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WHEREAS, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, hereafter referred to as DSWD, has been transformed from a direct service deliverer to a technical assistance provider as a result of the devolution of basic services to the local government units;

WHEREAS, the DSWD seeks to serve as the national policy and regulatory institution for social welfare and development from which local government units, non-government organizations, and other members of civil society involved in social welfare and development will anchor their thrust and directions;

WHEREAS, to effectively fulfill its refocused mandate, the DSWD is required to undergo changes in its roles, functions, organizational processes, corporate values, skills, technology and structure;

WHEREAS, Section 20, Chapter 7, Title I, Book III of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1997, empowers the President of the Philippines to exercise such powers and functions as are vested in him under law;

WHEREAS, Section 78 of the General Provisions of RA 8522, empowers the President to direct changes in the organization and key positions in any department, bureau or agency;

WHEREAS, Section 80 of the General Provisions of RA 8522 (FY 1998 General Appropriations Act) directs heads of departments, bureaus and agencies to scale down, phase out or abolish activities no longer essential in the delivery of public services;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the following:

SECTION 1.       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), people's 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.

SECTION 2.       Roles. To fulfill its responsibilities under this mandate, the DSWD shall serve as:

a)         the lead line agency and authority in formulating national social welfare and development policies, plans, programs, and statistics, especially as these relate to family development and poverty groups;

b)         the monitor and evaluator of the implementation of policies, plans and programs on family welfare and development and poverty alleviation efforts in the social welfare and development sector;

c)         administrator of special social services and social development funds intended to assist disadvantaged individuals, families and communities;

d)         innovator of new strategies on social services and development in identified social laboratories and learning centers;

e)         enabler of LGUs, NGOs, other NGAs, POs and other members of civil society in implementing social welfare and development programs through technical assistance; and

f)          an advocate for social welfare and development concerns, to include disadvantaged families, children/youth, women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and similarly situated individuals.

SECTION 3.       Powers and Functions. To accomplish its mandate and roles, the Department shall:

a)         Formulate, develop and promote policies, plans, programs and projects in the field of social welfare and development;

b)         Undertake researches and studies and adopt policies to ensure the effective implementation of public and private social welfare and development programs;

c)         Initiate, promote and maintain bilateral and multilateral linkages for technical cooperation, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs;

d)         Deputize law enforcement agencies in the implementation of laws, rules and regulations for the protection of the rights of the exploited, abused and disadvantaged;

e)         Regulate fund drives, public solicitations and donations for charitable or welfare purposes;

f)         Set standards, accredit and provide consultative services to institutions, organizations and persons engaged in social welfare activities and monitor performance on institutions, organizations and person engaged in social welfare activities, both public and private;

g)         Exercise technical supervision over social workers in other government settings or agencies like courts, hospitals, schools and housing projects;

h)         Promote, coordinate, establish, operate and maintain support institutional facilities, projects and services and social laboratories and learning centers for the benefit of its constituents and in furtherance of social welfare and development;

i)         Promote, build and strengthen people's organizations for a self-directing (welfare and development) system at the grassroots level;

j)         Develop and implement training standards and programs for personnel, social workers and students and third-country participants for career and staff development;

k)         Advocate for and disseminate information on social development issues;

l)         Provide augmentation funding and resources to partners in social welfare and development; and

m)         Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

SECTION 4.       Preparation of a Rationalization and Streamlining Plan. In view of the functional and operational redirections in the DSWD, and to effect efficiency and effectiveness in its activities, the Department shall prepare a Rationalization and Streamlining Plan (RSP) which shall the basis of the intended changes. The RSP Plan shall contain the following:

a)         the specific shift in policy directions, functions, programs and activities/strategies;

b)         the structural/organizational shift, stating the specific functions and activities by organizational unit and the relationship of each of these units;

c)         the staffing shift, highlighting and itemizing the existing filled and unfilled positions; and

d)         the resource allocation shift, specifying the effects of the streamlined set-up on the agency budgetary allocation and indicating where possible savings have been generated.

The RSP shall be submitted to the department of Budget and Management for approval before the corresponding shifts shall be effected by the DSWD Secretary.

SECTION 5.       Redeployment of Personnel. The redeployment of officials and other personnel on the basis of the approved RSP shall not result in the diminution in rank and compensation of existing personnel and shall take into account all pertinent Civil Service laws and rules.

SECTION 6.       Funding. The financial resources needed to implement the Rationalization and Streamlining Plan shall be taken from funds available in the DSWD, provided that the total requirements for the implementation of the revised staffing pattern shall not exceed available funds for Personnel Services.

SECTION 7.       Implementing Authority. Following the approved RSP, the DSWD Secretary, in addition to his/her authority to implement the RSP, is hereby authorized to determine the social laboratories/learning centers and other social welfare and development facilities necessary for carrying out the Department's mandate and roles, following strictly the principles of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

SECTION 8.       Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 20 Aug. 1998

(SGD.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President

By the President:

(SGD.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary