REPUBLIC ACT No.

4373

An Act to Regulate the Practice of Social Work and the Operation of Social Work Agencies
in the Philippines and for Other Purposes

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress Assembled:

Article I
Definition of Terms

Section 1. As used in this Act:

a. Social work is the profession which is primarily concerned with organized social
service activity aimed to facilitate and strengthen basic social relationships and the
mutual adjustment between individuals and their social environment for the good of the
individual and of society by the use of social work methods.

b. A "social worker" as used in this Act is a practitioner who by accepted academic

training and social work professional experience possesses the skill to achieve the
objectives as defined and set by the social work profession, through the use of the basic
methods and techniques of social work (case work, group work, and community
organization) which are designed to enable individuals, groups and communities to meet
their needs and to solve the problems of adjustment to a hanging pattern of society and,
through coordinated action, to improve economic and social conditions, and is connected
with an organized social work agency which is supported partially or wholly from
government or community solicited funds.

c. A "social work agency" is a person, corporation or organization, private or

governmental, that engages mainly and generally, or represents itself to engage in social
welfare work, whether case work, group work, or community work, and obtains its
finances, either totally or in part, from any agency or instrumentality of the government
and/or from the community by direct or indirect solicitations and/or fund drives, and/or
private endowment.

Article II
Organization of the Board of Examiners for Social Workers

Section 2. Name and Composition of the Board Within Sixty Days After the Approval of This
Act.— there shall be created a Board of Examiners for Social Workers hereinafter to be referred
to as the Board, composed of a Chairman and four members who shall be appointed by the
President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments from among
social workers of recognized standing in the Philippines, and who, at the time of their
appointment shall:

a. Be a citizen and resident of the Philippines;

b. Be at least thirty years of age and of good moral character;

c. Possess a Master’s Degree in Social Work (M.S.S.W., M.S.S., M.A.S.W., or its

equivalent) conferred by a reputable school, college or university duly recognized by the
government and also by a duly accredited school, college or university abroad.

d. Have had at least five years of practice in a social work agency in the case of a holder
of Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or its equivalent, or at least two years of social
work practice in the case of a holder of a Master’s Degree in Social Work or its
equivalent, after receiving the respective degree.

e. Be a registered social worker duly qualified to practice social work under this
Act: Provided, However, That this qualification shall not be required of the first
appointees to the Board under this Act, and;
 f. Not be a member of the faculty of any school, college or university at the time of
appointment; nor during the year immediately preceding the appointment to be a member
of the Board conferring the Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in social work, or shall
have any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in such institution.

Section 3. Function and Duties of the Board.— The Board shall have the following function and
duties:

a. To administer the provisions of this Act;

b. To administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;

c. To prepare the official seal of the Board ;

d. To issue, suspend, and revoke certificates of registration for the practice of social
work;

e. To look into the conditions affecting the practice of social work in the Philippines, and,
whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the maintenance
of the good standing and the ethics of the profession of social work; and

f. To investigate such violations of this Act or of the rules and regulations issued
thereunder as may come to the knowledge of the Board , and, for this purpose, to issue
subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearance of witnesses and the
production of documents in connection therewith.

Section 4. Term of Office.— The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three years
or until their successors shall have been appointed and duly qualified: Provided, That the
members of the first Board appointed under this Act shall hold office for the following terms: the
Chairman for three years, two members for two years, and two members for one year, which
shall be specified in their appointment. Any vacancy occurring within the term of a member shall
be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only. Each member of the Board shall qualify by
taking the proper oath of office prior to entering upon the performance of his or her duties. No
member shall succeed himself on the Board.

Section 5. Executive Officer and Secretary of the Board.— The Commissioner of Civil Service
shall be the Executive Officer of the Board and he shall conduct the examinations given by it
according to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Board and approved by the President
of the Philippines.1âшphi1 The members shall elect a Secretary among them, who shall take
charge of the records. All the records of the Board, including examination papers, minutes of
deliberations, and records of administrative proceedings and investigations shall be kept by the
Civil Service Commission.

Section 6. Compensation of the Board Members.— The Chairman and members of the Board
shall each receive as compensation the sum of ten pesos for each applicant examined.

Section 7. Removal of Board Members.— Any member of the Board may be removed by the
President7 of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Civil Service8
for continued neglect of duty, incompetence, unprofessional, unethical, immoral, or dishonorable
conduct, for commission or toleration of irregularities in the examination, after having been
given the opportunity to defend himself in a proper administrative investigation.

Section 8. Rules and Regulations.— Subject to the approval of the President of the Philippines9
and with the advice of the Commissioner of Civil Service the Board shall set ethical and
professional standards for the practice of social work in general, and adopt such rules and
regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Such standards, rules and
regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication in the Official Gazette.

Section 9. Annual Report.— The Board shall submit an annual report to the President of the
Philippines and to Congress after the close of the fiscal year, giving a detailed account of the
proceedings of the Board during the year and embodying such recommendations as the board
may desire to make.
 Article III
Examination and Registration of Social Workers

