WHEREAS, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, hereinafter referred to as DSWD, by virtue of Executive Order No. 15 Series of 1998, has been transformed from direct service deliverer to technical assistance provider as a result of the devolution of basic services to the local government units;

WHEREAS, despite the devolution, legislations were enacted mandating the DSWD to provide direct assistance and/or intervention to the vulnerable sectors of the society;

WHEREAS, the DSWD, which serves as the national policy and regulatory institution for social welfare and development, recognizes the need to strengthen its regulatory functions over the management and implementation of social welfare and development programs, office and facilities as well as social welfare and development agencies and service providers;

WHEREAS, in order to effectively and efficiently carry out the mandate of the DSWD, there is a need to amend Executive Order No. 15, Series of 1998.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Mandate. Consistent with the provisions of the Administrative Code of 1987 and Republic Act 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 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 as well as implement statutory and specialized programs which are directly lodged with the Department and/or not yet devolved to LGUs.

SEC. 2. Roles of the DSWD.

1. Enabler of LGUs, NGOs, other NGAs, POs, and other members of civil society in implementing social welfare and development programs including disaster management through technical assistance, resource generation and augmentation;
2. Implementor of statutory laws and specialized programs and services whenever these have not been devolved or localized;
3. Developer and monitor of quality assurance measures/standards in the management/ implementation of related social welfare and development programs, offices and facilities; and
4. Licensor and accreditor of social welfare development agencies and service providers;

SEC. 3. Powers and Functions of the DSWD.

1. Set standards, accredit and provide consultative services to public and private institutions, organizations and persons engaged in social welfare activities, and monitor, performance and compliance to standards by institutions, organizations and persons engaged in social welfare activities, both public and private;
2. Implement (i) residential care and center-based programs and services serving the whole region and/or more than two provinces/cities; (ii) pilot and demonstration social welfare and development projects; regular programs involving special social services and statutory programs; and (iii) crisis intervention.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. Any executive issuance, orders or provisions thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order are deemed modified or repealed.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect upon its approval.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 30th day of June in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Three.

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary