Guidelines on the Involvement of Foreign Service Post in Charity Events and Activiities of Filipino Community Organizations
DFA Department Order No. 07-13 outlines guidelines for the involvement of Philippine Foreign Service Posts in charity events organized by Filipino community organizations. It emphasizes adherence to Philippine laws and international diplomatic protocols while participating in charitable activities, defining such activities broadly and stressing the importance of working with reputable organizations. Posts are advised to limit their involvement to ceremonial functions, avoid direct fundraising, and refrain from using government credentials in these activities. Additionally, any donations or humanitarian aid must be managed through officially recognized channels, ensuring accountability and transparency in operations. The guidelines aim to prevent potential abuses and maintain the integrity of diplomatic missions.
Quick Answers
- What is Guidelines on the Involvement of Foreign Service Post in Charity Events and Activiities of Filipino Community Organizations about?
- DFA Department Order No. 07-13 outlines guidelines for the involvement of Philippine Foreign Service Posts in charity events organized by Filipino community organizations. It emphasizes adherence to Philippine laws and international diplomatic protocols while participating in charitable activities, defining such activities broadly and stressing the importance of working with reputable organizations. Posts are advised to limit their involvement to ceremonial functions, avoid direct fundraising, and refrain from using government credentials in these activities. Additionally, any donations or humanitarian aid must be managed through officially recognized channels, ensuring accountability and transparency in operations. The guidelines aim to prevent potential abuses and maintain the integrity of diplomatic missions.
- What type of law is DFA Department Order No. 07-13?
- Guidelines on the Involvement of Foreign Service Post in Charity Events and Activiities of Filipino Community Organizations (DFA Department Order No. 07-13) is a Philippine Other Rules and Procedures enacted by the Congress of the Philippines.
- When was Guidelines on the Involvement of Foreign Service Post in Charity Events and Activiities of Filipino Community Organizations enacted?
- Guidelines on the Involvement of Foreign Service Post in Charity Events and Activiities of Filipino Community Organizations (DFA Department Order No. 07-13) was enacted on May 15, 2013.
- What is the citation for Guidelines on the Involvement of Foreign Service Post in Charity Events and Activiities of Filipino Community Organizations?
- Guidelines on the Involvement of Foreign Service Post in Charity Events and Activiities of Filipino Community Organizations, DFA Department Order No. 07-13, May 15, 2013 (Philippines)
Law Information
- Reference Number
- DFA Department Order No. 07-13
- Date Enacted
- Category
- Other Rules and Procedures
- Subcategory
- Department of Foreign Affairs
- Jurisdiction
- Philippines
- Enacting Body
- Congress of the Philippines
Full Law Text
May 15, 2013
DFA DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 07-13
GUIDELINES ON THE INVOLVEMENT OF FOREIGN SERVICE POST IN CHARITY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES OF FILIPINO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER ENTITIES AT POSTS
SECTION 1. Legal Basis and Justification. —
Mindful of Philippine laws on the conduct of public officials and employees, and in adherence to international comity pursuant to the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations, the following guidelines on charitable activities at Foreign Service Posts are hereby adopted.
SECTION 2. Definition of Charity Activities. —
Charity activities can be broadly defined as any fund raising or donation seeking activity ostensibly for a worthy social, cultural, humanitarian or community cause. Participation in charity activities can come in the form of organizing such events, lending the goodwill, reputation and name of Post and its officials, endorsing and encouraging the general public to participate in the charity drive of the organizers and providing manpower and material support to such activities.
