Mayor Magalong Warns Calamity Fund Solicitors without Solicitation Permit

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has warned individuals and groups soliciting funds and donations for calamity victims without necessary permits from the following offices:

• City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO); or
• Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“We have been monitoring certain individuals and groups engaged in the illicit solicitation of funds and donations for typhoon victims.”

-Mayor Benjamin Magalong

According to CSWDO Department Head Betty Fangasan, groups and individuals are encouraged to legitimize their project by requesting a solicitation permit from the CSWDO.

Solicitation Permit Law

Furthermore, under Presidential Decree 1564 or the Solicitation Permit Law, a solicitation permit is mandatory.

In Section 2 of the Solicitation Permit Law, it is stated that any person, corporation, organization, or association desiring to solicit or receive contributions for charitable or public welfare purposes shall first secure a permit from the Regional Offices of the Department of Social Services and Development as provided in the Integrated Reorganization Plan.

Check out the solicitation permit requirements needed:

Specific Requirements Per Method of Solicitation

• Tickets, ballots, card, and similar forms
  • Sample of the ticket containing the solicitation and permit number
  • Purpose of the activity
  • Beneficiary/beneficiaries
  • Amount
  • Date
  • Place where the activity will be conducted
• Fashion Shows, concerts, and similar activities
  • Sample tickets bearing the series numbers
  • Price of the tickets
  • Date
  • Location where the activity shall be conducted
  • Purpose of the solicitation
  • Corresponding permit number
• Written solicitation, text messages, and other types of solicitation using electronic devices such as e-mails
  • A sample of the written solicitation indicating the purpose of the said activity
  • Name of the beneficiary/beneficiaries
  • Permit number
  • Period covered by the solicitation permit
  • Name of the organization or duly authorized person conducting the solicitation activity
• For run or walk for a cause
  • A notarized written agreement with the target beneficiary/beneficiaries.

General Requirements for the Issuance of Solicitation Permit (For Individual)

• Duly accomplished application form with a notarized pledge of commitment.
• Applicant’s Social Case Study Report from his/her Area Social Worker duly signed by the City Social Welfare Officer.
• Treatment Protocol (original/certified true copy by the attending physician with corresponding license number) or medical certificate of medical abstract (certified true copy of the hospital’s record section).

General Requirements for the Issuance of Solicitation Permit (For Organization)

• Duly accomplished application form with notarized undertaking and board resolution (pages 4 & 6).
• A certified true copy of the SEC registration from agencies which have jurisdiction to regulate the association/organization/ association)
• Endorsement from an appropriate agency which has jurisdiction over the project to be undertaken:
  • Director of private school (for private school projects)
  • School superintendent (for public school projects)
  • Department of Health (for medical and health projects)
  • Local Government Unit (for City / Municipality projects)
  • Bishop / Parish Priest / Minister / Head of any sect (for church / religious projects)
• Memorandum of agreement between the soliciting party and the beneficiary/ beneficiaries stating therein the amount of percentage of the proceeds to be given. The awarding of the proceeds shall be within one month after the conduct of the solicitation activity.

Under Section 6 of Presidential Decree 1564, any person violating the ruled and regulations of the Solicitation Permit Law shall be penalized with:

• Imprisonment of not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than P1,000.00 or both such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court.

“Any person found violating the provisions hereof or the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant hereto shall upon, conviction, suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than P1,000.00 or both such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court: Provided, however, That if the offender is a corporation, organization or association, the penalty shall be imposed upon the guilty officer or officers of the corporation, organization or association; and if such guilty officers is an alien, he shall be deported after serving sentence without further proceedings.”

-Section 6 of Solicitation Permit Law

Source: PIO- City of Baguio, Presidential Decree No. 1564, s. 1978