Republic Act No. 10847· Enacted 2016-01-01

Social Work Board Exam Requirements Philippines 2016 — BatasKo ELI5

RA 10847 lowers the board exam age to 18, adds CPD requirements, and upgrades social worker licensing rules. Here's what it means for you.

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Official text — Republic Act No. 10847

Jump to section ↓9 sections

Preamble — Sixteenth Congress
Section 2 — of Republic Act Numbered Forty-Three Hundred Sev
Section 12 — of the same Act is hereby further amended:
SECTION 3 — The same Act is hereby amended by inserting Sect
SECTION 4 — Sections 23 and 26 of the same Act are hereby li
SECTION 5 — Implementing Rules and Regulations.
SECTION 6 — Separability Clause.
SECTION 7 — Repealing Clause.
SECTION 8 — Effectivity.

Preamble

Sixteenth Congress

Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of July, two thousand fifteen.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 10847

AN ACT LOWERING THE AGE REQUIREMENT FOR APPLICANTS TAKING THE BOARD EXAMINATION FOR SOCIAL WORKERS, PROVIDING FOR CONTINUING SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION, AND UPGRADING THE SUNDRY PROVISIONS RELATIVE TO THE PRACTICE OF SOCIAL WORK

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 2 — of Republic Act Numbered Forty-Three Hundred Seventy-Three (R.A. No. 4373) is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 2 of Republic Act Numbered Forty-Three Hundred Seventy-Three (R.A. No. 4373) is hereby amended to read as follows:

SEC. 2.

Name and Composition of the Board.

There shall be created a Professional Regulatory Board for Social Workers, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, composed of a Chairperson and four (4) members who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of three (3) nominees for each position submitted by the accredited integrated professional organization (AIPO) for social workers and ranked by the Commission, and who, at the time of their appointment shall:

(a) -do-

(b) -do-

(d) -do-

(e) -do-

(f) do-.

Section 12 — of the same Act is hereby further amended:

Section 12 of the same Act is hereby further amended:

SEC. 12.

Qualification of Applicants.

In order to be admitted to take the social work examination, an applicant must, at the time of filing of application therefor:

(a) Be a citizen of the Philippines;

(b) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;

(d) Have a bachelors degree or masteral degree or its equivalent in social work from an institution, college, or university duly accredited and legally constituted: Provided, That, the provisions of Republic Act Numbered Twenty Two Hundred and Sixty (R.A. No. 2260), otherwise known as the Civil Service Act of 1959, as amended, insofar as cultural minorities are concerned, shall be applied; and

(e) Have completed a minimum period of one thousand (1,000) case hours of practical training in an established social work agency under the direct supervision of a fully trained and qualified social worker: Provided, That, in the institution, college, or universitys undergraduate program, the academic courses preceded the required field practice of one thousand (1,000) case hours: Provided, further, That, the required field practice complies with the social work curriculum approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Board.

SECTION 3 — The same Act is hereby amended by inserting Sections 26, 27 and 28 on Continui→

SECTION 3.

The same Act is hereby amended by inserting Sections 26, 27 and 28 on Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Integration of the Social Work Profession and the Issuance of Special Temporary Permit (STP), respectively:

SEC. 26.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

All registered social workers must provide proof of earning forty-five (45) units of continuing CPD courses given by any CPD provider duly accredited by the CPD Council for social workers as a requirement for the renewal of the professional identification card of social workers.

All local government units (LGUs) and employer organizations shall allocate the necessary funding to support the professional development of social workers under their employ, regardless of employment status, for the purpose of complying with the CPD requirement.

SEC. 27.

Integration of the Social Work Profession.

All registered and licensed social workers shall be united and integrated into one (1) national organization which shall be accredited by the Board, subject to the approval of the Commission, as the AIPO for social workers. All registered and licensed social workers shall become members of the AIPO and shall consequently be entitled to all the benefits and privileges incidental thereto upon payment of the required fees and dues. Membership in the AIPO shall not be a bar to membership in any other professional organization.

SEC. 28.

Issuance of Special Temporary Permits.

