The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) offers a variety of eServices that aim to provide efficient and convenient service to the public. These services include online registration for social welfare and development programs, online filing of complaints, online donation tracking, and more. The DSWD website also provides a wealth of information on its various programs and services.
Also Read: What is DSWD AICS Program – Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations
If you are interested in discovering more about these eServices, how you can avail of them, and what they can do for you, continue reading so you can make the most out of the online platform and know how to avail of these services.
What are DSWD eServices?
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) offers several services that can be accessed online by the public. These services are called eServices, and they include online applications for assistance from the government agency.
The DSWD eServices is an online application system that aims to make it easier for people to access DSWD services. The DSWD eServices also makes it easier for people to register, license, and accredit social welfare and development agencies (SWDAs) and service providers (SPs), so they can provide better services to their communities. Another service they offer is the processing and issuance of a travel clearance for minors traveling abroad.
Registration, Licensing and Accreditation of SWDAs
Through the DSWD’s Standards Bureau and Field Office Standards Section, the agency ensures that the programs and services of its social welfare agencies are conducted in a proper and ethical manner.
Private SWDA – Those that are managed by local government agencies are exempted from licensing and registration. But, they must still be accredited to provide SWD programs and services.
Registration
The registration process is carried out to determine if the organization’s intended purpose is within the scope of SWD. Once the determination is made, the agency will be included in the Department’s registry of SWDAs. After all of the requirements have been satisfied, a Certificate of Registration will be issued.
Licensing
The licensing process is a process that involves assessing the qualifications of certain SWDAs and authorizing them to operate as SWAs or auxiliary SWDAs. After they have complied with the prescribed requirements, a license to operate will be issued.
Accreditation
The accreditation process is carried out to evaluate the quality of SWD programs and services offered by licensed private social welfare agencies and public welfare organizations. After that, a certificate of accreditation will be issued to show that the providers have met the Department’s standards.
Objectives
- The agency is tasked with monitoring and enforcing SWD standards to public and private organizations in the country, through registration licensing.
- To ensure that organizations engaging in SWD activities do not exploit or neglect the people they are serving.
- To recognize the vital contributions of private and public SWDAs in the promotion of the welfare of the poor, disadvantaged, and vulnerable individuals, families and communities; and
- To promote transparency and accountability of SWDAs to their respective donors, clients and general public.
Legal Bases
- Section 4 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10847 of 2016 (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)
- 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)
- Article IV of Sections 24 and 25 of RA 4373 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)
- Section 3 of RA No. 5416 of 1968 (Social Welfare Act of 1968)
- 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”
Target Beneficiaries
1. Registration: Private agencies and organizations engaged or planning to engage in providing direct or indirect Social Welfare and Development (SWD) programs and services need to register with the Council.
2. Licensing: Only private SWDAs with valid registration and license to operate are eligible for pre-accreditation assessment.
3. Pre-accreditation assessment: Private SWDAs with valid registration and license to operate and public SWDAs.
Documentary Requirements
REGISTRATION
1. Duly Accomplished and Notarized Application Form
2. Updated Copy of Certificate of 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:
- Handbook or Manual Operations of its programs policies and procedures to attain its purposes
- Brochure
- Duly signed Work and Financial Plan for at least two (2) Years by the Head of Agency
LICENSING
For Applicants intending to operate
- Basic Documents
* Duly Accomplished and Notarized Application Form
a) A certification of plan to hire the required Registered Social Worker (RSW) or staff complement; or b) Profile of Employees and volunteers, whichever is applicable
- Manual of Operation containing the SWDAs program and administrative policies, procedures and strategies to attain its purpose/s among others.
- Profile of Board of Trustees
2) Documents Establishing Corporate Existence and Regulatory
- Certified true copy of General Information Sheet issued by SEC
- Notarized certification from the Board of Trustees and/or the funding agency to financially support the organization’s capacity to operate for at least two 2 years
- Work and Financial Plan for the two (2) succeeding years
For Applicants Already Implementing Prior Its Application
Mandatory Requirements
- Basic Documents
- Duly Accomplished and Notarized Application Form
- Manual of Operation containing the SWDAs program and administrative policies, procedures and strategies to attain its purpose/s among others.