Section 10. Practice of Social Work and Appointment as Social Workers.— Unless exempt from
registration, no person shall practice or offer to practice social work in the Philippines as defined
in this Act, or be appointed as a social worker or to any position calling for social worker in any
social work agency whether private or government without holding a valid certificate of
registration as a social worker issued by the Board of Examinees for Social
Workers: Provided, That registration shall not be required of recognized social workers or
authorities on social work who are residents and/or citizens of other countries called in for
consultations in any agency working with the United Nations and/ or similar international social
agencies: Provided, further, That no provisions of this Act shall be construed to prejudice
permanently appointed social workers who are employed in private or government social work
agencies at the date of approval of this Act, who shall continue to enjoy right to promotion and
salary increases, refinement benefits and other previously acquired
rights: Provided, Furthermore, That those who at the time of the effectivity on this Act, possess
the qualifications enumerated in Section twelve and are actually engaged in the practice of social
work for a period of five years in a social work agency recognized by the Community Chest,
Council of Welfare Agencies, Philippine Youth Welfare Coordinating Council, or Social
Welfare Administration, shall be exempted from taking the examination as provided herein if
they register as social workers within a period of one year after the approval of this
Act: Provided, Still Further, That those who before the effectivity of this Act are holding regular
appointment to social work positions in the government service on a provisional status for lack
of the educational qualifications required under this Act for the purpose of taking the Board
examination and have rendered five years or more of continuous and satisfactory service in
social work shall, within a period of ten years but not later than December thirty-first, nineteen
hundred seventy-eight, be allowed to retain their positions in order to qualify as registered social
workers under the provisions hereof: And Provided, finally, that any person who at the time of
the effectivity of this amendatory Act possesses the qualifications enumerated in Section twelve
hereof except that which is specified in subparagraph (d) of Section two hereof and who has been
openly performing the functions of, or practising as, a social worker as defined in this Act for at
least a total of ten years prior to the effectivity of this amendatory Act, shall be allowed to
continue performing such functions or such practice in the same office or agency until he or she
retires without the necessity of examination for registration provided that an affidavit affirming
the circumstances of such continuous practice or a certification by the Civil Service to the same
effect is filed with the Board.

Section 11. Holding of Examinations.— Except as otherwise specifically allowed under the

provisions of this Act, all applicants for registration as social workers shall be required to
undergo a written examination which shall be given by the Board annually in Manila at such
time and place as may be fixed by it, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Civil
Service and the President of the Philippines. Written or printed notices of such examination shall
be mailed to each candidate who has filed his name and address with the Secretary of the Board
at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the examination.

Section 12. Qualification of Applicants.— In order to be admitted to take the social work

examination, an applicant must, at the time of filing his or her application therefore, establish to
the satisfaction of the Board that:

a. He or she is a citizen of the Philippines;

b. He or she is at least twenty-one years of age;

c. He or she in good health and is of good moral character;

d. He or she has received a diploma as a holder of a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree

or its equivalent in social work from an institution, college or university duly accredited
and legally constituted: Provided, That the provisions of Republic Act Numbered
Twenty-two hundred and sixty insofar as cultural minorities are concerned be applied;
and
 e. He or she has completed a minimum period of one thousand case hours of practical
training in an established social work agency under the direct supervision of a fully
trained and qualified social worker.

Section 13. Scope of Examination.— The examination for the practice of social work in the
Philippines shall consist of a written test, the scope of which shall be determined and prescribed
by the Board, taking into consideration the curriculum of all the social work courses offered in
schools legally constituted in the Philippines: Provided, That no change or alteration in or
addition to the subjects for examination shall be made within two years from the date of the
promulgation of said subjects. It shall be the duty of the Board to prepare the schedule of
subjects for examinations and to submit the same to the President of the Philippines for approval
through the Commissioner of Civil Service, and to publish the same, as approved, at least three
months before the date of the examination wherein they are to be used. Any alteration or
amendment that may be made in said schedule shall likewise be approved by the President of the
Philippines.

Section 14. Ratings in the Examination.— In order to pass the examination, a candidate must
obtain a general rating of at least seventy percent in the written test, with no rating below fifty
percent in any subject.

Section 15. Report of Results of Examination.— The Board of Examiners for Social Workers

shall, within one hundred twenty days after the examination, report the ratings obtained by each
candidate to the Commissioner of Civil Service who shall, with his recommendation, submit
such ratings to the President of the Philippines.

Section 16. Oath of Social Workers.— All successful examinees shall be required to take a

professional oath before the Board or before any person authorized to administer oaths, prior to
entering upon the practice of social work in the Philippines.

Section 17. Issuance of Certificates.— Certificates of registration as a social worker shall be

issued to all applicants who pass the examination, after approval of her or his ratings by the
President of the Philippines, and upon payment of the required fees. Every certificate of
registration shall show the full name of the registrant and serial number, and shall bear the
signatures of the members of the Board, attested to by the Secretary of the Board, and duly
authenticated with the official seal of the Board of Examiners for Social Workers. The issuance
of a certificate of registration by the Board to the registrant shall be evidence that the person
named therein is entitled to all the rights and privileges of a registered social worker until said
certificate, for just cause, is revoked temporarily or canceled.

Section 18. Registration by Reciprocity.— A certificate of registration may be issued without

examination to social workers registered under the laws of any foreign state or
country: Provided, That the requirements for the registration or licensing of social workers in
said foreign state or country, are substantially the same as those required and contemplated by
this Act: And Provided, further, That the laws of such state or country grant the same privileges
to Filipino social workers on the same basis as the subject or citizens of such foreign state or
country.

Section 19. Fees for Examination and Registration.— Applicants for examination for the social
work profession shall pay an examination fee of fifty pesos. Successful applicants shall pay a
registration fee of thirty pesos. All such fees shall be paid to the disbursing officer of the Civil
Service Commission, and such officer shall pay from the receipts thereof, all the authorized
expenses of the Board, including the compensation of its Chairman and members.

Section 20. Refusal to Issue Certificates in Certain Cases.— The Board of Examiners for Social
Workers shall refuse to issue a certificate of registration to any person convicted by a court of
competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude, and to any person
guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct, or to one of unsound mind or suffering from an
incurable or infectious disease. The Board shall give the applicant a written statement setting
forth the reason or reasons for its action, which statement shall be incorporated in the records of
the Board.
Section 21. Revocation and Suspension of Certificates.— The Boards shall also have the power
to revoke or suspend the validity of a certificate of registration of a social worker for any of the
causes mentioned in the preceding section, or for unprofessional conduct, malpractice,
incompetency, or serious ignorance of or negligence in the practice of social work, or for making
use of fraud, deceit or falsity to obtain a certificate of registration. Certificates of registration
shall be revoked only after due notice and hearing.

