Philippine Association of Social Workers INC.

Negros Occidental Chapter

The Philippine
Social Work
Code of Ethics
and Ethical Standards
Liane D. Garcia, RSW, MSSW
I. PREAMBLE

We, the Filipino Social Workers, subscribe to

the definition adopted by the International
Federation of Social Workers (2014) that
“social work is a practice-based profession
and an academic discipline that promotes
social change and development, social
cohesion, and the empowerment and
liberation of people.”
We adhere to the primary mission of the social
work profession which is to restore, promote,
and transform the social well-being of
individuals, groups, and communities, while
simultaneously advancing social change and
transformation within the country,
transcending to the global community.
We believe in the values and principles of
social, economic, cultural, and environmental
justice; human rights; collective
responsibility; and respect for all forms of
diversities.

We commit to promoting equitable, inclusive,

and sustainable social change; social welfare;
social development; and the empowerment
of people, particularly those at the margins.
We are sensitive to cultural and ethnic
diversities and we strive to end
discrimination, oppression, poverty, and
other forms of social injustice based on
sexual orientation, gender identity and
expression and sex characteristics
(SOGIESC), ethnicity, faith, class, and social
status, among others.
We seek to enhance the capacity of people to
address their own needs and to promote the
responsiveness of organizations, communities,
and other social institutions to each individuals’
needs and social problems.

We believe that these activities may be in the

form of direct practice, community organizing,
supervision, consultation, social work counseling,
administration, advocacy, social and political
action, policy development and implementation,
education, research, and evaluation.
Social Work Definition

is the profession which is primarily

concerned with organized social services
activity aimed to facilitate and strengthen
basic social relationships and the materials
adjustment between individuals and their
social environment for the good of the
individual and of society. Republic Act 4373
(by the use of Social Work Methods Republic
Act 5175
II. The Filipino Cultural Values

A. Kapwa or Shared Identity

B. Pakiramdam or shared inner
perception
C. Kagandahang-loob or shared humanity
D. . Pakikisama and pakikipagkapwa or
smooth interpersonal relationship (SIR)
–
E. Lakas ng loob or courage; pakikibaka or
collective struggle for a social and political
cause; and padayon or moving forward.

F. Karangalan or dignity; katarungan or justice;

and kalayaan or freedom

G. Bayanihan or communal unity and the spirit

of heroism
III. The Professional Core Values
1. Commitment to Professional Service

Ethical Principles:
a. Commitment to empower clients’ capacity to help
themselves;
b. Respect for clients’self-determination;
c. Provision of rights and need-based social services;
d. Use of professional judgment as a basis for the provision
of strength-based social services; and
e. Practice of professional responsibility and accountability
2. Social Justice and Human Rights
Ethical Principles:
a. Respect for human diversity in an inclusive society, for gender equity
and equality, and for the potentialities inherent in a human being;
b. Equitable distribution and enjoyment of resources from both the
government and the private sectors which serve as duty bearers to
jointly promote social justice and ensure political, economic, and social
well-being of all people – all towards their personal and social
fulfillment;
c. Right to self-determination and participation, in recognition of each
person’s natural and social rights, capacities, and responsibilities to
develop one’s full potential as a human being; and
d. Right to challenge all forms of discrimination, exploitation, and
oppression
 3. Dignity and Worth of the Person
Ethical Principles:
a. Respect for the dignity and worth of the person as a bio-
psycho-social-spiritual being within the context of his/her socio-
economic political and cultural environments;
b. Acceptance of the person’s historical and cultural past,
personal barriers, and challenges; and
c. Recognition of the person’s inherent or innate strengths,
potentials, and capacities thereby affirming his/her individuality
and identity.
 4. Personal and Professional Integrity

Ethical Principles:
a. Conscious use of professional self;
b. Dignity and honor;
c. Self-awareness and objectivity;
d. Non-discrimination;
e. Non-judgmental attitude;
f. Empathy or shared inner perception and trust; and
g. Transparency and accountability.
5. Resilience and Perseverance
Ethical Principles:
a. Steadfastness and patience;
b. Capability and potential to overcome adversities;
c. Presence of the individual’s own inherent strength, internal
locus of control, and willpower to act upon any situation;
d. Ability to adapt to changing internal and external
environments;
e. Capability to transition to and transform towards positive
personal and social change; and
f. Ability to recognize the individual’s hope and intrinsic
motivation as resilience factors.
 6. Spirituality or Sense of Meaning
Ethical Principles:
a. Belief in a Supreme Being or in how the person defines or
exercises faiths and beliefs;
b. Belief in the basic goodness of the person;
c. Practice of altruism; and
d. Respect for cultural beliefs, including and regardless of
superstitious beliefs, connecting nature with the
environment, based on historical lived experiences.
7. Competence
Ethical Principles:
a. Competence-based education, continuing professional
development, career, and lifelong learning;
b. Ethical application of theory-practice/practice-theory praxis
and evidence-based interventions;
c. Sharing and transfer of expertise through effective supervision
to build capabilities of second-liners
d. Demonstration of analytical ability, critical thinking and self-
reflection, and correction; and
e. Professional self-care, and adherence to health and safety
protocols;
8. Importance of Human Relationship
Ethical Principles:
a. Dynamic interplay of a genuine act of generosity with
a sense of gratitude;
b. Compassion, caring, and kindness;
c. Spirit of communal unity;
d. Effective, open, and diplomatic interpersonal
communication;
e. Respect, authenticity, and empathy; and
f. Participatory and collective decision-making.
9. Dynamism in Personal, Family, and
Community Life
Ethical Principles:
a. Respect for privacy and confidentiality;
b. Respect for family traditions, rituals, as well as
diverse and evolving family structures; and
c. Patriotism and involvement in socio-cultural and
political causes
10. Use of Technology and Social Media
a. Responsible use of confidential information to benefit clients;
b. Appropriate use of technology and social networks for efficient and
effective delivery of social services;
c. Safeguarding the integrity of electronic records and privileged
information;
d. Accountable and careful use of technology when obtaining client consent
before, during, and after delivery of social service;
e. Proper use of technology and technological devices on clients with
disability concerns (i.e. language, speech, and social communication); and
f. Adherence to relevant laws such as, but not limited to, the Data Privacy
Law and Freedom of Information Law, in the management and utilization of
any data and information in the course of social work practice
IV. ETHICAL STANDARDS OF
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOR
A. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities
to the Social Work Profession

1. Integrityof the Profession

2. Evaluation and Research
B. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities
to Their Colleagues
1. Respect
2. Confidentiality
3. Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Consultation
4. Sexual Harassment / Sexual Relationships
5. Competence and Ethical Conduct of Colleagues
6. Support to Social Work Colleagues
C. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities
to Clients

1. Commitment to Clients
2. Self-Determination
3. Competence
4. Diversity and Difference
5. Conflict of Interest and Data Privacy
6. Professional Boundaries
D. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities
to Practice Setting
1. Social Workers’ Commitment to Employer
2. Social Work Supervision and Consultation
3. Social Work Education and Training
4. Social Work Continuing Professional Development
(CPD)
5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as
Professionals / Self
6. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader
Society and the Public
5. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as
Professionals / Self

A. Competence
B. Inclusivity
C. Conduct of Professional Self
6. Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities
to the Broader Society and the Public

A. Promote Social Welfare

B. PublicParticipation, Social Action, and
Policy Development
C. Public Emergencies and Environmental Care
 Person’s Values

Filipino Social Professional Value

Worker Values

Ethical Standard of
Social Work Profession

Profession Filipino Social Worker General Public

Colleague Agency
Client