- Profile of Board of Trustees
- Profile of Employees and Volunteers
a. For Social Work Agency, to consider the following staff requirement:
a.1 At least one (1) RSW to supervise and take charge of its social work functions for residential care agencies and community based agencies that caters to beneficiaries that requires social case management.
a.2 For Center Based (Residential Based), to observe the caseload requirement of client ratio of the social worker and house parent
a.3 For Center Based (Non-Residential Based), to observe at least one full time social worker for drop in center, processing center and vocational rehabilitation center while for senior citizens center and the like, a part-time social worker is considered.
a.4 For Community Based, implementing community development or community organizing, any of the following shall be hired in full/part time basis per region:
a.4.1. Graduate of Bachelor Degree in Social Work or Community Development; or
a.4.2. Other professionals who have at least three (3) year work experiences in the field of social welfare and development
b. For Auxiliary SWDA, at least one (1) full time staff who will manage its operations
- Documents Establishing Corporate Existence and Regulatory Compliance
- Certified true copy of General Information Sheet issued by SEC
- Certification of no derogatory information issued by SEC (for those operating more than six (6) months upon filing of the application)
- ABSNET Membership
Certification from the Regional ABSNET (RAB) President or Chairperson of the Cluster ABSNET (CAB) or the authorized ABSNET Officer attesting the active ABSNET membership of the applicant SWDA.
(Not applicable for first time applicants) - Declaration of Commitment from the applicant SWDA of no support to tobacco in compliance with provisions of Executive Order No. 26 of 2017 (Providing for the Establishment of Smoke-Free Environments in Public and Enclosed Places) and RA No. 9211 Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003)
- Documents Establishing Track Record and Good Standing
- Duly signed Work and Financial Plan for the two (2) succeeding years
- Notarized certification from the Board of Trustees and/or the funding agency to financially support the organizations to operate for at least two (2) years
- Annual Accomplishment Report of the previous year
- Audited Financial Report of the previous year. Audited Financial Report submitted to SEC and/or Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) shall be accepted. However, financial report based on the DSWD template shall also be submitted. For those SWDAs with a total revenue of less than Php 500,000, an unaudited financial statement prepared by the Financial Officer and concurred by the Head of Agency may suffice.
- Profile of clients/community being served for the preceding and current year
- Profile of clients/community being served for the preceding and current year
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS (both for intending and already operating)
- Basic Documents
- For those operating in more than one region
- List of main and satellite/branch offices with contact details, if any
- Certified true copy of the notarized written agreement of partnership or cooperation between the agency and its partner agency e.g Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), Contract of Partnership, among others
- For Applicant SWA’s implementing Child Placement Services Certification from DSWD or photocopy of the certificate of training attended by the hired RSW related to child placement service.
- For those operating in more than one region
- Documents Establishing Corporate Existence and Regulatory Compliance
- For those operating in more than one region validation report from concerned DSWD Field Office or Certification from Regional ABSNET/Cluster or LGUs attesting to the existence and status of operation of the organization in the area/s of jurisdiction.
There is no need to get a validation report/certification of existence for the region where the main office of the applicant is located.
- For those operating in more than one region validation report from concerned DSWD Field Office or Certification from Regional ABSNET/Cluster or LGUs attesting to the existence and status of operation of the organization in the area/s of jurisdiction.
- For Center Based (Residential Based and Non-Residential Based) Copy of the valid safety certificates namely:
- Occupancy permit (only for new buildings) or Annual Building Inspection/Structural Safety Certificate (for old buildings)
- Fire Safety Inspection Certificate
- Water Potability Certificate or Sanitary Permit
- For applicant serving within the Ancestral Domains of Indigenous People (P) – Photocopy of NGO Accreditation from the NCIP C.
- Documents Establishing Track Record and Good Standing
- For applicants with past and current partnerships with the DSWD that involved the transfer of funds
- Certification from DSWD Office and/or other concerned government agencies that the applicant is free from any financial liability/obligation
- ACCREDITATION
- I. MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS
A. Basic Documents- Duly accomplished and Notarized Application Form
- Pre- Accreditation assessment conducted by concerned FO
- Duly Accomplished Pre- Accreditation assessment tool signed by the SWA’s Head of Agency or Authorized Representative
- B. Documents Establishing Corporate Existence and Regulatory Compliance
- Certification of no derogatory information issued by SEC (except those operating for less than six (6) months upon filing of the application)
(not applicable for public SWDAs) - ABSNET Membership Certification from the Regional ABSNET (RAB) President or Chairperson of the Cluster ABSNET (CAB) or the authorized ABSNET Officer attesting the active ABSNET membership of the applicant SWDA.
