I. Partnership

In a world that is becoming more interconnected, both in sharing the pains of humanitarian crises as well as in the sharing of resources to achieve the goals of growth and development, PFPP embraces partnerships in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals commitment to “embark on this collective journey” with a pledge “that no one will be left behind” (UN SDG Preamble) in pooling resources and in the services provided, be it direct and indirect. Everyone shall directly benefit from the programs of the PFPP and indirectly in the policy advocacy work related to health services.

PFPP treasures partnerships and its partners from various walks of life and their valuable contribution to providing services to the people particularly those in the underserved communities. PFPP recognizes beyond words the shared wealth, talents, skills, time, and energy of the partners.

II. Partners of PFPP

PFPP engages its partners in the local communities, national organizations, and international agencies in various fields to provide healthcare services to underserved persons and children with disabilities:

♦   Scientific / Medical
♦   Hospitals / Health Care Centers
♦   Technological / Digital / Communications
♦   Socio-cultural / Community
♦   Academe
♦   Business
♦   Funders
♦   Civic Organizations
♦   Non-government organizations
♦   Individuals / Families
♦   Government
♦   Faith-based organizations
♦   Suppliers of services, goods and knowledge

III. Policies on partnership

PFPP enjoins its partners to a shared Vision, Mission, and Goals, to mutually

♦   Adhere to the policies and principles in providing services to the people of doing no harm to everyone;

♦   Promote transparency, accuracy, and timely information and communication in dealing with one another;

♦   Foster human rights and human dignity in the process of partnership and provision of health services.

♦   Protect the life and welfare of the children and adult persons with disabilities in medical, clinical, research, business interests, political and legislative agenda, socio-cultural, and environmental activities.

PFPP shall deliver its services with the partners guided by the principles of equality and non-discrimination on gender, religion, culture, age, political orientation, or ethnicity.

PFPP endeavors to promote peace and total human development with its partners, just as the UN SDG has declared “There can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development.”

PFPP enters into agreement on terms of projects, with integrity, accountability, mindful of the mutual rights and duties of all parties involved.

, being a health care provider protects people, especially the weak, powerless, and the most vulnerable; PFPP protects the privacy of the patients and ensures the confidentiality of data; PFPP is compliant with the provisions of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 of the Philippines.

IV. PFPP Project Partners

PFPP Project partners may be any of the following. They express their interest in partnering with PFPP verbally or in writing. Partnership may be initiated by PFPP.

1. Hospital/s, Medical / Health Centers

– Hospitals / Medical or Health Centers express interest in programs of PFPP and become partners through           formal or informal agreements with PFPP;
– They provide medical staff, equipment, or other materials in support of the project;
– Other health service units

2. Community Partners

– Local Government Units
– Peoples organizations
– Faith-based organizations
– Individuals or Families
– Communities that express interest in programs of PFPP;
– Communities express interest in programs of PFPP and become partners through formal or informal  agreements with PFPP;
– They may provide volunteers to assist the physicians or the mission team, equipment, accommodation, transportation or other materials in support of the project;

3. Non-Government Partner-Organizations (NGO) including Civic Organizations

– NGOs which express interest in programs of PFPP;
– NGOs express interest in programs of PFPP and become partners through formal or informal agreements with PFPP;
– Provide volunteers, equipment, or other materials in support of PFPP;

4. Government

– National Government agencies especially with DOH, DSWD, DepEd
– Local Government Units
– Government-owned and/or controlled like the PhilHealth, PCSO, PAGCOR

5. Academe

– Academic Institutions which express interest in programs of PFPP and become partners through formal or informal agreements with PFPP;
– Provide staff, equipment, or other materials in support of the project;
– Programs focusing on education and information dissemination including researches, training of teachers and school personnel, including parents of students

