DSWD warns vs. fake solicitors for Ondoy

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas advised the public to be careful in dealing with individuals or groups who are soliciting in the guise of helping the disaster victims and disadvantage groups especially those using the identity of DSWD.

Since there is a growing number of non-government organizations, associations, clubs, individuals and groups, the government finds it necessary to prevent illegal fund drives as well as regulate the practice of solicitation to protect the direct beneficiaries of the funds and goods and the general public from those who seek donations and voluntary contributions without a License to Operate as a social welfare agency or permit to solicit from the DSWD.

There is an increasing number of individuals and groups raising donations and funds for the benefit of Typhoon Ondoy victims.

DSWD-7 Regional Director Ma. Evelyn. Macapobre further clarified that house-to-house solicitations and those done in private or public transportation are prohibited.

As of today, DSWD-7 has a total of 88 groups and individuals, mostly government offices, schools and some NGO and media outfits who have turned over their donations and issued receipts by the department for shipment to the areas affected by typhoon “Ondoy”. Donations mostly received consist of used clothing, canned goods, rice, noodles, milk, linen and footwear.

Volunteers have repacked these into packages ready for distribution to the affected regions in Luzon.

All applications for Public Solicitation follows regular assessment procedures by the department’s field offices before the start of its fundraising or solicitations.

The public is enjoined to double check and validate if the permit is legal.

One can call the DSWD office at 2329507 or 2329505 and look for Social Worker Rosalinda Allusada to check if the details in the permit or the paraphernalia bears the DSWD logo, authority number, coverage and effectivity and expiry date.

This information should be with the DSWD records.

The list of registered, licensed and accredited NGOs to operate as a social welfare agency as well as list of agencies with authority to conduct national fundraising campaign can also be accessed at the DSWD website at www.dswd.gov.ph for verification purposes. — Johanna T. Natavio/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)