REPUBLIC ACT No.

5416
An Act Providing for Comprehensive Social Services for Individuals and Groups in Need of
Assistance, Creating for This Purpose a Department of Social Welfare

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress

Assembled:

Section 1. Short Title.— This Act shall be known as the Social Welfare Act of 1968.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy.— It is hereby declared that it is the responsibility of the

Government to provide a comprehensive program of social welfare services designed to
ameliorate the living conditions of distressed Filipinos particularly those who are handicapped
by reason of poverty, youth, physical and mental disability, illness and old age or who are
victims of natural calamities including assistance to members of the cultural minorities to
facilitate their integration into the body politic.

Section 3. The Department of Social Welfare; its powers and duties.— 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.

The Department shall have the following powers and duties, among others:

1. To develop, administer and implement such social service programs as may be needed to
accomplish the objectives of this Act;

2. To set standards and policies to insure effective implementation of public and private social
welfare programs;
3. To undertake research programs and studies on matters pertaining to family life, the welfare
needs of children and youth, the aged, the disabled and other individuals, or groups with
special needs;

4. To initiate and administer pilot social welfare projects designed to suit local settings,
problems and situations for possible implementation on a nation-wide basis;

5. To credit institutions and organizations, public and private, engaged in social welfare
activity including the licensing of child caring and child placement institutions and provide
consultative services thereto;

6. To license and regulate public solicitations and fund drives for charitable or civic purposes;

7. To provide consultative services and develop training programs for personnel, students and
third country participation;

8. To insure proper dissemination of information relative to social welfare programs and

activities; to publish and issue technical bulletins on social welfare programs;

9. To establish such regional, provincial, city and municipal branches and field offices of the
Department whenever and wherever it may be expedient or necessary, and to supervise such
branches;

10. To coordinate government and voluntary efforts in social welfare work to avoid
duplication, friction and overlapping of responsibility in social services;

11. To establish, administer and maintain such facilities as child caring institutions and others,
wherever and whenever it may be deemed necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act; and

12. To establish such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act.

Section 4. The Secretary and the Undersecretaries; their qualifications and compensation.—
The Department shall be under the executive authority of a Secretary who shall be assisted by
an Undersecretary for Program and an Undersecretary for Operation and Administration.

The Secretary and the two undersecretaries shall be appointed by the President of the
Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.

The Secretary must have shown a demonstrated interest in social welfare and possess a
working knowledge of public administration.

No person shall be appointed Undersecretary for Program unless he is a holder of a master's

degree in social work, is duly registered to practice social work, and has at least seven years
experience in the administration of social service programs, preferably in a public agency.

No person shall be appointed Undersecretary for Operation and Administration unless he

possesses a working knowledge of public administration or social work and has at least seven
years experience in administration of social welfare programs: Provided, That these
requirements shall not be applicable to persons holding the position or detailed to discharge the
duties of Deputy Administrator at the time of the enactment of this Act.

The Secretary and the Undersecretaries shall each receive an annual compensation at the rate
fixed by law for department secretaries and undersecretaries.

Section 5. Functions of the Undersecretaries.— The Undersecretary for Program shall have the
following functions, among others:

(a) To formulate the program of services of the Department on the basis of priority of needs
and the availability of resources to service these needs;

(b) To recommend to the Secretary such measures relating to social welfare programs as may
be necessary to carry out the policy declared in Section two hereof;

(c) To draw up program standards and procedures;

(d) To direct and supervise technical operations of the different bureaus of the department; and

(e) To perform such related duties as may be delegated by the Secretary;

The Undersecretary for Operation and Administration shall have the following functions,
among others:

(a) To recommend to the Secretary matters relating to operations and administration;

(b) To formulate administrative standards and procedures in implementing programs;

(c) To provide consultative and technical services in administrative and legal matters;

(d) To implement programs, special projects and services in the field, staff development and
training programs, conduct research, undertake the publication of researches, interpretative and
teaching materials and other social work literature and provide public information regarding
activities of the Department; and

(e) To perform such related duties as may be delegated by the Secretary.

Section 6. Bureaus under the Department.— The Department shall have executive control and
administrative supervision over the Bureau of Family Welfare, Bureau of Child and Youth
Welfare, Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, Bureau of Field Services and Bureau of
Training, Research and Special Projects.

