Memorandum Circular No.

2010- 73 (August 4, 2010) 443209

Guidelines for Accreditation

- (5) Accreditation is a continuing process wherein a people's organization,
non-governmental organization and business or professional group may
apply and obtain accreditation at any time. The only legal effect of not
applying for accreditation, within the period prescribed by law and
reiterated in this Memorandum Circular, is that such organization is not
entitled for a representation in a local special body.
** There is nothing in the Memorandum Circular which provides that the children
in the adoption agency must be removed or taken out.
** The process of the DSWD in taking children is the rescuing of a child victim
with the following procedure (as provided under the Protocol for Case
Management of Child Victims of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation):

Rescue of a Child Victim

If, based on the report received either by DSWD or LSWDO or LEA, a rescue
operation is necessary, the social worker and the police shall immediately meet to
plan the rescue and determine the action necessary to protect the child. The
planning and conduct of rescue operations shall proceed as follows:

1. The agency that received the initial report shall immediately verify the
matter and gather more information.

2. Such agency shall contact the other team members: DSWD/LSWDO,

LEA, and the concerned barangay officials to map out the rescue
operations, identify tasks and responsibilities, and identify support
agencies or service.

3. Confidential information may be shared only with those directly involved

in the planning and conduct so as not to preempt the rescue operation.

4. The LEA shall lead the rescue operation. The social worker, at a safe
distance, shall take custody of the child victim. The barangay shall assist in
securing the family and the community as a whole. Depending on the nature
of the case, the composition of the rescue team shall vary (e.g., a trafficking
 case involving a child worker shall require the presence of a DOLE
representative). The composite
team shall, however, properly observe role delineation with the police as
lead agency in rescuing the child and apprehending the alleged perpetrator.

4. The barangay or the LEA, however, may immediately rescue a child if

coordinating the rescue operations with the nearest available social
worker would compromise the safety of the child (e.g., if child is in a far-
flung area and it would entail unnecessary delay to contact the nearest
DSWD or LSWDO). As soon as the child is rescued, the child shall be
immediately endorsed to LSWDO and the rescue operations entered in
the barangay and/or LEA blotter.

5. When LSWDO social worker or SWO II is unavailable to personally

work out the details of protective custody and another person (e.g.,
WCPU or NGO social worker, barangay help desk person, guidance
counselor, etc.) endorses the child to a temporary shelter, the LSWDO
social worker or SWO II who received the report shall immediately issue
a written document evidencing the taking of protective custody and
authorizing the latter to effect the placement of the child in a temporary
facility. This written authorization, along with the initial intake form and
other relevant documents, will be submitted by the person endorsing the
child to the temporary shelter.

6. The LSWDO social worker who issues the written authorization for
protective custody enjoys the presumption of good faith and regularity in
the performance of duty and shall be free from any civil, criminal, or
administrative liability. Annexed are copies of DOJ Circulars 70 and 77.

7. Immediately bring the rescued child to a WCPU or a hospital to be

examined by a doctor or if injured, provided with medical treatment.

Possible cases that may be filed:

1. Against the DSWD failure to observe due process

2. Complaint against the social workers involved in the rash pull out of the
Children before the PRC. (For failure to observe Social Workers Code of
Ethics)
SOCIAL WORKERS CODE OF ETHICS
We, the members of the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. believing:

In the inherent dignity and worth of all persons, emanating from a Supreme Being who directs our actions of love for
one another;
That every human being has natural and social rights, capacities and responsibilities to develop his full potentials as a
human being;
In the human beings capacity to change and recognize the value of unity in diversity, individual differences and
pluralism in society;
In free men and women living in a free society where poverty, in all its forms, is neither a fate nor a punishment, but
is condition that can and must be changed;
In the family as the basic unit of society and its vital role in the growth and development of the individual, the family
system, and community;
That the government, the private sector and the public have a joint responsibility to promote social justice and to
ensure political, economic and social well-being of all people;
In the role of social workers as agents and advocates of change and in the promotion of professionalism,
responsibility and accountability; and,
That our professional practice is deeply rooted in our cultural values,

DO HEREBY DECLARE that we will abide by these standards of ethical conduct:

Relative to Self and the Profession:

To conduct myself in a manner consistent with the philosophy, principles, values, and beliefs of the social work
profession;
To act at all times with honesty, openness, and transparency in all my professional transactions;
To constantly work towards my own professional advancement so as to contribute to the promotion of the social
work practice;
To contribute time and professional expertise to activities that promote respect for the integrity and competence of
social workers;
To share research knowledge and practice wisdom to colleagues and other professionals;
To be vigilant and act to prevent the unauthorized and unqualified practice of social work;
To support the professional association duly organized and constitute for the professional welfare of all social
workers;
To respond and volunteer my professional services in times of emergency;
To uphold and protect the dignity and integrity of the profession; and
To promote cultural values that will enhance the practice of social work profession.

Relative to Clients:

To uphold the basic human rights of clients and serve them without discrimination;
To accept primary responsibility and accountability to clients, respecting their right to self-determination and observe
confidentiality in all my dealings with them;
To seek out the marginalized and ensure equal access to the resources, services and opportunities required to meet
basic needs; and,
To expand choice and opportunity for all persons, with special regard for disadvantaged or oppressed groups or
persons.
Relative to Colleagues:

To acknowledge and respect the professional expertise of other disciplines, extending all necessary cooperation that
will enhance effective services;
To bring any violation of professional ethics and standards to the attention of the appropriate bodies inside and
outside the profession, and ensure that relevant clients are properly involved; and
To advocate with legislative and policy bodies for the welfare of all colleagues

Are there types of NGOs that are required to register with the DSWD? If yes, are there
penalties for not registering with the DSWD?

Yes, NGOs required to register with Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) are those who are identified as Social Welfare Development Agency (SWDA).
An SWDA is an NGO that provides supportive activities for the welfare and
development of the disadvantaged sectors.

Supportive activities include those that (1) provide leadership, membership (2) provide
tangibles such as food, clothing, shelter, medicines; or provide intangibles such as
knowledge, skills, hope, courage.

Examples of SWDA are Peoples Organization like federation of senior citizens, youth
organization/s or association/s of women and children or persons with disabilities, those
that provide shelter like Asilo de Molo Inc, and other coalition or alliances which has a
goal in promoting social protection.

All private SWDAs operating without a registration shall be given a period of one year to
apply for registration. Non-compliance shall be reported by the concerned DSWD Office
to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), who provide juridical personality to an
NGO, for appropriate action.

Administrative Order No. 17 series of 2008

The DSWD also warned all private SWDAs operating without registration or license to operate from the DSWD
that they have one year to apply for registration and license from the date of the effectivity of the guidelines.

Those who ignore the order shall be reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulatory
government agencies that provide juridical personality to the SWDA for appropriate action.

Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

The DSWD said that those who fail to comply shall be delisted from the registry and their certificates of
registration and license to operate shall be revoked after due notice