As part of its commitment to enhancing service delivery and streamlining operations, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Standards Bureau (SB), conducted the soft launch of the Harmonized Electronic License and Permit System (HELPS) featuring the digitalized process of availing the agency’s regulatory services for Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs).

The soft launch was kicked off in roadshows, with the first cluster held in Quezon City and Mandaue City in Cebu last December 17, 2024, closely preceded by the roadshow at Davao City, and Angeles City in Pampanga last December 19, 2024.

Standards and Capacity Building Group (SCBG) Undersecretary Denise Florence Bernos-Bragas, MD, RSW and Assistant Secretary Janet Armas oversaw the activities that gathered 36 participating SWDAs from National Capital Region (NCR), Regions 3 (Central Luzon), 7 (Central Visayas) and 11 (Davao Region).

“The soft launch of the HELPS portal featured a unique, one-stop-shop processing of applications for various regulatory services, including registration, licensing, accreditation, and the issuance of national and regional public solicitation permits,” SCBG Undersecretary Bragas explained. 

The HELPS is an online DSWD Permit System that seeks to make regulatory processes seamless, stress-free for SWDAs.

Participating organizations and agencies had the unique opportunity to be among the first to experience the automated regulatory services offered by DSWD. These services ranged from the initial creation of user accounts to application submission and payment processing, culminating in the efficient issuance of certificates and permits following favorable assessments. 

Undersecretary Bragas said the upcoming full launch will transform the DSWD’s regulatory services through a faster, more efficient, and client-focused approach for all stakeholders involved.

Key DSWD officials also present in the events were Standards Bureau (SB) Director Atty. Megan Therese Manahan, Assistant Bureau Director (ABD) Cynthia Ilano, Field Office (FO) 3 – Central Luzon Regional Director (RD) Venus Rebuldela, FO-7 – Central Visayas, RD Shalaine Marie S. Lucero, FO-9 – Zamboanga Peninsula, RD Riduan Hadjimuddin, and FO-11 – Davao Region OIC-Regional Director Merlinda Paragamac.

For online inquiries and assistance on HELPS, SWDAs may reach out via email at: [dswdhelps.support@dswd.gov.ph] where an expert technical support team will provide prompt response. 

The HELPS is an initiative of Secretary Rex Gatchalian under the Paspas Serbisyo Program, which prioritizes the ease of delivering social welfare services by streamlining forms, processes, and requirements. (MGCBA)