Section 7. Functions of the different bureaus.— (a) Bureau of Family Welfare.— The Bureau
of Family Welfare shall have, among others, the following functions:

To formulate, administer, develop and implement social welfare services which will promote
the social adjustment of families, prevent family disorganization, develop social consciousness
and civic responsibility. Such services shall include among others family life, education
programs, establishment of family welfare centers and extension youth centers, of groups for
self-help, groupwork and street-corner gang work with out-of-school youth, pre-vocational and
work training, income-producing projects and employment referral services for handicapped
adults and youth, programs for pre-school children of working mothers.

To formulate, administer, develop and implement family welfare programs to meet such
problems of individuals and families arising from the lack or loss of income or disturbances in
family relationship; and to perform such other functions as the Secretary may direct: Provided,
That such functions shall not duplicate those presently performed by other departments or
other government agencies or instrumentalities.

(b) Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare.— The Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare shall have,
among others, the following functions:

To formulate, administer, develop and implement programs for the care, protection, training
and rehabilitation of children and youth such as the abused, abandoned, neglected,
handicapped and delinquent with emphasis on their preparation for participation in
economically productive activities, initiate demonstration and experimental projects and
administer them for the exploration of improved techniques of social work with the young
adapted to local problems, situations, and culture; and to perform such other related functions
as the Secretary may direct.

(c) Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation.— The Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation shall have,
among others, the following functions:

To formulate, administer, develop and implement programs of vocational rehabilitation and

related services to disabled and physically handicapped persons and individuals with special
need, and services including among others social adjustment services, medical services,
pre-vocational assessment and guidance services; vocational training, selective placement and
employment exchange services and sheltered workshop operations with adequate revolving
funds; administer national program of vocational rehabilitation centers and facilities to meet
the needs of disabled and physically handicapped persons and individuals with special needs
including negative Hansenites, released prisoners, alcoholics and drug addicts; initiate and
develop vocational rehabilitation programs in rehabilitation training centers; and to perform
such other related functions as the Secretary may direct: Provided, That vocational
rehabilitation sheltered workshop shall be established in each congressional district, the
location of which shall be chosen by the Secretary of Social Welfare, upon recommendation of
the Director of Vocational Rehabilitation.

(d) Bureau of Field Services.— The Bureau of Field Services shall have, among others, the
following functions:

To administer, operate, direct, supervise, and coordinate all welfare functions of the regional
offices subject to direct authority from the Undersecretary for Operation and Administration;
execute and implement approved policies, regulations, and work plans and render
administrative decisions on these matters within limits of delegated authority; and maintain
cooperative and harmonious relationship with other entities and agencies, public and private,
local, national or international, in the promotion of economic and social development and
welfare of the nation.

There shall be regional offices which shall carry out the functions thru the provincial, city and
municipal branch offices all to be located in the same provinces, cities or municipalities as
presently fixed by law for similar offices under the Social Welfare Administration.

(e) Bureau of Training, Research and Special Projects.— The Bureau of Training, Research
and Special Projects shall have, among others, the following functions:

To formulate, develop and implement programs or research, training and special projects; and
to perform such other functions as the Secretary may direct. The special projects will include
the Central Institute for Training and Relocation of Urban Squatters (CITRUS); disaster and
emergency relief services and such other new program which may be developed and assigned
to it by Congress.
Section 8. Abolition of the Social Welfare Administration.— The Social Welfare
Administration is hereby abolished, and the personnel, records, documents, supplies,
equipment, priorities and existing balance of appropriations thereof are hereby transferred to
the Department of Social Welfare: Provided, That no official or employee, who has
satisfactorily served the Administration shall suffer a loss of employment or a reduction of
salary or rank as a consequence of the abolition: And Provided, finally, That nothing in this
provision shall be construed in any way to amend, repeal, alter, or modify the provision of
Republic Acts Numbered Forty-three hundred and seventy-three and Fifty-one hundred
seventy-five.

Section 9. Authority to receive grants and make direct purchase.— The Department is hereby
authorized to receive grants, bequests, donations and trust funds made or given for the purpose
of promoting or assisting social welfare services. Such grants, bequests and donations so
received shall be exempted from taxes.

Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding but limited to the maximum prices paid
by the Bureau of Supply Coordination and subject to the usual auditing and accounting rules
and regulations, the Department of Social Welfare is hereby authorized to procure directly
such equipment, materials and supplies needed in the implementation of all of the welfare
programs pertinent and related thereto.

