OPERATIONS

MANUAL
DSWD Memorandum Circular No. 17 Series of 2018

2020 Edition
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS................ 3
LIST OF ANNEXES ............................... 5
FOREWORD ............................................ 7
INTRODUCTION .................................. 8
LEGAL BASES ....................................... 9
DEFINITION OF TERMS ................... 12

Chapter 1 Registration of Private Agencies Applying as SWDAs

A. Coverage and Applicability ......... 21
B. Requirements .................................. 21
C. Fees and Charges ............................ 22
D. Registration Process....................... 22
E. Issuance and Validity of Registration Certificate 26
F. Amendment of Registration Certificate 27

Chapter 2 Licensing of Private SWDAs

A. Coverage and Applicability .........30
B. Requirements ..................................30
C. Criteria on Evaluating Applications 31
D. Fees and Charges ............................ 35
E. Licensing Process ........................... 35
F. Issuance of Certificate of License to Operate 41
G. Validity of the License Certificate41
H. Conditions and Sanctions for Non- Compliance 43
I. Renewal of License to Operate ... 48
J. Amendment of Certificate of License to Operate 48
K. Reportorial Requirements ............50
L. Benefits of Licensed SWDAs .......50

Chapter 3 Accreditation of SWD Programs and Services

A. Coverage and Applicability ......... 52
B. Accreditation Requirements ........ 52
C. Fees & Charges ............................... 53
 2

D. Standards for Accreditation ......... 53

E. Pre-Accreditation Assessment ..... 53
F. Process of Accreditation................ 55
G. Issuance and Validity of the Accreditation Certificate 59
H. Renewal of Accreditation ............ 60
I. Conditions and Sanctions for Non-Compliance 60
J. Amendment of Accreditation Certificate 61
K. Benefits of SWDAs with Accredited Programs and Services 62

Chapter 4 Other Activities on Regulatory Services

A. Monitoring of SWDAs ..................65
B. Provision of Orientation and Technical Assistance for SWDAs with
issued RLA ..............................................65
C. Information Dissemination .........67
D. ABSNET Participation and DSWD Intermediary 69

Chapter 5 Sanctions and Penalties …………….70

Annexes…………………………………71
ANNEX A: Registration Process Flowchart ……….74
ANNEX B: Licensing Process Flowchart……………75
ANNEX C: Accreditation Process Flowchart……….76
ANNEX D: RLA Related Guidelines……….76
ANNEX D: SB RLA Detailed Processes……….76
LIST OF 3

ABBREVIATIONS

ABSNET Area Based Standards Network

AO Administrative Order
CAB Cluster ABSNET
CORC Central Office Review Committee
CSC Civil Service Commission
DOLE Department of Labor and Employment
DSWD Department of Social Welfare and
Development
DTS Document Tracking System
EO Executive Order
FO Field Office
FO - SS Field Office – Standards Section
FORC Field Office Review Committee
ICTMS Information and Communication Technology
Management Service
IEC Information, Education and Communication
IP Indigenous People
IRR Implementing Rules and Regulations
LGU Local Government Unit
LSWDO Local Social Welfare and Development Office
MC Memorandum Circular
MOA Memorandum of Agreement
NCIP National Commission on Indigenous People
NGA National Government Agency
NGO Non-Government Organization
 4

P/C/MSWDO Provincial/City/Municipal Social Welfare and

Development Office
PWD Person with Disability
RA Republic Act
RAB Regional ABSNET
RD Regional Director
RLA Registration, Licensing and Accreditation
RSW Registered Social Worker
SB Standards Bureau
SC Senior Citizen
SECPA Security Paper
SCC Senior Citizen Center
SCMD Standards Compliance Monitoring Division
SEC Securities and Exchange Commission
SIPOC Service-Input-Process-Output-Customer
SMS Social Marketing Service
SS Standards Section
SWA Social Work Agency
SWD Social Welfare and Development
SWDA Social Welfare and Development Agency
TA Technical Assistance
 5
LIST OF ANNEXES

Annex A Registration Process Flowchart

Annex B Licensing Process Flowchart
Annex C Accreditation Process Flowchart
Annex D RLA Related Laws and DSWD Issuances
Annex E SB RLA Detailed Processes

Annex 1 DSWD-RLA-F001 Application Form for Registration

Annex 2 DSWD-RLA-F002 Application Form for Licensing
Annex 3 DSWD-RLA-F003 Application Form for Accreditation
Annex 4 DSWD-RLA-F004 Manual of Operation
Annex 5 DSWD-RLA-F005 Brochure
Annex 6 DSWD-RLA-F006 Accomplishment Report
Annex 7 DSWD-RLA-F007 List of Main and Satellite Office
Annex 8 DSWD-RLA-F008 Financial Report
Annex 9 DSWD-RLA-F009 Work and Financial Plan
Annex 10 DSWD-RLA-F010 Certification of free from Financial
Liability/Obligation
Annex 11 DSWD-RLA-F011 Declaration of Commitment
Annex 12 DSWD-RLA-F012 Suggested LSWDO/ABSNET
Certification of SWDA’s Existence
Annex 13 DSWD-RLA-F013 Suggested Certification of Hired Social
Worker
Annex 14 DSWD-RLA-F014 Registration Assessment Tool
Annex 15 DSWD-RLA-F015 Licensing Assessment Tool
(Intending to Operate)
Annex 16 DSWD-RLA-F016 Licensing Assessment Tool
(Already in Operation)
Annex 17 DSWD-RLA-F017 Certificate of Registration
Annex 18 DSWD-RLA-F018 Certificate of Registration and License to
Operate
Annex 19 DSWD-RLA-F019 Certificate of Accreditation
Annex 20 DSWD-RLA-F020 Profile of Clients/Beneficiaries Served
Annex 21 DSWD-RLA-F021 Profile of Governing Board
Annex 22 DSWD-RLA-F022 Profile of Employees
Annex 23 DSWD-RLA-F023 ABSNET Active Membership
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Annex 24 DSWD-RLA-F024 Accreditation Tool – Community Based

Annex 25 DSWD-RLA-F025 Application Form – Senior Citizen
Center
Annex 26 DSWD-RLA-F026 Accreditation Tool – Senior Citizen
Center
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FOREWORD

The Standards Bureau (SB), as the regulatory and quality assurance arm of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), develops quality
measures in the management of Social Welfare and Development Agencies
(SWDAs) and in the implementation of programs and services that will alleviate
poverty and empower disadvantaged individuals, families and communities for
an improved quality of life.

In addition to standards development, SB monitors compliance to set standards

and enforces laws and policies on the regulation of organizations whose programs
and services are in the purview of social work. These roles are vital to ensure that
national government agencies, non-government organizations, and local
government units implement and deliver quality social welfare and development
(SWD) programs and services to their respective beneficiaries.

This Operations Manual was developed in 2019 to guide the SB and the 16
Standards Sections (SS) of the Fields Offices in the implementation of DSWD’s
regulatory functions. However, due to feedback from end-users during its initial
implementation and the continuous development and policy enhancement, the
revision was made in 2020. The revised Operations Manual of MC 17 s2018 is
designed to provide guidance to SB and SS in the Registration and Licensing of
Private Agencies as SWDAs and Accreditation of SWD Programs and Services of
the agencies implementing or intending to implement social work activities. With
this Manual, I am confident that the SB and the SS staff can efficiently and
effectively deliver their duties.

CAMILO G. GUDMALIN
Undersecretary and Concurrent Head
Standards and Capacity Building Group
 8
INTRODUCTION A.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is mandated to set

standards, register, license, accredit and provide consultative services to
organizations engaged in social welfare and development (SWD) activities.
DSWD regulatory functions enable the public and private organizations
achieve and maintain the standards of SWD programs and services and to
ensure that the poor, marginalized, disadvantaged and vulnerable
individuals, families and communities receive services of quality in non-
discriminatory fashion.
Taking into consideration the various policies guidelines set by the
Department in governing the RLA of social welfare and development
agencies, the Department through the Standards Bureau, crafted this manual
guide to provide detailed procedure in the RLA process. While MC 17, Series
of 2018 or the Revised Guidelines Governing the Registration, Licensing of
Social Welfare and Development (SWD) Agencies and Accreditation of SWD
Programs and Services provides for the set of policies overseeing the process,
this manual focuses on the ‘how-to’ in carrying out the work of the SB and
the Standards Section (SS) in all sixteen (16) Field Offices (FOs). Further, this
manual provides for a uniformed interpretation of the said related guideline
for the assessors in their line of work.
 9
LEGAL BASES

The following are the bases of the provisions stated in this Manual:
1. Article II, Section 23. Declaration of Principles and State Policies of the
1987 Philippine Constitution provides that “the State policies shall
encourage non-governmental, community-based, or sectoral
organizations that promote the welfare of the nation”
2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 10847 of 2016 that amended Sections 23,
26 and 29 of RA 4373 – “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”
a. Section 4 of this law imposes that no social welfare agency shall
operate and be accredited as such unless it shall first have
registered and secured a license with the DSWD which shall then
issue the corresponding certificate of registration and license to
operate.
b. Section 4 also prescribes a stronger penalty for any person,
corporation or entity operating as a Social Welfare and
Development Agency (SWDA), without the corresponding valid
Certificate of Registration and License to Operate issued by the
DSWD.
3. 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) states that “the DSWD shall issue and promulgate policy
guidelines to implement the provisions of Section 4 of RA 10847 on the
registration of SWDAs.
4. Article IV of Sections 24 and 25 of Republic Act No. 4373 of 1965 states
that “No government agency or instrumentality shall give financial or
other aid to any social work agency unless that agency has been duly
registered with the Social Welfare Administration and “The Certificate
of Registration issued to any social work agency may be revoked if,
 10

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.”, respectively.
5. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 5416 of 1968 (Social Welfare Act of 1968)
and Section 3 of Chapter 1 of Executive Order 292 (Administrative Code
of 1987), Title XVI, indicate the DSWD’s powers and duties that
includes standards setting and policy formulation to ensure effective
implementation of public and private social welfare programs. The law
likewise mandate the DSWD to accredit institutions and organizations,
public and private, engaged in social welfare activity including the
licensing of child caring and child placement institutions and provide
consultative services, and to monitor the performance of social welfare
activities in both public and private sectors.
6. Section 24 of Chapter 10 Title XVI of Executive Order 292
(Administrative Code of 1987), indicates that (1) no social work agency
shall operate and be accredited as such unless it is registered with the
Department; (2) before any social work agency shall be duly registered,
it should comply with the requirements; and (3) certificate of
registration may be revoked if after due investigation, the Department
finds that the social work agency has failed to perform its function or
has violated existing laws, rules and regulations.
7. Section 26 of Chapter 10 Title XVI of Executive Order 292
(Administrative Code of 1987), indicate that No foster home, day care
center and other substitute parental arrangement shall operate unless it
is first registered with and licensed by the Department.
8. Articles 118 and 120 of Presidential Decree 603 (The Child and Youth
Welfare Code as amended) of 1977 and Section 25 of Chapter 10 of
Executive Order 292 (Administrative Code of 1987), Title XVI, which
states that no private person, natural or judicial, shall establish,
temporarily or permanently, any child welfare agency without first
securing a license from the DSWD. Further, these provision likewise
indicates that the DSWD may, after notice and hearing, suspend and
revoke the license of a child welfare agency on grounds stipulated.
 11

9. Sections 2 and 3 of Executive Order 221 Series of 2003 (Amending

Executive Order No. 15 series of 1998, entitled Redirecting the
Functions and Operations of the Department of Social Welfare and
Development) further emphasizes DSWD’s role in standards setting
and as licensor and accreditor of social welfare development agencies
and service providers. This law likewise mandates the DSWD to
provide consultative services to institutions, organizations, and
persons engaged in social welfare activities and monitor performance
of institutions, organizations and persons engaged in social welfare
activities, both public and private.
DEFINITION OF 12
TERMS

Accreditation – refers to the process of assessing a licensed Private Social

Welfare Agency 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.
Area Based Standards Network (ABSNET) – is an organization of DSWD
registered/licensed/accredited social welfare and development agencies
(SWDAs) it assists the DSWD in the implementation and monitoring of social
welfare and development programs and services, provision of technical
assistance and conduct of advocacy activities on regulatory services of the
Department.
Area/s of operation – refers to either direct or indirect implementation of
social welfare and development programs and services by a SWDA within
a specified geographical coverage or place over a period of time using its own
or tapped resources and conduits. Likewise, the SWDA’s principal office
where it conducts its administrative and communication function is
considered as an area of its operation.
For Social Work Agency, it constitutes presence of established branch,
office or facility of the SWDA with core staff complement that
implements the social welfare and development programs and services.
For Auxiliary SWDA, it constitutes an office or organized group or
community which has staff and/or written agreement or partnership
or cooperation to implement or take part in the implementation of the
SWDA’s SWD programs and services in the specified area/s.
Blacklisting – refers to the penalty disqualifying a SWDA from being
registered, licensed, or accredited perpetually or for a given period of time;
or a particular person from being an officer, member, or employee of a
particular SWDA.
Clients – refer to the poor, marginalized, disadvantaged, and vulnerable
individuals, groups, families and communities availing themselves of any of
the services offered by SWDAs, including but not limited to:
 13

 Abandoned, neglected, orphaned, voluntarily committed, abused

and exploited children, and other children in need of special
protection;
 Out-of-school youth and other youth with special needs;
 Women;
 Families, such as dysfunctional families;
 Persons with disabilities (PWDs);
 Senior citizens;
 Internally Displaced Individuals and communities such as
victims-survivors of natural or human-induced calamities or
disasters; and
 Indigenous peoples; and
 Individuals or groups in crisis situation/s.
Child-placing agency - refers to a private non-profit institution or
government agency duly licensed and/or accredited by the DSWD that
receives and processes applicants to become foster or adoptive parents and
facilitates placement of children eligible for foster care or adoption (RA No.
9523).
Delisting – refers to the process by which a registered/licensed/accredited
SWDA under the DSWD is removed from the list of
registered/licensed/accredited SWDA.
Intermediaries – refers to persons, groups, networks of SWDAs who are
oriented/trained and authorized by the DSWD to perform specific
function/s in the process of registration, licensing and accreditation.
License to Operate - refers to the legal permit issued by DSWD authorizing
to operate as social welfare and development agency, after having met or
complied with certain standards and requirements.
Licensing – refers to the process of assessing the qualifications and
authorizing a registered SWDA to operate as a SWA or as an Auxiliary
 14

