DSWD cautions vs group making illegal solicitations

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development is warning the public over alleged illegal solicitations made by a group in Metro Cebu.

 A certain foundation is reportedly making rounds in Cebu City asking for donations for the project “Operation Good Neighborhood” but without a permit.

 DSWD-7 regional director Mercedita Jabagat said they received a letter from a concerned citizen verifying if the former authorized the foundation.

 According to the letter, the project is intended for street children and orphanage educational training, as well as for moral support.

 The solicitation letter reportedly bears the name and signature of director Jabagat and also the names and signatures of the foundation’s representative, accountant and president.

 But Jabagat denies that the signature is hers.

 “They didn’t forge my signature because it was not my official signature. They created a different signature, which they used in signing MWSF’s solicitation letter,” she said.

 “We encourage the public to immediately report to us or to the nearest Local Social Welfare and Development Office if there are Non-Government Organizations  who are soliciting without permission from DSWD or from the Local Government Unit,” she added.

 DSWD conducted a validation in Barangays Busay, Apas and Lahug but the foundation reportedly does not exist in these barangays contrary to the office address as indicated in the letter.

 She cited the Revised Omnibus Rules and Regulations on Public Solicitation issued by DSWD on August 8, 2014 on the general policies on solicitation coverage conducted in all regional and national fund campaigns in the country.

 Any applicant person, corporation, organization or association, or any juridical entity, including but not limited to national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, state colleges/universities and other government agencies, NGOs, civic society organizations operating in the Philippines, wanting to solicit or receive contributions from the public for charitable or public welfare purposes shall first secure permission to solicit and submit all requirement to the concerned DSWD office. —  (FREEMAN)