Special Temporary Permits (STPs) may be issued by the Board, subject to the approval of the Commission and payment of the prescribed fees, to any of the following:

(a) Foreign social workers called by the Philippine Government for a specific public purpose or project;

(b) Foreign social workers to be employed by any domestic private firm/establishment;

(c) Foreign social workers to be engaged as professors or lecturers in a higher educational institution or university for the enhancement of the social work education in the country; and

(d) Foreign social workers, including volunteers, whose services are engaged during disasters, calamities, or any emergency cases as may be determined by the Board.

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The STP shall provide, among others, that; (1) The practice of the foreign professional shall be limited to the particular work for which the foreigner is being engaged; (2) The validity of the STP shall be for one (1) year only, subject to renewal; and (3) The practice of the foreign social worker shall be subject to the applicable domestic laws and regulations.

SECTION 4 — Sections 23 and 26 of the same Act are hereby likewise amended as follows:→

SECTION 4.

Sections 23 and 26 of the same Act are hereby likewise amended as follows:

SEC. 23.

Registration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

No social welfare and development agency, as defined herein, shall operate and be accredited as such unless it shall first have registered and secured a license with the Department of Social Welfare and Development which shall then issue the corresponding registration certificate and license to operate: Provided, That existing social welfare and development agencies at the time of approval of this Act shall have a period of one (1) year within which to secure the corresponding certificate of registration and license to operate.

Before any social welfare and development agency shall be duly registered and licensed, the following requirements must be duly complied with to the satisfaction of the Department of Social Welfare and Development:

(1) That the applicant must be engaged mainly or generally in social welfare and development activities;

(2) That the applicant has employed a sufficient number of duly qualified staff and/or registered social workers to supervise and take charge of its social welfare and development activities in accordance with the set standards;

(3) That the applicant must show in a duly certified financial statement that at least seventy percent (70%) of its funds are disbursed for direct social work services; and

(4) That the applicant keeps a record of all social development and/or welfare activities handled by it.

SEC. 29.

Penal Provisions.

The following shall be penalized with a fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00), or imprisonment for not less than six (6) months but not more than two (2) years, or both, at the discretion of the court:

(a) Any person who shall practice or offer to practice social work in the Philippines without being registered or exempted from registration in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(b) Any person presenting or attempting to use as ones own, the certificate of registration of another;

(c) Any person who shall give any false or fraudulent evidence of any kind to the Board or any member thereof in obtaining a certificate of registration as social worker;

(d) Any person who shall impersonate any registrant of like or different name;

(e) Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of registration;

(f) Any person who shall in connection with ones name, otherwise assume, use, or advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that one is a social worker without holding a valid registration;

(g) Any person who shall violate any provision of this Act; and

(h) Any person or corporate body who shall violate the rules and regulations of the Board or orders promulgated by it, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act.

Any person, corporation or entity operating as a social welfare and development agency, without the corresponding valid Certificate of Registration and License to Operate issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development shall be penalized with a fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) and/or imprisonment for not less than one (1) year but not more than three (3) years, at the discretion of the court. These penalties shall be without prejudice to the seizure of equipment, instruments and other facilities of the social welfare and development agency.

SECTION 5 — Implementing Rules and Regulations.→

SECTION 5.

Implementing Rules and Regulations.

The Commission and the Board, in consultation with the AIPO for social workers, academe and other relevant government and nongovernmental agencies, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of the law.

SECTION 6 — Separability Clause.→

SECTION 6.

Separability Clause.

If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue in operation.

Show 2 more sections +→

SECTION 7 — Repealing Clause.→

SECTION 7.

Repealing Clause.

All laws, orders, decrees, issuances or any part or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8 — Effectivity.→

SECTION 8.

Effectivity.

This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,

(Sgd.)

FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.

Speaker of the House

of Representatives

(Sgd.)

FRANKLIN M. DRILON

President of the Senate

Senate Bill No. 3024, which was approved by the Senate on February 1, 2016, was adopted as an amendment to House Bill No. 5549 by the House of Representatives on February 2, 2016.

(Sgd.)

MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP

Secretary General

House of Representatives

(Sgd.)

OSCAR G. YABES

Secretary of the Senate

Approved: MAY 23 2016

(Sgd.)

BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

President of the Philippines

The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation

Full text on BatasKo. Original source: Official Gazette / Lawphil.