SWDA. A License to Operate shall be issued after having complied with the
set criteria and all prescribed requirements.
Registered Social Worker – refers to a practitioner who has passed the Social
Work Licensure Examination, and is a holder of valid registration or
identification card issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission, with
accepted academic training and social professional experience; and 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 organizing) which are
designed to enable individuals, groups and communities to meet their needs
and to solve the problems of adjustment to a changing pattern of society, and
through coordinated action, to improve economic and social conditions.
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.
Registry – refers to the national roster of registered, licensed and/or
accredited SWDAs.
Revocation – refers to the cancellation of the registration, license or
accreditation certificates of a SWDA for the commission of any of the grounds
as provided for this guideline
Social Welfare and Development Agency (SWDA) - refers to a non-stock,
non-profit corporation, organization or association, implementing or
intending to implement either directly or indirectly social welfare and
development programs and services in the Philippines, and assessed as
having the capacity to operate administratively, technically and financially.
Its clients may include but not limited to the poor, disadvantaged, and
vulnerable individuals, groups, families and communities.
1. Public SWDA – those managed by the National Government
Agencies (NGAs) or Local Government Units (LGUs) which are
 15

exempted from registration and licensing but its SWD programs and
services are required to be accredited.
a. Residential facility are managed by DSWD and LGUs such as but
not limited to Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC),
Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY), Haven for
Women, Elsie Gaches Village (EGV), Sanctuary Center, and Home
for the Elderly etc.
b. Non-residential facility are managed by DSWD, NGAs and LGUs
such as but not limited to Senior Citizens Center (SCC), Vocational
Rehabilitation Center, and ECCD Center etc.
2. Private SWDA – are non-stock, non-profit organization duly
established and / or recognized under the Philippine laws performing
social welfare and development activities.
a. Social Work Agency (SWA) – a private SWDA that directly
engages in SWD programs and services whether Center based
and/or Community based using social work interventions,
whether case work, group work, or community organizing. It
employs the services of a full time or part time social worker. It is
classified into:
1. Center-based – refers to the SWD programs and services
rendered in a physical structure or facility. It is classified into:
 Residential – refers to provision of twenty-four (24) hour
group care services under the guidance of trained staff
within a structured therapeutic environment geared
towards rehabilitation.
 Non-Residential – refers to provision of programs and
services of trained staff in a physical structure for group of
clients for a number of hours in a day or several days but
not beyond two (2) weeks.
 16

2. Community-based – refers to the programs and services

rendered in the community while they remain in their homes
and/or with their families.
b. Auxiliary SWDA – a private SWDA which provides SWD
programs and services to clients indirectly through provision of
funds and/or in kind and/or capacitating staff of other SWAs
through training, research, and advocacy. It is classified into:
1. People’s Organization – refers to bona fide associations of
citizens with demonstrated capacity to promote the public
interest and with identifiable leadership, membership, and
structure, provided that they provide social welfare and
development services beyond its members.
2. Resource Agency – refers to an Auxiliary SWDA that provides
in cash (funds) and/or in kind such as food, clothing,
medicines, educational, shelter and programs and services
like Technical Assistance, training, research and advocacy
either to implementing SWDAs, or directly to clients.
3. SWD Network – refers to a group of SWDAs who organized
themselves for a common goal in promoting social protection
of the poor, the vulnerable and disadvantaged clients.
Social Welfare and Development Worker - refers to a social worker and/or
other professionals who are engaged in the delivery of SWD programs and
services of a SWDA.
Social Welfare and Development Programs and Services - The following are
the field of social work that are considered as social welfare and development
activities which must be consistent with the Articles of Incorporation and By-
Laws:
1. Child and Youth Welfare – it focuses on the well-being of children
and youth through the provisions of programs and services for
their physical, social, psychological, spiritual and cultural
development. The SWDAs would be working with children and
youth in need of special protection such as neglected, abandoned,
 17

poor, orphaned, with disabilities and/or in especially difficult

circumstances. Types of child and youth welfare services include:
 Direct service is rendered in the form of (i) assistance to
children in their own homes in the form of material
assistance, formal and/or informal educational services,
empowering to enhance their own well-being, problem-
solving in human relationships, health services, skills
training, job placement, guidance and counseling, day care;
and (ii) child placement through residential care in a
residential facility, foster care, and adoption.
 Indirect service is rendered in the form of (i) financing
through sponsorship and provisions of supplies and
equipment; and (ii) coordination to facilitate linkages and
avoid duplication among agencies with similar or related
services.
2. Family Welfare – it focuses on the improvement, strengthening
and support of the family in meeting its own need. It involves
programs, activities and measures that would prevent or resolve
problems of role performance and relationship that threaten the
stability of the family as a social unit. Services may include parent
effectiveness, marriage strengthening, and establishment of
community support programs and organization of parent
effectiveness service, livelihood/self S employment assistance,
responsible parenthood and family counseling, among others.
3. Women’s Welfare – it focuses on the protection, prevention and
rehabilitation of women in especially difficult circumstances. This
includes provision of temporary shelter, crisis intervention,
telephone hotline projects, community based programs that
undertake human rights education, assertiveness and gender
sensitivity training and organization of women’s group.
4. Senior Citizen’s (SC) Welfare – it focuses on services advocating
the equal rights, privileges and opportunities of older persons as
 18

productive members of society. Among the services provided in

this services are temporary shelter, counseling, referrals.
5. Persons with Disability (PWD) Welfare - it focuses on services for
the welfare of PWD who are suffering from restriction of different
abilities as a result of mental, physical or sensory impairment to
perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered
normal for a human being.
6. Community Welfare – it encompasses a variety of programs and
services with the main goal of promoting the well-being of the
communities. It deals on community development, which is a
process designed to create conditions of economic and social
progress for the whole community with its active participation
and the fullest possible reliance in the community initiative.
Social Work – refers to 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 the society by the use of
social work methods.
Social Work Methods – refers to a problem solving process carried out by a
social worker in order to solve problems of social functioning. These include
the following:
1. Case Work – refers to a social work method for helping
individuals cope with personal problems of social functioning.
(Dictionary of Social Work Philippine Setting 1987- Leonora de
Guzman)
2. Group Work – refers to a process and a method through which
individuals in groups are helped by a worker to relate themselves
to other people and to experience growth opportunities in
consonance with their needs and capacities. (Dictionary of Social
Work Philippine Setting 1987- Leonora de Guzman)
3. Community Organizing – refers to a social work method which
seeks to assist communities in meeting their needs and/or
 19

improving their living conditions. It helps people recognize,

analyze and rank their needs and problems and help them solve
with indigenous or created resources as much as possible. The
models of community organization are community development,
social action and social planning. (Dictionary of Social Work
Philippine Setting 1987 - Leonora de Guzman)
Suspension – refers to the penalty imposed on a SWDA in the form of
temporary cessation of operations for a period of a minimum of one (1) month
but not more than one (1) year.
Standards Compliance Monitoring – refers to a set of organized activities
conducted by authorized personnel of the SB and/or FO-SS or authorized
intermediary on a regular basis or on an agreed timeframe to keep track of
the status, upkeep and compliance in terms of operation of registered,
licensed and accredited SWDAs in accordance with established social welfare
and development standards.
Technical Assistance – signifies the provision of professional aid or support
by an authorized DSWD SB or FO-SS staff or ABSNET member to a SWDA
or applicant private agency to facilitate the process of RLA as part of their
role or function. It also covers providing these customers updates on good
practices, latest developments on SWD and the like through conferences,
workshops, coaching and other learning mechanisms.
 20

Chapter 1

Registration of
Private Agencies
Applying as SWDAs
 21

A. Coverage and Applicability

Any private SWDA that intends to engage in SWD activities shall apply
for registration with the Standards Bureau (SB) or concerned Field
Office-Standards Section (FO-SS) within six (6) months from
registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the
agency that gives juridical personality to an agency to operate in the
Philippines. Those already engaged in the implementation of SWD
programs and services must apply not just for registration but also for
a license to operate. A) Simultaneously with Registration; or B) Within
six (6) months from the time of application for Registration.

B. Requirements
To be registered, an applicant must show that it is legally qualified as a
SWDA. An applicant for registration as a SWDA shall submit the
following documentary requirements (one set only).
1. Duly Accomplished and Notarized Application Form
2. Updated Copy of Certificate of Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) 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:
a. Handbook or Manual Operations of its programs policies
and procedures to attain its purposes
b. Brochure
c. Duly signed Work and Financial Plan for at least two (2)
Years by the Head of Agency
 22

C. Fees and Charges

All applicant organizations shall be charged with the following fees:
NATURE AMOUNT (PhP)
Processing Fee upon application 1,000.00
Request for certified true copy of certificate 15.00/copy

D. Registration Process
The following charts and processes are specific for SB. The FOs are
given the guidance to craft their respective process steps, flowcharts
and citizens charter based on their existing structures and systems, as
long as they follow the timeline provided for the processing of
registration which is seven (7) working days.

1. SIPOC Matrix for the Registration

The diagram below shows relevant elements on Registration process.

Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customer

• SWDAs • Application • Updated SWDAs

• Undersecretary documents/ database
supervising SB forms • Certificate of
• Standards • Registration Registration
Bureau Assessment
Director Tool
• SCMD Division • Endorsement
Chief
• Team Leader
• SB SCMD Processes on the issuance of
Technical Staff Certificate of Registration for Private
• Support Staff Agencies applying as Social Welfare
and Development Agencies (SWDAs)

Receive Desk Review of Prepare Approve the

complete Submitted confirmation Certificate of
documents Documents report Registration
 23

2. Registration Process Steps

Step 1 The applicant agency shall submit all necessary documents
to obtain a Certificate of Registration as prescribed in
Memorandum Circular No. 17 series of 2018 Annex A.
Step 2 The Support Staff who is in charge of all incoming
documents shall receive these requirements and shall provide the
applicant Organization with an application reference number for
easy tracking and reference.
Step 3 For Walk – in applicants, the Officer of the Day assigned
by SB shall determine whether the submitted documents are
complete and compliant.
3a. If complete, the Officer of the Day shall endorse the
documents to the Support Staff and shall log the receipt of the
application documents to the Document Transaction
Management System (DTMS). Once encoded, this shall be
forwarded to the Incoming Support Staff of the Standards
Compliance Monitoring Division (SCMD).
 The Incoming Support Staff of SCMD shall endorse the
documents to the concerned Team Leader (TL) for routing
and assignment to the Technical Staff (TS).
 Within one (1) working day, the assigned Technical Staff
shall review the submitted documents as to completeness
and compliance. The submitted complete documents must
show that the applicant Organization must be engaged
mainly and generally in Social Welfare and Development
(SWD) Activities with the following means of verification:
1. The applicant’s primary purpose/s as indicated in
their Articles of Incorporation is/are within the
purview of SWD;
 24

2. Majority of the applicant’s purposes as indicated in

their articles of Incorporation are along the purview of
SWD;
3. Its predominant activities are on SWD; and
4. Its SWD activities are planned and/or conducted on a
regular basis/normal circumstances.
 If the applicant Organization satisfied the above-mentioned
criteria, the TS shall prepare a Confirmation Report together
with the draft Certificate of Registration. These shall be
submitted to the Team Leader for comments/inputs.

3b. If incomplete, the Officer of the Day shall return all submitted
documents accompanied by a checklist of requirements to the
applicant Organization’s compliance.

Step 4 For submissions through mail or courier, the Support Staff

shall log its receipt into the DTMS and route it whether it is
complete or not to the Assigned Technical Staff.
Step 5 Within one (1) working day, the Assigned Technical Staff
shall review the submitted documents as to completeness and
compliance. The submitted complete documents must show that
the Applicant organization must be engaged mainly or generally
in SWD Activities with the following means of verification:
i. The applicant’s primary purpose/s as indicated in their
Articles of Incorporation is/are within the purview of
SWD;
ii. Majority of the applicant’s purposes as indicated in their
articles of Incorporation are along the purview of SWD;
iii. Its predominant activities are on SWD; and
iv. Its SWD activities are planned and/or conducted on a
regular basis/normal circumstances.
Step 6 If found both complete and compliant, the Technical Staff
shall prepare a Confirmation Report together with the Draft
 25

Certificate of Registration for initial and signature of approving

authorities as prescribed in 2019 Manual of Delegation and
Delineation of Authority in the DSWD – AO 16 s2019. Two (2)
working days are given for this process. The confirmation report
must indicate the grounds for the cancellation of the Registration
Certificate, particularly the requirement that the SWDA must be
licensed within one year from the time of its Registration.
5a. The Support Staff shall assign a unique Registration Number for
the draft Certificate of Registration which shall be retained until
renewal of registration.
5b. If found incomplete or non-compliant, the Technical Staff
shall draft an Acknowledgement Letter containing the checklist of
requirements to be secured or accomplished. This shall be sent to
the applicant agency together with all the documents submitted
within two (2) working days.
Step 7 Cumulatively, the Team Leader and the Division Chief of
the Standards Compliance Monitoring Division (SCMD) shall
review and approve the Acknowledgement Letter within one (1)
working day.
Step 8 Within one (1) working day the SB Director shall review
and provide inputs to the prepared documents. If the letter is to
inform issuance of the Certificate of Registration, the Director
shall sign with initials before sending to the Undersecretary in
Charge for signature.
Step 9 If said letter is to inform non-compliance or lacking
documents, the Support Staff shall transmit these to the Records
Section for delivery to concerned SWDA.
Step 10 If compliant, the Undersecretary shall review and approve
or disapprove the Certificate of Registration within one (1)
working day.
Step 11 If the grant of registration is approved, the Undersecretary
shall sign the Certificate of Registration. If disapproved, the
 26

Undersecretary shall detail reasons for withholding endorsement

for action of SB.
Step 12 When the Certificate of Registration is signed by the
Undersecretary supervising SB, the Support Staff, shall informed
the Organization whether the Certificate of Registration is ready
for pick up or will be sent by courier.
Step 13 The Support Staff shall track the signed Certificate and the
Confirmation Report before releasing these to the SWDA. If this
will be sent through courier, the outgoing Support Staff shall send
the advance copy through the Organization official email and
endorse the acknowledgment letter and the certificate to the
RAMD for sending through courier.
Step 14 The data manager shall encode the details or information of
the SWDA into the Registry of SWDA and appropriately mark it
as registered.

*For more detailed processes, please refer to annex E.

3. Registration Process Flowchart

Please see Annex A

E. Issuance and Validity of Registration

Certificate
After complying with all the requirements for registration, a Certificate
of Registration shall be issued to the agency, stating that the DSWD
confirms the agency as a SWDA, thus shall be included in the Registry.
A Security paper shall be used for the issuance of Certificates.
The Certificate of Registration shall be valid within the effectivity
period of SEC Registration but shall be subjected for cancellation
due to any of the following grounds:
 27

 The SWDA operates without corresponding license to

operate after a year of its registration.
 The SWDA has not applied for License to Operate due to
non-operation within a year of Registration.
 The DSWD issued License to Operate has been expired for
1 year and/or has been revoked.

F. Conditions and Sanctions

for Non-Compliance
1. Registered SWDAs failed to apply for Licensing within a year of
Registration
If the SWDA does not apply for licensing to DSWD within a year
of its Registration, its Registration Certificate shall automatically
be cancelled and the SWDA shall be dropped from the Registry.
The SWDA shall be informed in writing by the concerned FO or
SB of this action.
2. Registered SWDA is already in operation without a License to
Operate
If the registered SWDA is found already in operation upon
monitoring visit, Technical Assistance must be provided towards
the issuance of its License to Operate within the remaining period
of its first year of operation. The SWDA must not admit
additional clients while the License to Operate is on process.

