The document discusses the history and role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Philippines. It notes that the 1987 Constitution recognizes CSO participation and empowerment. During martial law under Ferdinand Marcos, many CSOs built relationships with communities or went underground. The People Power Revolution restored democracy and favorable laws were passed for CSOs. The number of CSOs grew rapidly during the administration of Corazon Aquino. The document outlines the types of activities CSOs engage in and how some register with different government agencies. It also discusses principles of accountability and standards for NGOs, as well as government efforts to promote CSO participation in areas

1. The Role ofThe Role of
NongovernmentalNongovernmental
OrganizationsOrganizations
DPA 309 Voluntary SectorDPA 309 Voluntary Sector
ManagementManagement

2. The Legal Framework for CivilThe Legal Framework for Civil
SocietySociety
► The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, forgedThe 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, forged
and shaped in the aftermath of the 1986 Peopleand shaped in the aftermath of the 1986 People
Power Revolution, clearly recognizes participationPower Revolution, clearly recognizes participation
and empowerment, including the important role ofand empowerment, including the important role of
CSOs. This may be seen in several provisions ofCSOs. This may be seen in several provisions of
the Constitution, most prominently in the following:the Constitution, most prominently in the following:
„ Article II, Section 23: “The State shall„ Article II, Section 23: “The State shall
encourage non-governmental, community-based,encourage non-governmental, community-based,
or sector organizations that promote the welfare ofor sector organizations that promote the welfare of
the nation.” „the nation.” „

3. ► Article XIII, Section 15: “The State shall respectArticle XIII, Section 15: “The State shall respect
the role of independent people’s organizations tothe role of independent people’s organizations to
enable the people to pursue and protect, within theenable the people to pursue and protect, within the
democratic framework, their legitimate anddemocratic framework, their legitimate and
► collective interests and aspirations throughcollective interests and aspirations through
peaceful and lawful means. […]” „ Article XIII,peaceful and lawful means. […]” „ Article XIII,
Section 16: “The right of the people and theirSection 16: “The right of the people and their
organizations to effective and reasonableorganizations to effective and reasonable
participation at all levels of social, political andparticipation at all levels of social, political and
economic decision-making shall not be abridged.economic decision-making shall not be abridged.
The State shall, by law, facilitate the establishmentThe State shall, by law, facilitate the establishment
of adequate consultation mechanisms.”of adequate consultation mechanisms.”

4. Civil Society: An OverviewCivil Society: An Overview
► The basis for civil society in the Philippines comesThe basis for civil society in the Philippines comes
from the Filipino concepts of pakikipagkapwafrom the Filipino concepts of pakikipagkapwa
(holistic interaction with others) and kapwa(holistic interaction with others) and kapwa
(shared inner self). Voluntary assistance or charity(shared inner self). Voluntary assistance or charity
connotes for Filipinos an equal status between theconnotes for Filipinos an equal status between the
provider of assistance and the recipient, which isprovider of assistance and the recipient, which is
embodied in the terms damayan (assistance ofembodied in the terms damayan (assistance of
peers in periods of crisis) and pagtutulunganpeers in periods of crisis) and pagtutulungan
(mutual self-help). The Western notion of(mutual self-help). The Western notion of
kawanggawa (charity) may have been introducedkawanggawa (charity) may have been introduced
to the Philippines by Catholic missionaries (ADB,to the Philippines by Catholic missionaries (ADB,
2007)2007)

5. Spanish Colonial PeriodSpanish Colonial Period
►The Roman Catholic Church and theThe Roman Catholic Church and the
religious orders established the first welfarereligious orders established the first welfare
organizations in the Philippines. Theyorganizations in the Philippines. They
founded parochial schools, orphanages,founded parochial schools, orphanages,
and hospitals that were mostly reserved forand hospitals that were mostly reserved for
the local elite. The church also establishedthe local elite. The church also established
foundations and cofradías (brotherhoods),foundations and cofradías (brotherhoods),
which encouraged neighborly behavior,which encouraged neighborly behavior,
such as visiting the sick and helping withsuch as visiting the sick and helping with
town fiesta preparations.town fiesta preparations.