Section 22. Reissuance of Revoked and Replacement of Lost Certificates.— The Board may, for
reasons of equity and justice, and upon proper application and explanation therefore, issue
another copy of the certificate upon payment of ten pesos. A new certificate of registration to
replace any certificate lost, destroyed, or mutilated may be issued subject to the rules of the
Board upon payment of ten pesos (₱10.00).

Article IV
Registration of Social Work Agencies

Section 23. Registration with the Social Welfare Administration.— No social work agency as
defined herein shall separate and be accredited as such unless it shall first have registered with
the Social Welfare Administration which shall then issue the corresponding registration
certificate: Provided, That existing social work agencies at the time of approval of this Act shall
have a period of one year within which to secure the corresponding certificate of registration.
Before any social work agency shall be duly registered, the following requirements must have
been complied with to the satisfaction of the Social Welfare Administrator:

1. That the applicant must be engaged mainly or generally in social work activity;

2. That the applicant has employed a sufficient number of duly qualified and registered
social workers to supervise and take charge of its social work function in accordance with
accepted social work standards;

3. That the applicant must show in a duly certified financial statement that at least sixty
percent of its funds are disbursed for direct social work services; and

4. That the applicant keeps a social work record of all cases and welfare activities
handled by it.

Section 24. Financial Aid by the Government Agency or Instrumentality.— No government

agency or instrumentality shall give financial or other aid to any social work agency unless the
agency has been duly registered with the Social Welfare Administration in accordance with the
preceding section.

Section 25. Revocation of Certificate of Registration.— The Certificate of Registration issued to

any social work agency may be revoked if, after due investigation, the Social Welfare
Administration finds, that it has failed to perform the function as social work agency, or it has
violated existing laws, rules and regulations.

Article V
Sundry Provisions Relative to the Practice of Social Work

Section 26. Penal Provisions.— The following shall be punished by a fine of not less than five
hundred pesos nor more than two thousand pesos, or imprisonment for not less than one month
nor more than two years, or both, in the discretion of the court;

a. Any person who shall practice or offer to practice social work in the Philippines
without being registered or exempted from registration in accordance with the provisions
of this Act;

b. Any person representing or attempting to use as his own, the certificate of registration
of another;

c. Any person who shall give any false or fraudulent evidence of any kind to the Board or
any member thereof in obtaining a certificate of registration as a social worker;
 d. Any person who shall impersonate any registrant of like or different name;

e. Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of registration;

f. Any person who shall in connection with his or her name, otherwise assume, use or
advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that he or she is a
social worker without holding a valid certificate;

g. Any person who shall violate any provision of this Act;

h. Any person, corporation or entity operating as a social work agency without the
corresponding Certificate of Registration issued by the Social Welfare Administration.
(Redesignated as subparagraph (h) by §6, Republic Act No. 5157)

Section 27. Separability Clause.— If any provision of this Act or the application of such
provision to any person or circumstances is declared invalid, the Act or the application of such
provision shall not be affected by such declaration.

Section 28. Repealing Clause.— All Acts, executive orders, rules and regulations or part thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed.

Section 29. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 19, 1965.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 5175

An Act to Amend Republic Act Numbered Four Thousand Three Hundred Seventy-Three,
Entitled "An Act to Regulate the Practice of Social Work and the Operation of Social Work
Agencies in the Philippines and for Other Purposes"

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress Assembled:

Section 1. Subparagraph (a) of Section one of Republic Act Numbered Forty three hundred
seventy three is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 1. As used in this Act:

"(a) Social work is the profession which is primarily concerned with organized social service
activity, aimed to facilitate and strengthen basic social relationships and the mutual adjustment
between individuals and their social environment for the good of the individual and of society by
the use of social work methods."

Section 2. Subparagraph (c) of Section two of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:

"(c) Possess a Master’s Degree in Social Work (M.S.S.W., M.S.S., M.A.S.W., or its equivalent)
conferred by a reputable school, college or university duly recognized by the government, and
also by a duly accredited school, college or university abroad."

Section 3. Section ten of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 10. Practice of social work and appointment as social workers.— Unless exempt from
registration, no person shall practice or offer to practice social work in the Philippines as defined
in this Act, or be appointed as a social worker or to any position calling for social worker in any
social worker agency whether private or government without holding a valid certificate of
registration as a social worker issued by the Board of Examiners for Social Workers: Provided,
That registration shall not be required of recognized social workers or authorities on social work
who are residents and/or citizens of other countries called in for consultations in any agency
working with the United Nations and/or similar international social agencies: Provided, further,
That no provision of this Act shall be construed to prejudice permanently appointed social
workers who are employed in private or government social work agencies at the date of approval
of this Act, who shall continue to enjoy rights to promotion and salary increases, retirement
benefits and other previously acquired rights: Provided, Furthermore, That those who at the time
of the effectivity of this Act, possess the qualifications enumerated in Section twelve and are
actually engaged in the practice of social work for a period of five years in a social work agency
recognized by the Community Chest, Council of Welfare Agencies, Philippine Youth Welfare
Coordinating Council, or Social Welfare Administration, shall be exempted from taking the
examination as provided herein if they register as social workers within a period of one year after
the approval of this Act: Provided, still further, That those who before the effectivity of this Act
are holding regular appointment to social work positions in the government service on a
provisional status for lack of the educational qualifications required under this Act for the
purpose of taking the board examination and have rendered five years or more of continuous and
satisfactory service in social work shall, within a period of ten years but not later than December
thirty-first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight, be allowed to retain their positions in order to
qualify as registered social workers under the provisions hereof: And Provided, finally, That any
person who at the time of the effectivity of this amendatory Act possesses the qualifications
enumerated in Section twelve hereof except that which is specified in subparagraph (d) of
Section two hereof and who has been openly performing the functions of, or practicing as, a
social worker as defined in this Act for at least a total of ten years prior to the effectivity of this
amendatory Act, shall be allowed to continue performing such functions or such practice in the
same office or agency until he or she retires without the necessity of examination for registration
provided that an affidavit affirming the circumstances of such continuous practice or a
certification by the Civil Service to the same effect is filed with the Board."

