1. 2007 The Fourth East Asia NGO Forum:
From Assistance to Development: Critical Reflections on International Aid in Asia
Topic: NGO vs. GO: Relationship building, challenges and coping strategies.
NGO vs GO: Frequently at Odds, at Times in Partnership
ATHEA M. PEÑALOSA
This paper will discuss the experience of the Children’s Rehabilitation Center in dealing
with government organizations in the furtherance of child rights advocacy.
The Children’s Rehabilitation Center, as a non-government organization providing
service to children victims of human rights violations, is necessarily an antithesis to
government organizations. It serves as the “conscience” that frequently reminds the
government agencies of their weaknesses and deficiencies as well as accountability in
protecting the human rights and welfare of children, especially those in conflict areas.
It seeks to exact from government the services due to children victims of human rights
violations, especially when the perpetrators are government entities such as the Armed
Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.
At the same time, it is also important to note that the CRC also enlists the help of
government agencies in its services. CRC is an accredited and licensed service
organization of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and as such, can
work in parallel with social workers of the said government agency. It also brings cases
to the attention of the Commission on Human Rights for investigation.
Also, through the House of Representatives, the CRC is able to source funds from the
development fund of the Gabriela Women’s Party that represents women and children’s
causes in the legislative body. These government funds are used for projects that
benefit the mandated beneficiaries of the CRC: children whose rights the government
failed to protect.
In conclusion, the CRC reminds itself and other NGOs to consistently be true to its ideal
function – a watchdog.