RA 9433 – An Act Providing For A Magna
Carta For Public Social Workers
Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines
Metro Manila
Thirteenth Congress
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9433
April 11, 2007
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC SOCIAL WORKERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the Magna Carta for Public Social
Workers”.
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State shall promote and improve the social and
economic well-being of public social workers, their living and working conditions, and
terms of employment. It shall develop their skills and capabilities to make them more
responsive to the needs and problems of their clients and better equipped in delivering
social services and programs. The State shall likewise encourage those with proper
qualifications and excellent abilities to apply and remain in social development work in
the government service.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean as
follows:
‘Social Work’ – refers to the profession which helps individuals, families, groups, and
communities develop, improve, maintain or restore their capability for coping with the
demands of their environment, through the use of social work methods and
interventions;
‘Registered Social Worker’ — refers to a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Social
Work or Master’s Degree in Social Work and who has passed the social work licensure
examination;
‘Public Social Worker’ — refers to registered social worker employed in the
government service;
‘Public Social Welfare and Development(b)Worker’ – refers to those employed in
government social welfare and development agencies;
‘CSC’ – refers to the Civil Service Commission;
‘DSWD’ – refers to the Department of Social Welfare and Development;
‘DOLE’ – refers to the Department of Labor and Employment;
‘DILG’ – refers to the Department of the Interior and Local Government;
‘NLRC’ – refers to the National Labor Relations Commission; and
‘PRC’ – refers to the Professional Regulations Commission.
SEC. 4. Coverage. – This Act shall cover all registered social workers employed in
government service.
SEC. 5. Recruitment and Qualifications. — The selection and appointment of social
workers shall be in accordance with the merit and fitness principle.
All government social work agencies and institutions shall be headed by registered
social workers except for cabinet and non-career positions. Priority shall be given to
registered social workers in filling up social work positions in the government.
SEC. 6. Merit Promotion and Career System. — A Social Work Management and
Consultative Council shall be created to prepare a uniform career and personnel
development plan applicable to public social workers. Such career and personnel
development plan shall include provision on merit promotion, performance evaluation,
in-service training grants, job rotation, incentive awards system and other policies that
govern the social security of the social workers.
SEC. 7. Composition. – The Social Work Management and Consultative Council shall
be composed of representatives of the DSWD, CSC, DILG, DOLE, Philippine
Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI), Association of Provincial/City and
Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer of the Philippines, Inc.
(APCMSWDOPI), the League of Provinces, League of Cities and League of
Municipalities. The Secretary of the DSWD or his/her representative shall be the head
of the Council.