THE EIGHTIES

During the eighties, the Self-Employment Assistance (SEA), the Ministry's banner program, was
upgraded to make it more responsive to its clients' needs. Clients, individually or in groups,
were able to take out bigger loans to expand their income generating projects.

The following are among the other significant achieve ments of the MSSD during this period:

(a) Launching of the Case Management System, which involves the use of MSSD's internal and
external re sources employing the Total Family Approach with a set of Social Welfare Indicators
(SWI).

(b) Primary health care-related activities were integrated into the MSSD's services on the
barangay level in support of the Ministry of Health's program.

(c) Greater cooperation and coordination among non government organizations in response to
MSSD's technical assistance; consultation, planning and moni toring workshops with these
NGOs.

(d) Increased participation of local governments in social welfare activities.

(e) Coordination with the NGOs was intensified as a re sult of its partnership with 138
licensed/accredited NGOS.

(f) Family planning motivation was integrated into the MSSD's skills/employment-related
programs; popula tion and sex education and pre-marital counseling were provided to
thousands of youth.

(g) Through a strong tie-up with NGOs, local govern ment units and civic-minded individuals,
10,000 Day Care Centers, neighborhood feeding centers, and food-for-growth centers were
established, mainly for disadvantaged children between 0-6 years old.

(h) Priority attention was given to the development of disadvantaged youth through the
Integrated Human Resources Development Program (IHRDP).

On January 30, 1987, President Corazon C. Aquino signed Executive Order No. 123, reorganizing
the MSSD and renaming it Department of Social Welfare and Development. The Department
was "evolving from mere welfare or relief agency to the greater task of development.

The DSWD's major social programs were family and community welfare, child and youth
welfare, women's welfare (E.O. 123 provided for the creation of the Bureau of Women's
Welfare "with specific atten tion to the prevention or eradication of exploitation of women in
any form... as well as the promotion of skills for employment and self-actualization"), welfare
of the disabled including the elderly, and emergency assistance for victims of natural and man
made disasters.

THE NINETIES/EARLY 2008

During the early nineties, the DSWD continued the same five program areas of concern.
However, it gave priority attention to Low Income Municipalities (LIMs) and other socially-
depressed barangays. It was also greatly involved in disaster management in many parts of the
country that experienced typhoons, floods, and the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo and its aftermath
which required massive relief work and the use of Crisis Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD), a
form of crisis intervention used with victims of these disasters and other crisis situations.

On October 10, 1991, R.A. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code, waspassed.
The DSWD along with other national agencies had to "shift gears," i..., it had to devolve its
implementing functions together with its programs and ser vices, direct service workers,
budget corresponding to the salary and funds of the staff and programs, and assets and
liabilities to the local government units starting in 1992.

To supplement its five (devolved) program areas of cern, the Department retained specialized
social services consisting of four categories: (a) Center/institution-based services; (b) com
munity-based programs and services; (c) locally-funded and foreign-assisted projects; and (d)
disaster relief and rehabilitation augmentation.

The DSWD's Vision today is "a society where the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged
individuals, families and communi ties are empowered for an improved quality of life", with a
Mission "to provide social protection and promote the rights and welfare of the poor,
vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals, families and communities that will contribute to
poverty alleviation and empowerment through DSWD policies, programs, projects and services
implemented with or through local government units, non-governmental organizations,
people's organizations, other national government agencies and other members of civil society.
Non-Government Organizations (NGOS)

The National Economic and Development Authority. (NEDA) defines NGOs as private, non-
profit, voluntary organiza tions that are committed to the task of socioeconomic develop ment
and established primarily for service. They are classified according to their levels of operations:
(1) primary NGOs (also called people's organizations and self-help groups) which are direct
organizations of the beneficiaries themselves (e.g., CALARIZ, an organization of fisherfolk in the
provinces of Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal); (2) secondary/intermediate NGOs or the agencies com
posed of different professions providing services to the beneficiaries (eg, the Catholic Charities
and the Philippine Rural Reconstruc tion Movement); and (3) tertiary NGOs which are usually a
network of NGOs established for mutual assistance or for special purposes (eg, the National
Council on Social Development Foundation).

A simpler definition of "NGO" is that it is "a generic, all encompassing term of not-for-profit
groups, civic organizations, community groups, people's organizations, social development
agencies, foundations, and charitable institutions."

The history of social welfare in our country shows that pri vate efforts preceded government
efforts in social welfare, and that even after government entered the scene, such private efforts
continued because of the need for them. However, after the EDSA Revolt in 1986, there was a
proliferation of private welfare organi zations, raising a concern for the regulation of these
organizations to ensure that their resources are actually being used for their defined purposes.

In February 1999, the country's NGO networks launched the Philippine Council for NGO
Certification (PCNC). Over a period of nine years, the PCNC has certified 858 applicants, out of
more than 1,500 applications it received.

NGOs respond to varied social welfare concerns - health, education and training, human rights,
families, gender and development, youth, elderly, indigenous groups, migration, environment,
disaster management, livelihood projects, violence against women, poverty, housing, urban
dwellers, farmers, street children, legislative advocacy, drug abuse and rehabilitation, etc.
R.A. 4373 (the Social Work Law, 1965) provides that "no social work agency shall operate and
be accredited unless it shall first have registered with the Social Welfare Administration which
shall issue the corresponding certificate of registration."

