THE Department of Social Welfare and Development Central Visayas (DSWD 7) has initiated legal action against SimplyShare Foundation Inc., a Cebu City-based organization, for allegedly soliciting cash and relief goods without proper authorization.
In a statement released on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the department said that such activity constitutes a breach of Presidential Decree 1564, otherwise known as the Solicitation Permit Law.
The complaint was officially lodged on Tuesday, April 8, by the DSWD Field Office 7 (Central Visayas) with the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.
The individuals named in the complaint include Pamela S. Baricuatro, the founder, and Elisse Nicole B. Catalan, the executive director of SimplyShare Foundation Inc.
Baricuatro is running for the governor position in Cebu Province.
Shalaine Marie Lucero, DSWD Central Visayas Regional Director and complainant in the case, stated that the Office of the City Prosecutor is currently reviewing the Complaint-Affidavit and supporting documents to ensure all filing requirements are met.
The Field Office’s legal team filed the complaint for violation of PD 1564 (Solicitation Permit Law) in conjunction with Republic Act 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Lucero underscored that this legal action against SimplyShare Foundation serves as a reminder for other social welfare and development agencies (SWDAs) to avoid conducting public solicitations without the appropriate permits.
“Let this be a warning against SWDAs who have not yet secured their license and permit for public solicitation. They will face the full force of the law if they continue with this illegal practice,” Lucero stated.
She also encouraged the public to remain vigilant and to verify the legitimacy of organizations before making donations.
She recommended using the DSWD’s Kaagapay Donations Portal to confirm whether a foundation is accredited and holds a valid public solicitation permit.
“While we commend our good Samaritans, we call on the public to be wary of fly-by-night foundations and to make sure that their chosen foundation or non-government organization has the proper credential as provided by the DSWD’s Standards Bureau,” Lucero pointed out.
Megan Manahan, director of the DSWD Standards Bureau, disclosed that their office had received information suggesting SimplyShare Foundation had been carrying out public solicitations for years without obtaining the necessary permit.
She added that there is no record of the foundation applying for either a Regional or National Public Solicitation Permit.
“Considering this report, we proceeded with the case build-up with our Legal Service and we are now in the process of filing administrative cases against the Foundation,” Director Manahan added.
Under Presidential Decree 1564, anyone—whether an individual, corporation, organization, or association—wishing to solicit or receive donations for charitable or public welfare activities is required to secure a permit from the Regional Offices of the Department of Social Services and Development, now the DSWD.
As of this writing, SunStar Cebu is reaching out to Baricuatro. (CDF)