G. Amendment of Registration Certificate

1. DSWD Certificate of Registration may be amended and or
replaced due to any of the following circumstances:
a. Change of Name and/or Office Address
 28

b. Loss of Certificates
c. Typographical Error
2. On such instances, the concerned SWDA shall file a letter of
request for an amendment and or replacement of its certificate,
addressed to the SB or FO-SS which issued the existing
Registration Certificate. The letter of request should be
supported with the following documents:
a. For Change of Name or Address: Amended SEC
Certificate/Articles of Incorporation, Previously Issued
Certificate of Registration, and Board Resolution for
change of address.
b. For Loss of Certificates: Notarized Affidavit of Loss, Request
for Replacement
c. For Typographical Error: Request for amendment;
Certificate to be replaced.
 29

Chapter 2

Licensing of
Private SWDAs
 30

A. Coverage and Applicability

All registered private SWDAs that are not yet in operation upon
registration, shall apply a license to operate within one (1) year upon
issuance of Registration Certificate.
Those already engaged in the implementation of SWD programs and
services must apply not just for registration but also for a license to
operate simultaneously.

B. Requirements
Please refer to annexes of the existing guidelines.
For the purpose of compliance with RA 11032 or The Ease of Doing
Business Act, the documentary requirements submitted during the
registration process that are also required for licensing (given that no
changes was made as attested by the applicant organization) shall be
deemed acceptable during the licensing application process. All
documents with expired validity will have to be renewed or updated.
In a certain situation that an applicant organization already in
operation submitted incomplete requirements for Licensing but with
complete requirements for Registration, the SB or FO-SS shall accept
the requirements and shall proceed with the registration process.
However, an Action Plan indicating the requirements and timeframe of
compliance to Licensing shall be prepared and signed before the
organization leaves the DSWD premises. A maximum of six (6) months
shall be given to the organization to comply with the licensing
requirements. Likewise, a copy of the Action Plan for conforme of the
organization shall be provided. This is in compliance of the Department
to the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Memorandum Circular 2019-
002 Series of 2019 or the “Guidelines on the implementation of the Citizens
Charter in compliance to Republic Act 11032 otherwise known as “Ease of
 31

Doing Business (EODB) and Efficient Service Delivery Act of 2018” and its
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR)”. Since this are two (2)
different processes, the applicant shall not be refrained on availing a
certain service that will not have implication on the other.

C. Criteria on Evaluating Applications

Assessment of the application of SWDA for licensing, should consider
the following pursuant to Section 4 of RA 10847 of 2016 and as provided
in Section VII.2.3 of the MC 17 s2018 guidelines:
# CRITERIA MEANS OF VERIFICATION
1 Applicant must be The documentary requirements must
engaged mainly or show that:
generally in SWD
a. The applicant’s primary purpose/s as
activities.
indicated in their Articles of
Incorporation is/are within the
purview of social welfare and
development;
b. Majority of the applicant’s purposes as
indicated in their Articles of
Incorporation are along the purview of
social welfare and development;
c. Its predominant activities are on social
welfare and development; and
d. Its social welfare and development
activities are planned and/or
conducted on a regular basis/normal
circumstance.
 SWD activity/ies must be
implemented for a minimum of four

# CRITERIA
2 In case a new applicant Rationale
SWDA applying to Operations/Copy of Research conducted
operate a residential care on a particular Sector/ Situationer.
facility, the applicant must
establish the need for a
residential facility serving
a particular sector and the
absence of related facility
to cater them.
3 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 and/or social
work interventions in
accordance with the set
standards;
32
MEANS OF VERIFICATION
(4) months in a year (regardless if
continuous or staggered).
in the Manual of
Certification indicating a full time
Registered Social Worker/s to supervise
and take charge of its social work functions
for residential care agencies and
community based agencies that caters to
beneficiaries that requires case
management to include but not limited to
child placement, children in conflict with
the law (CICL), crisis center, and drop-in
center.
1. For Social Work Agency, to consider the
following staff requirement:
a. For Center Based (Residential
Based), to follow the Social Worker –
Client and House Parent – Client
ratios per existing standards.
b. For Center Based (Non-Residential
Based), to follow the worker: client
ratio per existing standards except
for senior citizen’s center and the
like, a part-time social worker is
considered.
 33

# CRITERIA MEANS OF VERIFICATION

c. For Community Based, to follow the
worker: client ratio per existing
standards.
2. For Auxiliary SWDA, at least one (1)
full time staff who will manage its
operations
For those intending to operate, a
certification of plan to hire the required
staff complement within the duration of
the probationary period of the certificate
to be issued by the DSWD may suffice.
4 Applicant must submit a a. Agency’s Audited Financial Statement
duly certified financial (applicable only to operational SWDAs)
statement that at least
 If the total expenses incurred
seventy percent (70%) of
exceeded the amount of ₽500,000.00
its funds are disbursed for
an external Certified Public
direct social work services
Accountant will have to certify the
while 30% of the funds are
financial report. However, for those
disbursed for
with a total expense below
administrative services.
₽500,000.00 the internal
accountant/treasurer of the agency
concerned shall prepare and certify
the financial report.
b. Work and financial plan for the two
(2) succeeding years
c. The following are the expenses
considered for programs and
administrative cost:
1. Program expenses – refers to cost or
valuation of items, goods and basic
services that are directly
 34

# CRITERIA MEANS OF VERIFICATION

consumed/availed by/spent for the
benefits of the beneficiaries such as:
1.1 Basic Services – are services
addressing the basic needs of the
beneficiaries such as food, clothing
and shelter. This also include social
services that contribute to the healing
and rehabilitation of the beneficiaries
and other support services such as
legal, educational, socio-cultural
health and nutrition, livelihood and
referral services as well as salaries
and benefits of program staff.
1.2 Consumable Goods – refers to
goods that directly benefit the
beneficiaries while at the residential
facility such as: electricity, water and
communications e.g. telephone,
mails, internet, tri-media
publications.
2. Administrative expenses - refers to
operational expenses of the agency or
the organization enabling them to
manage their day to day
operation/transactions such as, but not
limited to office rentals, repairs and
maintenance of the office fixture and
equipment, taxes, utilities, salaries and
benefits of administrative staff.
Likewise, salary rate and working hours
of the SWDA’s employees must be in
accordance with the policies of Civil
 35

# CRITERIA MEANS OF VERIFICATION

Service Commission (CSC) or
Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE) following Philippine laws.
5 The SWDA must have a a. Notarized certification from the Board
financial capacity to of Trustees and/or the funding agency to
operate for at least two (2) financially support the SWDA’s operate
years for at least two (2) years. (to be required
also to those intending to operate)
b. Work and financial plan for the two (2)
succeeding years
6 Applicant keeps a record a. Updated list of program and project
of all social development records that the SWDA maintained, if
and/or welfare activities it applicable.
implements.
b. Accomplishment Report

D. Fees and Charges

All applicant Private SWDAs shall be charged with the following fees:
NATURE AMOUNT (PhP)
Processing Fee upon application 1,000.00
Request for certified true copy of certificate 15.00/copy

E. Licensing Process
The following charts and processes are specific to SB. The FOs are given
the guidance to craft their respective process steps, flowcharts, and
citizens charter based on their existing structures and systems, as long
 36

as they follow the timeline provided for the processing of license, which
is twenty (20) working days.

1. SIPOC Matrix of Licensing Process

The diagram below shows relevant elements on licensing process.

Suppliers Inputs Processes Outputs Customers

• SWDAs • Application
• Updated SWDAs
• Undersecretary forms
database
supervising SB • Complete
• License to
• Standards Documentary
Operate
Bureau Requirements
(LTO) in
Director • Processing fee
Security
• SCMD Division • Licensing
Paper
Chief Assessment
• Team Leader Tool
• SB SCMD • Travelling
Technical Staff allowance and
• Support Staff per diem

Processes on the issuance of License to Operate to

Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs)

Receive Approve
Review Conduct Prepare Review
Certificate of
complete Validation confirmation validation
documents License to
document Assessment report results
Operate
s

2. Licensing Process Steps

Step 1 The applicant SWDA shall submit all documents necessary
for the issuance of a License to Operate as prescribed by Memorandum
Circular No. 17 series of 2018 Annex B either an Auxiliary SWDA or a
Social Work Agency.
 37

Step 2 The Support Staff who is in charge of all incoming

documents shall receive these requirements and shall provide the
applicant SWDA with an application reference number for easy
tracking and reference.
Step 3 For Walk – in applicants, the Officer of the Day assigned
by SB shall determine whether the submitted documents are complete
and compliant.
3.a. If incomplete, the Officer of the Day shall return all submitted
documents accompanied by a checklist of requirements to the
applicant SWDAs compliance.

3.b. If complete, the Officer of the Day shall endorse the documents to
the Support Staff and shall log the receipt of the application
documents to the Document Transaction Management System
(DTMS). Once encoded, this shall be forwarded to the Incoming
Support Staff of the Standards Compliance Monitoring Division
(SCMD).

Step 4 For application submitted through mail or courier, the

Support Staff who is in charge of all incoming documents shall log its
receipt into the DTMS and route to SCMD Support Staff for tracking
and reference.

Step 5 The Incoming Support Staff of SCMD shall endorse the

documents to the concerned Team Leader (TL) for routing and
assignment to the Technical Staff (TS).

Step 6 Within two (2) working days, the assigned Technical Staff
shall review the submitted documents as to completeness and
compliance. The submitted complete documents must satisfy the
criteria indicated on Chapter 2, Section C. of this Operations Manual.

 If the applicant Organization satisfied the above-mentioned

criteria, the TS shall prepare a prepare an Acknowledgement
Letter indicating the proposed schedule of Validation Visit. The
 38

draft letter shall be submitted to the Team Leader for review and
initial.

6a. If complete and compliant, an Acknowledgement Letter

and notification on the proposed schedule conduct of Validation
Visit shall be prepared by Technical Staff for approval of the
Team Leader, Division Chief and the SB Director. All routed
through the SCMD Support Staff for tracking purposes.

6b. If found incomplete or non-compliant, the

Acknowledgement Letter prepared shall contain the checklist of
requirements to be secured or complied. This will be sent to the
applicant SWDA together with all the application documents
submitted.

Step 7 Cumulatively, the Team Leader and the Division Chief

shall review and approve the Acknowledgement Letter including its
attachments within one (1) working day.

Step 8 The Office of the SB Director shall review and/or provide

inputs on the prepared documents within one (1) working. Once
approved, the SB Director shall sign the Acknowledgement Letter.
 Once signed, whether for completion or for notice of visit, the
Support Staff will transmit the Acknowledgement Letter with a
checklist of requirements to the RAMD for delivery to concerned
SWDA.

Step 9 The Assessment Visit shall be conducted on the agreed date

to be conducted within one (1) working day. For those operating more
than one (1) region, the Main Office is subject for visit by SB. During the
assessment visit, the Technical Staff shall be guided by the following:

i. The licensing criteria in assessing the readiness of the

applicant SWDA administratively, technically and
financially;
ii. Assessment tool to assess and validate further the results of
the documents review; and
 39

iii. The Institutional Development Group Memorandum No. 2

Series of 2015 entitled “Protocol and code of Ethics for
DSWD Assessors and/or Accreditors Implementing
Regulatory Services”.

 During the exit conference, the Technical Staff must ensure that
the Head of the SWDA or its Authorized Representative has
signed the Assessment Tool and the Action Plan (as applicable).

 Before leaving the SWDA, the technical staff must ensure that the
Customer Feedback Satisfaction Form is filled-up by the Head or
its Authorized Representative, and is returned to the technical
staff in a sealed envelope.

Step 10 The Technical Staff shall prepare the Confirmation Report

on the visit within three (3) working days after the assessment visit.

9a. If favorable, the Technical Staff shall draft the Confirmation

Report and Certificate of License to be routed and tracked at all
levels from the Team Leader, Division Chief, SB Director and the
Undersecretary supervising SB for signature and approval (as
prescribed in 2019 Manual of Delegation and Delineation of
Authority in the DSWD – AO 16 s2019).

9b. If not favorable, the Technical Staff shall detail the Assessor's
Findings in the Confirmation Report. After the Assessment Visit,
the SWDA shall comply with the agreed Action Plan within six
(6) months. Should the concerned SWDA fail or refuse to comply
with these findings, the sanctions as specified in this Manual shall
be enforced.

Step 11 Cumulatively, the Team Leader and the Division Chief of

SCMD shall review and provide inputs to the prepared report within
five (5) working days.

Step 12 The SB Director is given one (1) working day to review a

favorable report and two (2) working days for those with unfavorable
findings.
 40

Step 13 For those with unfavorable findings, the Support Staff shall
send the Confirmation Report to the SWDA after the SB Director signed
it.

Step 14 The Undersecretary shall review and sign the License

within two (2) working days.

14a. If approved, the Undersecretary shall sign the License

Certificate.

14b. If disapproved, the Undersecretary shall provide details

regarding withholding of endorsement for action of SB.

Step 15 Once the License Certificate is signed by the

Undersecretary, the Support Staff, shall inform the SWDA whether the
License Certificate is ready for pick-up or will be sent by courier.

Step 16 The Support Staff shall track the signed Certificate of

License to operate and the Confirmation Report before releasing these
to the SWDA. If this will be sent through courier, the outgoing Support
Staff shall send the advance copy through the SWDAs official email and
endorse the Confirmation Report and the certificate to the RAMD for
sending through courier.

Step 17 The Data Manager shall encode details/information of the

SWDA into the Registry of SWDA and appropriately mark it as
licensed. This is the end of the issuance process.

*For more detailed processes, please refer to annex E.

3. Licensing Process Flowchart

Please see Annex B
 41

F. Issuance of Certificate of License to

Operate
After having complied with requirements for licensing, a Certificate of
License to Operate shall be issued. Based on assessment, the license
shall indicate whether it is a SWA or Auxiliary SWDA. A Security
Paper shall be used for issuance of License Certificate.
Only one Certificate of License to Operate shall be issued to qualified
SWDA regardless of the coverage of its operation or the number of
facilities it operates. The specific locations of its operation and its
facilities must be explicitly indicated in the Certificate of License to
Operate.
If the SWDA is operating as both SWA and Auxiliary SWDA, the
License Certificate shall indicate that it is primarily licensed as a SWA,
though the areas of operation where it functions as an Auxiliary SWDA
shall also be indicated.

G. Validity of the License Certificate

The License to Operate is valid for three (3) years, unless earlier
suspended or revoked.