Section 10. Settlement and Revolving Fund.— The Department of Social Welfare is hereby
authorized to establish a Settlement and Revolving Fund. All income accruing from such
projects shall form part of said revolving fund, and that such shall be used exclusively for
projects of bureaus concerned.1avvphi1

Section 11. Appropriation.— There is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the National
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of three million pesos in addition to the present
appropriation of the Social Welfare Administration, to carry out the purpose of this Act:
Provided, That the sum should be utilized for programs and services according to need:
Provided, finally, That not more than fifteen per cent shall be used for personnel services.

Section 12. Repealing Clause.— All laws, executive orders, administrative rules and
regulations which are contrary or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

Section 13. Separability Clause.— If for any reason any section or provision of this Act shall
be held to be unconstitutional or invalid, no other section or provision of this Act shall be
affected thereby.
Section 14. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved: June 15, 1968.
The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation

Sixteenth Congress

Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of July, two thousand

fifteen.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 10847

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

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act Numbered Forty-Three Hundred Seventy-Three (R.A.

No. 4373) is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 2. Name and Composition of the Board. – There shall be created a Professional

Regulatory Board for Social Workers, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the

administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter

referred to as the Commission, composed of a Chairperson and four (4) members who shall be

appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of three (3) nominees for each position

submitted by the accredited integrated professional organization (AIPO) for social workers and

ranked by the Commission, and who, at the time of their appointment shall:

(a) -do-

(b) -do-

(c) -do-

(d) -do-

(e) -do-

(f) –do-.”

SECTION 2. Section 12 of the same Act is hereby further amended:

“SEC. 12. Qualification of Applicants. – In order to be admitted to take the social work
examination, an applicant must, at the time of filing of application therefor:

(a) Be a citizen of the Philippines;

(b) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;

(c) Be in good health and of good moral character;

(d) Have a bachelor’s degree or masteral degree or its equivalent in social work from an

institution, college, or university duly accredited and legally constituted: Provided, That, the

provisions of Republic Act Numbered Twenty – Two Hundred and Sixty (R.A. No. 2260),

otherwise known as the Civil Service Act of 1959, as amended, insofar as cultural minorities

are concerned, shall be applied; and

(e) Have completed a minimum period of one thousand (1,000) case hours of practical training

in an established social work agency under the direct supervision of a fully trained and

qualified social worker: Provided, That, in the institution, college, or university’s

undergraduate program, the academic courses preceded the required field practice of one

thousand (1,000) case hours: Provided, further, That, the required field practice complies with

the social work curriculum approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and

the Board.”

SECTION 3. The same Act is hereby amended by inserting Sections 26, 27 and 28 on
Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Integration of the Social Work Profession and

the Issuance of Special Temporary Permit (STP), respectively:

“SEC. 26. Continuing Professional Development (CPD). – All registered social workers must

provide proof of earning forty-five (45) units of continuing CPD courses given by any CPD

provider duly accredited by the CPD Council for social workers as a requirement for the

renewal of the professional identification card of social workers.

All local government units (LGUs) and employer organizations shall allocate the necessary

funding to support the professional development of social workers under their employ,

regardless of employment status, for the purpose of complying with the CPD requirement.”

“SEC. 27. Integration of the Social Work Profession. – All registered and licensed social

workers shall be united and integrated into one (1) national organization which shall be

accredited by the Board, subject to the approval of the Commission, as the AIPO for social

workers. All registered and licensed social workers shall become members of the AIPO and

shall consequently be entitled to all the benefits and privileges incidental thereto upon payment

of the required fees and dues. Membership in the AIPO shall not be a bar to membership in

any other professional organization.”

“SEC. 28. Issuance of Special Temporary Permits. – Special Temporary Permits (STPs) may

be issued by the Board, subject to the approval of the Commission and payment of the

prescribed fees, to any of the following:

(a) Foreign social workers called by the Philippine Government for a specific public purpose

or project;

(b) Foreign social workers to be employed by any domestic private firm/establishment;

(c) Foreign social workers to be engaged as professors or lecturers in a higher educational

institution or university for the enhancement of the social work education in the country; and

(d) Foreign social workers, including volunteers, whose services are engaged during disasters,

calamities, or any emergency cases as may be determined by the Board.1awp++i1

The STP shall provide, among others, that; (1) The practice of the foreign professional shall be

limited to the particular work for which the foreigner is being engaged; (2) The validity of the

STP shall be for one (1) year only, subject to renewal; and (3) The practice of the foreign

social worker shall be subject to the applicable domestic laws and regulations.”

