Legal expert explains why permits are needed to start a donation drive

While many of our kababayans have started a donation drive to help victims of Typhoon Odette — and many too are willing to help however they can — it's important to remember that all donation drives actually need an official permit from the Philippine government.

"Kailanan kumuha ng permit mula sa DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development)," Atty. Gaby Concepcion in a segment of Unang Hirit's "Kapuso sa Batas."

"Maraming nagko-complain kung bakit marami pang red tape para sa mga gustong tumulong pero, of course, the purpose is transparency and accountability para hindi naman maging paraan para maloko ang publiko natin na gusto lamang tumulong," she said.

According to the legal expert, the rule applies to all forms of raising funds including raffles, fun runs, and different kinds of sales.

Those who start donation drives would also need to pay a fee, but failure to secure a permit would also result in certain penalties.

"Sa ilalim ng [Presidential Decree No. 1564], meron talagang penalty for not getting a permit," Atty. Gaby explained.

"Merong imprisonment of one year at merong fine, pero syempre ang mas malaking kaso dito ay isang criminal na kaso for estafa, or ‘yung panloloko ng ibang tao pag ginamit ang perang hiningi mula sa publiko at idi-divert ang paggamit ng pera na ito, matapos niyong sabihin na ito ay for a good cause eh ‘yun pala ay para sa sariling bulsa lamang at hindi na umabot sa paglalaanan dapat."

"The rule is kung gusto niyo pong mag-solicit mula sa publiko o humingi ng mga kontribusyon, kailangan munang kumuha ng permit mula sa regional office ng DSWD," she said

Typhoon Odette ravaged several parts of the Philippines over the weekend, killing more than 200 people and displacing thousands of families. — Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News