As prescribed on the Department Memorandum Circular No. 16 Series

of 2018 (Guidelines on Handling of Complaints against SWDAs). The
following are grounds for suspension and revocation:

1. For Suspension
a. The registration, license or accreditation of a SWDA shall be
suspended for a period of a minimum of one (1) month and
 42

not more than one year, for the second commission of any of
acts or omissions penalized by Reprimand.
b. If any of the following acts occur, the registration, license
and/or accreditation certificate of concerned SWDA shall be
suspended, even the case are still under investigation or
deliberation:
1. Use of SWDA for immoral purposes, such as but not
limited to trafficking, gambling, prostitution, money
laundering and terrorist financing.
2. Neglect, exploitation and abuse of SWDA clients.
c. If the concerned SWDA is operating in more than one (1)
region, and/or has more than one facility, but committed a
violation in only one (1) region or one (1) facility, the following
shall apply:
1. If the violation of the SWDA affects its operations in
more than one region, the entire operations of the SWDA
shall be suspended.
2. Otherwise, only the operations of the SWDA in the
region or the facility where the violation occurred shall
be suspended.

2. For Revocation
The registration, license or accreditation of a SWDA shall be revoked
for the third commission of any of acts or omissions penalized by
Reprimand, and for any of the following acts:

a. Use of SWDA for immoral purposes, such as but not limited to

trafficking, gambling, prostitution, money laundering and
terrorist financing.
b. Neglect, exploitation and abuse of SWDA clients.
c. Mismanagement of funds.
d. Falsification of requirements for registration, licensing, or
accreditation.
e. Cessation of operations as a SWDA.
f. Violation of laws or regulations.
g. Revocation of the SWDA’s registration with the SEC or other
regulatory agencies.
 43

h. Other analogous causes.

H. Conditions and Sanctions for Non-

Compliance
1. For Non-Compliant SWDAs applying for License to
Operate (already in operation), as provided in Section X.1
(Other Penalties and Sanctions for Unlicensed
Organization) of DSWD Memorandum Circular No. 16
Series of 2018, the following shall be the protocol:
a. Unlicensed Organization
i. If any party learns of an Unlicensed Organization, the
same shall be reported to the Standards Bureau or to
the appropriate FO. The concerned FO shall then
inform the Standards Bureau, or vice versa.
ii. The Standards Bureau and the concerned FO shall
then coordinate to provide the necessary Technical
Assistance to the Unlicensed Organization. At the
same time, the Standards Bureau shall require the
Unlicensed Organization to apply for registration and
licensing.
iii. If upon the lapse of the period given by the Standards
Bureau, the Unlicensed Organization continues to
operate yet failed or refused to apply for registration
and licensing, the matter shall be referred to the Legal
Service. The Legal Service shall then initiate the
appropriate legal action against the Unlicensed
Organization and the individuals involved therewith.
iv. Simultaneously, the Secretary shall issue an order for
the closure of such Unlicensed Organization.
v. The needed coordination with the law enforcement
shall be done by the concerned FO to implement the
Closure Order.
 44

2. Failure to renew the License to Operate

a. If the SWDA fails or refuses to renew its License to Operate
within the given period, it automatically loses its legal
authority to operate as a SWDA.

b. If the SWDA fails or refuses to apply, within three (3)-

month from the time of expiration of its License to operate,
it shall be notified by the concerned SB or FO-SS to renew
its License. A three (3)-month grace period shall be given to
the SWDA to comply with the requirements and criteria for
licensing. If the SWDA still fails or refuses to comply
despite the grace period given, the concerned SB or FO-SS
shall refer the matter to the Legal Service for appropriate
action. Simultaneously, the SB or the FO-SS shall take the
following actions:
i. Within thirty (30) working days after the grace period
provided, the concerned FO-SS (for operating in one
region) or SB (for those operating in more than one
region) shall conduct further validation on the
existence of the SWDA and determine the status of its
clientele.
ii. If the SWDA expressed disinterest in renewing its
License to Operate, it must surrender the original
copy of issued registration and license certificate to
the concerned FO-SS or SB.
iii. Either the SWDA expressed disinterest or no longer
exists in the area, within fifteen (15) working days
after the validation (as stated in item c.1.), the
concerned FO-SS or SB shall submit a report to the
Field Office Review Committee (FORC) or Central
Office Review Committee (CORC) regarding the
result of the validation. The said offices shall:
 45

 For SWDA’s operating within one (1) region:

Within seven (7) working days, FO-SS shall submit
report approved by the Regional Director to SB on
SWDA’s closure. Within three (3) days upon
receipt of FO’s report the SB shall then delist the
name of the SWDA from the roster of DSWD
registered, licensed and accredited SWDAs.

 For SWDA operating in more than one (1) region:

Seven (7) working days after validation
assessment, SB shall delist the name of the SWDA
from the roster of DSWD registered, licensed and
accredited SWDAs.

iv. Within fifteen (15) working days, CORC and FORC

shall deliberate the welfare and protection of clients
affected by the SWDAs with expired license and those
which have not initiated efforts to renew within the
maximum period given.
v. Within ten (10) days after deliberation, CORC or
FORC shall issue a resolution to affirm the SWDA’s
closure. A comprehensive transitory plan on the
clients’ case management and records shall be
prepared.

vi. SB or concerned FO shall inform the concerned

agencies e.g. SEC, LGU-Sangguniang Bayan
/Panglungsod/ Panglalawigan through the
Provincial/City/Municipal Social Welfare and
Development Offices (P/C/MSWDOs), and Business
Permit and Licensing Office on the status of the
SWDA for their appropriate action and/or
information.
 46

3. For SWDAs with valid license to operate which are

monitored but have not sustained its compliance:
SB or FO-SS shall send a Notice to Comply with the SWDA
indicating that it is given a period of one (1) to three (3) months
to comply with the unsustained requirements. If the SWDA is still
not able to comply within the period, a second Notice to Comply
shall be sent, giving the SWDA an additional one (1) month to
comply with the requirements. Otherwise, Memorandum
Circular no. 16 Series of 2018 (Guidelines on Handling
Complaints against SWDAs) shall apply.

4. If the SWDA fails to submit annual accomplishment

reports for two (2) consecutive years, it shall be subject
for reprimand, as provided in the DSWD Memorandum
Circular no. 16 Series of 2018 the following activities shall
be undertaken by the concerned DSWD Office:
a. Provide Technical Assistance to the SWDA, if necessary, and
assess the measures to resolve or remedy the violation or
complaint, or the cause thereof.
b. Conduct an evaluation during the last month of the
implementation of the SWDA’s Action Plan in relation to the
cause of reprimand. The results of the evaluation shall be the
basis for recommending appropriate action to be taken.
c. Within thirty (30) working days upon receipt of the Order of
Reprimand, the FORC and the CORC, with the assistance of
the Standards Section and/or Standards Bureau, shall monitor
the implementation of the decision and the completion of
activities and the SWDA’s Action Plan. This may include the
following:
i. Actions relative to the SWDA, if applicable:
 47

a. Provide the needed technical assistance in relation to

the implementation of the Action plan.
b. Termination or suspension of operations, if
applicable.
c. Disposition of properties or assets in accordance with
the SWDA’s By-Laws.
ii. Actions relative to clients:
a. In coordination with the concerned FO, identification
of SWDAs with similar services for possible transfer
of clients.
b. Actual transfer to the identified SWDA of clients,
including records and case management files.
d. Decisions imposing the penalty of Reprimand shall be
reported by the concerned FO to the Standards Bureau,
including all pertinent information regarding the concerned
SWDA and including the activities to be and had been
undertaken. The Standards Bureau shall then consolidate the
reports from the FOs, including those operating nationwide,
for submission to the Secretary.

5. If SWAs fail to apply for accreditation (all

programs/facilities covered by its License) within the
three (3)-year validity period of its License to Operate:
a. It shall be notified six (6) months prior to the expiration of
its license, as a reminder on requirement. This is to give
lead time for the SWA to file its application for the
accreditation of its SWD program/s. Efforts, such as
Technical Assistance must be provided to the SWDA by
the SB or FO-SS relative to its compliance to accreditation
and renewal its License to Operate including mobilization
of ABSNET Officers.

b. If this requirement is not fulfilled until the License to

Operate expires, Chapter 2, Section H.2 (Failure to Renew
the License to Operate) of this manual shall apply.
 48

I. Renewal of License to Operate

SWDAs shall apply for renewal to SB or concerned FO-SS following the
requirements and procedures of this guideline within ninety (90)
working days before expiration of the license to operate issued to them.
SWAs shall apply for accreditation of its programs and services within
the three (3)-year validity period of the issued license to operate. This
is a requirement in the renewal of the SWA’s License to Operate.
Upon renewal, the assigned License Number shall be retained as
provided in DSWD Memorandum Circular no. 17 Series of 2018.
However, the new three-year validity period shall be indicated in the
renewed Certificate of License to Operate.

J. Amendment of Certificate of License to

Operate
The DSWD License to Operate may be amended and or replaced due to
any of the following circumstances:
1. Change of Name and/or Office Address,

2. Expansion of Program Implementation and/or Area/s of

Coverage,
3. Transfer of Areas of Operation/s,

4. Loss of Certificates,

5. Typographical Error, and/or

6. Recommendation to close an Area of Operation

 49

On such instances, the SWDA shall file a letter of request for an

amendment and or replacement of its certificate, addressed to the
concerned SB or FO-SS which issued the existing License to Operate.
The letter of request should be supported with the following
documents:
1. For Change of Name or Address: Amended SEC Certificate/Articles
of Incorporation, Previously Issued Certificate of Registration
and License to Operate, Board Resolution for change of
address/name. In this case, the Registration and License to
Operate must be applied for replacement simultaneously.
2. For Expansion of Program Implementation and/or Area/s of Coverage:
Updated Work and Financial Plan; Updated Manual of
Operations; Updated Profile of Employees; Validation of
LSWDOs/ABSNET; Previously Issued License to Operate;
Compliance to applicable Safety Certificates; compliance to
required number of staff.
3. For Transfer of Areas of Operation/s: Amended SEC Certificate;
Updated Manual of Operations; Updated Work and Financial
Plan; Updated Profile of Employees; Board Resolution; Validation
report from concerned regional office (FOs where the SWDA will
leave from/go to); previously Issued License to Operate.
4. For Loss of Certificates: Notarized Affidavit of Loss; Request for
Replacement.
5. For Typographical Error: Request for amendment; Certificate to be
replaced.
6. For an Area of Operation which recommended for closure: Copy of
CORC or FORC Decision; Certificate to be replaced.
The License Number and Validity Period of the amended or replaced
certificate shall be retained.
 50

K. Reportorial Requirements
All licensed SWDAs shall submit to the DSWD SB or concerned FO-SS,
their annual accomplishment within the 1st quarter of the succeeding
year using the DSWD template.
Failure to submit the said report for two (2) consecutive years shall
result to imposition of sanctions as provided in Chapter 2, Section H.4
of this manual shall apply.

L. Benefits of Licensed SWDAs

A licensed SWDA shall be entitled with the following benefits and
incentives:
1. Eligible to become member of Area Based Standards Network
(ABSNET);
2. Participation in DSWD’s capability building and skills
enhancement;
3. Endorsement for duty exempt importation of foreign
donations subject to compliance with requirements for the
availment of foreign donations; as well as
4. Other benefits, incentives and recognitions that may be
provided as deemed appropriate by the Department.
 51

Chapter 3

Accreditation of
SWD Programs and
Services
 52

A. Coverage and Applicability

SWD programs and services of Public and Private SWAs must be
subjected to accreditation assessment. For private SWAs, accreditation
shall be filed within the three (3) years validity period of the issued
license.
Public SWDAs with newly established facilities shall file application for
accreditation within three (3) years upon their operations. Likewise,
public SWDAs with existing and operational facilities shall file
accreditation within one (1) year upon effectivity of MC17 s2018.
The SWD programs and services to be assessed for accreditation shall
include but are not limited to (i) Center based and (ii) Community
based programs and services.

B. Accreditation Requirements
Please refer to annexes of the existing guidelines.

For the purpose of compliance with RA 11032 or the Ease of Doing

Business Act. The documentary requirements earlier submitted during
the registration and licensing processes that are also required for
accreditation shall be accepted during the accreditation application
process only when no changes were made as attested by the applicant
organization.

Similarly, during the renewal process for accreditation, updated

documents shall be submitted in addition to basic requirements.
 53

C. Fees & Charges

All private SWDAs shall be charged with the following fees:
NATURE AMOUNT (PhP)
Processing Fee upon application (per
program/area of operation if
1,000.00
community-based; per facility if center-
based)
Request for certified true copy of
certificate 15.00/copy

No fees shall be charged to Public SWDAs.

D. Standards for Accreditation

Please refer to existing standards and tools relative to the accreditation
of SWD programs and services.

E. Pre-Accreditation Assessment
1. For New Applications and those have been Accredited
under precursor guidelines of Administrative Order 16
Series of 2012 (AO 16 s2012)
a. Pre-assessment shall be administered by the concerned FO
prior to SB’s actual accreditation assessment of the SWD
programs and services of the applicant SWDA.
b. The existing accreditation tools shall be used as the pre-
assessment tools in determining the readiness of the SWDA to
meet the set standards on SWD programs and services being
delivered to its clients.
 54

c. The concerned FO shall send confirmation letter to the SWDA

after the conduct of the pre-assessment visit. The letter must
contain the following:
c.1. The result of pre-accreditation assessment, whether or not
the SWDA is compliant:
i. If compliant, advise that the SWDA is ready for
accreditation and advise them to submit the
application to SB.
ii. If non-compliant, advise the SWDA that should they
decide to pursue with accreditation, they must ensure
that the unmet indicators must be satisfied upon
submission of the application to SB. Further, the
SWDA must be informed that the necessary TA may
be provided by the FO. The confirmation report may
also include specific advice/TA on unmet indicators.
c.2. A copy of the accomplished pre-accreditation assessment
tool serving as a guide to the SWDAs in preparation for
accreditation must be attached to the confirmation letter to
the SWDA.
c.3. The accomplished pre-accreditation assessment tool shall
serve as the documentary requirement for the application
for accreditation.
2. For Renewal type of Application
a. The FO’s pre-assessment for accreditation shall no longer be
required to those who have been Accredited under
Administrative Order 16 Series of 2012 (AO 16 s2012)/MC17
s2018. Instead, the applicant must conduct self–assessment
using the pre-assessment tool, which shall form part of the
requirements for renewal.
b. The FOs may be tapped by the SWDAs should there be
necessary areas for TA in administering the self-assessment.
These process shall determine the readiness of the SWDA to
 55

meet the set standards on SWD programs and services being

delivered to its clients.
c. The accomplished self-assessment tool duly signed by the Head
of the Agency, shall form part of the requirements for
accreditation to be submitted to SB by the SWDA.

F. Process of Accreditation
1. SIPOC Matrix of Accreditation
The diagram below shows relevant elements on Accreditation process.

