From left to right: Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Protective Services Bureau (PSB) Director Alice Bonoan, Standards Bureau Director Marites Maristela and Undersecretary Mae Fe Ancheta-Templa attend the House Committee on Appropriations deliberation on the Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 438 or the “Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs) Act.”
The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations approved on Tuesday the Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 438 entitled “An Act Establishing a Comprehensive System for Registration and Licensing of Social Welfare and Development Agencies and Accreditation of Social Welfare Development Programs and Services, and Appropriating Funds Therefor” or the “Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs) Act,” introduced by Representatives Anthony M. Bravo and Sabiniano S. Canama.
Representative Karlo Alexei Nograles, Committee Chairman, spearheaded the deliberation.
The Substitute Bill seeks to ensure effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability in the delivery of quality social welfare and development programs and services through registration of SWDAs and accreditation of social welfare and development programs and services.
One of the representatives who expressed support for the bill, Rep. Kaka Bag-ao of the Lone District of Dinagat Islands, articulated her sponsorship remarks for the approval of the bill saying that it reinforces the regulatory functions of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) over agencies and organizations engaged in social welfare and development activities.
For her part, DSWD Undersecretary Mae Fe Templa conveyed the official position of DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, who expressed strong support for the immediate enactment of the bill into law as this will strengthen DSWD’s regulatory functions; set standards; provide benefit and incentives; and, monitor public and private individuals, agencies and organizations engaged in social welfare and development activities.
Usec. Templa pointed out that this will also enhance the government’s partnership with Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and People’s Organizations (POs) in providing quality social protection programs and services to poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged sectors in the country.
“In light of the new administration’s call for change, DSWD would like to recognize the equally capable and competent partners in social welfare and development work in the country, which are the NGOs registered, licensed, and accredited by the DSWD,” Undersecretary Templa said.
Meanwhile, PBA Party List Representative Mark Aeron Sambar, who was also one of those who signified support for the bill, motioned to include all members present in the meeting as co-authors of the Substitute Bill, which was subsequently approved by Chairperson Nograles.
On the same day, DSWD submitted the official position paper to the House Committees on Appropriations and Ways and Means, for scheduling of the bill’s deliberation sometime in May 2017 that would lead to the immediate enactment of the bill into law.
Others who attended the deliberation and approved and signified support for the passage of the bill were Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Deputy Speaker Romero “Miro” Quimbo, Divina Grace Yu (1st Dist., Zamboanga del Sur), Manuel Zubiri (3rd Dist., Bukidnon),) Jose Christopher Belmonte (6th Dist., Quezon City), Federico Sandoval II (Lone Dist., Malabon City), Evelina Escudero (1st Dist., Sorsogon), Ron Salo (KABAYAN Party List), Deogracias Ramos, Jr. (2nd Dist., Sorsogon), Danilo Suarez (3rd Dist., Quezon), Romero Acop (2nd Dist., Antipolo City), Joey Salceda (2nd Dist., Albay), Jorge Banal (3rd Dist., Quezon City), Mark Go (Lone Dist.,. Baguio City), Gavini “Apol” Pancho (2nd Dist., Bulacan), Manuel Sagarbarria (2nd Dist., Negros Oriental), Alberto Ungab (3rd Dist., Davao City), Reynaldo Umali (2nd Dist., Oriental Mindoro), Ancieto “John” Bertiz (ACTS OFW Party List), Rogelio Espina (Lone Dist., Biliran), Anna Katrina Enverga (1st Dist., Quezon), Isagani Amatong (3rd Dist., Zamboanga del Norte), Celso Lobregat (1st Dist., Zamboanga City), Edgar Mary Sarmiento (1stDist., Samar), Gwendolyn Garcia (3rd Dist., Pampanga), and Virgilio Lacson (MANILA TEACHERS Party List).
DSWD Director Maris Maristela and representatives from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) also attended the deliberation. ###