Nag-aral ka ng Social Work. Tapos ka na ng 1,000 case hours. Gusto mo nang mag-board. Pero wait — may age requirement pala? At pagka-licensed mo, may patuloy pang requirement? Ganun ang mundo ng RA 10847. Ito ang batas na nagbabago ng mga patakaran para sa Social Work board exams, licensing, at continuing education — at kung ikaw ay aspiring social worker, kasalukuyang licensed, o employer ng social workers, kailangan mong malaman ito.

Real Filipino Scenario: Fresh Grad na Gustong Mag-Board Agad

Liza, 22, BS Social Work graduate, Bacolod City

Natapos ni Liza ang kanyang kurso sa isang akreditadong unibersidad sa Bacolod noong edad 21. Kasama na sa programa niya ang required na 1,000 case hours ng field training sa isang local DSWD-accredited agency, supervised ng isang licensed social worker.

Ang tanong niya: kailangan ba niyang mag-intay ng ilang taon bago siya maaaring mag-apply sa Social Work Licensure Exam (SWLE)?

Ang sagot: Hindi. Under Section 2 of RA 10847 (amending Section 12 of RA 4373), ang minimum age requirement ay 18 years old na lang — hindi na 21. Kaya as long as Liza ay 18 pataas, may BS Social Work degree siya mula sa isang CHED-accredited school, at kumpleto ang kanyang 1,000 case hours, pwede na siyang mag-apply sa PRC para sa board exam.

Ano ang gagawin ni Liza: Mag-apply sa PRC online portal, i-submit ang transcript of records, proof of completion ng field training hours, good moral certificate, at birth certificate. I-verify ang accreditation ng kanyang school sa CHED website bago mag-submit.

What the Law Actually Says

RA 10847 ay isang amending law — binabago nito ang mga probisyon ng Republic Act No. 4373, ang original Social Work Law ng Pilipinas.

Lowered age requirement (Section 2, amending RA 4373 Section 12): Para makapag-take ng board exam, dapat:

Filipino citizen ka
Hindi bababa sa 18 years old ka (pinalitan ang dating mas mataas na age requirement)
May Bachelor's degree o Master's degree (o katumbas) sa Social Work mula sa CHED-accredited institution
Kumpleto ang minimum 1,000 case hours ng practical training sa isang established social work agency, supervised ng fully trained at qualified social worker
Ang field practice ay dapat sumusunod sa social work curriculum na aprubado ng CHED at ng Board

Continuing Professional Development — CPD (Section 3, inserting Section 26): Bawat registered social worker ay kailangang kumita ng 45 CPD units mula sa mga CPD provider na akreditado ng CPD Council para sa social workers — bilang requirement para sa renewal ng professional ID card.

Ang lahat ng LGUs at employer organizations ay required mag-allocate ng pondo para suportahan ang professional development ng kanilang employed social workers, anuman ang employment status.

Integration ng Propesyon (Section 3, inserting Section 27): Lahat ng registered at licensed social workers ay magiging miyembro ng isang (1) national organization — ang Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) para sa social workers, na aprubado ng PRC.

Special Temporary Permits para sa Foreign Social Workers (Section 3, inserting Section 28): Ang Board, sa approval ng PRC, ay maaaring mag-issue ng Special Temporary Permit (STP) sa mga dayuhang social workers na:

Tinatawag ng Philippine Government para sa isang specific public purpose
Itatrabaho ng isang domestic private firm
Mag-lelecture o magtuturo sa isang HEI
Mag-vo-volunteer o mag-seserbisyo sa panahon ng disasters, calamities, o emergencies

Ang STP ay valid ng 1 taon lamang, renewable, at limitado sa partikular na trabaho na pinahintulutan.

Penal Provisions (Section 4, inserting Section 29): Ang sinumang mag-practice ng social work nang walang license o gumawa ng fraudulent na aksiyon para makakuha ng sertipiko ay maaaring mapagmultahan ng ₱100,000 hanggang ₱200,000, makulong ng 6 buwan hanggang 2 taon, o pareho — ayon sa discretion ng korte.

What This Means for You

Kung fresh grad ka: Hindi mo na kailangang mag-intay ng ilang taon pagkatapos mag-graduate bago mag-board. Kung 18 years old ka na at kumpleto ang lahat ng requirements, pwede ka nang kumuha ng licensure exam. Mas maagang makakapagsimula ka ng career mo bilang propesyonal.