Suppliers Inputs Processes Outputs Customers

• SWDAs • Application • Updated SWDAs

• Undersecretary documents/ database
supervising SB forms • Accreditatio
• Standards • Assessment n Certificate
Bureau Director Tool
• SCMD Division • Assessment
Chief Visit
• Team Leader • Endorsement
• SB SCMD • Budget for
Technical Staff travel and
• Support Staff payment fee

Processes on the issuance of Accreditation Certificate to

Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs)
Programs and Services

Receive Conduct Prepare Review Approve

Review
complete Assessment confirmation Assessment Certificate of
documents
Visit report results Accreditation
documents
 56

2. Accreditation Process Steps

Step 1 The SWDA shall submit all documents necessary for the
issuance of a Certificate of Accreditation as prescribed in
Memorandum Circular No. 17 series of 2018 Annex C depending
on whether it is a Renewal or New Application.
Step 2 The Support Staff in charge of all incoming documents shall
receive the application and provide the SWDA with a reference
number for easy tracking and reference.
Step 3 For Walk-in clients, the Officer of the Day shall determine
whether the submitted documents are complete.
3a. If complete, the assigned Officer of the Day shall endorse the
documents to the Support Staff who shall log its receipt into the
DTMS. This shall be forwarded to the SCMD support staff for
routing to concerned TL.
3b. If incomplete, the Officer of the Day shall return all documents
submitted accompanied by a checklist of requirements indicating
the lacking documents that need to be complied by the SWDA.
Step 4 For application submitted through mail or courier, the
Support Staff who is in charge of all incoming documents shall log
its receipt into the DTMS whether it is incomplete or not and route
it to SCMD Support Staff for routing to concerned TL.
Step 5 Assigned Technical Staff shall review within one (1)
working day the submitted documents as to completeness and
compliance.
5a. If found complete and compliant, the Technical Staff shall
prepare an Acknowledgement Letter notifying the conduct of at
least 2-day Assessment Visit depending on the number of
programs for accreditation. The planned assessment visit shall be
approved by the Team Leader, the Division Chief, and the SB
Director.
 57

5b. If found incomplete or non-compliant, the Technical Staff shall

send Acknowledgement Letter to the SWDA containing the
checklist of documents for compliance to be secured or
accomplished together with all the application documents
submitted.
Step 6 Cumulatively, the Team Leader together with the Division
Chief shall review and approve the Acknowledgement Letter within
one (1) working day.
Step 7 The SB Director, shall review or provide inputs to the
prepared documents within half (1/2) day. Otherwise, the SB
Director shall sign the Acknowledgement Letter.
Step 8 When signed, the Support Staff shall send the
Acknowledgement Letter with a checklist of requirements to the
concerned SWDA, whether submission is complete and compliant
or not.
Step 9 Once notification of Assessment is received by the SWDA,
the Technical Staff shall confirm date of Assessment Visit with the
SWDA.
Step 10 The Assessment Visit shall be conducted on the agreed date
for a minimum of two (2) working days, except for Senior Citizens’
Centers (SCC) which only needs one (1) day of assessment visit.
During the assessment visit, the Technical Staff shall be guided by
the following:
 Assessment tool to assess and further validate the results
of the documents reviewed; and
 The Institutional Development Group Memorandum No.
2 Series of 2015 entitled “Protocol and code of Ethics for
DSWD Assessors and/or Accreditors Implementing
Regulatory Services”.
 During the exit conference, the Technical Staff must ensure
that the Head of the SWDA or its Authorized
 58

Representative has signed the Assessment Tool and the

Action Plan (as applicable).
 Before leaving the SWDA, the technical staff must ensure
that the Customer Feedback Satisfaction Form is
accomplished by the Head or its Authorized
Representative, and is returned to the technical staff in a
sealed envelope.
Step 11 The Technical Staff shall prepare the Confirmation Report
within three (3) working days after the assessment visit to be
approved by the SB Director with the initials of the Team Leader
and Division Chief
11a. If favorable, the Technical Staff shall draft the Confirmation
Report and Certificate of Accreditation to be routed and tracked at
all levels for signature and approval (as prescribed in 2019 Manual
of Delegation and Delineation of Authority in the DSWD – AO 16
s2019).
11b. If not, the Technical Staff shall draft a Confirmation Report
detailing the Assessor's Findings to which the SWDA is expected
to take action and comply with. Within six (6) months after the
assessment visit, the SWDA must comply or execute the agreed
action plan.
Step 12 Cumulatively, the Team Leader and the Division Chief
shall review and provide inputs to the prepared report within five
(5) working days.
Step 13 The Bureau Director shall have one (1) working day to
review a favorable report and two (2) working days for those with
unfavorable findings.
Step 14 For those with unfavorable findings, the Support Staff shall
send the Confirmation Report for compliance once the Director’s
approval is secured
Step 15 Within two (2) working days the Undersecretary in-charge
shall approve and sign the Certificate of Accreditation.
 59

15a. If approved, the Undersecretary shall sign the Certificate of

Accreditation.
15b. If disapproved, the Undersecretary shall provide details for
withholding endorsement for SB action.
Step 16 When the Certificate of Accreditation is signed by the
Undersecretary, the Support Staff, shall inform the SWDA whether
they could personally pick up the certificate or send the same by
courier.
Step 17 The Support Staff shall track the Confirmation Report and
the License to Operate before delivery to the SWDA.
Step 18 The Data Manager shall then encode the said SWDA into
the Registry of SWDA and appropriately mark it as licensed. This
is the end of the issuance process.

*For more detailed processes, please refer to annex E.

3. Accreditation Process Flowchart

Please see Annex C

G. Issuance and Validity of the

Accreditation Certificate
A Security Paper shall be used for the issuance of Accreditation
Certificate.
The Accreditation Certificate has a validity depending on its Level of
Compliance in the Accreditation Standards:
a. Level 1 – Compliant to mandatory indicators which should
be complied to meet the accreditation standards”. This
corresponds to compliance to level one (1) with
accreditation valid for three (3) years.
 60

b. Level 2 – Compliant to mandatory and higher set of

indicators required for its work areas this corresponds to
compliance to level two (2) with accreditation valid for
five (5) years.
c. Level 3 – Compliant to highest set of indicators while
meeting/sustaining Level 1 and 2 indicators. This
corresponds to compliance to level three (3) with an
accreditation valid for seven (7) years.
The Accreditation Certificate is valid, unless the SWDA’s License to
Operate is earlier suspended or revoked. Grounds for suspension and
revocation are in a separate Memorandum Circular issued by the
Department (MC 16 s2018).

The synchronization of the Registration Certificate and License to

Operate per with issued Accreditation Certificate (as provided for in
the precursor Administrative Order No. 16 Series of 2012), shall no
longer be observed as superseded by MC 17 s2018.

H. Renewal of Accreditation
SWDAs shall apply for renewal of their accreditation to SB within
ninety (90) working days before the expiration of its Accreditation
Certificate.

I. Conditions and Sanctions for Non-

Compliance
Failure to sustain the accreditation standards within the validity period:

SB or FO-SS shall send a Notice to Comply with the SWDA

indicating that it is given a period of one (1) to three (3) months to
 61

comply with the un-sustained requirements. If the SWA is still not

able to comply within the period provided, a second Notice to
Comply shall be sent, giving the SWA an additional one (1) month
to comply with the said requirements. Otherwise, existing policies
per Memorandum Circular no. 16 Series of 2018 (Guidelines on
Handling Complaints Against SWDAs) shall apply.

J. Amendment of Accreditation
Certificate
The DSWD Accreditation Certificate may be amended or replaced due
to any of the following circumstances:
1. Change of Name
2. Loss of Certificates
3. Typographical Error
4. Result of the Resolution by the CORC on the complaints against
the SWDA
On such instances, the SWDA shall file a letter of request for an
amendment and or replacement of its certificate, addressed to the
concerned SB or FO-SS which issued the existing License to Operate.
The letter of request should be supported with the following
documents:
1. For Change of Name or Address: Amended SEC Certificate/Articles
of Incorporation, Previously Issued Certificate of Registration and
License to Operate, Board Resolution for change of address/name.
In this case, the Registration and License to Operate must be
applied for replacement simultaneously.
2. For Loss of Certificates: Notarized Affidavit of Loss, Request for
Replacement
 62

3. For Typographical Error: Request for amendment; Certificate to be

replaced.
5. For Resolution by the CORC on the complaints against the SWDA: ;
Copy of CORC or FORC Resolution; Certificate to be replaced.

The Accreditation Number and Validity Period of the amended or

replaced certificate shall be retained.

K. Benefits of SWDAs with Accredited

Programs and Services
Public SWDA and Private SWA with Accredited SWD Programs and
Services – In addition to the benefits and incentives of a licensed SWDA,
an accredited public SWDA and private SWA shall be entitled to the
following:
1. Financial subsidy or resource augmentation for program
implementation subject to availability of funds and compliance
with the other DSWD guidelines and requirement;
2. Recommendation for at least 50% discount on service utilities
subject to compliance with the DSWD and utility service
providers (for residential and non-residential private SWAs
catering to senior citizens);
3. Letter/Plaque of recognition;
4. Additional benefits for accredited Level 2 or 3
 Nomination for travel local and abroad to participate in
relevant training/conferences as part of the Philippine
delegation, if any.
 Grant of cash incentive depending on availability of funds.
The cash incentives shall be used to augment the SWDA’s
program expenses and funds shall be charged against the
DSWD SB’s budget.
 63

a. The amount of cash incentives shall not be lower than

thirty thousand pesos (Php 30,000.00) for Level 2.
b. Minimum of fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00) for
Level 3.
 Recommendation to participate in trainings and research
activities e.g. Lakbay Aral (for Level 3).
 64

Chapter 4

Other Activities on
Regulatory
Services
 65

A. Monitoring of SWDAs
The conduct of planned and spot monitoring activities to SWDAs with
or without valid Certificate of Registration and License to operate and
Accreditation shall be observed to ensure compliance of set standards
and requirements along the implementation of SWDAs programs and
services.
The Bureau and FOs must regularly keep track of the submission of the
reportorial requirement (Annual Accomplishment Report). Such effort
is also a way of verifying the SWDAs’ continuous operation.
Non-submission of the said report for two (2) consecutive years shall
result to imposing sanctions per Memorandum Circular no. 16 Series of
2018 (Guidelines on Handling Complaints Against SWDAs).
Otherwise, FOs and SB shall conduct intervention like provision of
Technical Assistance, site visit, etc. On the other hand, the Sustained
submission of reportorial requirements, is subjected to recognition.
A separate guidelines and internal protocols shall be issued to explicitly
discuss the process and mechanisms in the conduct of monitoring
activities.

B. Provision of Orientation and Technical

Assistance for SWDAs with issued RLA
1. Provision of TA to new SWDAs and SWDAs in Good
Standing
SB and/or the DSWD FO-SS shall orient all newly registered and
licensed SWDA. The content of the orientation may include but not
limited to newly updated guidelines in regulatory services of the
Department and relevant social welfare related laws, specifically those
 66

that relate to the protection and promotion of the rights of the poor,
marginalized, disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors.
As part of preventive and/or proactive Technical Assistance to
registered and licensed SWDAs, both SB and FO Standards Section
must:
a. Compile social welfare related laws per sector, ready for
distribution to SWDAs; and
b. Organize orientation on said social welfare related laws or link
them with appropriate resource persons/experts.
ABSNET may assist in the provision of Technical Assistance along RLA
requirements including reportorial requirements to unregistered
organizations.
To keep SWDAs updated about recent developments all applicable
DSWD Administrative orders, Memorandum Circulars and other
issuances that are essential for social case management, governance,
protection of beneficiaries and other updates on regulatory and support
services, applicable to the sectoral beneficiaries should be discussed in
orientation activities.
Both SB and FO – SS shall maximize ABSNET activities in providing
Technical Assistance and in gathering issues and concerns encountered
regarding the implementation of registration, licensing, and
accreditation guidelines as well as in apprising SWDAs on newly
approved policies of the DSWD and sharing of good practices.

2. TA to SWDAs with Pending Issuance of Registration,

Registration and License to Operate and Accreditation
Certificate
Guided with the agreed action plan or initial review of the application,
the SB or the FO staff need to provide TA using various modes or
 67

communication outlets, including but not limited to: telephone, email,

and/or physical visit to the concerned SWDA with pending issuance
to assist them comply with the requirements and/or set standards. The
TA provided must be properly documented and must be part of the
records on file of the concerned SWDA.

Within six (6) months upon agreement of the Action Plan the SB or the
concerned FOs shall monitor and provide TA to the concerned SWDA
until it finds the latter ready and compliant with the requirements and
criteria.

C. Information Dissemination
To effectively regulate organizations implementing or intending to
implement SWD programs and services, information dissemination
through distribution of Information, Education, and Communication
(IEC) materials and conduct of advocacy activities on regulatory
services are deemed necessary. The popularization of the Department’s
regulatory functions is primarily aimed at increasing awareness of key
stakeholders and engaging them to actively participate in the
implementation and delivery of these functions.

1. Standards Bureau Functions:

 Develop communication plan for DSWD regulatory services (in
coordination with the Social Marketing Service [SMS]) and
cascade the same to SS;

 Lead in coordination with DSWD OBSUs and Field Offices on

policy advocacy for the promotion of DSWD regulatory services;

 Lead in the development and production of IEC prototype

materials (such as brochures, primers, posters, videos, public
 68

service announcement) along registration, licensing and

accreditation of SWDAs;

 Print and disseminate IEC materials along regulatory services to

DSWD FOs and various stakeholders;

 Provide Technical Assistance and coordination with regard to

media concerns and press releases along DSWD regulatory
services;

 Conduct massive advocacy activities such as orientation,

information caravan, conduct of exhibit, posting of new
guidelines on DSWD website, newspaper publication, etc.;

 The SB, in coordination with the Social Marketing Service (SMS)

and Information and Communication Technology management
Service (ICTMS), shall inform the public of the names of SWDAs
that had been issued registration, registration license and/or
accreditation certificates by updating its registry of DSWD
SWDAs with Valid RLA Certificates and posting at the DSWD
website or other print and broadcast media: SB should also take
appropriate action in notifying the public about SWDAs with
suspended and revoked registration, registration license and/or
accreditation certificates as well as those blacklisted.

 Allocate and download funds to the FOs for the conduct of

advocacy activities.

2. Field Office Functions:

 Develop communication plan aligned with SB’s communication
plan (in coordination with SMU)

 Assist SB in the development and production (in terms of

contents and design) of IEC materials
 69

 Continuously disseminate the guideline along regulatory

services to various stakeholders aided with appropriate IEC
materials

 In coordination with SB, conduct advocacy activities such as

orientation, information caravan, conduct of exhibit, posting of
new guidelines on DSWD website, newspaper publication, etc. to
inform the public regarding the need to comply with the DSWD
registration and/or licensing per Republic Act 10847.

 Identify concerned organizations who can assist them through

other communication strategies as deemed fit.

 Provide augmentation funds for the conduct of advocacy

activities and printing of IEC materials.

