A representative of the Standards Bureau of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Office recently visited the Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc.
Mr. Hernan Z. Perez met with the management committee and staff of the VPHCS last September 23 – 24 as part of the accreditation process of the VPHCS with the DSWD.
The accreditation process follows DSWD Administrative Order No. 1 7 series of 2008 “Rules and Regulations on the Registration and Licensing of Social Welfare and Development Agencies and Accreditation of Social Welfare and Development Programs and Services” which regulates and enforces social welfare and development standards to both public and private organizations in the country that engage in social welfare and development activities.
The VPHCS was given by the DSWD a Certificate of Registration and License to Operate as a social welfare and development agency (SWDA) on June 28, 2010. This means that the VPHCS is officially recognized by the DSWD as a SWA within the purview of social welfare and development and has a legal permit to operate as such.
Accreditation would mean that its programs and services have met the minimum standards set by the government
Being a registered and licensed SWA, the VPHCS is now included in the DSWD’s Registry of Registered, Licensed and/or Accredited Social Welfare SWDAs, will receive technical assistance from the DSWD on programs and services implementation; can participate in DSWD’s capability building and skills enhancement; can receive endorsement for duty free entry of foreign donations; and receive other benefits and privileges that may be provided from time to time.
After being accredited, the VPHCS shall also enjoy additional benefits including, for level 1 of accreditation, publication of VPHCS good practices and success stories in the DSWD publications and posting on the DSWD website; and endorsement of project proposals; level 2, paper presentation abroad, depending on available opportunities; and nomination for travel local and abroad to participate in relevant training/conferences as part of the Philippine delegation; and level 3, plaque of recognition and cash incentive; recognition a model SWDA and laboratory for trainings and research; and authority to undertake training on their expertise and to charge corresponding fees.
Mr. Perez went through the documents submitted by the VPHCS in its application for accreditation, including the VPHCS manual of operations, profile of employees, profile of the governing board, profile of clients, latest narrative reports and financial statements, and work and financial plan.
He also visited Sitio Back of Matimco, Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City, one of the project sites of the VPHCS, where he talked with community health workers and leaders of the people’s organization who are working with the VPHCS in its existing community-based health program.
Mr. Perez made several recommendations to improve the operations of the VPHCS which were welcomed by the management committee. An action plan was later signed by Mr. Perez and Petty Orbeta de Castro, VPHCS executive director signifying the intention of the VPHCS to comply with the said recommendations in order for its accreditation to be granted.
* certificate shall be granted based on the expiration date of the issued accreditation
* certificate. The accredited SWDAs shall receive the following additional benefits
* depending on the level of compliance to set standards:
c.l.
Level 1 of Accreditation
i. Documentation of good practices and success stories shall be featured in
DSWD annual report and Social Welfare and Development Journals as well
as posting on the DSWD website;
ii. Endorsement of project proposals; and
iii.Other
benefits and privileges may be provided from time to time as deemed
appropriate by the Department.
c.2. Level 2 of Accreditation
i.
Paper presentation abroad, depending on available opportunities; and
ii. Nomination
for travel local and abroad to participate In relevant
training/conferences as part of the Philippine delegation.
c.3. Level 3 of Accreditation
i.
Plaque of recognition and cash incentive;
ii. Recognized as a model SWDA and laboratory for trainings and research;
iii.Authority to undertake training on their expertise and charge corresponding
fees; and
iv.Recommendation
for a seat on appropriate councils in areas where expertise
is required.