6. Donors may be any of the following: Organizations, Governments, Individuals for the purpose of support in any of the following:

a. Funds
b. Wheelchairs, mobility assistive device and accessories
c. Accommodation
d. Transportation
e. Facilities and Equipment
f. Security of PFPP Team in the mission sites

7. Volunteers

a. Physicians of different field of expertise and specializations
b. Optometrists
c. Audiometrists
d. Psychologists
e. Researchers
f. Wheelchair assessors and technicians
g. Data encoders
h. Project Managers
i. Transport service
j. PFPP Office staff and personnel
k. PFPP friends
l. PFPP Board Members
m. PFPP Board Members

V. Procedures in entering into formal partnerships for projects and conduct of missions

♦  Initial communication and negotiation is between any of the PFPP Board, PFPP COO, PFPP Program Director and the Project partners

♦  Approval of requests, release and schedules of mission is by the PFPP COO with the PFPP Director and Project Partners is required

♦  Clarity on the roles of project partners: shared resources (such as transportation, accommodation, costs, security of PFPP Team) to achieve the goals of the project

♦  Project volunteers such as physicians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, wheelchair assessors and technicians, audiologists / audiometrists, others, are organized by the PFPP COO with the Office Staff; volunteers may not use the PFPP logo, pin. tarp, official outfit in their other activities not related to PFPP;

♦  PFPP Logo, Tarp, other organizational symbols may not be used to further partisan political interests

♦  Local partners identify, recommend recipients and provide basic information on the project site/s as well as information about the recipients as far as the applicability of related laws;

♦  Recipients are properly informed and consent from them is secured particularly when the recipients are vulnerable (children, indigenous peoples, elderly, mental and physical disabilities (should be the underserved and poor persons with disabilities)

♦  Local partners provide for the transportation, accommodation, meals and security of PFPP Mission Team in the project site

♦  Local partners bring the recipients to the project site or

♦  Local partners ensure the performance of community service by the recipient or by their representatives

♦  PFPP maintains communication and information with partners regarding the status of the project

♦  PFPP submits reports to partners and donors

♦  PFPP keeps and maintain the integrity of the recipients’ records based on principles of confidentiality, privacy and respect of persons

♦  PFPP maintains the warehouse and safekeeping of supplies until they are provisioned to recipients

♦  Recipients are not allowed to take the device to be provided without due approval from the PFPP authorities

♦  PFPP organizes and sends competent personnel to mission/project sites

♦ Terms of Partnership is signed by authorized representative/s of both parties

VI. Restriction Policies on Partnership

Consistent with the vision, mission, goals and objectives of the Physicians for Peace Philippines, be it known that PFPP declares its policies of not accepting donations in terms of funds, goods and services from those with business interests in the following:

– Tobacco business and industries
– Arms and weaponry
– Illegal drugs
– Extractive industries (like mining, illegal fishing, etc.)
– Environmental destruction (coal)

PFPP shall not enter into any kind of partnership, whether as volunteers, as providers of goods and services from the following institutions, organizations, establishments, individuals who have business interests in or are involved in the following:

– Tobacco business and industries
– Arms and weaponry
– Illegal drugs
– Extractive industries (like mining, illegal fishing, etc.)
– Environmental destruction (coal)

PFPP does not accept partnerships with organizations, institutions, establishments and individuals who commit the following:

– Human rights violations
– Hiring of child labor
– Discrimination against people with disabilities

PFPP shall ensure the “no conflict of interest” policy with partners whether financially, politically, socio-cultural-religious, or environmental in partnering with PFPP in the delivery of services to the people.

VII. Knowledge, Information and Skill Sharing Policy with Partners

A. Data. PFPP collects, stores, handles and dispose data in compliance with ethical guidelines and the provisions of the Data Privacy Act of 2012. Data gathered are properties of the PFPP, otherwise, ownership of data and authorship in case of publication and presentation on PFPP work must be stipulated in the contract with partners.

