AN ACT LOWERING THE AGE REQUIREMENT FOR APPLICANTS TAKING THE BOARD EXAMINATION FOR SOCIAL WORKERS

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 10847

Lowering the Age Requirement for Social Work Board Exam Applicants
- Section 2: Lowers the minimum age requirement for applicants taking the social work board exam from 21 to 18 years old. (Section 12)

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Social Workers
- Section 3: Requires all registered social workers to earn 45 units of CPD courses from accredited providers as a requirement for renewing their professional ID. (Section 26)
- Local government units and employers must allocate funding to support the professional development of social workers under their employ. (Section 26)

Integration of the Social Work Profession
- Section 3: All registered and licensed social workers must be united and integrated into one national accredited integrated professional organization (AIPO). (Section 27)
- Membership in the AIPO is mandatory for all registered social workers, who are entitled to benefits upon payment of fees and dues. (Section 27)

Issuance of Special Temporary Permits (STPs)
- Section 3: The Board may issue STPs, subject to approval and fees, to foreign social workers in the following cases: (Section 28)
- Called by the Philippine government for a specific purpose or project
- Employed by a domestic private firm/establishment
- Engaged as professors or lecturers in higher education institutions
- Engaged as volunteers during disasters, calamities, or emergencies
- STPs are valid for 1 year, renewable, and limit the foreign social worker's practice to the specific work they are engaged for. (Section 28)

Registration and Licensing of Social Welfare Agencies
- Section 4: Social welfare and development agencies must register and secure a license from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to operate. (Section 23)
- Requirements include: employing registered social workers, spending at least 70% of funds on direct social work services, and keeping records of activities. (Section 23)

Penal Provisions
- Section 4: Imposes fines of ₱100,000 to ₱200,000 and/or imprisonment of 6 months to 2 years for various violations, including: (Section 29)
- Practicing social work without registration or exemption
- Presenting or using another's registration certificate
- Giving false evidence to obtain registration
- Impersonating a registered social worker
- Using a revoked or suspended registration
- Advertising as a social worker without valid registration
- Violating provisions of the Act or Board rules and regulations
- Operating a social welfare agency without DSWD registration and license is punishable by a fine of ₱100,000 to ₱500,000 and/or imprisonment of 1 to 3 years. (Section 29)