Section 4. Section twelve of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 12. Qualification of applicants.— In order to be admitted to take the social work
examination, an applicant must, at the time of filing his or her application therefor, establish to
the satisfaction of the Board that:

"(a) He or she is a citizen of the Philippines;

"(b) He or she is at least twenty-one years of age;

"(c) He or she is in good health and is of good moral character;

"(d) He or she has received a diploma as holder of a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree or its
equivalent in social work from an institution, college or university duly accredited and legally
constituted: Provided, That the provisions of Republic Act Numbered Twenty-two hundred and
sixty insofar as cultural minorities are concerned be applied; and

"(e) He or she has completed a minimum period of one thousand case hours of practical training
in an established social work agency under the direct supervision of a fully trained and qualified
social worker."

Section 5. Subparagraph (h) of Section twenty-six of the same Act is hereby repealed.1avvphi1

Section 6. Subparagraph (i) of Section twenty-six of the same Act is hereby re-designated as
subparagraph (h).

Section 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: August 4, 1967.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 10847

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

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act Numbered Forty-Three Hundred Seventy-Three (R.A.

No. 4373) is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 2. Name and Composition of the Board. – There shall be created a Professional
Regulatory Board for Social Workers, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the
administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter
referred to as the Commission, composed of a Chairperson and four (4) members who shall be
appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of three (3) nominees for each position
submitted by the accredited integrated professional organization (AIPO) for social workers and
ranked by the Commission, and who, at the time of their appointment shall:

(a) -do-

(b) -do-

(c) -do-

(d) -do-

(e) -do-

(f) –do-.”

SECTION 2. Section 12 of the same Act is hereby further amended:

“SEC. 12. Qualification of Applicants. – In order to be admitted to take the social work

examination, an applicant must, at the time of filing of application therefor:

(a) Be a citizen of the Philippines;

(b) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;

(c) Be in good health and of good moral character;

(d) Have a bachelor’s degree or masteral degree or its equivalent in social work
from an institution, college, or university duly accredited and legally constituted:
Provided, That, the provisions of Republic Act Numbered Twenty – Two
Hundred and Sixty (R.A. No. 2260), otherwise known as the Civil Service Act of
1959, as amended, insofar as cultural minorities are concerned, shall be applied;
and

(e) Have completed a minimum period of one thousand (1,000) case hours of
practical training in an established social work agency under the direct
supervision of a fully trained and qualified social worker: Provided, That, in the
institution, college, or university’s undergraduate program, the academic courses
preceded the required field practice of one thousand (1,000) case hours: Provided,
further, That, the required field practice complies with the social work curriculum
approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Board.”

SECTION 3. The same Act is hereby amended by inserting Sections 26, 27 and 28 on
Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Integration of the Social Work Profession and the
Issuance of Special Temporary Permit (STP), respectively:
“SEC. 26. Continuing Professional Development (CPD). – All registered social workers must
provide proof of earning forty-five (45) units of continuing CPD courses given by any CPD
provider duly accredited by the CPD Council for social workers as a requirement for the renewal
of the professional identification card of social workers.

All local government units (LGUs) and employer organizations shall allocate the necessary
funding to support the professional development of social workers under their employ, regardless
of employment status, for the purpose of complying with the CPD requirement.”

“SEC. 27. Integration of the Social Work Profession. – All registered and licensed social workers
shall be united and integrated into one (1) national organization which shall be accredited by the
Board, subject to the approval of the Commission, as the AIPO for social workers. All registered
and licensed social workers shall become members of the AIPO and shall consequently be
entitled to all the benefits and privileges incidental thereto upon payment of the required fees and
dues. Membership in the AIPO shall not be a bar to membership in any other professional
organization.”

“SEC. 28. Issuance of Special Temporary Permits. – Special Temporary Permits (STPs) may be
issued by the Board, subject to the approval of the Commission and payment of the prescribed
fees, to any of the following:

(a) Foreign social workers called by the Philippine Government for a specific
public purpose or project;

(b) Foreign social workers to be employed by any domestic private

firm/establishment;

(c) Foreign social workers to be engaged as professors or lecturers in a higher

educational institution or university for the enhancement of the social work
education in the country; and

(d) Foreign social workers, including volunteers, whose services are engaged
during disasters, calamities, or any emergency cases as may be determined by the
Board.1awp++i1

The STP shall provide, among others, that; (1) The practice of the foreign professional shall be
limited to the particular work for which the foreigner is being engaged; (2) The validity of the
STP shall be for one (1) year only, subject to renewal; and (3) The practice of the foreign social
worker shall be subject to the applicable domestic laws and regulations.”

SECTION 4. Sections 23 and 26 of the same Act are hereby likewise amended as follows:

“SEC. 23. Registration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. – No social
welfare and development agency, as defined herein, shall operate and be accredited as such
unless it shall first have registered and secured a license with the Department of Social Welfare
and Development which shall then issue the corresponding registration certificate and license to
operate: Provided, That existing social welfare and development agencies at the time of approval
of this Act shall have a period of one (1) year within which to secure the corresponding
certificate of registration and license to operate.