B. Processes. Procedures and protocols are developed by the PFPP team and personnel, these are compliant to the requirements of government policies and protocols, no deviation is allowed unless, the PFPP Board issues permission to do so; sharing of such wealth of the PFPP shall only be done with written permission from the COO or the Board;

C. Programs. Organizational and Service Programs of the PFPP exist to provide harmony, efficiency and effectivity. Any partnership shall endeavor to observe, enhance and work within the PFPP framework; violation of such shall be ground for termination of partnership before the completion of the specified period in the contract;

D. Personnel. Official contracts and appointments are issued within what is allowable by legal authorities in the country. All partnership shall be document thru contracts, terms of engagement, terms of reference, Memorandum of Understanding, Memorandum of Agreement, whatever is best applicable. These document shall contain the tasks, roles, responsibilities, obligations, benefits, applicable dates, places/sites and signed by legally authorized signatories of PFPP and partners;

E. Equipment. Properties owned, bought, acquired, received as donations of PFPP shall be used to advance the goals and objectives of the organization. No PFPP property shall be released to partners without due approval from the PFPP COO in writing;

F. Technical Support. The wealth of mutual sharing of experience and expertise with partners is recognized. Any requests from partners for PFPP technical support shall be guided by transparency, integrity and accountability. The scope of technical support to be shared shall be limited to the specific purpose of the technical support for the advancement of the mutual project of PFPP and concerned partners. Technical support to be rendered by PFPP contracted personnel, staff, consultants, researchers shall bear the approval from the PFPP COO or the person authorized by the Board.

Whom to share:

Data, Processes, Procedures, Programs, collected, handled and stored by the PFPP shall only be shared to concerned Ethics Committee, Regulatory bodies such as Data Privacy Commission Officer, DSWD, DOH, DepEd, whatever is applicable for government reportorial requirements and for official review; results of service programs, researches shall be anonymized, deidentified in publications and presentations. Individual patient, recipients of services may be allowed to know the result on the procedures they are involved in especially when further referrals are needed for their treatment or management of their medical conditions.

VIII. Protocol on Partnership

♦  There shall be a written and /or documented verbal communication between any of the PFPP Board, PFPP COO, PFPP Program Director and the Project partners on the project;

♦  Specific services, requests, and mission are agreed upon by the PFPP COO with the PFPP Director and Project Partners is required

♦  There shall be clear roles of project partners and specific shared resources (such as transportation, accommodation, costs, security of PFPP Team) to achieve the goals of the project

♦  Project volunteers such as physicians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, wheelchair assessors and technicians, audiologists / audiometrists, others, are organized by the PFPP COO with the Office Staff;

♦  No deviation from protocols on services shall be performed by partners;

♦  Local partners identify, recommend recipients and provide basic information on the project site/s as well as information about the recipients to the PFPP;

♦  Recipients are properly informed and consent from them is secured particularly when the recipients are vulnerable (children, indigenous peoples, elderly, mental and physical disabilities, priority is given to the underserved and poor persons with disabilities)

♦  Local partners provide for the transportation, accommodation, meals and security of PFPP Mission Team in the project site

♦  Local partners arrange the venue and bring the recipients to the project site or provide transportation facilities for the recipients of services

♦  PFPP and partners maintain communication and information regarding the status of the project

♦  PFPP submits reports to partners and donors within specified period of time;

♦  PFPP keeps and maintain the integrity of the recipients’ records based on principles of confidentiality, privacy and respect of persons

♦  PFPP maintains the warehouse and safekeeping of supplies until they are provisioned to recipients

♦  Recipients are not allowed to take the device to be provided without due approval from the PFPP authorities

Partners’ Adherence to the Protocols of PFPP

PFPP has developed protocols in providing health care services that are in line with the directives from the DOH and WHO. These are contained in the Manual of Operation in every Program such as the Seeing Clearly Program, the Walking Free Program.

In the conduct of research and health policy development work of the PFPP, the workers abide by ethical guidelines in doing Health Research and Health-Related Researches.