SECTION 4. Sections 23 and 26 of the same Act are hereby likewise amended as follows:

“SEC. 23. Registration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. – No social

welfare and development agency, as defined herein, shall operate and be accredited as such

unless it shall first have registered and secured a license with the Department of Social Welfare

and Development which shall then issue the corresponding registration certificate and license
to operate: Provided, That existing social welfare and development agencies at the time of

approval of this Act shall have a period of one (1) year within which to secure the

corresponding certificate of registration and license to operate.

Before any social welfare and development agency shall be duly registered and licensed, the

following requirements must be duly complied with to the satisfaction of the Department of

Social Welfare and Development:

(1) That the applicant must be engaged mainly or generally in social welfare and development

activities;

(2) That the applicant has employed a sufficient number of duly qualified staff and/or

registered social workers to supervise and take charge of its social welfare and development

activities in accordance with the set standards;

(3) That the applicant must show in a duly certified financial statement that at least seventy

percent (70%) of its funds are disbursed for direct social work services; and

(4) That the applicant keeps a record of all social development and/or welfare activities

handled by it.”

“SEC. 29. Penal Provisions. – The following shall be penalized with a fine of not less than one

hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than two hundred thousand pesos
(P200,000.00), or imprisonment for not less than six (6) months but not more than two (2)

years, or both, at the discretion of the court:

(a) Any person who shall practice or offer to practice social work in the Philippines without

being registered or exempted from registration in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(b) Any person presenting or attempting to use as one’s own, the certificate of registration of

another;

(c) Any person who shall give any false or fraudulent evidence of any kind to the Board or any

member thereof in obtaining a certificate of registration as social worker;

(d) Any person who shall impersonate any registrant of like or different name;

(e) Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of registration;

(f) Any person who shall in connection with one’s name, otherwise assume, use, or advertise

any title or description tending to convey the impression that one is a social worker without

holding a valid registration;

(g) Any person who shall violate any provision of this Act; and

(h) Any person or corporate body who shall violate the rules and regulations of the Board or
orders promulgated by it, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act.

Any person, corporation or entity operating as a social welfare and development agency,

without the corresponding valid Certificate of Registration and License to Operate issued by

the Department of Social Welfare and Development shall be penalized with a fine of not less

than one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than five hundred thousand

pesos (P500,000.00) and/or imprisonment for not less than one (1) year but not more than

three (3) years, at the discretion of the court. These penalties shall be without prejudice to the

seizure of equipment, instruments and other facilities of the social welfare and development

agency.”

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Commission and the Board, in

consultation with the AIPO for social workers, academe and other relevant government and

nongovernmental agencies, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations of this Act

within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of the law.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the other

provisions not affected thereby shall continue in operation.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, orders, decrees, issuances or any part or parts

thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,

(Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.

Speaker of the House

of Representatives (Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON

President of the Senate

Senate Bill No. 3024, which was approved by the Senate on February 1, 2016, was adopted as

an amendment to House Bill No. 5549 by the House of Representatives on February 2, 2016.

(Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP

Secretary General

House of Representatives (Sgd.) OSCAR G. YABES

Secretary of the Senate

Approved: MAY 23 2016

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

President of the Philippines

The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation

REPUBLIC ACT No. 5175
An Act to Amend Republic Act Numbered Four Thousand Three Hundred Seventy-Three,
Entitled "An Act to Regulate the Practice of Social Work and the Operation of Social Work
Agencies in the Philippines and for Other Purposes"

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress

Assembled:

Section 1. Subparagraph (a) of Section one of Republic Act Numbered Forty three hundred
seventy three is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 1. As used in this Act:

"(a) Social work is the profession which is primarily concerned with organized social service
activity, aimed to facilitate and strengthen basic social relationships and the mutual adjustment
between individuals and their social environment for the good of the individual and of society
by the use of social work methods."

Section 2. Subparagraph (c) of Section two of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:

"(c) Possess a Master’s Degree in Social Work (M.S.S.W., M.S.S., M.A.S.W., or its equivalent)
conferred by a reputable school, college or university duly recognized by the government, and
also by a duly accredited school, college or university abroad."