SECTION 3. Participation of Personnel in Charity Events and Activities. —
Posts shall be guided by the following in its participation in charity events and activities:
a. Posts should refrain from tasking Embassy personnel to assist the organizers of a charity activity.
b. Posts should exercise prudence in attending charity events, particularly with organizations that do not follow the prescribed guidelines of the Department.
c. The guidelines are meant to prevent abuses by organizers from exploiting humanitarian relief operations and unknowing contributors/donors in such exercises and activities. Post shall exercise caution in the participation of its personnel in such events as not to lend an air of legitimacy and endorsement to such activities.
d. The participation of Posts should only be limited to duly certified and reputable organizations. Reputable organizations can be described as those that have been duly audited by a certified public accountant, registered with the host government and compliant with its regulatory requirements.
e. Participation of Posts in charitable events shall not be construed as giving due advantage or influence to the activities of such groups.
f. Posts are advised to refrain from getting involved in the collection and disbursement of funds in such activities.
g. Use of government credentials, insignia and emblems in humanitarian relief activities shall be prohibited as these are governed by the Vienna Convention on Consular Practices and Department rules and regulations, standard practices and what is deemed acceptable conduct by host governments.
h. If warranted, in supporting duly registered charity activities of Filipino organizations, Posts shall ensure that any official involvement, financial implications, obligations or outlay of resources are cleared with the Home Office.
i. Post shall ensure that support or involvement in charity activities will not result in any ill will and legal issues with Filipino community organizations, host government or Philippine laws, rules and regulations.
j. Post shall ensure that its participation in Filipino Community events are understood to be ceremonial in nature and shall not be construed as encouraging donations. aSTHDc
SECTION 4. Charity from Host Government. —
Post should refrain from soliciting humanitarian aid or accepting donation from its Host Government except in cases where an international humanitarian appeal is made by the national government in cases of national emergency.
International organizations, such as the UN, regularly issue an appeal to the international community in cases of catastrophic disasters. The UN coordinates with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) for an appeal for assistance ranging from technical assistance, search-and-rescue teams, medical experts, monetary donations and other aid.
Post should ensure that the appeal for support would not compromise the dignity, reputation and goodwill of the Philippines and its diplomatic missions or result in conflict of interest issues.
SECTION 5. Concurrence of the Secretary. —
Charity activities that follow the prescribed criteria stipulated in the Order shall no longer require the concurrence of the Secretary. However, Posts shall still be required to report proposals and accomplishments of such activities.
SECTION 6. Donations Through Posts. —
Until national government rules on the transmission of donations through Department channels are clarified and reformed, Posts shall encourage donations only through officially recognized and established government and reputable non-governmental agencies.
Posts shall refrain from accepting donations, in cash or in checks, directly payable to the Embassy or Consulate.
SECTION 7. Start and End of Humanitarian Relief Operations. —
OUSOC shall provide dates for the start and end of humanitarian relief operations to guide all stakeholders. Receipt of all donations should be duly acknowledged and reported to OUSOC. Unless officially announced, donations after the announced deadlines should be coursed through other reputable charitable organizations. Posts shall coordinate with OUSOC on the start and end of humanitarian relief operations.
SECTION 8. Role of the Office of the Undersecretary for Special and Oceans Concerns (OUSOC). —
OUSOC is hereby designated as the focal point in the Department for all humanitarian relief operations.
For accountability and transparency purposes, OUSOC shall establish a feedback mechanism with NDRRMC and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on how donations are utilized.
SECTION 9. Dialogue with Community. —
Posts shall initiate a dialogue with community groups and organizations to communicate the Department policy on such activities and to encourage their subscription to such policies so as to engender trust and confidence in their activities from all stakeholders.
OUSOC shall prepare a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet on the Department Policies on Charity Activities for distribution to all Posts and RCOs and upload the same in the DFA Website.
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. —
If any part of this Order is declared contrary to law or unconstitutional by competent authority, the other parts not covered by such declaration shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. —
All other Department issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Order are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
SECTION 12. Effectivity. —
This Department Order shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from the date of filing thereof with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) of the UP Law Center. caHIAS
Pasay City, May 15, 2013.
(SGD.) ALBERT F. DEL ROSARIOSecretary of Foreign Affairs
Cite This Law
Guidelines on the Involvement of Foreign Service Post in Charity Events and Activiities of Filipino Community Organizations, DFA Department Order No. 07-13, May 15, 2013 (Philippines)
Guidelines on the Involvement of Foreign Service Post in Charity Events and Activiities of Filipino Community Organizations, DFA Department Order No. 07-13 (Phil. 2013)
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