♦  Good Clinical and Research Practice is observed;

♦  Confidentiality and Integrity of data of partners, patients, beneficiaries of the services are protected;

♦  PFPP volunteer physicians provide health care services with high standards and utmost care to ensure the safety and interal health of the patients;

♦  PFPP also conducts information and education services to empower the patients , their families, school authorities and community health care providers to persons and children with disabilities

IX. Protocol on Child Protection in the Context of Health Research and Health Service

I. Rationale:

Cognizant of the rights of the child and their vulnerabilities, it is necessary that we stand to promote their rights to survival, development, participation and protection. Whether they are in the homes, communities, institutions and organizations as members, as learners, as recipients of services or even as research participants.
Children are vulnerable because of their age. There are children who are more vulnerable because they are economically poor, or because they are children of indigenous communities, abandoned or orphaned, caught in armed conflict situation or environmental destruction, children with disabilities or suffering from chronic sickness, children in conflict with the law or traumatized, children who are abused or children deprived of basic needs. There are children in the homes, children on the streets, children in helping institutions, children as farmworkers, children as industrial laborers. Indeed, there are many children deprived of their rights as children and are, therefore, children who need protection.

Despite the advocacy and service provision efforts and initiatives of UN bodies, NGOs, the government and concerned duty bearers, the fact remains that rights of the youth and children are continually being violated and their local context puts them in a more vulnerable situation. In recent years, because of the outpour of support to a segment of the population of this children and youth from unwitting donors and supporters and sometimes service providers, the children are put in a different vulnerable condition. Although humanitarian and nongovernment organizations have well meaning intentions for these youth and children, if such are not properly guided based on holistic, appropriate and principled approach such could lead to unpleasant and lasting effects to youth and children – once done it becomes irreparable.

Hence, the following proposed guiding principles and policy on children and youth to be implemented in programs, projects and activities, service provisions and researches with children.

II. General Principles

Children have rights as expressed in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and other international human rights instruments and international humanitarian law. The adult who are Duty Bearers having influence and “control” over children, have the collective responsibility of ensuring that the children are protected.
The State is responsible to ensure that the rights of the children and young people are protected at all times. Adults who are duty bearers are accountable and have the obligation to respect, protect and fulfill children’s rights.

General principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are the basis for all actions taken by project stakeholders work to protect children:

♦  the right not to be discriminated against (Article 2)
♦  the best interest of the child (Article 3)
♦  the rights to life, survival and development (Article 6)
♦  the right to be heard (right to participation) (Article 12)

Physicians for Peace Philippines, hereby, declares its policy to protect children within the organization, and in all its programs and projects enjoining all other partners and stakeholders in this policy.

This Child Protection Policy includes:

♦  Promotion of the Rights of the Child by all personnel and as much as possible, infrastructures- both physical and organizational- are made child-friendly;
♦  Protection of children from danger and harm in all programs, projects and activities; care is undertaken not to cause them hurt and pains;
♦  Appropriate required consents involving children, protecting their identities and confidential matters concerning children in services and researches; doing them no harm as services are provided them, that they benefit in the works for justice, peace, environmental projects, works on community organizing and economic programs

Values, principles and beliefs on Children

♦  Children’s rights like human rights are universal, inalienable and interdependent;

♦  All children have rights to protection from abuse and exploitation;

♦  Children’s rights violations are either an act of commission or omission by the State and from other duty bearers;

♦  Child abuse – physically, sexually, psychologically, economically, socially, academically – is children’s rights violations;

♦  Children’s rights violations and exploitations can happen in times of emergencies and disasters;

♦  Protection of the rights of the child is a responsible of everyone, anywhere, anytime.

Goals on Children

♦  The general situation of children must be improved by promoting the rights of the child;

♦  Children’s rights violation, abuse and exploitation of children is never acceptable;

♦  Commitment to protect all children at all times shall be integrated in Contracts entered by the organization with all personnel and partners.

♦  Such commitment is also manifested in the partnerships entered into with the community and other stakeholders.

♦  Ensure that the International Standards, national legislation and programs to protect children will be an utmost consideration in our dealings and working relationships.

To ensure that our commitment are realized:

♦  Build the understanding and capacity of the staff and partners on children’s situation, child protection issues, vulnerabilities, Children’s Rights as well as abuse of children.

♦  Come up with preventive mechanisms through awareness, capacity enhancement and put them into practice among the staff and partners.

♦  Report any incident or case that concerns safety and security of children.

♦  Act appropriately on any incident or case that concerns possible abuse or exploitation of children.

♦  Regard the child protection process by the principle “Best Interest of the Child”.

♦  Listen to and takes seriously the views of children.

Informed consent of parents, legally authorized guardians or legally authorized to decide on the care of children is obtained before any service, intervention or research involving children is done. Full knowledge is provided on the services, interventions, procedures, risks, benefits, and persons to contact in cases of adverse effects of interventions should be provided the parents or legally authorized persons to provide care and decide for the child.

The following is proposed:

♦  Children aged 0-3 require the written consent of parents or legally authorized persons to represent the child;

♦  Children aged 4-10 require the verbal consent of the child and written consent of parents or legally authorized to give consent for the child;

♦  Children aged `11-18, require the written consent of the child and written consent of parents and legally authorized to give consent for the child

♦  Children who are incapable to give consent due to their mental, cultural and physical condition require consent of parents or legally authorized persons to give consent for the child.

Personnel are aware to avoid and prevent the following.

♦  Hit or otherwise physically assault or physically abuse children;

♦  Develop physical / sexual relationships with children;

♦  Relationships with children which could in any way be deemed exploitative or abusive;

♦  Act in ways that may be abusive or may place a child at risk of abuse;

♦  Use language-both verbal and non-verbal – giving suggestions or offer advice which is inappropriate, offensive or abusive.

♦  Spending excessive amounts of time with children away from others.

♦  Taking a child or children to an activity outside of recognized activity by the institution or organization;

♦  Engage in or entice a rough physical or sexually provocative game with children;

♦  Engage children in any medical or social research that may expose the child to dangers, and risks without consent of parents or legally authorized persons to give consent for the child and without the approval of appropriate Ethics Committee or Institutional Review Board (IRB); appropriate measures to protect the child is ensured in all research protocols

♦  Never condone nor participate in illegal, unsafe or abusive behavior for children;

♦  Never act in ways intended to shame, humiliate, belittle or degrade children, or otherwise perpetrate any form of emotional abuse;

♦  Never discriminate against, show differential treatment, or favor particular children to the exclusion of others;

♦  Never persuade children to involve in any action such as religious activities political action as against their will especially if it will put them in danger or risk; such activities require consent from parents and legally authorized persons to give consent for the child

Personnel take safety and protective measures when involving children in project activities:

♦  Supervise the child / children who need to stay overnight in the homes or activity venue; Sleep in the same room or bed with children of opposite sex;

♦  It may sometimes be necessary for staff or volunteers to do things of a personal nature to children, particularly if they are young and differently-abled. The tasks should be carried out with the full understanding and consent of their parents. Inform the child who might be fully dependent on the personnel about what will be done for them, give them choices when possible.

♦  Be aware of situations which may present risks and manage these;

♦  Plan and organize the work and the workplace so as to minimize risks;

♦  As far as possible, be visible in working with children;

♦  Ensure that a culture of openness exists to enable any issues or concerns to be raised and discussed;

♦  Ensure that a sense of accountability exists among personnel, and between personnel and project partners involving children;

♦  Encourage children to express themselves and raise any concerns to authorize adults working with them;

♦  Raise awareness and understanding of adults to deliver on the rights of children and their need for protection;
♦  Raise children with their rights as well as their responsibilities;

♦  Ensure the safety of children in project activities; be aware of their special needs: Children with disabilities, Children with particular psychosocial needs;

♦  Entrust children only to parents and legally authorizes guardians or adults.

