A legal expert reminded those starting donation drives for Typhoon Odette victims that they still need to get a permit from the government.
“Kailanan kumuha ng permit mula sa DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development),” Atty. Gaby Concepcion in a segment of Unang Hirit’s “Kapuso sa Batas.”
“Maraming nagko-complain kung bakit marami pang red tape para sa mga gustong tumulong pero, of course, the purpose is transparency and accountability para hindi naman maging paraan para maloko ang publiko natin na gusto lamang tumulong,” she said.
(They need to get a permit from the DSWD. Many complain about why there is more red tape for those who want to help, but, of course, the purpose is transparency and accountability so that it will not be a way to fool our public who just want to help.)
The lawyer added that the rule covers all forms of fundraising activities such as fun runs, raffles, and sales.
Those starting donation drives also need to pay fees. In addition, failing to get a permit would result in specific penalties.
“Sa ilalim ng [Presidential Decree No. 1564], meron talagang penalty for not getting a permit,” Atty. Gaby explained.
All donation drives need permit from DSWD – lawyer
(Under [Presidential Decree No. 1564], there is a penalty for not getting a permit.)
“Merong imprisonment of one year at merong fine, pero syempre ang mas malaking kaso dito ay isang criminal na kaso for estafa, or ‘yung panloloko ng ibang tao pag ginamit ang perang hiningi mula sa publiko at idi-divert ang paggamit ng pera na ito, matapos niyong sabihin na ito ay for a good cause eh ‘yun pala ay para sa sariling bulsa lamang at hindi na umabot sa paglalaanan dapat.”
(There is imprisonment of one year, and there is a fine, but of course, the bigger case here is a criminal case for estafa, or the fraud of other people when they use the money demanded from the public and divert the use of this money, after you said that it was for a good cause, it turned out that it was only for one’s own pocket and did not reach the allocation it should have.)
“The rule is kung gusto niyo pong mag-solicit mula sa publiko o humingi ng mga kontribusyon, kailangan munang kumuha ng permit mula sa regional office ng DSWD,” Concepcion said.
Also read: At least 208 people killed in typhoon Odette – PNP
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.