Before any social welfare and development agency shall be duly registered and licensed, the
following requirements must be duly complied with to the satisfaction of the Department of
Social Welfare and Development:

(1) That the applicant must be engaged mainly or generally in social welfare and
development activities;

(2) That the applicant has employed a sufficient number of duly qualified staff
and/or registered social workers to supervise and take charge of its social welfare
and development activities in accordance with the set standards;
 (3) That the applicant must show in a duly certified financial statement that at
least seventy percent (70%) of its funds are disbursed for direct social work
services; and

(4) That the applicant keeps a record of all social development and/or welfare
activities handled by it.”

“SEC. 29. Penal Provisions. – The following shall be penalized with a fine of not less than one
hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than two hundred thousand pesos
(P200,000.00), or imprisonment for not less than six (6) months but not more than two (2) years,
or both, at the discretion of the court:

(a) Any person who shall practice or offer to practice social work in the
Philippines without being registered or exempted from registration in accordance
with the provisions of this Act;

(b) Any person presenting or attempting to use as one’s own, the certificate of
registration of another;

(c) Any person who shall give any false or fraudulent evidence of any kind to the
Board or any member thereof in obtaining a certificate of registration as social
worker;

(d) Any person who shall impersonate any registrant of like or different name;

(e) Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of
registration;

(f) Any person who shall in connection with one’s name, otherwise assume, use,
or advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that one is a
social worker without holding a valid registration;

(g) Any person who shall violate any provision of this Act; and

(h) Any person or corporate body who shall violate the rules and regulations of
the Board or orders promulgated by it, for the purpose of carrying out the
provisions of this Act.

Any person, corporation or entity operating as a social welfare and development agency, without
the corresponding valid Certificate of Registration and License to Operate issued by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development shall be penalized with a fine of not less than
one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than five hundred thousand pesos
(P500,000.00) and/or imprisonment for not less than one (1) year but not more than three (3)
years, at the discretion of the court. These penalties shall be without prejudice to the seizure of
equipment, instruments and other facilities of the social welfare and development agency.”

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Commission and the Board, in
consultation with the AIPO for social workers, academe and other relevant government and
nongovernmental agencies, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within
sixty (60) days after the effectivity of the law.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the other
provisions not affected thereby shall continue in operation.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, orders, decrees, issuances or any part or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,
 (Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR. (Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON
Speaker of the House President of the Senate
of Representatives

Senate Bill No. 3024, which was approved by the Senate on February 1, 2016, was adopted as an
amendment to House Bill No. 5549 by the House of Representatives on February 2, 2016.

(Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP (Sgd.) OSCAR G. YABES

Secretary General Secretary of the Senate
House of Representatives

Approved: MAY 23 2016

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

President of the Philippines

RA 9433

RA 9433 – An Act Providing For A Magna Carta For Public Social Workers

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9433 April 11, 2007

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC SOCIAL WORKERS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the Magna Carta for Public Social Workers”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State shall promote and improve the social and economic
well-being of public social workers, their living and working conditions, and terms of
employment. It shall develop their skills and capabilities to make them more responsive to the
needs and problems of their clients and better equipped in delivering social services and
programs. The State shall likewise encourage those with proper qualifications and excellent
abilities to apply and remain in social development work in the government service.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean as follows:

‘Social Work’ – refers to the profession which helps individuals, families, groups, and
communities develop, improve, maintain or restore their capability for coping with the demands
of their environment, through the use of social work methods and interventions;

‘Registered Social Worker’ refers to 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;

‘Public Social Worker’ refers to registered social worker employed in the government service;

‘Public Social Welfare and Development(b)Worker’ – refers to those employed in government

social welfare and development agencies;

‘CSC’ – refers to the Civil Service Commission;

‘DSWD’ – refers to the Department of Social Welfare and Development;

‘DOLE’ – refers to the Department of Labor and Employment;

‘DILG’ – refers to the Department of the Interior and Local Government;

‘NLRC’ – refers to the National Labor Relations Commission; and

‘PRC’ – refers to the Professional Regulations Commission.

SEC. 4. Coverage. – This Act shall cover all registered social workers employed in government
service.

SEC. 5. Recruitment and Qualifications. The selection and appointment of social workers shall
be in accordance with the merit and fitness principle.

All government social work agencies and institutions shall be headed by registered social
workers except for cabinet and non-career positions. Priority shall be given to registered social
workers in filling up social work positions in the government.

SEC. 6. Merit Promotion and Career System. A Social Work Management and Consultative
Council shall be created to prepare a uniform career and personnel development plan applicable
to public social workers. Such career and personnel development plan shall include provision on
merit promotion, performance evaluation, in-service training grants, job rotation, incentive
awards system and other policies that govern the social security of the social workers.

SEC. 7. Composition. – The Social Work Management and Consultative Council shall be
composed of representatives of the DSWD, CSC, DILG, DOLE, Philippine Association of Social
Workers, Inc. (PASWI), Association of Provincial/City and Municipal Social Welfare and
Development Officer of the Philippines, Inc. (APCMSWDOPI), the League of Provinces,
League of Cities and League of Municipalities. The Secretary of the DSWD or his/her
representative shall be the head of the Council.

SEC. 8. Classification of Social Work Personnel. – The Social Work Management and
Consultative Council shall develop a career ladder and classification system for all social work
positions in government service: Provided, That all position classification shall carry Social
Worker title.

SEC. 9. Code of Conduct. – All public social workers shall be guided by the Social Work Code
of Ethics as adopted by the Board of Social Work and as approved by the PRC within six months
from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 10. Normal Hours of Work. – The normal hours of work of any public social worker shall
not exceed eight hours a day or forty (40) hours a week. Hours of work shall include:

the time during which a public social worker is required to be on active duty or to be at a
prescribed workplace;

the time during which a public social worker is permitted to work; or

the time during which a public social worker is required in a place other than prescribed
workplace;

Provided, That, the time when a public social worker is placed on ‘On Call’ status shall not be
considered as hours worked but sha11 entitle the public social worker to an ‘On Call’ pay
equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of his/her regular wage. ‘On Call’ status refers to a condition
when public social workers are called upon to respond to urgent or immediate need or relief
work during emergencies such that he/she cannot devote the time for his/her own use: Provided,
further, That, no public social worker shall be placed in ‘On-Call’ status beyond seven days per
month. Public social workers can also teach or practice their profession after office hours.