- Certification of no derogatory information issued by SEC (except those operating for less than six (6) months upon filing of the application)
- C. Documents Establishing Track Record and Good Standing
- Duly signed Work and Financial Plan for the two (2) succeeding years
- Notarized Update Certification from the Board of Trustees and/or the funding agency to financially support the organizations to operate for at least two (2) years
(not applicable for public SWDAs) - Annual Accomplishment Report of the previous year
- Audited Financial Report of the previous year
- Profile of clients/community being served for the preceding and current year
- D. Documents Establishing Corporate Existence and Regulatory Compliance
- Certification from the SWA’s Head of Agency on their observance and compliance to the provisions of Executive Order No. 26 of 2017 (Providing for the Establishment of Smoke- Free Environments in Public and Enclosed Places) and RA No. 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003)
II. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
A. Basic Documents
- Manual of Operation
- Profile of Board of Trustees or its equivalent
- Profile of Employees and Volunteers
Staff requirement shall be based on Staff Client ration per standards on accreditation of specific programs and services - For those operating in more than one region
List of main and satellite/branch offices, if any - For applicant SWAs implementing Child Placement Services Certification from DSWD or photocopy the certificate of training attended by the hired RSW related to child placement service.
B. Documents Establishing Corporate Existence and Regulatory Services
- Certified true copy of General Information Sheet issued by SEC or any regulatory agencies
(not applicable for public SWDAs) - For Center Based (Residential Based and Non-Residential Based)
Copy of the valid safety certificates namely:- Occupancy permit (only for new buildings) or Annual Building Inspection/Structural Safety Certificate (for old buildings)
- Fire Safety Inspection Certificate
- Water Potability Certificate or Sanitary Permit
- For applicant serving within the Ancestral Domains of Indigenous People (IP) – Photocopy of NGO Accreditation from the National Council on IP(NCIP)
C. Documents Establishing Track Record and Good Standing
- For applicants with past and current partnership with the DSWD that involved transfer of funds
- Certification from DSWD Office and/or other concerned government agencies that the applicant is free from any financial liability/obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Registration, Licensing and Accreditation of SWDAs
1. How much is the processing fee for Registration, Licensing and Accreditation?
The DSWD will charge a processing fee for the registration, licensing, or accreditation of programs and facilities. This fee is equivalent to one thousand pesos. For registration, the agency will charge a fee of one thousand pesos. On the other hand, for accreditation, the fee is one thousand pesos.
2. What is the timeline in processing Registration, Licensing and Accreditation online application?
Applications received after 4:00 p.m. will be processed the next working day. Applicants can log into their accounts to check the status of their application.
Travel Clearance for Minors
The DSWD issues a travel clearance to a child below 18 years old so that they can travel abroad without their parents.
Who needs a travel clearance from the DSWD?
For a child traveling without his or her parents, or who is traveling with only one parent, the child will need an authorized adult to sign their travel clearance.
Who does not need a DSWD travel clearance?
Minors who do not need a travel clearance include minors traveling abroad with their solo parent or legal guardian and minors traveling abroad whose parents are in the Foreign Service or living abroad or are immigrants.
Is a married minor required to secure a travel clearance?
A minor must get a travel clearance in order to go overseas alone or with someone other than his or her parent. This requirement applies regardless of the civil status of the minor.
What are the requirements for securing a travel clearance?
A. For a minor traveling alone to a foreign country for the first time
- Duly accomplished application form
- A photocopy of the birth certificate of minor
- A written consent of both parents or the solo parent or the legal guardian permitting the minor to travel alone to a foreign country
- As appropriate, a photocopy of the marriage certificate of the minor’s parents or a photocopy of the certificate of legal guardianship of the minor or in the case of solo parents, a photocopy of the solo parent identification card from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office or a photocopy of a certification from the Local Social Welfare and Development Office of being a solo parent or Tallaq or Faskh certification from the Shariah court or any Muslim Barangay or religious leader or in the case of an illegitimate minor, a certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR)* from the National Statistics Office (NSO) or in the case of a deceased parent, a photocopy of the death certificate
* Issuance of CENOMAR will take 1-5 days for cases of uncommon surnames and 1-15 days for common surnames.
* Issuing office of CENOMAR is the National Statistics Office not the Local Civil Registrar.