6. American Colonial GovernmentAmerican Colonial Government
► Delineated the boundaries between state provisionDelineated the boundaries between state provision
of public goods, religious philanthropy, and privateof public goods, religious philanthropy, and private
philanthropy. The Philippine Corporation Law ofphilanthropy. The Philippine Corporation Law of
1906 recognized the right to create private1906 recognized the right to create private
nonprofit organizations, and the governmentnonprofit organizations, and the government
subsidized the operation of some of thesesubsidized the operation of some of these
organizations. The American Red Cross and theorganizations. The American Red Cross and the
Anti-Tuberculosis Society set up branches in theAnti-Tuberculosis Society set up branches in the
country. The American Methodist and Protestantcountry. The American Methodist and Protestant
churches as well as the Church of Englandchurches as well as the Church of England
established schools and hospitalsestablished schools and hospitals

7. ►The Catholic Church expanded its socialThe Catholic Church expanded its social
agenda to direct engagement with workersagenda to direct engagement with workers
and peasants and the Jesuits. Protestantand peasants and the Jesuits. Protestant
and other non-Catholic churches expandedand other non-Catholic churches expanded
their services into rural development,their services into rural development,
cooperatives, and credit unions orcooperatives, and credit unions or
cooperatives, as well as agriculturalcooperatives, as well as agricultural
development.development.

8. ► Then-President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law inThen-President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in
1972 when there was little space for civil society and almost1972 when there was little space for civil society and almost
no tolerance for advocacy nongovernment organizationsno tolerance for advocacy nongovernment organizations
(NGOs) during his rule. In areas where the government(NGOs) during his rule. In areas where the government
bureaucracy could not deliver necessary social services, otherbureaucracy could not deliver necessary social services, other
development stakeholders, particularly NGOs, had to step intodevelopment stakeholders, particularly NGOs, had to step into
that role. However, some organizations either fledthat role. However, some organizations either fled
underground by joining the armed struggle of the Communistunderground by joining the armed struggle of the Communist
Party of the Philippines, or sought shelter by affiliating with aParty of the Philippines, or sought shelter by affiliating with a
university or religious institutions. During the Marcosuniversity or religious institutions. During the Marcos
dictatorship, many civil society organizations (CSOs) built updictatorship, many civil society organizations (CSOs) built up
strong relationships with poor communities. The activism ofstrong relationships with poor communities. The activism of
CSOs eventually contributed to the People Power RevolutionCSOs eventually contributed to the People Power Revolution
of 1986 that ousted Marcos and brought Corazon Aquino toof 1986 that ousted Marcos and brought Corazon Aquino to
power.power.

9. ► President Corazon Aquino restored democracy toPresident Corazon Aquino restored democracy to
the Philippines, and several pieces of legislationthe Philippines, and several pieces of legislation
favorable to civil society’s development werefavorable to civil society’s development were
passed soon after, including the Cooperative Codepassed soon after, including the Cooperative Code
of 1990 and the Women in Development andof 1990 and the Women in Development and
Nation Building Act of 1992. Government lineNation Building Act of 1992. Government line
agencies opened NGO liaison offices, and NGOsagencies opened NGO liaison offices, and NGOs
were permitted to negotiate directly with bilateralwere permitted to negotiate directly with bilateral
funding institutions for financing. Many in thefunding institutions for financing. Many in the
Philippine development community began toPhilippine development community began to
welcome CSO management of overseaswelcome CSO management of overseas
development assistance (ODA) funds, recognizingdevelopment assistance (ODA) funds, recognizing
CSOs as effective channels for funneling supportCSOs as effective channels for funneling support
to needy communities.to needy communities.

10. ► Owing to the favorable legal environment and the inflow ofOwing to the favorable legal environment and the inflow of
ODA funds to the country, the number of CSOsODA funds to the country, the number of CSOs
mushroomed during the administration of President Aquinomushroomed during the administration of President Aquino
from 1986 to 1992. The rapid growth of CSOs during thefrom 1986 to 1992. The rapid growth of CSOs during the
period may also be attributed to the government’s move toperiod may also be attributed to the government’s move to
institutionalize civil society participation in national andinstitutionalize civil society participation in national and
regional development planning. However, in addition toregional development planning. However, in addition to
those with good intentions, organizations of dubiousthose with good intentions, organizations of dubious
integrity engaged in questionable practices. Some of theseintegrity engaged in questionable practices. Some of these
were established by politicians, businesspersons, andwere established by politicians, businesspersons, and
bureaucrats to advance personal, rather than public,bureaucrats to advance personal, rather than public,
welfare. In response, 10 of the largest NGO networkswelfare. In response, 10 of the largest NGO networks
formed the Caucus of Development NGO Networksformed the Caucus of Development NGO Networks
(CODE-NGO) in 1991 to promote professionalism as well(CODE-NGO) in 1991 to promote professionalism as well
as to expand the reach of CSOs and increase theiras to expand the reach of CSOs and increase their
effectiveness (ADB, 2007)effectiveness (ADB, 2007)