Incidents that must be recorded and reported:

♦  Proper documentation of incidents be reported to program and security authorities. The project authorities should always keep and easily available all communication details of parents or guardians of children involved in the project;

♦  Parents or guardians should be informed immediately on incidents affecting their children;

– When children are hurt
– When children are sick
– When children are distressed
– When children are missing
– When photos, video, documents on children are inappropriately used-ensure privacy is respected by keeping identifiable marks confidential

Consent required for the use of photographic / filming equipment, interview and case reporting of children at any activity:

“Informed consent is a decision of a competent potential participant to be involved in research after receiving and understanding relevant information, without having been subjected to coercion, undue influence, or inducement (see NATIONAL ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR HEALTH AND HEALTH-RELATED RESEARCH 2017 pages 11-16)

“Consent of the data subject” refers to any freely given, specific, informed indication of will, whereby the data subject agrees to the collection and processing of his or her personal, sensitive personal, or privileged information. Consent shall be evidenced by written, electronic or recorded means. It may also be given on behalf of a data subject by a lawful representative or an agent specifically authorized by the data subject to do so; (Data Privacy Act 2012, IRR 2017)

Consent is required prior to the collection and processing of personal data, subject to exemptions provided by the Act and other applicable laws and regulations. When consent is required, it must be time-bound in relation to the declared, specified and legitimate purpose. Consent given may be withdrawn. (Data Privacy Act 2012. IRR 2017).

♦  Obtain consent from the child and consent from the parents of picture taking, video filming and interviews; the decision of the child prevails over the consent of parents;

♦  Storage of documents, information, video and photographs and taped recorded interviews including transcript of recording should follow legal and ethical procedures;

♦  Video and pictures of children in frontal nudity is never allowed;

♦  Identity of children is protected in any interviews, case profiles/reports and captions or public presentations or publications, unless appropriate consent is obtained;

“Data Privacy and Security. Personal information controllers and personal information processors shall implement reasonable and appropriate organizational, physical, and technical security measures for the protection of personal data. (Data Privacy Act 2012. IRR 2017)

“The security measures shall aim to maintain the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of personal data and are intended for the protection of personal data against any accidental or unlawful destruction, alteration, and disclosure, as well as against any other unlawful processing. These measures shall be implemented to protect personal data against natural dangers such as accidental loss or destruction, and human dangers such as unlawful access, fraudulent misuse, unlawful destruction, alteration and contamination (Data Privacy Act 2012. IRR 2017)

ADDITIONAL READINGS:

“Vulnerable participants, such as children, shall require special protection because of certain characteristics or situations that render them as such. Vulnerable participants are those who are relatively or absolutely incapable of deciding for themselves whether or not to participate in a study for reasons such as physical and mental disabilities, poverty, asymmetric power relations, and marginalization, among others and who are at greater risk for some harms. Vulnerable participants shall require special protection because of certain characteristics or situations that render them as such. Vulnerable participants are those who are relatively or absolutely incapable of deciding for themselves whether or not to participate in a study for reasons such as physical and mental disabilities, poverty, asymmetric power relations, and marginalization, among others and who are at greater risk for some harms” (see NATIONAL ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR HEALTH AND HEALTH-RELATED RESEARCH 2017 pages 17ff)

“When there is ethical and scientific justification to conduct research with individuals capable of giving informed consent, the risk from research interventions that do not hold out the prospect of direct benefit for the individual participant shall be no more likely and no greater than the risk attached to routine medical or psychological examination of such persons. Slight or minor increases above such risk may be permitted when there is an overriding scientific or medical rationale for such increases and when the REC has approved them. (NATIONAL ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR HEALTH AND HEALTH-RELATED RESEARCH 2017. Page 18ff)

“Researchers shall adhere to the principles of transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality in the collection, retention, and processing of personal information (Data Privacy Act of 2012).