Kung licensed social worker ka na: Hindi natatapos ang obligasyon mo pagkakuha mo ng lisensya. Kailangan mong makakuha ng 45 CPD units para ma-renew ang iyong PRC ID. Hindi ito optional — ito ay legal na requirement. Ang magandang balita: kung employed ka sa isang LGU o organisasyon, obligado silang tumulong sa pagpopondo ng iyong CPD training.

Kung employer ka ng social workers (NGO, LGU, hospital, DSWD agency): May legal na obligasyon kang i-support ang CPD ng iyong mga social worker employees, kasama ang pagbibigay ng pondo para sa kanilang training — anuman ang employment status nila (regular, contractual, o project-based).

Kung nagtatayo ng social welfare agency: Under Section 4 ng batas (amending RA 4373 Section 23), ang iyong agency ay dapat mag-register at kumuha ng license sa DSWD. Ang hindi pag-comply ay may kasamang legal na kahihinatnan.

Real Filipino Scenario: Ang Lalim ng CPD Requirement

Mike, 26, licensed social worker, nagtrabaho sa isang NGO sa Iligan City

Na-license si Mike dalawang taon na ang nakakaraan pagkatapos ng kanyang board exam. Ngayon, mag-re-renew na siya ng kanyang PRC ID at natuklasan niya ang CPD requirement.

Ang problema: hindi niya alam na kailangan pala siyang kumuha ng mga training at seminar, at ang mga ito ay counted as "CPD units." Akala niya, ang pagre-renew ay bayad lang at tapos na.

Ang katotohanan: Under Section 26 ng RA 10847, si Mike ay kailangang makapagpakita ng 45 CPD units mula sa mga PRC-accredited CPD providers bago ma-renew ang kanyang professional ID card. Hindi siya maaaring mag-renew kung kulang ang kanyang units.

Ano ang gagawin ni Mike: Pumunta sa PRC website at i-check ang listahan ng mga accredited CPD providers para sa Social Work. Mag-attend ng mga seminar, webinar, o training programs na nagbibigay ng CPD credit. I-keep ang lahat ng certificates bilang proof ng attendance. Ang kanyang employer na NGO ay may obligasyong tumulong sa pagpopondo ng mga training na ito — dapat niyang i-request ito nang opisyal.

What Most Filipinos Get Wrong

"Kailangan kong mag-intay ng ilang taon pagka-graduate bago ako mag-board." Mali. Ang age requirement ay 18 years old na lang. Kung tapos ka ng degree at kumpleto ang 1,000 case hours, pwede ka nang mag-apply anytime.

"Isang beses ka lang mag-aral para sa board, tapos licensed ka na habambuhay." Mali. Ang CPD requirement ay patuloy — kailangan ng 45 units bawat renewal period. Ang hindi pag-comply ay nangangahulugang hindi ma-renew ang iyong lisensya.

"Ang employer ko ay walang obligasyon para sa aking CPD training." Mali. Under Section 26, ang lahat ng LGUs at employer organizations ay required ng batas na mag-allocate ng pondo para sa professional development ng kanilang social worker employees, anuman ang employment status.

"Kahit sinong tao ay maaaring mag-offer ng social work services." Napakalaking pagkakamali. Ang mag-practice ng social work nang walang PRC license ay may kasamang criminal penalties — fine ng hanggang ₱200,000 at/o imprisonment ng hanggang 2 taon.

"Ang foreign social workers ay hindi maaaring magtrabaho dito." Hindi tama. Maaari silang magtrabaho sa pamamagitan ng Special Temporary Permit (STP), ngunit limitado ito sa isang taon at sa partikular na trabaho na aprovado ng Board.

For OFWs / Para sa OFW

Ang RA 10847 ay may direktang kaugnayan sa mga OFWng social workers — at sa mga Pilipinong nangangailangan ng social work services habang nasa ibang bansa.

Kung OFW ka at licensed social worker:

Ang iyong PRC license ay nananatiling valid kahit ikaw ay nasa ibang bansa. Ngunit kailangan mo pa ring sumunod sa CPD requirement (45 units) para ma-renew ang iyong professional ID card pagbalik mo o kahit habang nasa abroad. Ang magandang balita: maraming CPD providers ay nag-o-offer na ng online at virtual seminars na maaari mong sundan kahit saan ka man sa mundo.

