredited by the agency.
“Gumawa tayo ng portal para sa taong bayan, yung publiko, pwede sila mag-donate– derecho sa mga accredited na mga foundations, NGOs, kasi ayaw naman natin na nangangamba sila kung fly-by-night ba yung kanilang kausap. So, lahat ng lehitimo na mga foundations at NGOs, pino-post natin dito sa donations portal na ‘to. Lahat ng mga programa na ‘to, lahat ng mga sistema na ‘to, matatagpuan ninyo sa aming webpage,” Sec. Gatchalian further explained.
The three online portals are part of the DSWD’s ongoing digital transformation of significant programs and services under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr for an automated governance amid the evolving trend in technology. (GDVF)