SEC. 11. Overtime Work. – Where the exigencies of the service so require, any public social
worker may be required to render service beyond the normal eight hours a day, inclusive of
Saturdays, Sundays or nonworking holidays. In such a case, the public social worker shall be
paid an additional compensation in accordance with existing laws.

SEC. 12. Compensation. – The existing law on the salary scale of government employees shall
apply in determining the salaries of public social workers. In case of violations of this provision,
the public social worker concerned shall file the necessary complaint to the CSC or NLRC
through the Social Work Management and Consultative Council.
SEC. 13. Leave Benefits. – Public social workers shall be entitled to all leave benefits and
privileges, such as but not limited to maternity, paternity, vacation and sick leaves, as provided
for under existing laws: Provided, That upon separation of the public social workers from
service, they shall be entitled to all accumulated leave credits with pay.

SEC. 14. Highest Basic Salary Upon Retirement. – Upon retirement, a public social worker shall
automatically be granted an increase of one salary grade higher than his/her basic salary and
his/her retirement benefits shall be computed on the basis of his/her highest salary received.

SEC. 15. Other Benefits. – Aside from the benefits received as required under existing laws and
executive orders, the public social workers shall receive the following:

Hazard Allowance – Public social workers and public social welfare and development workers
assigned in remote and depressed areas, strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated
stations, mental hospitals, leprosaria, areas declared under a state of calamity or emergency
which expose them to great danger, volcanic activity/eruption, occupational risks or threats to
life shall be compensated with hazard allowance equivalent to at least twenty per centum (20%)
of the monthly basic salary.

Subsistence/Transportation Allowance – Public social workers who are required to render

services in communities, institutions, hospitals and other social work establishments in order to
make their services available at all times, shall be entitled to daily full subsistence allowance for
three meals which shall be computed according to prevailing circumstances. Those assigned out
of their regular work stations shall be entitled to per diem in place of this allowance. Actual
transportation allowance shall also be provided to public social workers on field work.

Housing and Living Quarters Allowance – All public social workers who are transferred to
another assignment due to the exigency of the service shall be entitled to free housing within the
agency concerned: Provided, That, if living quarters are not available within the agency and the
personnel has his/her residence outside of fifty (50) kilometers radius from such government
facility, he/she shall receive a housing allowance, and: Provided, further, That the rate of such
housing allowance shall be periodically adjusted for inflation.

Longevity Pay – A monthly longevity pay equivalent to five per centum (5%) of his/her latest
monthly basic pay shall be paid to a public social worker for every five years of continuous,
efficient and meritorious service rendered as certified by the chief of office concerned,
commencing with the service after approval of this Act.

Clothing Allowance – All public social workers shall be entitled to a minimum of One thousand
five hundred pesos (P1,500.00) clothing allowance annually, which amount shall be adjusted as
needed.

SEC. 16. Compensation From Injuries. Public social workers shall be protected against work-
related injuries in accordance with the Labor Code and Civil Service Law, as the case may be.
Injuries incurred while doing overtime work shall be presumed work-connected.

SEC. 17. Rights of a Public Social Worker. Public social workers shall have the following rights:

Protection from discrimination by reason of sex, sexual orientation, age, political or religious
beliefs, civil status, physical characteristics/disability, or ethnicity;

Protection from any form of interference, intimidation, harassment, or punishment, to include,

but not limited to, arbitrary reassignment or termination of service, in the performance of his/her
duties and responsibilities;

Join, organize, or assist organizations or unions for lawful purposes;

Protection from any act that will prevent his/her from applying professional interventions that the
client’s situation may require; and

Opportunities for continuing professional growth and development.

SEC. 18. Reassignment of Public Social Workers. Except in the interest of public service, no
transfer or geographical reassignment shall be made or effected without written notice to a public
social worker: Provided, That said written notice, stating the reasons for the reassignment, shall
be made at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of transfer or reassignment: Provided, further,
That, if the public social worker believes that there is no justification for the transfer and/or
reassignment, he/she may appeal his/her case to the CSC, which shall cause his/her transfer
and/or reassignment to be held in abeyance: Provided, furthermore, That reassignment
coinciding with any local or national election shall be made in compliance with Election Code
and other existing laws and rules: Provided, finally, That the necessary expenses of the transfer
and/or reassignment of the public social worker and his/her immediate family shall be paid for
by the agency concerned.

SEC. 19. Married Public Social Workers. Whenever possible, the proper authorities shall take
steps to enable married couples, both of whom are public social workers, to be employed or
assigned in the same municipality, but not in the same office: Provided, That it shall not apply to
married public social workers already assigned in the same office at the time this law takes
effect.

SEC. 20. Freedom from Interference or Coercion. It shall be unlawful for any person to commit
any of the following acts of interference or coercion:

To intimidate or force a public social worker to submit valuable documents that will violate the
principles of confidentiality of records agreed upon between him/her and the clientele groups:
Provided, That the release of such documents shall be approved by the clients concerned and
shall redound to their social well-being, and upon court order;

To prevent a public social worker from upholding and applying the basic social work principles
in carrying out the programs and services for the target client groups of the social work agency;

To intimidate in order to encourage or discourage membership in any social work organization or

union;

To prevent a public social worker from carrying out his/her duties and functions in the social
work organization or union or to penalize the public social worker for any lawful action
performed in that capacity;

To make calculated harassment and interference with the intention of intimidating or preventing
the public social worker from performing his duties and functions;

To make calculated harassment against, or, to transfer, penalize or terminate the services of a
public social worker who is carrying out his/her advocacy function role for and in behalf of
his/her clientele groups who are victims of social injustice.