D. ABSNET Participation and DSWD

Intermediary
All licensed and/or accredited SWDAs, Provincial/City/Municipal
Social Welfare and Development Offices (P/C/MCWDOs) and
residential care facilities managed by DSWD and LGUs shall become
members of ABSNET Cluster covering their respective areas of
operation.
After the issuance of License to Operate, SB and/or FO-SS shall monitor
their membership to ABSNET. Likewise, SB and/or FO-SS shall
officially inform the licensed SWDA of the contact persons in its
respective ABSNET Cluster. The Cluster President in turn shall invite
the concerned SWDA and prepare a welcome ceremony for the new
member.
SWDAs operating in more than one region with satellite office/s
located within the FO are required to attend or actively participate in
ABSNET activities. They should be given a certificate signed by the
 70

Cluster President or Regional ABSNET Federation (RAF) President

depending on the conducted activity.
If from LGU, the Provincial/City/Municipal Social Welfare and
Development Office (P/C/MSWDO) or Center Head shall participate
in ABSNET activities.
Exemptions of non-attendance are uncontrollable situations such as:
disaster, death, or conflict of schedule with NGO’s major event or
operation. The SWDA shall inform DSWD of its reason on non-
participation through letter, email, text message or phone call to be
noted or documented in the minutes of meeting.
 71

Chapter 5

Sanctions and
Penalties
 72

Based on reports received by DSWD on SWDAs that operate without license,

necessary Technical Assistance shall be provided.
Organizations without license for the last twelve (12) months are required to
apply for registration and license. If, for some reason, the unlicensed
organizations continues to operate and refuses to heed to SB’s notification
within three (3) months, the matter shall be referred to the DSWD Legal
Service. Simultaneously, the DSWD shall coordinate with the Local
Government Unit and law enforcement agency/ies on the immediate closure
of its operations. If deemed necessary, the process of filing of the
corresponding case to the court against SWDAs on the violation of RA 10847
or other applicable laws shall be led by the DSWD Legal Service in
coordination with SB or with the concerned FO.
As stipulated in Section 4 of RA 10847 amending section 29. Penal Provisions,
the following shall be penalized, “Any person, corporation or entity
operating as SWDA, without the corresponding valid Certificate of
Registration and License to Operate issued by the DSWD 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) year,
at the discretion of the court. These penalties shall be without prejudice to the
seizure equipment, instruments and other facilities of the social welfare and
development agency.”
Other penalties and protocols are explicitly stated in DSWD Memorandum
Circular No. 16 Series of 2018 (Guidelines on Handling of Complaints
Against SWDAs).
 73

Annexes
ANNEX A: Registration 74
Process Flowchart
ANNEX B: Licensing 75
Process Flowchart
ANNEX C: Accreditation 76
Process Flowchart
ANNEX D: RLA Related 77
Laws and DSWD
Issuances

A. RLA Related Laws:

1. RA No. 10847 of 2016: An Act Lowering the Age Requirement for
Applicants taking the Board Examination for Social Workers

2. RA No. 5416 of 1968: Providing for Comprehensive Social Services for

Individuals and Groups in need of Assistance

3. RA No. 4373, Series 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

B. DSWD Issuances:
1. 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.

2. Memorandum Circular No. 16 Series of 2018: Guidelines on Handling

of Complaints against Social Welfare and Development Agencies

3. Memorandum Circular No. 26 Series of 2014: Addendum to

Administrative Order No. 16 Series of 2012 (Revised Administrative
Order No. 17 Series of 2008)
ANNEX E: SB Detailed 78
Processes

A. Registration of Private
Organizations as SWDA

Step 1 The applicant SWDA operating in one more than one

region shall submit the prescribed requirements to DSWD SB.

Step 2 The Support Staff who is in charge of all incoming

documents shall receive these requirements and shall provide the
applicant Organization with an application reference number for
easy tracking and reference.

Step 3 For Walk – in applicants, the Officer of the Day assigned

by SB shall determine whether the submitted documents are
complete and compliant.

3.a. If incomplete, the Officer of the Day shall return all submitted
documents accompanied by a checklist of requirements to the
applicant Organization’s compliance.

3.b. If complete, the Officer of the Day shall endorse the documents
to the Support Staff and shall log the receipt of the application
documents to the Document Transaction Management System
(DTMS). Once encoded, this shall be forwarded to the
Incoming Support Staff of the Standards Compliance
Monitoring Division (SCMD).

 The Incoming Support Staff of SCMD shall endorse the

documents to the concerned Team Leader (TL) for routing
and assignment to the Technical Staff (TS).
 79

 Within one (1) working day, the assigned Technical Staff

shall review the submitted documents as to completeness
and compliance. The submitted complete documents must
show that the applicant Organization must be engaged
mainly and generally in Social Welfare and Development
(SWD) Activities with the following means of verification:

ii. The applicant’s primary purpose/s as indicated in their

Articles of Incorporation is/are within the purview of
SWD;
iii. Majority of the applicant’s purposes as indicated in
their articles of Incorporation are along the purview of
SWD;
iv. Its predominant activities are on SWD; and
v. Its SWD activities are planned and/or conducted on a
regular basis/normal circumstances.

 If the applicant Organization satisfied the above-mentioned

criteria, the TS shall prepare a Confirmation Report together
with the draft Certificate of Registration. These shall be
submitted to the Team Leader for comments/inputs.

If no comment:

 The TL shall sign and endorse the draft Confirmation Report

and the draft Certificate of Registration.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the draft
report and certificate. These shall be routed to SCMD
Division Chief (DC) for comments/inputs. Once approved,
DC shall sign the said documents and endorse these to the
Bureau Director (BD).

 The SCMD Support Staff shall track and return the said
documents to the concerned TS for logo. Subsequently, these
shall be forwarded to the BD Secretary for the BD
 80

comments/inputs. Once approved, BD shall sign the

Confirmation Report.

 The BD Secretary shall endorse the signed Confirmation

Report to the Support Staff for sending to SWDA through e-
mail. Whereas the draft certificate shall be endorsed to the
Support Staff facilitating the certificates for the preparation
and finalization of the Certificate of Registration in Security
Paper (SECPA).

 Once the Confirmation Report was sent to the Organization

through e-mail, the Outgoing Support Staff shall send the
Confirmation Report to the Records and Archives
Management Division (RAMD) for sending through courier.

 For the Certificate of Registration, the Support Staff shall

assign a unique Registration Number for the draft Certificate
of Registration which shall be retained until renewal of its
registration.

 Together with the transmittal, the Certificate of Registration

shall be routed to the concerned TS for review and initial.
Once approved by the TS, this shall be endorsed to DC for
review and initial.

 Once approved by the DC, the certificate and transmittal

shall be forwarded to the BD Secretary for BD’s review and
initial.

 Once approved by the BD, the draft certificate together with

the transmittal shall be endorsed to the Support Staff for the
preparation of certificate in security paper (SECPA).

 The SECPA certificate shall be transmitted to the Office of

the Undersecretary supervising SB for approval and
signature.
 81

 Once signed, the SECPA certificate shall be forwarded to the

RAMD for delivery to the concerned SWDA.

If with comment/input:

 The report together with the certificate shall be returned to

the concerned TS.

 Once revised, the confirmation report together with the

certificate shall be returned to the concerned TL for initial
and endorsement. This shall be forwarded to the SCMD
Support Staff for tracking.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the report
and certificate and shall then be forwarded to the DC for
review and initial.

 If with comment/input, the report together with the

certificate shall be returned to the concerned TS.

 Once revised, the report together with the certificate shall be

returned to the concerned TL for initial and shall be
forwarded to the SCMD Support Staff.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the revised
report and certificate. This shall be forwarded to the DC for
review and initial.

 Once approved by the DC, the SCMD Support Staff shall

track and return to the concerned TS for logo.

 The final draft of confirmation report and certificate shall

then be forwarded to the BD Secretary for BD’s approval and
signature.
 82

 If with comment/input, the report together with the

certificate shall be returned to the concerned TS.

 The concerned TS shall revise and resubmit the report

together with the certificate to the concerned TL for initial
and endorsement to the SCMD DC.

 Once signed by the SCMD DC, the SCMD Support Staff shall
forward the report and certificate to the concerned TS for
logo and shall forward to the BD Secretary of the BD’s for
signature.

 Once signed by the BD, the BD Secretary shall endorse the

signed Confirmation Report to the Support Staff for sending
to SWDAs through e-mail while the draft certificate shall be
endorsed to the Support Staff for the preparation of the draft
Certificate.

 Once sent to concerned SWDA through email, the Support

Staff shall endorse the Confirmation Report in sealed
envelope to the RAMD.

 For the Certificate of Registration, the Support Staff shall

assign a unique Registration Number for the draft Certificate
of Registration which shall be retained until renewal of its
Registration.

 Together with the transmittal, the draft Certificate shall be

routed to the concerned TS for review and approval.

 If with comment/input, together with the transmittal this

shall be returned to the Support Staff for revision.

 Once revised, the draft certificate together with the

transmittal shall be returned to the concerned TS for initial
 83

and approval. This shall be forwarded to the SCMD Support

Staff for approval and initial of the DC.

 Once approved, the SCMD Support Staff shall log its receipt
and shall then forward to the BD Secretary for BD’s approval
and initial.

 If with comment/input, the draft certificate together with

the transmittal shall be returned to the Support Staff for
revision.

 Once revised, the draft certificate together with the

transmittal shall be returned to the concerned TS and DC for
approval and initial. Once approved, this shall be routed to
the BD Secretary for BD’s review and approval.

 Once approved, the draft certificate together with the

transmittal shall be endorsed to the Support Staff for the
preparation of SECPA certificate.

 The SECPA certificate shall be transmitted to the Office of

the Undersecretary supervising SB for approval and
signature.

 If with comments/inputs, the SECPA certificate shall be

returned from the Office of the Undersecretary to SB for
revision.

 Revised per comments/inputs, the SECPA certificate shall

be returned to the Office of the Undersecretary supervising
the Standards Bureau for approval and signature.

 Once approved and signed, the certificate of Registration

shall be forwarded to the RAMD for delivery to the
concerned SWDA.
 84

Step 4 For application submitted through mail or courier, the

Support Staff who is in charge of all incoming documents shall log
its receipt into the DTMS and route to SCMD Support Staff for
tracking and reference.

Step 5 The SCMD Support Staff, shall endorse the application

documents to the concerned Team Leader (TL) for routing to the
assigned Technical Staff (TS).

Step 6 The assigned TS shall review the submitted documents

as to the completeness and compliance to the documentary
requirements per MC 17 s. 2018.

Step 7 IF FOUND BOTH COMPLETE AND COMPLIANT,

the assigned Technical Staff shall prepare a Confirmation Report
together with the draft Certificate of Registration.

7.a. The draft confirmation report and draft Certificate of

Registration shall be submitted to the Team Leader for review
and initial.

If no comments/inputs:

 The TL shall sign and endorse the draft Confirmation

Report and the draft Certificate of Registration.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the draft
report and certificate. These shall be routed to SCMD Dc
for comments/inputs. Once approved, DC shall sign the
said documents and endorse these to the BD.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall track and return the said
documents to the concerned TS for logo. Subsequently,
these shall be forwarded to the BD Secretary for the BD
comments/inputs. Once approved, BD shall sign the
Confirmation Report.
 85

 The BD Secretary shall endorse the signed Confirmation

Report to the Support Staff for sending to SWDA through
e-mail. Whereas the draft certificate shall be endorsed to
the Support Staff facilitating the certificates for the
preparation and finalization of the Certificate of
Registration in Security Paper (SECPA).

 Once the Confirmation Report was sent to the Organization

through e-mail, the Outgoing Support Staff shall send the
Confirmation Report to the RAMD for sending through
courier.

 For the Certificate of Registration, the Support Staff shall

assign a unique Registration Number for the draft
Certificate of Registration which shall be retained until
renewal of its registration.

 Together with the transmittal, the Certificate of

Registration shall be routed to the concerned TS for review
and initial. Once approved, this shall be endorsed to DC for
review and initial.

 Once approved by the DC, the certificate and transmittal

shall be forwarded to the BD Secretary for BD’s review and
initial.

 Once approved, the draft certificate together with the

transmittal shall be endorsed to the Support Staff for the
preparation of certificate in security paper (SECPA).

 The SECPA certificate shall be transmitted to the Office of

the Undersecretary supervising SB for approval and
signature.

 Once signed, the SECPA certificate shall be forwarded to

the RAMD for delivery to the concerned SWDA.
 86

If with comment/input:

 The report together with the certificate shall be returned to

the concerned TS.

 Once revised, the confirmation report together with the

certificate shall be returned to the concerned TL for initial
and endorsement. This shall be forwarded to the SCMD
Support Staff for tracking.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the report
and certificate and shall then be forwarded to the DC for
review and initial.

 If with comment/input, the report together with the

certificate shall be returned to the concerned TS.

 Once revised, the report together with the certificate shall

be returned to the concerned TL for initial and shall be
forwarded to the SCMD Support Staff.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the revised
report and certificate. This shall be forwarded to the DC for
review and initial.

 Once approved by the DC, the SCMD Support Staff shall

track and return to the concerned TS for logo.

 The final draft of confirmation report and certificate shall

then be forwarded to the BD Secretary for BD’s approval
and signature.

 If with comment/input, the report together with the

certificate shall be returned to the concerned TS.
 87

 The concerned TS shall revise and resubmit the report

together with the certificate to the concerned TL for initial
and endorsement to the DC.

 Once signed, the SCMD Support Staff shall forward the

report and certificate to the concerned TS for logo and shall
forward to the BD Secretary of the BD’s for signature.

 Once signed, the BD Secretary shall endorse the signed

Confirmation Report to the Support Staff for sending to
SWDAs through e-mail while the draft certificate shall be
endorsed to the Support Staff for the preparation of the
draft Certificate.

 Once sent to concerned SWDA through email, the Support

Staff shall endorse the Confirmation Report in sealed
envelope to the RAMD.

 For the Certificate of Registration, the Support Staff shall

assign a unique Registration Number for the draft
Certificate of Registration which shall be retained until
renewal of its Registration.

 Together with the transmittal, the draft Certificate shall be

routed to the concerned TS for review and approval.

 If with comment/input, together with the transmittal this

shall be returned to the Support Staff for revision.

 Once revised, the draft certificate together with the

transmittal shall be returned to the concerned TS for initial
and approval. This shall be forwarded to the SCMD
Support Staff for approval and initial of the DC.

 Once approved, the SCMD Support Staff shall log its

receipt and shall then forward to the BD Secretary for BD’s
approval and initial.
 88

 If with comment/input, the draft certificate together with

the transmittal shall be returned to the Support Staff for
revision.

 Once revised, the draft certificate together with the

transmittal shall be returned to the concerned TS and DC
for approval and initial. Once approved, this shall be
routed to the BD Secretary for BD’s review and approval.

 Once approved, the draft certificate together with the

transmittal shall be endorsed to the Support Staff for the
preparation of SECPA certificate.

 The SECPA certificate shall be transmitted to the Office of

the Undersecretary supervising SB for approval and
signature.

