Creation of Department of Social Welfare

Government responsibility to provide comprehensive social welfare services.
Target beneficiaries: distressed Filipinos hindered by poverty, youth, disability, illness, old age, victims of calamities, and cultural minorities.
Aim to improve living conditions and integrate cultural minorities into the body politic.

Establishment of the Department of Social Welfare (the Department).
Development and implementation of comprehensive social welfare programs including:
1. Preventive and remedial services for individuals, families, communities.
2. Protective, remedial, developmental services for children and youth.
3. Vocational rehabilitation for physically handicapped, ex-convicts, and special needs individuals.
4. Training, research, and special projects.
Powers and duties include:
1. Develop, administer, implement social welfare service programs.
2. Set standards, policies for public and private social welfare programs.
3. Conduct research and studies related to social welfare.
4. Initiate and administer pilot projects.
5. Accredit institutions and license child care and child placement institutions.
6. License and regulate public solicitations and fund drives.
7. Provide consultative services and training programs.
8. Disseminate information and publish technical bulletins.
9. Establish regional, provincial, city, municipal branches.
10. Coordinate government and voluntary social welfare efforts.
11. Establish and maintain facilities like child caring institutions.
12. Establish necessary rules and regulations.

Department headed by a Secretary assisted by two Undersecretaries for Program and for Operation and Administration.
Appointment by the President with Commission on Appointments' consent.
Secretary qualifications: demonstrated interest in social welfare; knowledge of public administration.
Undersecretary for Program: master's degree in social work, registered social worker, 7 years experience preferably in public agency.
Undersecretary for Operation and Administration: knowledge of public administration or social work, 7 years experience in administration of social welfare programs.
Compensation fixed by law for department secretaries and undersecretaries.

Bureau of Family Welfare:
- Promote social adjustment of families, prevent family disorganization.
- Administer family life education, family welfare centers, youth centers, self-help groups, street-corner gang work, vocational training, income-producing projects, employment services for handicapped youth/adults.
- Address problems from income loss or family disturbances.
Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare:
- Care, protection, training, rehabilitation of abused, neglected, handicapped, delinquent children/youth.
- Prepare youth for economic participation.
- Develop demonstration and experimental projects for social work techniques.
Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation:
- Vocational rehabilitation for disabled, physically handicapped, and special needs individuals.
- Services: social adjustment, medical, pre-vocational guidance, training, placement, sheltered workshops.
- Manage national vocational rehabilitation program.
- Establish sheltered workshops in each congressional district.
Bureau of Field Services:
- Administer and coordinate regional welfare functions.
- Implement policies and provide administrative decisions within delegated authority.
- Maintain coordination with public and private sectors.
- Operate through regional, provincial, city, and municipal offices.
Bureau of Training, Research and Special Projects:
- Develop and implement research, training, special projects.
- Manage special projects like CITRUS and disaster/emergency relief services.

Social Welfare Administration abolished.
Transfer personnel, assets, records, appropriations to the Department of Social Welfare.
No loss of employment, reduction in salary or rank for former officials/employees.
Non-alteration of certain Republic Acts.

Department may receive grants, bequests, donations, trust funds for social welfare.
Exempt from taxes.
Authorized to procure equipment and supplies directly, subject to accounting rules and price limits.

All laws and rules inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.

If any provision is declared unconstitutional or invalid, remaining provisions stay effective.