QuestionsQuestions (DSWD ORDER NO. 18, S. 1997)
It is a DSWD Order titled “Guidelines on the Construction of Day Care Centers under the Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services Project,” dated 03 June 1997, signed by LINA B. LAIGO (SRA a CIDSS Flagship Champion).
The order explains that day care centers address unmet minimum basic needs and provide critical services for disadvantaged children (0–5), especially where parents cannot give proper care, leading to neglect and social disadvantage.
To assist working mothers by providing opportunities for children under five years old to develop physical, intellectual, socio-emotional, spiritual, and language development, allowing parents to focus on work with assurance their children are cared for.
Priority for targeted CIDSS barangays with evidence of need from MBN results; barangay/municipality/province-owned lot or at least 10-year tenure provision; accessible location not near primary roads/major highways, away from dangerous/unsanitary places, preferably near the rural health center, and with open spaces/trees for outdoor activities.
Rationale/justification; proposed site/location and Deed of Donation and/or MOA; description including objective/purpose, manpower, procurement/management/control of construction materials, and safe-keeping/maintenance/inventory; program of work; and detailed estimates.
Primarily the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children, with a Day Care Parents Committee organized as a subcommittee to plan and manage the project, composed of parents of target beneficiaries, a barangay council representative, and an NGO representative if applicable.
Prepare and submit the project proposal; facilitate operation and management; meet monthly; manage funds and procure construction supplies/materials; submit progress reports and liquidation; initiate preparation of program materials and indigenous toys; identify sponsors; orient parents on responsibilities/expectations; and plan parent involvement activities.
The MOA must reflect each party’s responsibilities: DSWD reviews/approves proposals and estimates, monitors and evaluates, inspects site, disburses funds directly to the Parents Committee, provides building design, accredits workers/centers, monitors/assists day care service implementation, and submits pre/post inspection reports to COA; Municipal Government prepares program of work/sketch plan, supervises construction, provides training and day care materials and allowances, creates regular day care worker position, and ensures basic services (water, immunization, nutrition, health care); Barangay Council donates/procures at least 78 sq.m. lot and processes documents, provides counterpart funds, provides equipment/facilities, ensures safety and enforces child welfare laws, oversees maintenance/operation, ensures community manpower, and provides additional counterpart funding as needed.
Construction must follow standards and floor plans developed by the Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare (appended to the order). The building must be structurally safe against strong winds/typhoons and protect children and facilities from sun and rain.
Not less than P200,000.00 to cover materials, labor, and finishing excluding lot procurement. DSWD provides P150,000.00 and P50,000.00 must come from LGU/Parents Committee/NGOs.
A maximum DSWD assistance of P80,000.00 for repairs to comply with standard specifications, with LGU/Parents Committee/NGO providing augmentation if insufficient.
Funds are sub-allotted to DSWD Field Offices; Field Directors enter into MOAs with GO/LGU/NGO, and approve/contract vouchers within specified thresholds and bonding limits for transfer and construction; disbursement follows existing budgeting and accounting rules.
To enter into MOA with concerned entities; approve vouchers exceeding P100,000.00 but not more than P150,000.00 per barangay (or within bonding limit) for fund transfers; and enter into contracts/approve vouchers for construction within the same thresholds/limits, with accountability for these actions.
The center must be accessible to beneficiaries, not located near primary roads or within unsafe distance from major highways/thoroughfares, away from dangerous/unsanitary places, preferably near the rural health center, and include open spaces with trees for outdoor activities.
The order provides for creation of different sub-committees responsible for tasks including manpower and the labor contribution of the community for construction.
DSWD monitors progress and ensures submission of duly audited fund utilization reports in coordination with LGUs.
DSWD prepares documents such as Certificate of Availability of Funds and notice to commence work; conducts site inspection before disbursing; and submits pre and post inspection reports to COA. Parents Committee must submit progress reports and liquidation of the funds.