 If with comments/inputs, the SECPA certificate shall be

returned from the Office of the Undersecretary to SB for
revision.

 Revised per comments/inputs, the SECPA certificate shall

be returned to the Office of the Undersecretary supervising
the Standards Bureau for approval and signature.

 Once approved and signed, the certificate of Registration

shall be forwarded to the RAMD for delivery to the
concerned SWDA.

Step 8 IF FOUND INCOMPLETE OR NON-COMPLIANT,

the concerned Technical Staff shall draft an Acknowledgement
Letter indicating the comments, recommendations and list of
requirements to be complied/submitted.
 89

8.a. The draft Acknowledgement letter shall be submitted to the

Team Leader for review and initial.

If no comment/input:

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the draft
acknowledgement letter. These shall be routed to SCMD
DC for comments/inputs. Once approved, DC shall sign
the said documents and endorse these to the BD.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall track and return the said
documents to the concerned TS for logo. Subsequently,
these shall be forwarded to the BD Secretary for the BD
comments/inputs. Once approved, BD shall sign the
acknowledgement letter.

 The BD Secretary shall endorse the signed

acknowledgement letter to the Support Staff for sending
to the Organization through e-mail.

 Once sent through the official email of the Organization,

the Outgoing Support Staff shall endorse the
acknowledgment letter to the RAMD for sending through
courier.

If with comment/input:

 The letter shall be returned to the concerned TS for

revision

 Once revised, the letter shall be returned to the

concerned TL for review and initial. This shall then be
forwarded to the SCMD Support Staff for tracking and
endorsement to SCMD DC.

 If with comment/input, the acknowledgement letter

shall be returned to the concerned TS.
 90

 Once revised, the letter shall be returned to the

concerned TL for review and initial. This shall then be
forwarded to the SCMD Support Staff for tracking and
endorsement to SCMD DC.

 Once approved and initialed by the DC, the SCMD

Support Staff shall track and return it to the concerned
TS for logo.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall track and return the said
documents to the concerned TS for logo. Subsequently,
these shall be forwarded to the BD Secretary for the BD
comments/inputs.

If no comment/input from BD:

 Once approved, BD shall sign the acknowledgement

letter.

 The BD Secretary shall endorse the signed

acknowledgement letter to the Support Staff for
sending to the Organization through e-mail.

 Once sent through the official email of the

Organization, the Outgoing Support Staff shall endorse
the acknowledgment letter to the RAMD for sending
through courier.

If with comment/input from BD:

 The letter shall be returned to the concerned TS for

revision

 Once revised, the letter shall be returned to the

concerned TL for review and initial. This shall then be
 91

forwarded to the SCMD Support Staff for tracking and

endorsement to SCMD DC.

 If with comment/input, the acknowledgement letter

shall be returned to the concerned TS.

 Once revised, the letter shall be returned to the

concerned TL for review and initial. This shall then be
forwarded to the SCMD Support Staff for tracking and
endorsement to SCMD DC.

 Once approved and initialed by the DC, the SCMD

Support Staff shall track and return it to the concerned
TS for logo.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall track and return the said
documents to the concerned TS for logo. Subsequently,
these shall be forwarded to the BD Secretary for the BD
comments/inputs.

 Once approved, BD shall sign the acknowledgement

letter.

 The BD Secretary shall endorse the signed

acknowledgement letter to the Support Staff for
sending to the Organization through e-mail.

 Once sent through the official email of the

Organization, the Outgoing Support Staff shall endorse
the acknowledgment letter to the RAMD for sending
through courier.
 92

B. Licensing of Private SWDAs

Step 1 The applicant SWDA shall submit all documents
necessary for the issuance of a License to Operate as prescribed by
Memorandum Circular No. 17 series of 2018 Annex B either an
Auxiliary SWDA or a Social Work Agency.
Step 2 The Support Staff who is in charge of all incoming
documents shall receive these requirements and shall provide the
applicant SWDA with an application reference number for easy
tracking and reference.
Step 3 For Walk – in applicants, the Officer of the Day assigned
by SB shall determine whether the submitted documents are
complete and compliant.
3.a. If incomplete, the Officer of the Day shall return all submitted
documents accompanied by a checklist of requirements to the
applicant SWDAs compliance.

3.b. If complete, the Officer of the Day shall endorse the

documents to the Support Staff and shall log the receipt of the
application documents to the Document Transaction
Management System (DTMS). Once encoded, this shall be
forwarded to the Incoming Support Staff of the Standards
Compliance Monitoring Division (SCMD).

 The Incoming Support Staff of SCMD shall endorse the

documents to the concerned Team Leader (TL) for routing
and assignment to the Technical Staff (TS).

 Within two (2) working days, the assigned Technical Staff

shall review the submitted documents as to completeness
and compliance. The submitted complete documents must
 93

satisfy the criteria indicated on Chapter 2, Section C. of this

Operations Manual.

 If the applicant Organization satisfied the above-mentioned

criteria, the TS shall prepare a prepare an Acknowledgement
Letter indicating the proposed schedule of Validation Visit.
The draft letter shall be submitted to the Team Leader for
review and initial.

If no comment/input:

 The TL shall initial and endorse the draft

Acknowledgement Letter.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the draft
document. This shall be routed to SCMD Division Chief
(DC) for comments/inputs. Once approved, DC shall sign
the said documents and endorse to the Bureau Director
(BD).

 The SCMD Support Staff shall track and return the said
documents to the concerned TS for logo. Subsequently,
these shall be forwarded to the BD Secretary for the BD
comments/inputs. Once approved, BD shall sign the
Acknowledgement Letter.

 The BD Secretary shall endorse the signed

Acknowledgement Letter to the Support Staff for sending
to SWDA through e-mail.

 Once the Acknowledgement Letter was sent to the

concerned SWDA through e-mail, the Outgoing Support
Staff shall endorse this to the Records and Archives
Management Division (RAMD) for sending through
courier.
 94

If with comment/input:

 The Acknowledgement Letter shall be returned to the

concerned TS.

 Once revised, the Acknowledgement Letter shall be

returned to the concerned TL for initial and endorsement.
This shall be forwarded to the SCMD Support Staff for
tracking.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the Acknowledgement

Letter and shall forward to the DC for review and initial.

 If with comment/input, the Acknowledgement Letter

shall be returned to the concerned TS.

 Once revised, the Acknowledgement Letter shall be

returned to the concerned TL for initial and shall be
forwarded to the SCMD Support Staff.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the revised
Acknowledgement Letter. This shall be forwarded to the
DC for review and initial.

 Once approved by the DC, the SCMD Support Staff shall

track and return to the concerned TS for logo.

 The final draft Acknowledgement Letter shall be

forwarded to the BD Secretary for BD’s approval and
signature.

 If with comment/input, the report together with the

certificate shall be returned to the concerned TS.

 The concerned TS shall revise and resubmit the

Acknowledgement Letter to concerned TL for initial and
endorsement to the DC.
 95

 Once signed, the SCMD Support Staff shall forward the

Acknowledgement Letter to the concerned TS for logo and
shall forward to the BD Secretary of the BD’s for signature.

 Once signed, the BD Secretary shall endorse the signed

Acknowledgement Letter to the Support Staff for sending
to SWDAs through e-mail.

 Once sent to concerned SWDA through email, the Support

Staff shall endorse the Acknowledgement Letter in sealed
envelope to the RAMD for delivery to the concerned
SWDA.

Step 4 For application submitted through mail or courier, the

Support Staff who is in charge of all incoming documents shall log
its receipt into the DTMS and route to SCMD Support Staff for
tracking and reference.

Step 5 Within two (2) working days the assigned Technical

Staff shall review the submitted documents as to completeness and
compliance, both in form and substance.

5a. If complete and compliant, an Acknowledgement

Letter and notification on the proposed schedule conduct of
Validation Visit shall be prepared by Technical Staff for
approval of the Team Leader, Division Chief and the SB
Director. All routed through the SCMD Support Staff for
tracking purposes.

5b. If found incomplete or non-compliant, the

Acknowledgement Letter prepared shall contain the checklist
of requirements to be secured or complied. This will be sent to
the applicant SWDA together with all the application
documents submitted.
 96

 Cumulatively, the Team Leader and the Division Chief

shall review and approve the Acknowledgement Letter
including its attachments within one (1) working day.

 The Office of the SB Director shall review and/or

provide inputs on the prepared documents within one
(1) working. Once approved, the SB Director shall sign
the Acknowledgement Letter.

 Once signed, whether for completion or for notice of

visit, the Support Staff will transmit the
Acknowledgement Letter with a checklist of
requirements to the RAMD for delivery to concerned
SWDA.

 For those with requirements that are complete and

compliant, the Technical Staff shall confirm date of
Assessment Visit for SWDAs.

 The Assessment Visit shall be conducted on the agreed

date to be conducted within one (1) working day. For
those operating more than one (1) region, the Main
Office is subject for visit by SB. During the assessment
visit, the Technical Staff shall be guided by the
following:

i. The licensing criteria in assessing the readiness of

the applicant SWDA administratively, technically
and financially;
ii. Assessment tool to assess and validate further the
results of the documents review; and
iii. The Institutional Development Group
Memorandum No. 2 Series of 2015 entitled
“Protocol and code of Ethics for DSWD Assessors
 97

and/or Accreditors Implementing Regulatory

Services”.

 During the exit conference, the Technical Staff must

ensure that the Head of the SWDA or its Authorized
Representative has signed the Assessment Tool and the
Action Plan (as applicable).
 Before leaving the SWDA, the technical staff must
ensure that the Customer Feedback Satisfaction Form
is filled-up by the Head or its Authorized
Representative, and is returned to the technical staff in
a sealed envelope.

Step 6 The Technical Staff shall prepare the Confirmation

Report on the visit within three (3) working days after the
assessment visit.

VALIDATION VISIT: IF FAVORABLE, the TS shall prepare a

Confirmation Report together with the draft Certificate of License to
Operate. These shall be submitted to the Team Leader for
comments/inputs.

If no comment:

 The TL shall sign and endorse the draft Confirmation

Report and the draft Certificate of License to Operate.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the draft
report and certificate. These shall be routed to SCMD
Division Chief (DC) for comments/inputs. Once
approved, DC shall sign the said documents and endorse
these to the Bureau Director (BD).

 The SCMD Support Staff shall track and return the said
documents to the concerned TS for logo of the confirmation
 98

report. Subsequently, these shall be forwarded to the BD

Secretary for the BD comments/inputs. Once approved,
BD shall sign the Confirmation Report.

 The BD Secretary shall endorse the signed Confirmation

Report to the Support Staff for sending to SWDA through
e-mail. Whereas the draft certificate shall be endorsed to
the Support Staff facilitating the certificates for the
preparation and finalization of the Certificate of License to
Operate in Security Paper (SECPA).

 Once the Confirmation Report was sent to the SWDA

through e-mail, the Outgoing Support Staff shall send the
Confirmation Report to the RAMD for sending through
courier.

 For the Certificate of License to Operate, the Support Staff

shall assign a unique License Number which shall be
retained until its renewal.

 Together with the transmittal, the Certificate of License to

Operate shall be routed to the concerned TS for review and
initial. Once approved, this shall be endorsed to DC for
review and initial.

 Once approved by the DC, the certificate and transmittal

shall be forwarded to the BD Secretary for BD’s review and
initial.

 Once approved, the draft certificate together with the

transmittal shall be endorsed to the Support Staff for the
preparation of certificate in security paper (SECPA).

 The SECPA certificate shall be transmitted to the Office of

the Undersecretary supervising SB for approval and
signature.
 99

 Once signed, the SECPA certificate shall be forwarded to

the RAMD for delivery to the concerned SWDA.

If with comment/input:

 The report together with the certificate shall be returned to

the concerned TS.

 Once revised, the confirmation report together with the

certificate shall be returned to the concerned TL for initial
and endorsement. This shall be forwarded to the SCMD
Support Staff for tracking.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the report
and certificate and shall then be forwarded to the DC for
review and initial.

 If with comment/input, the report together with the

certificate shall be returned to the concerned TS.

 Once revised, the report together with the certificate shall

be returned to the concerned TL for initial and shall be
forwarded to the SCMD Support Staff.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the revised
report and certificate. This shall be forwarded to the DC for
review and initial.

 Once approved by the DC, the SCMD Support Staff shall

track and return to the concerned TS for logo of the
confirmation report.

 The final draft of confirmation report and certificate shall

then be forwarded to the BD Secretary for BD’s approval
and signature.
 100

 If with comment/input, the report together with the

certificate shall be returned to the concerned TS.

 The concerned TS shall revise and resubmit the report

together with the certificate to the concerned TL for initial
and endorsement to the DC.

 Once signed, the SCMD Support Staff shall forward the

report and certificate to the concerned TS for logo of the
confirmation report and shall forward to the BD Secretary
of the BD’s for signature.

 Once signed, the BD Secretary shall endorse the signed

Confirmation Report to the Support Staff for sending to
SWDAs through e-mail while the draft certificate shall be
endorsed to the Support Staff for the preparation of the
draft Certificate of License to Operate.

 Once sent to concerned SWDA through email, the Support

Staff shall endorse the Confirmation Report in sealed
envelope to the RAMD.

 The Support Staff shall assign a unique License Number

for the draft Certificate of License to Operate which shall
be retained until renewal.

 Together with the transmittal, the draft Certificate shall be

routed to the concerned TS for review and approval.

 If with comment/input, together with the transmittal this

shall be returned to the Support Staff for revision.

 Once revised, the draft certificate together with the

transmittal shall be returned to the concerned TS for initial
and approval. This shall be forwarded to the SCMD
Support Staff for approval and initial of the DC.
 101

 Once approved, the SCMD Support Staff shall log its

receipt and shall then forward to the BD Secretary for BD’s
approval and initial.

 If with comment/input, the draft certificate together with

the transmittal shall be returned to the Support Staff for
revision.

 Once revised, the draft certificate together with the

transmittal shall be returned to the concerned TS and DC
for approval and initial. Once approved, this shall be
routed to the BD Secretary for BD’s review and approval.

 Once approved, the draft certificate together with the

transmittal shall be endorsed to the Support Staff for the
preparation of SECPA certificate.

 The SECPA certificate shall be transmitted to the Office of

the Undersecretary supervising SB for approval and
signature.

 If with comments/inputs, the SECPA certificate shall be

returned from the Office of the Undersecretary to SB for
revision.

 Revised per comments/inputs, the SECPA certificate shall

be returned to the Office of the Undersecretary supervising
the Standards Bureau for approval and signature.

 Once approved and signed, the certificate of Registration

shall be forwarded to the RAMD for delivery to the
concerned SWDA.
 102

IF NOT FAVORABLE, the Technical Staff shall prepare a

Confirmation Report and submit to the concerned Team Leader
for review and initial.