Para mag-renew ng PRC license mula sa abroad:

I-check ang PRC website (prc.gov.ph) para sa online renewal procedures
Makipag-ugnayan sa Philippine Embassy o Consulate sa iyong bansa para sa assistance sa document authentication kung kailangan
Makikontak sa POLO/MWO (Philippine Overseas Labor Office/Migrant Workers Office) sa iyong bansang pinagtatrabahuhan — maaari silang magturo sa iyo ng mga available na CPD programs para sa OFW professionals

Kung OFW ka at nangangailangan ng social work services sa ibang bansa:

Ang mga POLO/MWO offices sa buong mundo ay may mga social workers na nakaassign para tulungan ang mga OFWng may problema — family issues, employer abuse, distress, o emergency situations. Ang mga social workers na ito ay lisensyado at nagtatrabaho sa ilalim ng DMW (Department of Migrant Workers).

Para humingi ng tulong:

Makipag-ugnayan sa pinakamalapit na POLO/MWO office sa iyong bansa
Mag-reach out sa Philippine Embassy o Consulate para sa referral sa social welfare services
I-contact ang DMW hotline kung nasa Pilipinas ang iyong pamilya at kailangan nilang humingi ng tulong para sa iyo

Kung foreign social worker na gustong magtrabaho sa Pilipinas:

Kung volunteer ka o hiniring ng isang Philippine organization para sa disaster response o humanitarian work, kailangan ng Special Temporary Permit (STP) mula sa PRC Board para sa Social Workers. Ang proseso ay through the PRC at ang STP ay valid ng 1 taon lamang.

Real Filipino Scenario: OFW Engineer na Nangangailangan ng Social Work Support

Wendell, 34, civil engineer, nagtatrabaho sa United States

Si Wendell ay nagtrabaho sa US nang halos 5 taon. Kamakailan, ang kanyang kapatid sa Pilipinas ay nag-report na ang kanilang nakatatandang magulang ay nangangailangan ng elder care services, at may suspetsa ring sikolohikal na pang-aabuso mula sa isang kamag-anak.

Hindi makakauwi si Wendell agad dahil sa trabaho. Gusto niyang malaman kung paano makakakuha ng propesyonal na tulong para sa kanyang pamilya.

Ang kaugnayan ng batas: Under RA 10847, ang mga licensed social workers ay may propesyonal na obligasyon at regulated na serbisyo. Ang mga social welfare agencies na naka-register sa DSWD ay may qualified, licensed social workers na makakatulong sa kaso ng kanyang magulang.

Ano ang gagawin ni Wendell:

I-contact ang DSWD regional office sa kanilang probinsya para humingi ng referral sa elder care at protective services
Maaari ring makipag-ugnayan ang kanyang kapatid sa pinakamalapit na LGU Social Welfare and Development Office (SWDO) — libre ang initial assessment
Si Wendell mismo, bilang OFW, ay maaaring makipag-ugnayan sa POLO/MWO sa US para sa guidance sa kung paano remotely i-facilitate ang tulong para sa kanyang pamilya

What to Do if Your Rights Are Violated

Kung hindi ka ma-admit sa board exam kahit qualified ka:

I-verify ang iyong qualifications — i-review ang requirements sa Section 12 ng RA 10847: edad 18+, BS/MS Social Work mula sa CHED-accredited school, 1,000 case hours kumpleto
Mag-file ng formal complaint sa Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) — pumunta sa PRC main office sa Manila o sa pinakamalapit na regional office
Kumuha ng kopya ng denial letter o anumang dokumentasyon ng rejection — ito ang iyong ebidensya
Makipag-ugnayan sa iyong school's registrar para ma-verify na ang iyong credentials ay maayos na na-submit at authenticated

Kung employer mo ay hindi nagbibigay ng CPD support na required ng batas:

I-document ang iyong request — mag-send ng formal written request sa iyong employer para sa CPD funding support
I-cite ang Section 26 ng RA 10847 sa iyong letter — ito ang legal basis ng iyong

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Legal disclaimer: BatasKo provides general legal information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, consult a licensed Filipino lawyer or the Public Attorney's Office (PAO).

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