Gov’t agencies need solicitation permits — DoJ

The Department of Justice told government agencies that they are required to secure permits for solicitations from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

This was stated in a legal opinion dated 19 Oct. 2023 addressed to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, by DoJ Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez.

In the said legal opinion, Vasquez said that as a rule, national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, state colleges/universities, and other government agencies must secure solicitation permits from DSWD.

The requirement for permits is provided for in Section 6.1.2 of the DSWD's 2014 Revised Omnibus Rules and Regulations on Public Solicitation.

It stated: "Any applicant person, corporation, organization or association or any other juridical entity, including but not limited to national government agencies, government owned and controlled corporations, state colleges/universities and other government agencies, non-government organizations, civic society organizations operating in the Philippines that are desiring to solicit or receive contributions from the public  for charitable public welfare purposes shall first secure an authority to solicit and submit all requirements to the concerned DSWD Office."

The DoJ's legal opinion was sought by Gatchalian in connection with Presidential Decree No. 1564  of 1978, the Solicitation Permit Law, as  exempting government agencies from securing permits and only mentions duly organized private and semi-private entities.