The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure strengthening the government’s regulatory powers over private social welfare organizations.

House Bill 5785 also establishes a comprehensive system for the registration and licensing of social welfare organizations, according to  its primary author, Representative Cresente Paez (COOP-NATCCO, Partylist).

"The proposed law seeks to ensure effectiveness, efficiency and accountability in the delivery of quality social welfare and development programs and services," said Paez, a partylist ally of the National Unity Party (NUP).

HB 5785 defines a social welfare and development agency (SWDA) as a corporation, organization or association engaged in providing social welfare and development programs and services.

Paez said the bill enumerates the requirements for the registration and licensing of a SWDA as well as for the accreditation of social welfare and development programs and services.

“Under the bill, the failure of a social welfare and development agency to perform its functions or violation of existing laws, rules and regulations shall be grounds for the suspension or revocation of its certificates of registration, license or accreditation issued to it,” he said.

An SWDA can be suspended due to poor sanitation of  its facilities and surroundings;  its use for immoral purposes such as trafficking, gambling, prostitution, money laundering, and terrorist financing; and  neglect, exploitation, and abuse of SWDA clients, among other grounds, Paez noted.

The bill penalizes  persons or corporate entities operating  SWDAs  without licenses  with a fine of not less than P100,000 but not more than P500,000 or an imprisonment ranging from one year to three years.

The co-authors of the bill include Representatives Gavini Pancho of Bulacan and Magnolia Rose Antonino of Nueva Ecija, both  from the NUP; Representatives Angelina Tan of Quezon, Emi Calixto-Rubiano of Pasay City, Rogelio Roque of Bukidnon, Lilia Macrohon-Nuno of Zamboanga City, Estrellita Suansing of Nueva Ecija  and Gina De Venecia of Pangasinan.

NUP’s partylist allies—Representatives Anthony Bravo of COOP-NATCCO and  Leah Paquiz of ANG NARS—are also co-authors of the measure, along with  Representatives Edgardo Masongsong  of 1-CARE,  Emmi de Jesus  of GABRIELA,  Raneo  Abu of  Batangas, Isagani  Amatong of  Compostela Valley, Victoria Noel  of AN WARAY;

Representatives Ruby Sahali of Tawi-Tawi, Susan Yap of Tarlac, Sharon Garin of AAMBIS-OWA, Maria Leonor Gerona-Robredo  of Camarines Sur, Raul del Mar  of Cebu City and Gus  Tambunting of Parañaque City.

The bill provides for two main classifications of SWDAs, namely the social welfare agency (SWA) and the auxiliary social welfare and development agency (SWDA).

As defined under the measure,  an SWDA  obtains its finances either totally or in part, foreign or local, from any government agency or instrumentality or from the community by direct or indirect solicitations and other fund-generating activities as authorized by law.