By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued executive orders (EOs) streamlining the accreditation process for social welfare and development agencies (SWDAs) as well as implementing a national strategic technological cooperation framework aimed at advancing the Philippines’ development goals and interests.
Under EO 117, which was signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on May 7 and made public on Tuesday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been designated as the sole accrediting authority for donee institutions.
This amends EO No. 720 issued in 2008, which previously involved the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) in the accreditation process.
SWDAs are non-stock, non-profit organizations engaged in providing social welfare and development programs and services to vulnerable sectors. These institutions are funded either by government support, foreign or local assistance, or community solicitations and other fund generating activities.
Under the new EO, the DSWD’s Certificate of Registration and Accreditation will now be sufficient for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to grant donee-institution status under the National Internal Revenue Code.
“There is a need to streamline the process for accreditation of SWDAs to further ensure effective and efficient delivery of social welfare and development services to the Filipino people,” the EO stated.
All SWDAs that already hold donee-institution status before the issuance of EO 117 may retain their accreditation status until their current certificates expire. Upon expiration, they will be required to apply for accreditation with the DSWD.
The Department of Finance, through the BIR, and the DSWD have also been directed to issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the order.
In a statement, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian thanked the President for the issuance of the new EO, noting its importance on the government’s ease of doing business initiatives.
“With this EO SWDAs need not jump from one entity to another to get their donnee institution status that unlocks tax exemptions,” Gatchalian said. “In addition, this is more cost efficient for SWDAs, especially small ones with limited funds.”
Development PH program
Meanwhile, Marcos issued EO 115 aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity and responsiveness of the Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines (TCCP) to ensure efficient implementation of technical cooperation programs aligned with national priorities and emerging global trends.
Under EO 115, the TCCP is directed to implement a national technical cooperation program to be known as “Development Philippines”, which will serve as the government’s framework for providing technical assistance to developing countries while advancing the Philippines’ development goals and strategic interests.
The President also reorganized the TCCP, designating the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) as chair and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development as vice chair.
Its members include the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Health, the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
The council will coordinate all technical cooperation projects and activities of government agencies, provide policy direction for the Philippine Technical Cooperation Program, and ensure the alignment of technical cooperation initiatives with the country’s development priorities and foreign policy objectives.
A technical working group is also constituted to provide technical and policy support to the TCCP by formulating the roadmap and program to be endorsed by the council and initiating periodic review and updating of the initiatives.
Marcos likewise ordered full integration of the TCCP Secretariat into the DFA to provide technical, administrative, and coordination support. (with reports from Kenneth Paciente / PTV News)
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