The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the 921 accredited social welfare and development agencies (SWDAs) that its semestral monitoring visits are routine checks to ensure compliance with existing standards, not abrupt closures.
Director Megan Therese Manahan of the DSWD’s Standards Bureau emphasized, “Hindi naman abrupt yung pagpapasara natin. At kung maayos naman ang operations niyo, kung maayos naman ang pakikitungo sa beneficiaries niyo, wala kayong dapat ikabahala.”
Monitoring visits are part of the department’s mandate to issue registration, licenses to operate, and accreditation (RLA) to organizations implementing social welfare programs. Non-compliance, such as mismanagement of funds, abuse of beneficiaries, falsification of documents, or hazards to clients, can lead to sanctions or corrective actions.
Manahan clarified that cease-and-desist orders (CDOs), such as those recently issued to two facilities in Central Luzon, are preventive measures following substantiated complaints, and involve a review process. “May due process po tayo dito. I don’t want the public to think that it’s okay to issue cease-and-desist order even if there is an unverified complaint,” she said. Residents of affected facilities are placed under DSWD protective custody during the enforcement period of up to 30 days.
From February to September this year, the DSWD issued eight CDOs. Manahan also encouraged SWDAs to use the streamlined online Harmonized Electronic Licensing Permit System (HELPS) for RLA applications, which reduced processing time from 20 to seven days.
“We made it easier for the SWDAs to apply for their licenses… but we are very strong with regard to monitoring and enforcement. We want to guarantee to the public that all the licenses of the NGOs [are] vetted po ng DSWD,” she said.
Complaints against SWDAs, even anonymous, can trigger validation visits to ensure protection for vulnerable clients.