SEC. 21. Human Resource Development. The DSWD shall conduct a periodic human resource
development and management study in the following areas:

Adequate facilities and resources to render quality social service to their clientele;

Opportunities for public social workers to grow professionally and to develop their potentials
and experience a sense of worth and dignity in their work;

Mechanism for democratic consultations;

Staffing patterns and standards of social work to ensure that the clients receive quality care;

Upgrading of working conditions, reclassification of positions and salaries of public social

workers to correct the disparity vis-a-vis other professions;

Allocation of funds for the participation of public social workers in seminars, conferences,
conventions and similar activities as part of their continuing professional growth.
SEC. 22. Security of Tenure. No public social worker holding a permanent position shall be
terminated except for cause: Provided, That, in the event the public social worker is found to be
unjustly dismissed by the CSC or the NLRC; as the case may be, he/she shall be entitled to
reinstatement without loss of seniority rights and back wages with twelve per centum (12%)
interest to be computed from the time his/her compensation was withheld from him/her up to the
time of reinstatement.

SEC. 23. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Social Work Management and Consultative
Council, upon consultation with the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice,
Welfare and Rural Development and the Chairperson of the House Committee on Social
Services, shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations, not inconsistent with any
provisions of this law, for the implementation of the Magna Carta for Public Social Workers.
The rules and regulations shall be promulgated within six months from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 24. Penal Provision. Any person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain or coerce any
public social worker in the exercise of his/her rights or shall in any manner commit any act in
violation of any of the provisions of this Act, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not
less than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) but not more than Forty thousand pesos
(P40,000.00) or imprisonment of not more than one year, or both, at the discretion of the court. If
the offender is a public official, the court, in addition to the abovementioned penalties, may
impose the additional penalty of disqualification from office.

SEC. 25. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid,
the remainder thereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC 26. Repealing Clause. All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, other issuances or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with this law are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 27. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least
two newspapers of general circulation.

Republic Act No. 9523

Signed on March 12, 2009

Republic of the Philippines

Congress of the Philippines

Metro Manila

Fourteenth Congress

Second Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-eight day of July, two thousand eight.

[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9523]

AN ACT REQUIRING THE CERTIFICATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL

WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD) TO DECLARE A “CHILD LEGALLY
AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION” AS A PREREQUISITE FOR ADOPTION PROCEEDINGS,
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8552,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE DOMESTIC ADOPTION ACT OF 1998, REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 8043, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION ACT OF 1995,
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 603, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CHILD AND YOUTH
WELFARE CODE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State that
alternative protection and assistance shall be afforded to every child who is abandoned,
surrendered, or neglected. In this regard, the State shall extend such assistance in the most
expeditious manner in the interest of full emotional and social development of the abandoned,
surrendered, or neglected child.

It is hereby recognized that administrative processes under the jurisdiction of the Department of
Social Welfare and Development for the declaration of a child legally available for adoption of
abandoned, surrendered, or neglected children are the most expeditious proceedings for the best
interest and welfare of the child.

SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

(1) Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is the agency charged to
implement the provisions of this Act and shall have the sole authority to issue the certification
declaring a child legally available for adoption.

(2) Child refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age or a person over eighteen (18) years
of age but is unable to fully take care of himself/herself or protect himself/herself from abuse,
neglect, cruelty, exploitation, or discrimination because of physical or mental disability or
condition.

(3) Abandoned Child refers to a child who has no proper parental care or guardianship, or whose
parent(s) have deserted him/her for a period of at least three (3) continuous months, which
includes a foundling.

(4) Neglected Child refers to a child whose basic needs have been deliberately unattended or
inadequately attended within a period of three (3) continuous months. Neglect may occur in two
(2) ways:

(a) There is physical neglect when the child is malnourished, ill-clad, and without proper shelter.
A child is unattended when left by himself/herself without proper provisions and/or without
proper supervision.

(b) There is emotional neglect when the child is maltreated, raped, seduced, exploited,
overworked, or made to work under conditions not conducive to good health; or is made to beg
in the streets or public places; or when children are in moral danger, or exposed to gambling,
prostitution, and other vices.

(5) Child Legally Available for Adoption refers to a child in whose favor a certification was
issued by the DSWD that he/she is legally available for adoption after the fact of abandonment or
neglect has been proven through the submission of pertinent documents, or one who was
voluntarily committed by his/her parent(s) or legal guardian.

(6) Voluntarily Committed Child is one whose parent(s) or legal guardian knowingly and
willingly relinquished parental authority to the DSWD or any duly accredited child-placement or
child-caring agency or institution.

(7) Child-caring agency or institution refers to a private non-profit or government agency duly
accredited by the DSWD that provides twenty-four (24) hour residential care services for
abandoned, neglected, or voluntarily committed children.

(8) Child-placing agency or institution refers to a private non-profit institution or government

agency duly accredited by the DSWD that receives and processes applicants to become foster or
adoptive parents and facilitate placement of children eligible for foster care or adoption.

(9) Petitioner refers to the head or executive director of a licensed or accredited child-caring or
child-placing agency or institution managed by the government, local government unit,
nongovernmental organization, or provincial city, or municipal Social Welfare Development
Officer who has actual custody of the minor and who files a certification to declare such child
legally available for adoption, or, if the child is under the custody of any other individual, the
agency or institution does so with the consent of the child’s custodian.
(10) Secretary refers to the Secretary of the DSWD or his duly authorized representative.

(11) Conspicuous Place shall refer to a place frequented by the public, whereby the notice of the
petition shall be posted for information of any interested person.