If no comment/input:
 The TL shall sign and endorse the draft Confirmation
Report to SCMD DC.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the draft
report and shall route to SCMD DC for comments/inputs.
Once approved, DC shall sign the said documents and
endorse these to the BD.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall track and return the said
documents to the concerned TS for logo of the confirmation
report. Subsequently, these shall be forwarded to the BD
Secretary for the BD comments/inputs. Once approved,
BD shall sign the Confirmation Report.

 The BD Secretary shall endorse the signed Confirmation

Report to the Support Staff for sending to SWDA through
e-mail.

 Once the Confirmation Report was sent to the SWDA

through e-mail, the Outgoing Support Staff shall send the
Confirmation Report to the RAMD for sending through
courier.

If with comment/input:

 The report together with the certificate shall be returned to

the concerned TS.

 Once revised, the draft confirmation report shall be

returned to the concerned TL for initial and endorsement.
 103

This shall be forwarded to the SCMD Support Staff for

tracking.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the

confirmation report and shall be forwarded to the DC for
review and initial.

 If with comment/input, the confirmation report shall be

returned to the concerned TS.

 Once revised, the confirmation report shall be returned to

the concerned TL for initial and shall be forwarded to the
SCMD Support Staff.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the revised
confirmation report. This shall be forwarded to the DC for
review and initial.

 Once approved by the DC, the SCMD Support Staff shall

track and return to the concerned TS for logo of the
confirmation report.

 The final draft of confirmation report shall be forwarded to

the BD Secretary for BD’s approval and signature.

 If with comment/input, the confirmation report shall be

returned to the concerned TS.

 The concerned TS shall revise and resubmit the

confirmation report to the concerned TL for initial and
endorsement to the DC.

 Once signed, the SCMD Support Staff shall forward the

confirmation report to the concerned TS for logo and shall
forward to the BD Secretary of the BD’s for signature.
 104

 Once signed, the BD Secretary shall endorse the signed

Confirmation Report to the Support Staff for sending to
SWDAs through e-mail.

 Once sent to concerned SWDA through email, the Support

Staff shall endorse the Confirmation Report in sealed
envelope to the RAMD.

C. Accreditation of SWD
Programs and Services
Step 1 The SWDA shall submit all documents necessary for the
issuance of a Certificate of Accreditation as prescribed in
Memorandum Circular No. 17 series of 2018 Annex C depending on
whether it is a Renewal or New Application.
Step 2 The Support Staff who is in charge of all incoming
documents shall receive these requirements and shall provide the
applicant SWDA with an application reference number for easy
tracking and reference.
Step 3 For Walk – in applicants, the Officer of the Day assigned
by SB shall determine whether the submitted documents are
complete and compliant.
3.a. If incomplete, the Officer of the Day shall return all submitted
documents accompanied by a checklist of requirements to the
applicant SWDAs compliance.

3.b. If complete, the Officer of the Day shall endorse the

documents to the Support Staff and shall log the receipt of the
application documents to the Document Transaction
Management System (DTMS). Once encoded, this shall be
forwarded to the Incoming Support Staff of the Standards
Compliance Monitoring Division (SCMD).
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 The Incoming Support Staff of SCMD shall endorse the

documents to the concerned Team Leader (TL) for routing
and assignment to the Technical Staff (TS).

 Within two (2) working days, the assigned Technical Staff

shall review the submitted documents as to completeness
and compliance.

 The TS shall prepare a prepare an Acknowledgement Letter

indicating the proposed schedule of Assessment Visit. The
draft letter shall be submitted to the Team Leader for review
and initial.

If no comment/input:

 The TL shall initial and endorse the draft

Acknowledgement Letter.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the draft
document. This shall be routed to SCMD Division Chief
(DC) for comments/inputs. Once approved, DC shall sign
the said documents and endorse to the Bureau Director
(BD).

 The SCMD Support Staff shall track and return the said
documents to the concerned TS for logo. Subsequently,
these shall be forwarded to the BD Secretary for the BD
comments/inputs. Once approved, BD shall sign the
Acknowledgement Letter.

 The BD Secretary shall endorse the signed

Acknowledgement Letter to the Support Staff for sending
to SWDA through e-mail.

 Once the Acknowledgement Letter was sent to the

concerned SWDA through e-mail, the Outgoing Support
Staff shall endorse this to the Records and Archives
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Management Division (RAMD) for sending through

courier.

If with comment/input:

 The Acknowledgement Letter shall be returned to the

concerned TS.

 Once revised, the Acknowledgement Letter shall be

returned to the concerned TL for initial and endorsement.
This shall be forwarded to the SCMD Support Staff for
tracking.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the Acknowledgement

Letter and shall forward to the DC for review and initial.

 If with comment/input, the Acknowledgement Letter

shall be returned to the concerned TS.

 Once revised, the Acknowledgement Letter shall be

returned to the concerned TL for initial and shall be
forwarded to the SCMD Support Staff.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the revised
Acknowledgement Letter. This shall be forwarded to the
DC for review and initial.

 Once approved by the DC, the SCMD Support Staff shall

track and return to the concerned TS for logo.

 The final draft Acknowledgement Letter shall be

forwarded to the BD Secretary for BD’s approval and
signature.

 If with comment/input, the report together with the

certificate shall be returned to the concerned TS.
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 The concerned TS shall revise and resubmit the

Acknowledgement Letter to concerned TL for initial and
endorsement to the DC.

 Once signed, the SCMD Support Staff shall forward the

Acknowledgement Letter to the concerned TS for logo and
shall forward to the BD Secretary of the BD’s for signature.

 Once signed, the BD Secretary shall endorse the signed

Acknowledgement Letter to the Support Staff for sending
to SWDAs through e-mail.

 Once sent to concerned SWDA through email, the Support

Staff shall endorse the Acknowledgement Letter in sealed
envelope to the RAMD for delivery to the concerned
SWDA.

Step 4 For application submitted through mail or courier, the

Support Staff who is in charge of all incoming documents shall log
its receipt into the DTMS and route to SCMD Support Staff for
tracking and reference.

Step 5 Within two (2) working days the assigned Technical

Staff shall review the submitted documents as to completeness and
compliance, both in form and substance.

5a. If complete and compliant, an Acknowledgement

Letter and notification on the proposed schedule conduct of
Assessment Visit shall be prepared by Technical Staff for
approval of the Team Leader, Division Chief and the SB
Director. All routed through the SCMD Support Staff for
tracking purposes.

5b. If found incomplete or non-compliant, the

Acknowledgement Letter prepared shall contain the checklist
of requirements to be secured or complied. This will be sent to
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the applicant SWDA together with all the application

documents submitted.
 Cumulatively, the Team Leader and the Division Chief
shall review and approve the Acknowledgement Letter
including its attachments within one (1) working day.

 The Office of the SB Director shall review and/or

provide inputs on the prepared documents within one
(1) working. Once approved, the SB Director shall sign
the Acknowledgement Letter.

 Once signed, whether for completion or for notice of

visit, the Support Staff will transmit the
Acknowledgement Letter with a checklist of
requirements to the RAMD for delivery to concerned
SWDA.

 For those with requirements that are complete and

compliant, the Technical Staff shall confirm date of
Assessment Visit for SWDAs.

 The Assessment Visit shall be conducted on the agreed

date to be conducted within one (1) working day. For
those operating more than one (1) region, the Main
Office is subject for visit by SB. During the assessment
visit, the Technical Staff shall be guided by the
following:

i. The licensing criteria in assessing the readiness of

the applicant SWDA administratively, technically
and financially;
ii. Assessment tool to assess and validate further the
results of the documents review; and
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iii. The Institutional Development Group

Memorandum No. 2 Series of 2015 entitled
“Protocol and code of Ethics for DSWD Assessors
and/or Accreditors Implementing Regulatory
Services”.

 During the exit conference, the Technical Staff must

ensure that the Head of the SWDA or its Authorized
Representative has signed the Assessment Tool and the
Action Plan (as applicable).
 Before leaving the SWDA, the technical staff must
ensure that the Customer Feedback Satisfaction Form
is filled-up by the Head or its Authorized
Representative, and is returned to the technical staff in
a sealed envelope.

Step 6 The Technical Staff shall prepare the Confirmation

Report on the visit within three (3) working days after the
assessment visit.

VALIDATION VISIT: IF FAVORABLE, the TS shall prepare a

Confirmation Report together with the draft Certificate of
Accreditation. These shall be submitted to the Team Leader for
comments/inputs.

If no comment:

 The TL shall sign and endorse the draft Confirmation

Report and the draft Certificate of Accreditation.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the draft
report and certificate. These shall be routed to SCMD
Division Chief (DC) for comments/inputs. Once
 110

approved, DC shall sign the said documents and endorse

these to the Bureau Director (BD).

 The SCMD Support Staff shall track and return the said
documents to the concerned TS for logo of the confirmation
report. Subsequently, these shall be forwarded to the BD
Secretary for the BD comments/inputs. Once approved,
BD shall sign the Confirmation Report.

 The BD Secretary shall endorse the signed Confirmation

Report to the Support Staff for sending to SWDA through
e-mail. Whereas the draft certificate shall be endorsed to
the Support Staff facilitating the certificates for the
preparation and finalization of the Certificate of
Accreditation in Security Paper (SECPA).

 Once the Confirmation Report was sent to the SWDA

through e-mail, the Outgoing Support Staff shall send the
Confirmation Report to the RAMD for sending through
courier.

 Together with the transmittal, the Certificate of

Accreditation shall be routed to the concerned TS for
review and initial. Once approved, this shall be endorsed
to DC for review and initial.

 Once approved by the DC, the certificate and transmittal

shall be forwarded to the BD Secretary for BD’s review and
initial.

 Once approved, the draft certificate together with the

transmittal shall be endorsed to the Support Staff for the
preparation of certificate in security paper (SECPA).

 The SECPA certificate shall be transmitted to the Office of

the Undersecretary supervising SB for approval and
signature.
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 Once signed, the SECPA certificate shall be forwarded to

the RAMD for delivery to the concerned SWDA.

If with comment/input:

 The report together with the certificate shall be returned to

the concerned TS.

 Once revised, the confirmation report together with the

certificate shall be returned to the concerned TL for initial
and endorsement. This shall be forwarded to the SCMD
Support Staff for tracking.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the report
and certificate and shall then be forwarded to the DC for
review and initial.

 If with comment/input, the report together with the

certificate shall be returned to the concerned TS.

 Once revised, the report together with the certificate shall

be returned to the concerned TL for initial and shall be
forwarded to the SCMD Support Staff.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the revised
report and certificate. This shall be forwarded to the DC for
review and initial.

 Once approved by the DC, the SCMD Support Staff shall

track and return to the concerned TS for logo of the
confirmation report.

 The final draft of confirmation report and certificate shall

then be forwarded to the BD Secretary for BD’s approval
and signature.
 112

 If with comment/input, the report together with the

certificate shall be returned to the concerned TS.

 The concerned TS shall revise and resubmit the report

together with the certificate to the concerned TL for initial
and endorsement to the DC.

 Once signed, the SCMD Support Staff shall forward the

report and certificate to the concerned TS for logo of the
confirmation report and shall forward to the BD Secretary
of the BD’s for signature.

 Once signed, the BD Secretary shall endorse the signed

Confirmation Report to the Support Staff for sending to
SWDAs through e-mail while the draft certificate shall be
endorsed to the Support Staff for the preparation of the
draft Certificate of Accreditation.

 Once sent to concerned SWDA through email, the Support

Staff shall endorse the Confirmation Report in sealed
envelope to the RAMD.

 Together with the transmittal, the draft Certificate shall be

routed to the concerned TS for review and approval.

 If with comment/input, together with the transmittal this

shall be returned to the Support Staff for revision.

 Once revised, the draft certificate together with the

transmittal shall be returned to the concerned TS for initial
and approval. This shall be forwarded to the SCMD
Support Staff for approval and initial of the DC.

 Once approved, the SCMD Support Staff shall log its

receipt and shall then forward to the BD Secretary for BD’s
approval and initial.
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 If with comment/input, the draft certificate together with

the transmittal shall be returned to the Support Staff for
revision.

 Once revised, the draft certificate together with the

transmittal shall be returned to the concerned TS and DC
for approval and initial. Once approved, this shall be
routed to the BD Secretary for BD’s review and approval.

 Once approved, the draft certificate together with the

transmittal shall be endorsed to the Support Staff for the
preparation of SECPA certificate.

 The SECPA certificate shall be transmitted to the Office of

the Undersecretary supervising SB for approval and
signature.

 If with comments/inputs, the SECPA certificate shall be

returned from the Office of the Undersecretary to SB for
revision.

 Revised per comments/inputs, the SECPA certificate shall

be returned to the Office of the Undersecretary supervising
the Standards Bureau for approval and signature.

 Once approved and signed, the Certificate of Accreditation

shall be forwarded to the RAMD for delivery to the
concerned SWDA.

IF NOT FAVORABLE, the Technical Staff shall prepare a

Confirmation Report and submit to the concerned Team Leader
for review and initial.
If no comment/input:
 114

 The TL shall sign and endorse the draft Confirmation

Report to SCMD DC.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the draft
report and shall route to SCMD DC for comments/inputs.
Once approved, DC shall sign the said documents and
endorse these to the BD.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall track and return the said
documents to the concerned TS for logo of the confirmation
report. Subsequently, these shall be forwarded to the BD
Secretary for the BD comments/inputs. Once approved,
BD shall sign the Confirmation Report.

 The BD Secretary shall endorse the signed Confirmation

Report to the Support Staff for sending to SWDA through
e-mail.

 Once the Confirmation Report was sent to the SWDA

through e-mail, the Outgoing Support Staff shall send the
Confirmation Report to the RAMD for sending through
courier.

If with comment/input:

 The report together with the certificate shall be returned to

the concerned TS.

 Once revised, the draft confirmation report shall be

returned to the concerned TL for initial and endorsement.
This shall be forwarded to the SCMD Support Staff for
tracking.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the

confirmation report and shall be forwarded to the DC for
review and initial.
 115

 If with comment/input, the confirmation report shall be

returned to the concerned TS.

 Once revised, the confirmation report shall be returned to

the concerned TL for initial and shall be forwarded to the
SCMD Support Staff.

 The SCMD Support Staff shall log the receipt of the revised
confirmation report. This shall be forwarded to the DC for
review and initial.

 Once approved by the DC, the SCMD Support Staff shall

track and return to the concerned TS for logo of the
confirmation report.

 The final draft of confirmation report shall be forwarded to

the BD Secretary for BD’s approval and signature.

 If with comment/input, the confirmation report shall be

returned to the concerned TS.

 The concerned TS shall revise and resubmit the

confirmation report to the concerned TL for initial and
endorsement to the DC.

 Once signed, the SCMD Support Staff shall forward the

confirmation report to the concerned TS for logo and shall
forward to the BD Secretary of the BD’s for signature.

 Once signed, the BD Secretary shall endorse the signed

Confirmation Report to the Support Staff for sending to
SWDAs through e-mail.

 Once sent to concerned SWDA through email, the Support

Staff shall endorse the Confirmation Report in sealed
envelope to the RAMD.