Legal basis for reorganization
- Executive Order No. 15 is issued pursuant to Section 20, Chapter 7, Title I, Book III of Executive Order No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987), which empowers the President to exercise powers and functions vested by law.
- Executive Order No. 15 is also grounded on Section 78 of the General Provisions of RA 8522, which empowers the President to direct changes in organization and key positions in departments, bureaus, and agencies.
- Executive Order No. 15 further relies on Section 80 of the General Provisions of RA 8522 (FY 1998 General Appropriations Act), which directs department heads to scale down, phase out, or abolish activities no longer essential in delivering public services.
Policy mandate and purpose
- Section 1 mandates the DSWD to provide assistance to LGUs, NGOs, other NGA’s, POs, and other members of civil society to implement programs, projects, and services that alleviate poverty and empower disadvantaged individuals, families, and communities for an improved quality of life.
- Section 1 requires that the mandate be consistent with the Administrative Code of 1987 and RA 7160 (Local Government Code).
- Executive Order No. 15 directs the DSWD to undergo changes in roles, functions, organizational processes, corporate values, skills, technology, and structure to fulfill its refocused mandate.
DSWD roles under the order
- Section 2 establishes that the DSWD shall serve as the lead line agency and authority in formulating national social welfare and development policies, plans, programs, and statistics, especially for family development and poverty groups.
- Section 2 requires DSWD to monitor and evaluate the implementation of policies, plans, and programs on family welfare and development and poverty alleviation in the social welfare and development sector.
- Section 2 provides that DSWD shall administer special social services and social development funds intended to assist disadvantaged individuals, families, and communities.
- Section 2 mandates DSWD to innovate new strategies on social services and development in identified social laboratories and learning centers.
- Section 2 enjoins DSWD to enable LGUs, NGOs, other NGAs, POs, and other members of civil society through technical assistance in implementing social welfare and development programs.
- Section 2 directs DSWD to advocate for social welfare and development concerns, including disadvantaged families, children/youth, women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and similarly situated individuals.
Powers and functions of DSWD
- Section 3 authorizes DSWD to formulate, develop, and promote policies, plans, programs, and projects in social welfare and development.
- Section 3 empowers DSWD to undertake researches and studies and adopt policies to ensure effective implementation of public and private social welfare and development programs.
- Section 3 requires coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs for bilateral and multilateral linkages for technical cooperation.
- Section 3 authorizes DSWD to deputize law enforcement agencies for implementation of laws, rules, and regulations protecting the rights of the exploited, abused, and disadvantaged.
- Section 3 provides that DSWD shall regulate fund drives, public solicitations, and donations for charitable or welfare purposes.
- Section 3 directs DSWD to set standards, accredit, provide consultative services, and monitor performance of institutions, organizations, and persons engaged in social welfare activities, whether public or private.
- Section 3 authorizes DSWD to exercise technical supervision over social workers in other government settings or agencies such as courts, hospitals, schools, and housing projects.
- Section 3 mandates DSWD to promote, coordinate, establish, operate, and maintain support institutional facilities, projects, and services, including social laboratories and learning centers, for its constituents and for social welfare and development.
- Section 3 requires DSWD to promote, build, and strengthen people’s organizations for a self-directing (welfare and development) system at the grassroots level.
- Section 3 authorizes DSWD to develop and implement training standards and programs for personnel, social workers, students, and third-country participants for career and staff development.
- Section 3 requires DSWD to advocate for and disseminate information on social development issues.
- Section 3 authorizes DSWD to provide augmentation funding and resources to partners in social welfare and development.
- Section 3 includes a catch-all: DSWD must perform such other functions as may be provided by law.
Rationalization and streamlining plan
- Section 4 requires DSWD to prepare a Rationalization and Streamlining Plan (RSP) as the basis of intended changes to effect efficiency and effectiveness.
- Section 4 requires the RSP to include a specific shift in policy directions, functions, programs, and activities/strategies.
- Section 4 requires the RSP to include a structural/organizational shift identifying the specific functions and activities by organizational unit and the relationship of each unit.
- Section 4 requires the RSP to include a staffing shift, highlighting and itemizing filled and unfilled positions.
- Section 4 requires the RSP to include a resource allocation shift specifying the effects of the streamlined setup on the agency budgetary allocation and indicating where possible savings have been generated.
- Section 4 requires the RSP to be submitted to the Department of Budget and Management for approval before corresponding shifts are effected by the DSWD Secretary.
Personnel redeployment and funding limits
- Section 5 provides that redeployment under the approved RSP must not result in diminution in rank and compensation of existing personnel.
- Section 5 requires redeployment to take into account all pertinent Civil Service laws and rules.
- Section 6 provides that funding for implementing the RSP shall come from funds available in DSWD.
- Section 6 imposes a cap: total requirements for implementation of the revised staffing pattern must not exceed available funds for Personnel Services.
Implementation authority and facilities
- Section 7 authorizes the DSWD Secretary to implement the RSP following approval.
- Section 7 further authorizes the DSWD Secretary, after the approved RSP, to determine the social laboratories/learning centers and other social welfare and development facilities necessary to carry out the DSWD’s mandate and roles.
- Section 7 requires facility determination to follow strictly the principles of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
Effectivity
- Section 8 provides that Executive Order No. 15 takes effect immediately.