Researchers must respect participants’ right to privacy. Unless required by law, the confidentiality of information shall at all times be observed. Records that link individuals to specific information shall not be released. This requirement shall be included in the informed consent form.

Researchers shall refrain from identifying individuals or groups when release of information about them can expose them to possible harm or social stigma unless required by law. (NATIONAL ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR HEALTH AND HEALTH-RELATED RESEARCH 2017. PP. 18-19)

“Research involving human participants” include any social science, biomedical, behavioral, or epidemiological activity that entails systematic collection or analysis of data with the intent to generate new knowledge in which human beings: (1) are exposed to manipulation, intervention, observation, or other interaction with investigators, either directly or through alteration of their environment; or (2) become individually identifiable through investigators’ collection, preparation, or use of biological material or medical or other records. This means that “research involving human participants” does not only mean direct interaction of the researcher with an individual or groups of individuals, but also includes research using identifiable human material and data (adapted from Preamble 1, Declaration of Helsinki 2013).

Health research encompasses all research that seeks to understand the impact of processes, policies, actions, or events originating in any sector on the well-being of individuals and communities; and to assist in developing interventions that will help prevent or mitigate their negative impact, and in so doing, contribute to the achievement of health equity and better health for all (adapted from the RA 10532 Joint IRR). It implies that improving health outcomes requires the involvement of many sectors and disciplines. On the other hand, a research is considered “health-related” if it is outside of the aforementioned description for health research, but where the research procedures and outcomes can affect the well-being of the participants and the community. (MARITA V. T. REYES, MD Chair. Ad Hoc Committee for Updating the National Ethical Guidelines)

Project staff and volunteers working and involved with children

All employees, volunteers and project partners are to accept the child protection policy of the institution / organization as integral in the engagement and partnership

Formal induction process of personnel at the time of hiring and continuous staff-development includes this protocol on child protection and other related instruments;

They should sign Code of Ethics and Conduct and Child Protection Policy. Performance Appraisal of personnel and project evaluation includes child protection component.

X. Policy on Conflict of Interest

Fiduciary Responsibility

Members of the board and staff have a clear obligation to conduct all affairs of the organization according to the highest ethical standards. Loyalty, honesty, truthfulness and moral virtue are expected to be practiced and upheld in all actions of the board and staff.

Covenant

Members of the board and staff agree to place the welfare of the organization above personal interests, interest of the family members, or others who may be personally involved in substantial affairs affecting the organization’s basic functions.

General-Disclosure

Members of the board and staff disclose all relationships and business affiliations which may now, or in the future potentially conflict with the interests of the organization or bring personal gain to them, their family business.

Reporting of Disclosure

All disclosures required by the staff will be handled by the Chief Operating Officer. All disclosures of the members of the board shall be referred to the Chairman. Information disclosed will be held in confidence except when the organization’s best interest would be served by bringing the information to the attention of the Executive Committee of the board and the other officers of the organization.

Desisting from Participation

Members of the board and staff who have conflict of interest in any matter shall desist from  participating in the deliberation concerning the proposed transaction. He/she is expected to excuse him/herself from the meeting unless explicitly requested by the Chair to remain in the meeting to interpret or provide information. Disregard for the need to excuse him/herself invites the Chair to request his/her withdrawal from the meeting room.

Determination of Possible Conflict of Interest

Any individual who is uncertain about a conflict of interest in any matter shall disclose such possible conflict to the appropriate individual as noted above.

Failure to Disclose

Each member of the board and executive staff should recognize that disclosure of personal and business interest is a requirement for continued affiliation or employment with (the organization), and deliberate failure to disclose a potential conflict of interest could result in disaffiliation or termination of employment.

