DSWD-6 warns public vs illegal solicitation for Yolanda victims

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Three months after Yolanda hit Western Visayas, the Department of  Social Welfare and Development-Region 6 warned the public to be wary of people conducting unauthorized solicitations and fundraising activities, purportedly for typhoon survivors or victims.

DSWD-6 public information officer May Rago-Castillo said the agency had received several reports of individuals and groups soliciting donations for Yolanda victims in Western Visayas, but the collected donations were never given to the real victims.

Castillo said under the Presidential Decree No. 1564 or the Solicitation Permit Law signed on June 11, 1978 provides the DSWD with exclusive authority to regulate the solicitation, acceptance of donations or contributions for charitable or public welfare purposes.

Any person, corporation, organization, or association desiring to solicit or receive contributions for charitable or public welfare purposes must secure a permit from the DSWD, she said.

Castillo added that Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991) gives the city and municipal mayors the authority to regulate the holding of activities for charitable and welfare purposes within their respective areas of jurisdiction.

“We make sure that what we gave will go to real victims not those undeserving individuals,” she said, as she urged the public to report any individuals or groups, making solicitations, to DSWD-6 office at telephone no. 337-6221. (FREEMAN)