The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reinforced its commitment to modern governance during the Philippine Association of Management Accountants (PAMA) Foundation,Inc. 3rd Regional Conference held from October 9 to 12, 2025 at The Sierra Hotel.

Under the theme “Bridging Compliance and Technology for Transparent Governance,” Standards Bureau (SB) representatives Ms. Anna Maria Alexa G. Ledesma and Ms. April Peñaflor led a key session on the agency’s latest regulatory updates.

The discussion focused on Memorandum Circular No. 18 s. 2024 and the launch of the DSWD HELPS or Harmonized Electronic License and Permit System. This new digital platform transitions the Registration, Licensing, and Accreditation (RLA) process for Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs) from manual to online.

The regional conference also served as a multi-sectoral platform, bringing together various government and non-government organizations to discuss the intersection of compliance and technology. Other topics discussed included the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Compliance for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Updates and Latest Issuances, Application and Guide in Using Computerized Accounting System, and Digital Integrity: Trust and Accountability in Online Media.

The activity concluded with a Roundtable Discussion featuring the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC), BIR, DSWD, and SEC, providing a direct line for NGOs to address regulatory concerns. By spearheading these digital transitions, the DSWD continues to prioritize faster, more reliable service delivery for its partners nationwide. (PJE)