DSWD Field Office Director Marie Angela Gopalan cautions the public to be careful of giving donations, whether in cash or in kind, to  individuals and groups using the COVID-19 crisis situation.

She enjoins any person, corporation or association to apply first a Solicitation Permit before undertaking fund-raising drives or solicitations. The application should be filed at the DSWD Field Office of the region where the activity will take place.

Director Gopalan stated that DSWD is mandated by virtue of Presidential Decree 1564 to regulate the solicitation of donations or receiving of contributions for charitable or public welfare purposes. “We want to ensure that the real intentions of the campaign will really be for the welfare of the intended recipients,” she further pointed out.#

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