Section 3. Section ten of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 10. Practice of social work and appointment as social workers.— Unless exempt from
registration, no person shall practice or offer to practice social work in the Philippines as
defined in this Act, or be appointed as a social worker or to any position calling for social
worker in any social worker agency whether private or government without holding a valid
certificate of registration as a social worker issued by the Board of Examiners for Social
Workers: Provided, That registration shall not be required of recognized social workers or
authorities on social work who are residents and/or citizens of other countries called in for
consultations in any agency working with the United Nations and/or similar international
social agencies: Provided, further, That no provision of this Act shall be construed to prejudice
permanently appointed social workers who are employed in private or government social work
agencies at the date of approval of this Act, who shall continue to enjoy rights to promotion
and salary increases, retirement benefits and other previously acquired rights: Provided,
Furthermore, That those who at the time of the effectivity of this Act, possess the
qualifications enumerated in Section twelve and are actually engaged in the practice of social
work for a period of five years in a social work agency recognized by the Community Chest,
Council of Welfare Agencies, Philippine Youth Welfare Coordinating Council, or Social
Welfare Administration, shall be exempted from taking the examination as provided herein if
they register as social workers within a period of one year after the approval of this Act:
Provided, still further, That those who before the effectivity of this Act are holding regular
appointment to social work positions in the government service on a provisional status for lack
of the educational qualifications required under this Act for the purpose of taking the board
examination and have rendered five years or more of continuous and satisfactory service in
social work shall, within a period of ten years but not later than December thirty-first, nineteen
hundred seventy-eight, be allowed to retain their positions in order to qualify as registered
social workers under the provisions hereof: And Provided, finally, That any person who at the
time of the effectivity of this amendatory Act possesses the qualifications enumerated in
Section twelve hereof except that which is specified in subparagraph (d) of Section two hereof
and who has been openly performing the functions of, or practicing as, a social worker as
defined in this Act for at least a total of ten years prior to the effectivity of this amendatory
Act, shall be allowed to continue performing such functions or such practice in the same office
or agency until he or she retires without the necessity of examination for registration provided
that an affidavit affirming the circumstances of such continuous practice or a certification by
the Civil Service to the same effect is filed with the Board."

Section 4. Section twelve of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 12. Qualification of applicants.— In order to be admitted to take the social work
examination, an applicant must, at the time of filing his or her application therefor, establish to
the satisfaction of the Board that:

"(a) He or she is a citizen of the Philippines;

"(b) He or she is at least twenty-one years of age;

"(c) He or she is in good health and is of good moral character;

"(d) He or she has received a diploma as holder of a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree or its
equivalent in social work from an institution, college or university duly accredited and legally
constituted: Provided, That the provisions of Republic Act Numbered Twenty-two hundred
and sixty insofar as cultural minorities are concerned be applied; and

"(e) He or she has completed a minimum period of one thousand case hours of practical
training in an established social work agency under the direct supervision of a fully trained and
qualified social worker."

Section 5. Subparagraph (h) of Section twenty-six of the same Act is hereby repealed.1avvphi1

Section 6. Subparagraph (i) of Section twenty-six of the same Act is hereby re-designated as
subparagraph (h).

Section 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: August 4, 1967.

The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation

REPUBLIC ACT No. 4373

An Act to Regulate the Practice of Social Work and the Operation of Social Work Agencies in
the Philippines and for Other Purposes

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress

Assembled:
Article I
Definition of Terms

Section 1. As used in this Act:

a. Social work is the profession which is primarily concerned with organized social service
activity aimed to facilitate and strengthen basic social relationships and the mutual adjustment
between individuals and their social environment for the good of the individual and of society
by the use of social work methods.

b. A "social worker" as used in this Act is a practitioner who by accepted academic training
and social work professional experience possesses the skill to achieve the objectives as defined
and set by the social work profession, through the use of the basic methods and techniques of
social work (case work, group work, and community organization) which are designed to
enable individuals, groups and communities to meet their needs and to solve the problems of
adjustment to a hanging pattern of society and, through coordinated action, to improve
economic and social conditions, and is connected with an organized social work agency which
is supported partially or wholly from government or community solicited funds.

c. A "social work agency" is a person, corporation or organization, private or governmental,

that engages mainly and generally, or represents itself to engage in social welfare work,
whether case work, group work, or community work, and obtains its finances, either totally or
in part, from any agency or instrumentality of the government and/or from the community by
direct or indirect solicitations and/or fund drives, and/or private endowment.