R.A. 5416 (1968) empowers the Department to (1) set standards and policies to insure effective
implementation of public and private social welfare programs; (2) accredit public and private
institutions and organizations engaged in social welfare activity including the licensing of child-
caring and child placement institutions and provide consultative services to them; (3) coordi
nate government and voluntary efforts in social welfare work to avoid duplication, friction and
overlapping of responsibility in social services.

OTHER SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS

The DSWD, one of the "social sectors" in the national plan continues to assume this
responsibility, focusing on the 30% of the population especially in depressed areas of the
country.
In the succeeding pages, we shall present some selected laws, policies and programs
representing both government and private pursuits along social welfare.

Selected Social Legislation

A. Children

P.D. 603 (June 10, 1975)

"The Child and Youth Welfare Code."

The Code defines "child" and "youth" and their rights and entitlements including services that
should be provided for their wholesome development

R.A. 6972 (Sept. 14, 1990)

"Barangay-Level Total Develop ment and Protection of Children Act."

An Act establishing a Day Care Center in every barangay, instituting a Total Development and
Protection of Children Program

R.A. 7610 (Feb. 7, 1992)

"Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination
Act."

An Act providing for stronger deterrence and special protection against child abuse,
exploitation and discrimination, providing penalties for its violation

R.A. 7658 (Nov. 9, 1993)

 An Act prohibiting the employ ment of children below 15 years of age in public and private
under takings

R.A. 8043 (June 2, 1995)

"Inter-Country Adoption Act of 1995"

An Act establishing the rules to govern inter-country adoption of Filipino children

R.A. 8044 (June 2, 1995)

"Youth in Nation-Building Act"

An Act creating the National Youth Commission, establishing a national comprehensive and
coordinated program on youth development

E.O. 340 (Jan. 22, 1997)

Executive Order directing national government agencies and govern ment-owned and
controlled corpo rations to provide day care services for their employees' children under five
(5) years of age.

R.A 8552 (Feb. 25,1998)

"Domestic Adoption Act of 1998."

An Act establishing the rules and policies on the domestic adoption of Filipino children

R.A 8980 ( Dec. 5. 2000)

"The Early Childhood Care and Development Act (ECCD)."

An Act promulgating a com prehensive policy and a national system for early childhood care
and development

R.A. 9231 (Oct. 14, 2003 & Oct. 13,2003)

An Act providing for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor and affording
stronger protection for the working child, amending for this purpose R.A. 7610, as amended,
otherwise known as the "Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and
Discrimination Act"
R.A 9255 (Jan. 21,2004& Feb. 04, 2004)
An Act allowing illegitimate children to use the surname of their father, amending for the
purpose Art. 176 of Executive Order No. 209, otherwise known as the "Family Code of the
Philippines."

R.A. 9344 ( Mar.22,2006)

"Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.

An Act establishing a comprehen sive juvenile justice and welfare system, creating the Juvenile
Justice and Welfare Council under the Department of Justice

Women

R.A. 6525 (April 27, 1989)

An Act strengthening the prohibi tion on discrimination against women with respect to terms
and conditions of employment

R.A. 6955 (May 15, 1990)

An Act to declare unlawful the practice of matching Filipino women for marriage to foreign
nationals on a mail-order basis and other similar practices, including the advertisement,
publication, printing or distribution of brochures, fliers and other propaganda materials

R.A 7192 (Dec. 11, 1992)

"Women in Nation-Building Act of 1992"

An Act promoting the integration of women as full and equal partners of men in development
and nation building.

R.A. 7877 (Feb. 14, 1995)

"Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995."

An Act declaring sexual harassment unlawful in the employment, education, or training

environment

R.A. 8353 (Sept. 3, 1997)

" Anti- Rape Law of 1997"

An Act expanding the definition of the crime of rape, reclassifying the same as a crime against
persons, amending R.A. 3815 (Revised Penal Code)

R.A. 8505 (Feb. 5, 1998)

 "Rape Victims Assistance and Protection Act of 1998"

An Act providing assistance and protection for rape victims, estab lishing for the purpose a
Rape Crisis Center in every province and city

R.A. 9208 (May 12, 2003)

"Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003."

An Act to institute policies to eliminate trafficking in persons especially women and children,
establishing the necessary institu tional mechanisms for the protec tion and support of
trafficked persons, providing penalties for its violations, and for other purposes.

R.A. 9262 (Jan. 9,2004 &Feb. 2, 2004)

"Anti-Violence Against Women Jan. 29, 2004 & and their Children Act of 2004."

An Act defining violence against women and their children, providing for protective measures
for victims, prescribing penalties therefore, and for other purposes

C. Older Persons/Persons with Disabilities

R.A. 344 (Feb. 25, 1983)

"Accessibility Law".

An Act to enhance the mobility of disabled persons by requiring certain buildings, institutions,
establishments, and public utilities to install facilities and other devices.