XI. Policy Prohibiting Fraud and Corruption

♦  All personnel, individual consultants, project partners including beneficiaries and contractors are expected to maintain the highest standard of conduct in connection with their engagement with PFPP.

♦  Program/Project partners who present and promote the services of PFPP are expected to adopt and enforce robust policies combating fraud and corruption. Those policies are expected to be no less stringent than this Policy.

Definitions

In this Policy, “fraud” means the actual or attempted use of deceit, falsehood, or dishonest means (including willful omission) to secure direct or indirect financial or material gain, personal advantage or other benefit, and includes fraudulent conduct, corrupt conduct, collusive conduct, coercive conduct and obstructionist conduct (as defined below). It includes attempted fraud (even if unsuccessful).

(a) “Fraudulent Conduct” is any act or omission, including misrepresentation, that knowingly or recklessly misleads, or attempts to mislead, a party in order to obtain a financial or other benefit or to avoid an obligation;

(b) “Corrupt conduct” is the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting (in each case, directly or indirectly) anything of value in order to influence improperly the actions of another party;

(c) “Collusive act” is the proposing or entering into an agreement between two or more parties designed to achieve an improper purpose, including influencing improperly the actions of another party;

(d) “Coercive conduct” is the impairing or harming, or threatening to impair or harm, directly or indirectly, any party or the property of the party in order to influence the actions of that party or another, and

(e) “Obstructive conduct” is (i) any act which deliberately and in an effort to compromise an investigation, destroys, falsifies, alters or conceals information or documents that may be relevant to a fraud and corruption investigation, or material that could become evidence as a result of such investigation; or (ii) the making of false statements to investigation during such an investigation.

XII. Policy Against Fraud

Fraud against PFPP will constitute misconduct and will be grounds for dismissal. It may lead to actions to recover any losses sustained by the organization as a result of such fraud (including referral to law enforcement authorities).

Fraud against others will also constitute misconduct, being conduct unbecoming of a PFPP worker and patner and will also be grounds for dismissal or severance of partnership.

PFPP individual consultants and contractors and institutional consultants and civil society partners and partner-beneficiaries are not to engage in fraud.

Fraud against PFPP will constitute grounds for termination of the Contract and relationship with PFPP. It may lead to actions to recover any losses sustained by PFPP as a result of such fraud (including referral to law enforcement authorities).

PFPP will maintain a list of vendors (including individual consultants and contractors, and institutional consultants) and civil society implementing partners terminated for fraud.

Fraud against others may disqualify such vendor (including individual consultants and contractors, and institutional consultant) or civil society implementing partner from further engagements with PFPP.

Risk Assessment shall be integral in all PFPP Programs, Projects and Activities

Potential risks include:

♦  Financial risks
♦  Disaster risks (natural, criminal, physical, fires, wars)
♦  Health risks
♦  Physical security
♦  Inter-personal relationships
♦  Attitudinal

In response to these, PFPP shall develop its own risk assessment processes and security measures.

Observance of the Law

PFPP and its partners shall comply with all laws, ordinances, existing DOH Protocols related to the performance of obligations under the terms of any Agreement entered into by PFPP.

References

UNICEF Child Protection Policy

Save the Children Child Protection Policy

Child’s Rights Programming; Save the Children Alliance

Protecting Filipino Children from Abuse, Exploitation and Violence – Comprehensive Program for Child Protection; DSWD.

NATIONAL ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR HEALTH AND HEALTH-RELATED RESEARCH 2017 NATIONAL ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR HEALTH AND HEALTH-RELATED RESEARCH 2017.Philippine Health Research Ethics Board c/o Philippine Council for Health Research and Development Department of Science and Technology Bicutan, Taguig City 1631, Philippines. 2017.

Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10173, known as the “Data Privacy Act of 2012” Republic of the Philippines NATIONAL PRIVACY COMMISSION