Article II
Organization of the Board of Examiners for Social Workers

Section 2. Name and Composition of the Board Within Sixty Days After the Approval of This
Act.— there shall be created a Board of Examiners for Social Workers hereinafter to be
referred to as the Board, composed of a Chairman and four members who shall be appointed
by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments from
among social workers of recognized standing in the Philippines, and who, at the time of their
appointment shall:

a. Be a citizen and resident of the Philippines;

b. Be at least thirty years of age and of good moral character;

c. Possess a Master’s Degree in Social Work (M.S.S.W., M.S.S., M.A.S.W., or its equivalent)
conferred by a reputable school, college or university duly recognized by the government and
also by a duly accredited school, college or university abroad.

d. Have had at least five years of practice in a social work agency in the case of a holder of
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or its equivalent, or at least two years of social work
practice in the case of a holder of a Master’s Degree in Social Work or its equivalent, after
receiving the respective degree.

e. Be a registered social worker duly qualified to practice social work under this Act: Provided,
However, That this qualification shall not be required of the first appointees to the Board under
this Act, and;

f. Not be a member of the faculty of any school, college or university at the time of
appointment; nor during the year immediately preceding the appointment to be a member of
the Board conferring the Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in social work, or shall have any
direct or indirect pecuniary interest in such institution.

Section 3. Function and Duties of the Board.— The Board shall have the following function
and duties:
a. To administer the provisions of this Act;

b. To administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;

c. To prepare the official seal of the Board ;

d. To issue, suspend, and revoke certificates of registration for the practice of social work;

e. To look into the conditions affecting the practice of social work in the Philippines, and,
whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the maintenance of the
good standing and the ethics of the profession of social work; and

f. To investigate such violations of this Act or of the rules and regulations issued thereunder as
may come to the knowledge of the Board , and, for this purpose, to issue subpoena and
subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearance of witnesses and the production of documents
in connection therewith.

Section 4. Term of Office.— The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three
years or until their successors shall have been appointed and duly qualified: Provided, That the
members of the first Board appointed under this Act shall hold office for the following terms:
the Chairman for three years, two members for two years, and two members for one year,
which shall be specified in their appointment. Any vacancy occurring within the term of a
member shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only. Each member of the Board
shall qualify by taking the proper oath of office prior to entering upon the performance of his
or her duties. No member shall succeed himself on the Board.

Section 5. Executive Officer and Secretary of the Board.— The Commissioner of Civil Service
shall be the Executive Officer of the Board and he shall conduct the examinations given by it
according to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Board and approved by the President
of the Philippines.1âшphi1 The members shall elect a Secretary among them, who shall take
charge of the records. All the records of the Board, including examination papers, minutes of
deliberations, and records of administrative proceedings and investigations shall be kept by the
Civil Service Commission.

Section 6. Compensation of the Board Members.— The Chairman and members of the Board
shall each receive as compensation the sum of ten pesos for each applicant examined.

Section 7. Removal of Board Members.— Any member of the Board may be removed by the
President7 of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Civil Service8
for continued neglect of duty, incompetence, unprofessional, unethical, immoral, or
dishonorable conduct, for commission or toleration of irregularities in the examination, after
having been given the opportunity to defend himself in a proper administrative investigation.

Section 8. Rules and Regulations.— Subject to the approval of the President of the
Philippines9 and with the advice of the Commissioner of Civil Service the Board shall set
ethical and professional standards for the practice of social work in general, and adopt such
rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Such
standards, rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication in the
Official Gazette.

Section 9. Annual Report.— The Board shall submit an annual report to the President of the
Philippines and to Congress after the close of the fiscal year, giving a detailed account of the
proceedings of the Board during the year and embodying such recommendations as the board
may desire to make.

