Section 3 of Republic Act No. 10847 stipulates that: “All registered and licensed Social Workers shall be united and integrated into one (1) national organization which shall be accredited by the Board, subject to the approval of the Commission, as the AIPO for social workers.  All registered and licensed Social Workers shall become members of the AIPO and shall consequently be entitled to all benefits and privileges incidental thereto upon payment of the required fees and dues.  Membership in the AIPO shall not be a bar to membership in any other professional organization.”

To carry this out, the Professional Regulatory Board of Social Work (Board) issued Board Resolution No. 3 entitled “Presentation of Proof of Payment as a Requirement for Initial Registration and Submission of the Certificate of Good Standing (COGS) issued by the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) for the Renewal of the Professional Identification Cards (PICs) of all Registered and Licensed Social Workers.” Other professions which are mandated by law to integrate require the submission by the professional of the corresponding AIPO COGS in the renewal of their Professional Identification Cards (PICs).

In crafting this Resolution, the Board is mindful of the intent to solidify and unify all professional social workers and develop a central registry and database profile of Filipino social workers. Contrary to the alleged lack of consultations, the Board conducted dialogues in drafting the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the law that touched the integration provision.

While the Board believes that the Resolution has legal grounds to stand on, the Board would also like to hear the predicament of the various associations. To address the concerns surrounding the Resolution, we shall hold a dialogue with the officers of PASWI, NASWEI, other social work organizations and social workers to clarify and seek an amenable outcome which will ultimately redound for the benefit of the majority and will be in accordance with the intent of the law.

September 9, 2019.

To view the said Implementation of Republic Act No. 10847, Section 3, click here