(12) Social Case Study Report (SCSR) shall refer to a written report of the result of an
assessment conducted by a licensed social worker as to the socio-cultural economic condition,
psychosocial background, current functioning and facts of abandonment or neglect of the child.
The report shall also state the efforts of social worker to locate the child’s biological
parents/relatives.

SEC. 3. Petition. — The petition shall be in the form of an affidavit, subscribed and sworn to
before any person authorized by law to administer oaths. It shall contain facts necessary to
establish the merits of the petition and shall state the circumstances surrounding the
abandonment or neglect of the child.

The petition shall be supported by the following documents:

(1) Social Case Study Report made by the DSWD, local government unit, licensed or accredited
child-caring or child-placing agency or institution charged with the custody of the child;

(2) Proof that efforts were made to locate the parent(s) or any known relatives of the child. The
following shall be considered sufficient:

(a) Written certification from a local or national radio or television station that the case was aired
on three (3) different occasions;

(b) Publication in one (1) newspaper of general circulation;

(c) Police report or barangay certification from the locality where the child was found or a
certified copy of a tracing report issued by the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), National
Headquarters (NHQ), Social Services Division, which states that despite due diligence, the
child’s parents could not be found; and

(d) Returned registered mail to the last known address of the parent(s) or known relatives, if any.

(3) Birth certificate, if available; and

(4) Recent photograph of the child and photograph of the child upon abandonment or admission
to the agency or institution.

SEC. 4. Procedure for the Filing of the Petition. — The petition shall be filed in the regional
office of the DSWD where the child was found or abandoned.

The Regional Director shall examine the petition and its supporting documents, if sufficient in
form and substance and shall authorize the posting of the notice of the petition in conspicuous
places for five (5) consecutive days in the locality where the child was found.

The Regional Director shall act on the same and shall render a recommendation not later than
five (5) working days after the completion of its posting. He/she shall transmit a copy of his/her
recommendation and records to the Office of the Secretary within forty-eight (48) hours from the
date of the recommendation.

SEC. 5. Declaration of Availability for Adoption. — Upon finding merit in the petition, the
Secretary shall issue a certification declaring the child legally available for adoption within seven
(7) working days from receipt of the recommendation.

Said certification, by itself, shall be the sole basis for the immediate issuance by the local civil
registrar of a foundling certificate. Within seven (7) working days, the local civil registrar shall
transmit the foundling certificate to the National Statistics Office (NSO).
SEC. 6. Appeal. — The decision of the Secretary shall be appealable to the Court of Appeals
within five (5) days from receipt of the decision by the petitioner, otherwise the same shall be
final and executory.

SEC. 7. Declaration of Availability for Adoption of Involuntarily Committed Child and

Voluntarily Committed Child. — The certificate declaring a child legally available for adoption
in case of an involuntarily committed child under Article 141, paragraph 4 (a) and Article 142 of
Presidential Decree No. 603 shall be issued by the DSWD within three (3) months following
such involuntary commitment.

In case of voluntary commitment as contemplated in Article 154 of Presidential Decree No. 603,
the certification declaring the child legally available for adoption shall be issued by the Secretary
within three (3) months following the filing of the Deed of Voluntary Commitment, as signed by
the parent(s) with the DSWD.

Upon petition filed with the DSWD, the parent(s) or legal guardian who voluntarily committed a
child may recover legal custody and parental authority over him/her from the agency or
institution to which such child was voluntarily committed when it is shown to the satisfaction of
the DSWD that the parent(s) or legal guardian is in a position to adequately provide for the needs
of the child: Provided, That, the petition for restoration is filed within three (3) months after the
signing of the Deed of Voluntary Commitment.

SEC. 8. Certification. — The certification that a child is legally available for adoption shall be
issued by the DSWD in lieu of a judicial order, thus making the entire process administrative in
nature.

The certification, shall be, for all intents and purposes, the primary evidence that the child is
legally available in a domestic adoption proceeding, as provided in Republic Act No. 8552, and
in an inter-country adoption proceeding, as provided in Republic Act No. 8043.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DSWD, together with the Council for
Welfare of Children, Inter-Country Adoption Board, two (2) representatives from licensed or
accredited child-placing and child-caring agencies or institutions, National Statistics Office, and
Office of the Civil Registrar, is hereby tasked to draft the implementing rules and regulations of
this Act within sixty (60) days following its complete publication.

Upon effectivity of this Act and pending the completion of the drafting of the implementing rules
and regulations, petitions for the issuance of a certification declaring a child legally available for
adoption may be filed with the regional office of the DSWD where the child was found or
abandoned.

SEC. 10. Penalty. — The penalty of One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) to Two hundred
thousand pesos (P200,000.00) shall be imposed on any person, institution, or agency who shall
place a child for adoption without the certification that the child is legally available for adoption
issued by the DSWD. Any agency or institution found violating any provision of this Act shall
have its license to operate revoked without prejudice to the criminal prosecution of its officers
and employees.

Violation of any provision of this Act shall subject the government official or employee
concerned to appropriate administrative, civil and/or criminal sanctions, including suspension
and/or dismissal from the government service and forfeiture of benefits.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. — Sections 2 (c) (iii), 3 (b), (e), and 8 (a) of Republic Act No. 8552,
Section 3 (f) of Republic Act No. 8043, Chapter 1 of Titles VII and VIII of Presidential Decree
No. 603, and any law, presidential decree, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative
order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SEC. 12. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional,
the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting.
SEC. 13. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.

Approved,

(Sgd.) PROSPERO C. NOGRALES

Speaker of the House of Representatives

(Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILE

President of the Senate

This Act which originated in the Senate Bill No. 2391 and House Bill No. 10 was finally passed
by the Senate and the House of Representatives on December 17, 2008.

(Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP

Secretary General House of Representatives

(Sgd.) EMMA LIRIO-REYES

Secretary of the Senate

Approved: MAR 12 2009

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

President of the Philippines