R.A 7277 ( Jan. 22, 1998)

"Magna Carta of Disabled Persons"

An Act providing for the rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance of disabled persons
and their integration into the mainstream of society

R.A. 7432 (Feb. 7, 1992)

"Senior Citizens Act of 1992"

An Act maximize the contribution of senior citizens to nation-building, grant benefits and
special privileges, and for other purposes

R.A. 7876 (Jan. 31, 1995)

An Act establishing a Senior Citizens Center in all cities and municipalities of the Philippines.
R.A. 9257 (Dec. 16, 2003)
"Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003"

An Act granting additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens amending for the purpose.
R.A. 7432 otherwise known as "An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizen to
Nation-Building", grant benefits and special privileges and for other purposes

D. Family

E.O.209 (Aug. 4, 1988)

"Family Code of the Philippines"

The law revises provisions in the Civil Code of the Philippine pertaining to marriage and family
relations to bring them closer to Filipino customs, values and ideals and reflect contempo rary
trends and conditions.

R.A. 8187 (June 8, 1996)

An Act granting paternity leave of seven (7) days with full pay to all married male employees in
the private and public sectors for the first four (4) deliveries of the legitimate spouse with
whom he is cohabiting

R.A. 8369 (Oct. 28, 1997)

"Family Courts Act of 1997."

An Act establishing family courts, granting them exclusive

original jurisdiction over child and family cases, amending Batas Pambansa Bilang 129
(Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980)

R.A. 8972 (Nov. 7, 2000)

"Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000"

An Act providing for benefits and privileges to solo parents and their children

E. Health

R.A. 7875 (Feb. 7, 1995)

An Act instituting a National Health Insurance Program for all Filipinos and establishing the
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation for the purpose

R.A. 7883 (Feb. 20, 1995)

An Act granting benefits and incentives TO accredited barangay health workers

R.A 8344 ( Aug. 25. 1997)
An Act penalizing the refusal of hospitals and medical clinics to administer appropriate initial
medical treatment and support in emergency or serious cases, amending for the purpose Batas
Pambansa Blg. 702, otherwise known as "An Act Prohibiting the Demand of Deposits or
Advance Payments for the Confinement of Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics in Certain
Cases."

R.A. 924 (Oct. 14, 2003)

An Act amending R.A. 7875, (Oct. 15, 2003 & otherwise known as "An Act Instituting a National
Health Insurance Program for All Filipinos and Establishing the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation for the Purpose"

F. Labor/Employment

P.D. 442 (Nov. 1, 1974)

"Labor Code of the Philippines."

An Act which revises and consolidates all previous labor and social laws based on the principle
of social justice

R.A. 7655 (June 4, 1993)

An Act increasing the minimum wage of househelpers, amending Article 143 of Presidential
Decree No. 442, as amended

R.A. 8042 (June 5, 1995)

An Act to institute the policies of overseas employment and establish a higher standard of
protection and promotion of the welfare of migrant workers and their families and overseas
filipino in distress.

R.A. 8282 (April. 30, 1997)

An Act further strengthening the Social Security System, thereby amending R.A. 1161 (The
Social Security Law) which provides covered employees and their families protection against
the hazards of disability, sickness, old age, and death

R.A. 8291 (May 29, 1997)

An Act amending Presidential Decree No. 1146, as amended, expanding and increasing the
coverage and benefits of the Government Service Insurance System
G. Others

R.A. 7160 (Oct. 10, 1991)

The Local Government Code of 1991

An Act that devolved imple menting functions and programs of national agencies to local
governments, including social welfare services that used to be administered by the Department
of Social Welfare and Development

R.A. 8371 (Oct. 22, 1997)

"Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997"

An Act to recognize, protect and promote the rights of genous cultural communities/
indigenous peoples, creating a National Commission on Indigenous People.

R.A. 8425 (Dec. 9, 1997)

"Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act of 1997"

An Act institutionalizing the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Program, creating for the
purpose the National Anti-Poverty Commission and defining functions its powers and

Some Government Agencies/Organizations*

A. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration

The OWWA is an agency attached to the Depart ment of Labor and Employment (DOLE). It
began opera tions in 1982 with a two-fold mandate: (1) to provide welfare assistance to
registered overseas workers and their dependents, and (2) ensure the viability of the Overseas
Workers Welfare Fund.
The government maintains a varied and comprehensive program of social welfare services
under such departments as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department
of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, etc.

B. The National Housing Authority

Created under Presidential Decree No. 757 in 1975, this agency's mandate is to develop and
implement a com prehensive and integrated housing program in the country. Its efforts are
focused on providing housing assistance to the lowest 30% of the urban population. This is
carried out pri marily through its Resettlement Program, the Community Mortgage Program,
the Sites and Services Development Pro gram, as well as through the adoption of various
community based housing solutions and approaches.

C. Public Attorney's Office

This office is under the Department of Justice and used to be known as the Citizen's Legal
Assistance Office (CLAO). It represents, free of charge, indigent persons or the immediate
members of their families, in all civil, administra tive, and criminal cases where, after due
investigation, the in terest of justice will be served. The PAO has offices in each of the
administrative regions of the country and offers mainly legal assistance and counseling to
indigent persons.