- Two colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the last six (6) months
B. For a minor traveling for the first time with a person other than the parents or legal guardian
- Duly accomplished application form
- A photocopy of the birth certificate of minor
- A written consent of both parents or the solo parent or the legal guardian permitting the minor to travel to a foreign country with a specific person other than them
- As appropriate, a photocopy of the marriage certificate of the minor’s parents or a certificate of legal guardianship of the minor or in the case of solo parents, a solo parent identification card from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office or a certification from the Local Social Welfare and Development Office of being a solo parent or a court decree of separation, annulment or divorce, or Tallaq or Fasakh certification from the Shariah court or any muslim barangay or religious leader or in the case of an illegitimate minor, a certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) *from the National Statistics Office or in the case of a deceased parent, a photocopy of the death certificate
* Issuance of CENOMAR will take 1-5 days for cases of uncommon surnames and 1-15 days for common surnames
* Issuing office of CENOMAR is the National Statistics Office not the Local Civil Registrar
- Two colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the last 6 months.
- Photocopy of the passport of the traveling companion
C. In case of illegitimate children who are traveling abroad accompanied by their biological father, they are still required to secure a travel clearance certificate as parental authority is vested only to the mother of the child, per Article 176 of the Family Code of the Philippines.
Frequently Asked Questions about the DSWD Travel Clearance for Minors
1. Is there a validity period for a travel clearance?
A DSWD travel clearance can be valid for a period of one year from the date of its issuance. It can be renewed for multiple trips within the same validity period if the conditions under which it was issued remain the same. If a condition changes, a new clearance must be obtained.
2. How much is the processing fee for a travel clearance issued to a minor?
The DSWD collects processing fees for minors traveling abroad. The fee is Php 300.00 and it’s good for one (1) year. Another option is to pay Php 600.00 and have a travel clearance that’s valid for two (2) years.
3. Where can one file an application?
The application for travel clearance must be submitted to the DSWD Field Office. Along with the supporting documents, it should also be filed.
DSWD-Field Office or www.dswd.gov.ph can be used to obtain application forms. You can also download these forms in MS Word format.
After submitting the application, you must go to the nearest DSWD Field Office to get the original copy of the supporting documents. After that, you will be issued a travel clearance certificate.
4. What kinds of minors are exempted from securing a travel clearance?
- A minor with permanent residency card
- A minor who holds a valid pass such as dependents visa/pass/identification or permanent resident visa/pass/identification card is no longer required to secure travel clearance from DSWD. A permanent residency card is a valid pass and a holder of such is exempted from securing a travel clearance.
- A minor born abroad but has no permanent residency card
- It depends on the minor’s citizenship or residency. A minor who is not a Filipino citizen and holds a foreign passport is not required to secure a travel clearance. A minor who is a Filipino citizen and living abroad who does not hold a permanent resident visa/pass/identification card is required to secure a travel clearance.
5. Who would give the consent for the travel of a totally orphaned minor who has no appointed legal guardian?
Grandparents who have the authority to make decisions for a minor child whose parents have passed away may do so without a court order. However, in cases where both the parents are deceased, the legal guardian should be the child’s relatives or acting guardians.
6. What about those children whose parents have marital conflict and are on hold order?
If a minor is involved in a custody battle between his or her parents, he or she will not be allowed to travel outside the country without a Court Order.
The child’s name will be added to the immigration agency’s watch list if the family fails to provide the necessary information. The Bureau of Immigration is responsible for ensuring that the child does not leave the country.
7. Can a travel clearance be issued to illegitimate children who are still applying for their visa in the embassy?
Children of illegitimate parents are under the custody of their mother. If they are traveling with their mother, they do not need to secure a DSWD clearance. On the other hand, if they are traveling with an individual other than their mother, they must get a clearance.
8. Is a faxed copy of the parental consent of parents residing abroad acceptable?
A faxed copy is acceptable, as well as photos of minors that have been digitally generated. Emailed documents should also be considered.
9. What are the requirements for illegitimate children abandoned by the mother and under the custody of the father or other relatives who will be traveling alone or with the father or other relatives?
The father would need to secure a court order to have the authority over his illegitimate children, as the mother has the absolute authority over them.
If the court grants the father a parental authority, the minor will not be required to obtain a travel clearance. However, if the minor accompanies the father, then they must secure a clearance if they travel with someone else.
DSWD Travel Clearance for Minors Form
To get started on your child’s travel clearance application, you may head over to the DSWD’s website and get a copy of the form. Alternatively, you may get a copy of the form by clicking on the link below:
http://www.dswd.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/tc-application-form.rtf
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the DSWD eServices are a great way to ensure that those in need of assistance can access it quickly and easily. This is a great way to ensure that those in need can get the help they need without having to go through a difficult process.
The DSWD eServices are a great way to ensure that receiving assistance is both efficient and effective. The DSWD eServices are a great way to make sure that assistance is available to those who need it. The question remains, however, how can we make sure that the DSWD eServices are available to those who need it most?