The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office X is reminding the public that conducting solicitation for victims of disaster is regulated by law.

Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, Regional Director of DSWD Field Office X, emphasizes that no person is allowed to conduct any form of solicitation without securing a solicitation permit from any local DSWD.

Based on Presidential Decree No. 1564 or the Solicitation Permit Law, DSWD has the exclusive authority to regulate the soliciting of donations or receiving of contributions for charitable or public welfare purposes.

The decree provides that any person or organization with legal authority to transact business in the country, desiring to solicit donations or receive contributions for charitable or public welfare purposes may apply for solicitation permit. The Sangguniang Bayan, however, is exempted under Section 391 of Republic Act 7160 to conduct fund raising activities for barangay projects.

Application for solicitation permit shall be filed with the DSWD Field Office which has jurisdiction over the area where the solicitation activities shall be conducted. Upon filling of application, certain requirements may be submitted for approval such as the filing fee of P300, including a certified true copy of the Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of the applicant, duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) together with a copy of the resolution of its governing body or the Board of Directors, among others.

For more details on the application and issuance of the solicitation permit, the public may inquire at the DSWD Field Office X, Masterson Ave., Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City or may call at 088-858-6333 local 114.

According to law, any person found violating the Solicitation Permit Law ( PD 1564) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations stipulated in Department Order 40, series of 1994, shall, upon conviction, suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not more than one year , or a fine of not more than P1,000.00, or both, at the discretion of the Court; if offender is a corporation, organization or other juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed on the guilty officials, employee or member; if the guilty person is an alien, he/she shall be deported after serving sentence, without further proceedings.

Written by Charmaine P. Tadlas, DSWD