Resolution Dated 19 April 2022 in A.M. No. 22-04-06-SC (IRR of the Social Aspects of R.A. No. 8369, Otherwise Known as the Family Courts Act of 1997)
OCA Circular No. 148-2022, issued on June 9, 2022, provides guidelines for judges handling family law cases regarding the implementation of the Social Aspects of Republic Act No. 8369, known as the Family Courts Act of 1997. It establishes a Social Services Counselling Division (SSCD) in each judicial region, which will operate under the Department of Social Welfare and Development to provide social services for family cases. Additionally, a Social Work Adviser (SWA) position will be created under the Office of the Court Administrator to oversee the SSCDs. The implementing rules and regulations, published on June 5, 2022, are set to take effect on June 20, 2022.
June 9, 2022
OCA CIRCULAR NO. 148-2022
| TO | : | All Judges Handling Family Law Cases |
| SUBJECT | : | Resolution Dated 19 April 2022 in A.M. No. 22-04-06-SC (Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Social Aspects of Republic Act No. 8369, Otherwise Known as the Family Courts Act of 1997) |
For the information, guidance, and strict observance of all concerned Judges, appended herein as Annex "A" is the Resolution dated 19 April 2022 in A.M. No. 22-04-06-SC(Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Social Aspects of Republic Act No. 8369, Otherwise Known as the Family Courts Act of 1997).
The subject implementing rules and regulations create, among others, the following:
1. Social Services Counselling Division (SSCD), which will be under the guidance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. It shall be established in each judicial region as the Supreme Court may deem necessary based on the number of family cases existing in such jurisdiction. 1 The SSCDs shall provide appropriate social services to all family cases filed with the court and recommend the proper social action; 2 and
2. Position of a Social Work Adviser (SWA), which will be under the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) and shall monitor and supervise the SSCDs. The SWA shall perform the functions, duties, and responsibilities as stated in 3, Rule IV of the implementing rules and regulations. 3
Published in the Philippine Star and the Manila Bulletin on 5 June 2022, the implementing rules and regulations shall take effect on 20 June 2022.
(SGD.) RAUL B. VILLANUEVACourt Administrator
ANNEX A
A.M. No. 22-04-06-SC
Footnotes
1. Section 1, Rule III (Social Services and Counselling Division), En Banc Resolution dated 19 April 2022 (Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Social Aspects of Republic Act No. 8369, Otherwise Known as the Family Courts Act of 1997).
2. Ibid., citing See Section 9 of RA 8369 (1997).
3. Section 1, Rule IV (The Social Work Adviser), En Banc Resolution dated 19 April 2022 (Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Social Aspects of Republic Act No. 8369, Otherwise Known as the Family Courts Act of 1997).