Section 36Sec./Art. 36

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer. -(a) The provincial social welfare and development officer must a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the province, of good moral character, a duly licensed social worker, or a holder of a college degree preferably in sociology or in any related course from a recognized college or university, a first grade civil service eliegible or its equivalent and must have acquired experience for at least five (5) years in the practice of social work.

The appointment of a provincial social welfare and development officer is mandatory.

(b) The provincial social welfare and development officer take charge of the office for social welfare and development services, and shall perform the foll,owing functions:

(1) Formulate measures for the approval of thesanggunianand provide technical assistance and support to the provincial governor in carrying out measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities relative to social welfare and development services as provided under Section 17 of the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended;

(2) Develop plan and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the provincial governor, implement the same, particularly those which have to do with the social welfare programs and projects which the provincial governor is empowered to implement and which thesanggunianis empowered to provide under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended;

(3) Identify the basic needs of the needy, the disadvantaged and the impoverished and develop and implement appropriate measures to alleviate their problems and improve their living conditions;

(4) Provide relief and appropriate crisis intervention for victims of abuse and exploitation and recommend appropriate measures to defer further abuse and exploitation;

(5) Assist the provincial governor in implementing the barangay level program for the total development and protection of children up to six (6) years of age;

(6) Facilitate the implementation of welfare programs for the disabled, the elderly and victims of drug addiction of juvenile delinquency and such other activities which would eliminate or minimize the ill effects of poverty;

(7) Initiate and support welfare programs that will enhance the role of the youth in nation-building;

(8) Coordinate with government agencies and nongovernmental organizations which have for the purpose the promotion and protection of all the needy, disadvantaged, underprivileged or impoverished groups or individuals, particularly those identified to be vulnerable and high-risk to exploitation, abuse and neglect;

(9) Be in the frontline of service delivery, particularly those which have to do with the immediate relief and assistance during and in the aftermath of man-made and natural disasters or calamities;

(10) Recommend to thesanggunianand advise the provincial governor on all other matters related to social welfare and development service which will improve the livelihood abd living conditions of the inhabitants; and

(11) Exercise such other powers and perform other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.