Information On Department of Social Welfare and Development

MANDATE
Consistent with the provisions of the Administrative Code of 1987 and of RA

7160 (Local Government Code), the DSWD is hereby mandated to provide assistance
to local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), other
national government agencies (NGAs), peoples organizations (POs) and other
members of civil society in effectively implementing programs, projects, and services
that will alleviate poverty and empower disadvantaged individuals, families and
communities for an improved quality of life.
FUNCTIONS
As the lead agency in social welfare and development, the Department exercises
the following functions
Formulates policies and plans which provide direction to intermediaries and other
implementers in the development and delivery of social welfare and development
services.
Develops and enriches existing programs and services for specific groups, such
as children and youth, women, family and communities, solo parents, older
persons and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs);
Registers, licenses and accredits individuals, agencies and organizations
engaged in social welfare and development services, sets standards and
monitors the empowerment and compliance to these standards.
Provides technical assistance and capability building to intermediaries; and
Provides social protection of the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged sector,
DSWD also gives augmentation funds to local government units so these could
deliver SWD services to depressed municipalities and barangays and provide
protective services to individuals, families and communities in crisis situation.

POWER
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) (Filipino: Kagawaran
ng Kagalingang Panlipunan at Pagpapaunlad) have a power under the executive
department of the Philippine Government which is responsible for protecting the
social welfare rights of Filipinos and promoting social development. The DSWD is
currently under the leadership of Department Secretary Dinky Soliman.
There is hereby created a Department of Social Welfare, hereafter referred to as the
Department, which shall develop and implement a comprehensive social welfare
program consisting of (1) preventive and remedial programs and services for
individuals, families and communities; (2) protective, remedial and developmental
welfare services for children and youth; (3) vocational rehabilitation and related
services for the physically handicapped, ex-convict and individuals with special
needs; and (4) training and research and special projects.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Social welfare as a basic function of the state was a concept that materialized
only after the Second World War, although different groups were undertaking
pockets of social work in the first decade of the American occupation in the
country. After the war, the Philippine government gradually assumed the major
responsibility for social welfare.
1915 - The Public Welfare Board (PWB) was created. Its functions were to study,
coordinate and regulate all government and private entities engaged in social
services.
1921 - The PWB was abolished and replaced by the Bureau of Public Welfare
under the Department of Public Instruction.
1939 - Commonwealth Act No. 439 created the Department of Health and Public
Welfare
1941- The Bureau of Public Welfare officially became a part of the Department of
Health and Public Welfare. In addition to coordinating services of all public and
private social welfare institutions, the Bureau also managed all public child-caring
institutions and the provision of child welfare services.
1947 - President Manuel A. Roxas abolished the Bureau of Public Welfare and in
its place created the Social Welfare Commission (SWC) under the Office of the
President.
1948 - President Elpidio Quirino created the Presidents Action Committee on
Social Amelioration (PACSA) to effect socio-economic reforms in the countryside
to counteract social unrest.
1951 - The SWC and PACSA were merged into the Social Welfare
Administration (SWA) which marked the beginning of an integrated public welfare
program.
1968 - Republic Act 5416 known as the Social Welfare Act of 1968 elevated the
SWA into a Department, placing it under the executive branch of government in
equal status with other social agencies like health and education.
1976 - The Department of Social Welfare was renamed Department of Social
Services and Development (DSSD) with the signing of Presidential Decree No.
994 by President Ferdinand E. Marcos. It gave the Department a more accurate
institutional identity, in keeping with its productivity and developmental thrusts.
1978 - The DSSD was renamed Ministry of Social Services and Development
(MSSD) in line with the change in the form of government, from presidential to
parliamentary.
1987 - The MSSD was reorganized and renamed Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD) under Executive Order 123 signed by President
Corazon C. Aquino. Executive Order No. 292, also known as the Revised
Administration Code of 1987, established the name, organizational structure and
functional areas of responsibility of DSWD and further defined its statutory
authority.
1991 - The passage of Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991 effected the devolution of DSWD basic services to
local government units.
1998 - President Joseph Ejercito Estrada issued Executive Order No. 15
Redirecting the Functions and Operations of the Department of Social Welfare
and Development to strengthen the DSWDs repositioning efforts that began
soon after the implementation of the Local Government Code of 1991.
2003 - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Executive Order No. 221
amending Executive Order No. 15 which defined the mandate, roles, powers and
functions of the DSWD.
2005 - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the
DSWDs Rationalization and Streamlining Plan (RSP) on January 28, 2005 for
implementation over the next five years. The RSP emphasizes the Departments
shift in policy, functions and programs in line with its steering role.

Authority of the Department Head
The Office of the Secretary shall consist of the Secretary and the Secretarys
immediate staff, and the Public Affairs and Liaison Service.
The Secretary shall be assisted by two (2) Undersecretaries, at least one of
whom must belong to the career executive service. One Undersecretary shall
supervise internal operations while the other Undersecretary shall handle the
liaison between the Secretary and the attached agencies of the Department
Assistant Secretaries.The Secretary shall also be assisted by three (3) career
Assistant Secretaries who shall respectively perform the following functions:
(1) Supervise the Personnel Development Service; Administrative Service
and Financial Service;
(2) Supervise the Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare(Council For the
Welfare of Children); Bureau of Womens Welfare; Bureau of Family
Community Welfare; Bureau of Emergency Assistance; and Bureau of
Disabled Persons Welfare (National Council on Disability Affairs),
National Youth Commission and The Inter-Country Adoption Board;
(3) Supervise the Planning and Monitoring Service and the Legal Service,
and assist the Undersecretary and the Secretary in matters pertaining to
regional or field operations.

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MANDATE

Consistent with the provisions of the Administrative Code of 1987 and of RA

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