PROCEDURES FOR ACCREDITATION OF MEDIATORS-CONCILIATORS IN ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION FOR MICROINSURANCE (ADReM)

This circular shall apply to any individual who voluntarily seeks to be
accredited as a mediator-conciliator in order to settle or resolve,
through mediation, disputes involving settlement of microinsurance
claims. It defines the necessary minimum qualifications, competencies
and training expected of mediator-conciliator.

The accreditation criteria and the Code of Conduct set forth
under this Circular shall supplement the Guidelines in the
Implementation of ADReM developed by the Technical Working Group (TWG)
led by the Department of Finance-National Credit Council and the
Insurance Commission, including representatives from Philippine Insurers
and Reinsurers Association (PIRA), Philippine Life Insurers Association
(PLIA), Philippine Mutual Benefit Association Inc. (PhilMBAI),
Cooperative Insurance System of the Philippines (CISP), Microfinance
Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI), Rural Bankers Association of
the Philippines (RBAP), Society of Independent Insurance Intermediaries
Association of the Philippines (Triple I), Life Underwriters Association
of the Philippines (LUAP), MicroEnsure Insurance Brokers Philippines
Inc., and German International Cooperation-Regulatory Framework
Promotion of Pro-poor Insurance Markets in Asia (GIZ-RFPI Asia).

Section 1. Definition of Terms

Basic Mediation-Conciliation Training
– training course on basic concepts and skills on mediation and
conciliation of disputes including the appropriate conduct of
mediation-conciliation processes. This should also include a module on
the specific process and standards adopted for ADReM as provided for in
the ADR Framework on Microinsurance and the various circulars issued by
the IC.

Basic Microinsurance Training – seminar that describes
the concept of risk protection, risk transfer mechanisms for the low
income sector. The seminar includes modules on the following: Basic
Concepts of Microinsurance, National Strategy on Microinsurance,
Regulatory Framework on Microinsurance, Roadmap to Financial Literacy on
Microinsurance and specific circulars on Microinsurance issued by the
IC. This should include a module on specific process and standards
adopted for ADReM as provided in the ADR Framework and Microinsurance
and the various circulars issued by the IC.

Training Provider – an institution or individual accredited by lC to conduct trainings/seminars on Basic Microinsurance and ADReM.

Section 2. Accreditation Requirements – the ADReM mediators-conciliators shall have the following minimum qualifications:

1. At least 21 years of age.
2. Able to read, write and communicate in English, Filipino and/or in the local dialect.
3. Of good moral character.
4. Able to conduct the mediation process in a professional and independent manner.
5. Has undergone the following training/seminar:
   1. Basic Training on Mediation-Conciliation
   2. Microinsurance Training from an IC accredited Training Provider.

Section 3. Accreditation Procedures

1. The applicant shall submit the following documents to the IC
   1. Accomplished Personal Information Sheet in the form as attached (Annex A) with 2×2 photo.
   2. Police Clearance or National Bureau of investigation (NBI) clearance issued within the preceding six (6)-month period.
   3. Certificate from two (2) members of his/her respective
      community attesting to the applicant’s honesty, fairness and ability to
      conduct mediation in an impartial manner

   4. Certificate of Completion of the following trainings:

      i. Basic Training on Mediation/Conciliation
      
      ii. Microinsurance Training

2. The IC shall evaluate the submitted documents and issue a
   Certificate of Accreditation within five (5) working days upon
   satisfactory compliance of the applicant with the requirements. The
   certification of accreditation shall be valid for a period of three (3)
   years. In case of denial, the IC shall inform the applicant of the
   status of her/his application within five (5) working days.

3. The IC shall include the names of accredited
   mediators-conciliators in the official roster of ADReM
   mediators-conciliators which shall be published in the IC website.

4. For renewal of accreditation, the following shall be submitted:
   1. Proof that at least three (3) cases of
      mediation-conciliation conference were conducted, otherwise she/he shall
      submit a certificate of completion of a refresher ADR seminar.
   2. Police clearance or NBI clearance issued within the preceding six (6) month period.
   3. Updated Personal Information Sheet in the form as attached (Annex A) with 2×2 photo
5. Existing mediators-conciliators duly accredited by other
   government entities may be accredited under these Guidelines provided
   that they undergo the required Microinsurance training.

Section 4. Code of Conduct – The accredited mediators-conciliators must abide by the Code of Conduct as provided for in Annex B^*

Section 5. Termination/Revocation/Cancellation of Accreditation
– The Insurance Commission reserves the right to terminate, revoke or
cancel the accreditation whenever there is non-compliance or breach of
the terms of the accreditation and the Code of Conduct.

This circular shall take effect immediately.

(SGD) EMMANUEL F. DOOC

Insurance Commissioner

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^* Text Available at the Office of the National Administrative Register, U.P. Law Complex, Diliman, Quezon City