QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to launch on February 18 the Harmonized Electronic License and Permit System, or ‘HELPS,’ a new digital platform aims to simplify the registration, licensing, and accreditation processes for Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs).
The ‘HELPS’ portal significantly reduces the application steps from 49 to just 12, allowing for processing times to be cut down to seven working days.
Applicants will also benefit from real-time monitoring capabilities, enabling them to track the progress of their submissions and receive updates at each stage.
“Through the digital application system, the issuance of the Certificate of Registration and License to Operate (CRLA) will be streamlined from 90 days to seven days, and the documentary requirements have been simplified from 50 to just 11 documents,” said DSWD Standards Bureau Division Chief Anna Marie Alexa Ledesma.
Ledesma noted that during testing, the entire account setup process could be completed in as little as 20 minutes.
“This efficiency will allow us to better serve our partners and the communities they support,” she added.
The DSWD’s initiative to streamline agency operations is part of a broader effort to enhance service delivery.
During a recent media forum, Ledesma emphasized that the goal of the ‘HELPS’ online portal is to license more SWDAs, ultimately helping more beneficiaries and improving the quality of social services.
SWDAs, as defined by Ledesma, are partner organizations that provide essential social welfare and development services to Filipinos, operating under the regulation of the DSWD.
This initiative also aims to modernize and centralize the DSWD’s regulatory services through the adoption of technology, establishing the agency as a leader in leveraging digital solutions for client interaction and internal operations. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