Article III
Examination and Registration of Social Workers

Section 10. Practice of Social Work and Appointment as Social Workers.— Unless exempt
from registration, no person shall practice or offer to practice social work in the Philippines as
defined in this Act, or be appointed as a social worker or to any position calling for social
worker in any social work agency whether private or government without holding a valid
certificate of registration as a social worker issued by the Board of Examinees for Social
Workers: Provided, That registration shall not be required of recognized social workers or
authorities on social work who are residents and/or citizens of other countries called in for
consultations in any agency working with the United Nations and/ or similar international
social agencies: Provided, further, That no provisions of this Act shall be construed to
prejudice permanently appointed social workers who are employed in private or government
social work agencies at the date of approval of this Act, who shall continue to enjoy right to
promotion and salary increases, refinement benefits and other previously acquired rights:
Provided, Furthermore, That those who at the time of the effectivity on this Act, possess the
qualifications enumerated in Section twelve and are actually engaged in the practice of social
work for a period of five years in a social work agency recognized by the Community Chest,
Council of Welfare Agencies, Philippine Youth Welfare Coordinating Council, or Social
Welfare Administration, shall be exempted from taking the examination as provided herein if
they register as social workers within a period of one year after the approval of this Act:
Provided, Still Further, That those who before the effectivity of this Act are holding regular
appointment to social work positions in the government service on a provisional status for lack
of the educational qualifications required under this Act for the purpose of taking the Board
examination and have rendered five years or more of continuous and satisfactory service in
social work shall, within a period of ten years but not later than December thirty-first, nineteen
hundred seventy-eight, be allowed to retain their positions in order to qualify as registered
social workers under the provisions hereof: And Provided, finally, that any person who at the
time of the effectivity of this amendatory Act possesses the qualifications enumerated in
Section twelve hereof except that which is specified in subparagraph (d) of Section two hereof
and who has been openly performing the functions of, or practising as, a social worker as
defined in this Act for at least a total of ten years prior to the effectivity of this amendatory
Act, shall be allowed to continue performing such functions or such practice in the same office
or agency until he or she retires without the necessity of examination for registration provided
that an affidavit affirming the circumstances of such continuous practice or a certification by
the Civil Service to the same effect is filed with the Board.

Section 11. Holding of Examinations.— Except as otherwise specifically allowed under the
provisions of this Act, all applicants for registration as social workers shall be required to
undergo a written examination which shall be given by the Board annually in Manila at such
time and place as may be fixed by it, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Civil
Service and the President of the Philippines. Written or printed notices of such examination
shall be mailed to each candidate who has filed his name and address with the Secretary of the
Board at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the examination.

Section 12. Qualification of Applicants.— In order to be admitted to take the social work
examination, an applicant must, at the time of filing his or her application therefore, establish
to the satisfaction of the Board that:

a. He or she is a citizen of the Philippines;

b. He or she is at least twenty-one years of age;

c. He or she in good health and is of good moral character;

d. He or she has received a diploma as a holder of a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree or its
equivalent in social work from an institution, college or university duly accredited and legally
constituted: Provided, That the provisions of Republic Act Numbered Twenty-two hundred
and sixty insofar as cultural minorities are concerned be applied; and

e. He or she has completed a minimum period of one thousand case hours of practical training
in an established social work agency under the direct supervision of a fully trained and
qualified social worker.

Section 13. Scope of Examination.— The examination for the practice of social work in the
Philippines shall consist of a written test, the scope of which shall be determined and
prescribed by the Board, taking into consideration the curriculum of all the social work courses
offered in schools legally constituted in the Philippines: Provided, That no change or alteration
in or addition to the subjects for examination shall be made within two years from the date of
the promulgation of said subjects. It shall be the duty of the Board to prepare the schedule of
subjects for examinations and to submit the same to the President of the Philippines for
approval through the Commissioner of Civil Service, and to publish the same, as approved, at
least three months before the date of the examination wherein they are to be used. Any
alteration or amendment that may be made in said schedule shall likewise be approved by the
President of the Philippines.

Section 14. Ratings in the Examination.— In order to pass the examination, a candidate must
obtain a general rating of at least seventy percent in the written test, with no rating below fifty
percent in any subject.

Section 15. Report of Results of Examination.— The Board of Examiners for Social Workers
shall, within one hundred twenty days after the examination, report the ratings obtained by
each candidate to the Commissioner of Civil Service who shall, with his recommendation,
submit such ratings to the President of the Philippines.

Section 16. Oath of Social Workers.— All successful examinees shall be required to take a
professional oath before the Board or before any person authorized to administer oaths, prior
to entering upon the practice of social work in the Philippines.

Section 17. Issuance of Certificates.— Certificates of registration as a social worker shall be

issued to all applicants who pass the examination, after approval of her or his ratings by the
President of the Philippines, and upon payment of the required fees. Every certificate of
registration shall show the full name of the registrant and serial number, and shall bear the
signatures of the members of the Board, attested to by the Secretary of the Board, and duly
authenticated with the official seal of the Board of Examiners for Social Workers. The issuance
of a certificate of registration by the Board to the registrant shall be evidence that the person
named therein is entitled to all the rights and privileges of a registered social worker until said
certificate, for just cause, is revoked temporarily or canceled.

Section 18. Registration by Reciprocity.— A certificate of registration may be issued without

examination to social workers registered under the laws of any foreign state or country:
Provided, That the requirements for the registration or licensing of social workers in said
foreign state or country, are substantially the same as those required and contemplated by this
Act: And Provided, further, That the laws of such state or country grant the same privileges to
Filipino social workers on the same basis as the subject or citizens of such foreign state or
country.

Section 19. Fees for Examination and Registration.— Applicants for examination for the social
work profession shall pay an examination fee of fifty pesos. Successful applicants shall pay a
registration fee of thirty pesos. All such fees shall be paid to the disbursing officer of the Civil
Service Commission, and such officer shall pay from the receipts thereof, all the authorized
expenses of the Board, including the compensation of its Chairman and members.

Section 20. Refusal to Issue Certificates in Certain Cases.— The Board of Examiners for
Social Workers shall refuse to issue a certificate of registration to any person convicted by a
court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude, and to any
person guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct, or to one of unsound mind or suffering from
an incurable or infectious disease. The Board shall give the applicant a written statement
setting forth the reason or reasons for its action, which statement shall be incorporated in the
records of the Board.

Section 21. Revocation and Suspension of Certificates.— The Boards shall also have the
power to revoke or suspend the validity of a certificate of registration of a social worker for
any of the causes mentioned in the preceding section, or for unprofessional conduct,
malpractice, incompetency, or serious ignorance of or negligence in the practice of social
work, or for making use of fraud, deceit or falsity to obtain a certificate of registration.
Certificates of registration shall be revoked only after due notice and hearing.

Section 22. Reissuance of Revoked and Replacement of Lost Certificates.— The Board may,
for reasons of equity and justice, and upon proper application and explanation therefore, issue
another copy of the certificate upon payment of ten pesos. A new certificate of registration to
replace any certificate lost, destroyed, or mutilated may be issued subject to the rules of the
Board upon payment of ten pesos (₱10.00).

Article IV
Registration of Social Work Agencies

Section 23. Registration with the Social Welfare Administration.— No social work agency as
defined herein shall separate and be accredited as such unless it shall first have registered with
the Social Welfare Administration which shall then issue the corresponding registration
certificate: Provided, That existing social work agencies at the time of approval of this Act
shall have a period of one year within which to secure the corresponding certificate of
registration. Before any social work agency shall be duly registered, the following
requirements must have been complied with to the satisfaction of the Social Welfare
Administrator:

1. That the applicant must be engaged mainly or generally in social work activity;

2. That the applicant has employed a sufficient number of duly qualified and registered social
workers to supervise and take charge of its social work function in accordance with accepted
social work standards;

3. That the applicant must show in a duly certified financial statement that at least sixty
percent of its funds are disbursed for direct social work services; and
4. That the applicant keeps a social work record of all cases and welfare activities handled by
it.

Section 24. Financial Aid by the Government Agency or Instrumentality.— No government

agency or instrumentality shall give financial or other aid to any social work agency unless the
agency has been duly registered with the Social Welfare Administration in accordance with the
preceding section.

Section 25. Revocation of Certificate of Registration.— The Certificate of Registration issued

to any social work agency may be revoked if, after due investigation, the Social Welfare
Administration finds, that it has failed to perform the function as social work agency, or it has
violated existing laws, rules and regulations.

Article V
Sundry Provisions Relative to the Practice of Social Work

Section 26. Penal Provisions.— The following shall be punished by a fine of not less than five
hundred pesos nor more than two thousand pesos, or imprisonment for not less than one month
nor more than two years, or both, in the discretion of the court;

a. Any person who shall practice or offer to practice social work in the Philippines without
being registered or exempted from registration in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

b. Any person representing or attempting to use as his own, the certificate of registration of
another;

c. Any person who shall give any false or fraudulent evidence of any kind to the Board or any
member thereof in obtaining a certificate of registration as a social worker;

d. Any person who shall impersonate any registrant of like or different name;
e. Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of registration;

f. Any person who shall in connection with his or her name, otherwise assume, use or advertise
any title or description tending to convey the impression that he or she is a social worker
without holding a valid certificate;

g. Any person who shall violate any provision of this Act;

h. Any person, corporation or entity operating as a social work agency without the
corresponding Certificate of Registration issued by the Social Welfare Administration.
(Redesignated as subparagraph (h) by §6, Republic Act No. 5157)

Section 27. Separability Clause.— If any provision of this Act or the application of such
provision to any person or circumstances is declared invalid, the Act or the application of such
provision shall not be affected by such declaration.

Section 28. Repealing Clause.— All Acts, executive orders, rules and regulations or part
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed.

Section 29. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 19, 1965.

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