11. CSO ActivitiesCSO Activities
► CSOs in the Philippines engage in a broad range ofCSOs in the Philippines engage in a broad range of
activities, the most common being in (i) education,activities, the most common being in (i) education,
training, and human resource development; (ii)training, and human resource development; (ii)
community development; (iii) enterprise developmentcommunity development; (iii) enterprise development
and employment generation; (iv) health and nutrition;and employment generation; (iv) health and nutrition;
(v) law, advocacy, and politics; and (vi) sustainable(v) law, advocacy, and politics; and (vi) sustainable
development. It is worth noting that political activismdevelopment. It is worth noting that political activism
takes on a larger role for Filipino CSOs thantakes on a larger role for Filipino CSOs than
elsewhere. Indeed, CSOs played major roles inelsewhere. Indeed, CSOs played major roles in
achieving Filipino independence from the Spanish andachieving Filipino independence from the Spanish and
the Americans, in toppling the Marcos regime, and inthe Americans, in toppling the Marcos regime, and in
ending the administration of President Josephending the administration of President Joseph
Estrada.Estrada.

12. Civil Society DirectoriesCivil Society Directories
►DSWDDSWD
►DOLEDOLE
►SECSEC
►CDACDA
►HLURBHLURB
► AF maintains databases of NGOs and foundations atAF maintains databases of NGOs and foundations at
www.pfconline.org/database/ngoquery.html and www.www.pfconline.org/database/ngoquery.html and www.
► pfconline.org/database/donorquery.html. PCNC publishes a list of thepfconline.org/database/donorquery.html. PCNC publishes a list of the
CSOs that are currently certified at http://www.pcnc.com.ph/ngo-CSOs that are currently certified at http://www.pcnc.com.ph/ngo-
list.php CODE-NGO has a database of affiliated organizations atlist.php CODE-NGO has a database of affiliated organizations at
http://code-ngo.org/codedb.http://code-ngo.org/codedb.

13. ►It is not legally mandatory for CSOs in theIt is not legally mandatory for CSOs in the
Philippines to register with the government,Philippines to register with the government,
and many people’s organizations and otherand many people’s organizations and other
small organizations do not do so. However,small organizations do not do so. However,
only registered organizations gain a legalonly registered organizations gain a legal
status that permits them to enter intostatus that permits them to enter into
contracts and open a bank account.contracts and open a bank account.

14. ►Many types of CSOs register with the SEC,Many types of CSOs register with the SEC,
including development NGOs, people’sincluding development NGOs, people’s
organizations, farmers’ associations, athleticorganizations, farmers’ associations, athletic
and sports associations, social welfareand sports associations, social welfare
organizations, and civic clubs.organizations, and civic clubs.

15. CDACDA

16. ►The DOLE registers labor unions, laborThe DOLE registers labor unions, labor
federations, and rural workers’ associationsfederations, and rural workers’ associations
in accordance with the Labor Code of thein accordance with the Labor Code of the
Philippines.Philippines.

17. ►The HLURB registers homeowners’The HLURB registers homeowners’
associations (HOAs) based on the Magnaassociations (HOAs) based on the Magna
Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners’Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners’
Associations. At least five incorporators mayAssociations. At least five incorporators may
organize and register a HOA.organize and register a HOA.

18. ►The Department of Social Welfare andThe Department of Social Welfare and
Development has a directory of CSOs withDevelopment has a directory of CSOs with
valid registration, license to operate andvalid registration, license to operate and
accreditation as social welfare andaccreditation as social welfare and
development agencies as well as those withdevelopment agencies as well as those with
expired validity and with revokedexpired validity and with revoked
registrations and licenses atregistrations and licenses at

19. NGO Principles, Mandates, andNGO Principles, Mandates, and
StandardsStandards
► The large number of NGOs has given rise to concernsThe large number of NGOs has given rise to concerns
about the ability of the government to regulate all theseabout the ability of the government to regulate all these
organizations and to ensure that resources channeled toorganizations and to ensure that resources channeled to
them are actually being used for their declared goals andthem are actually being used for their declared goals and
objectives. CODE-NGO’s Code of Conduct forobjectives. CODE-NGO’s Code of Conduct for
Development NGOs is a manifestation of the CSODevelopment NGOs is a manifestation of the CSO
community’s commitment to promote professionalism andcommunity’s commitment to promote professionalism and
accountability in its operations. The Code of Conduct hasaccountability in its operations. The Code of Conduct has
since been signed by over 1,000 NGOs and was recentlysince been signed by over 1,000 NGOs and was recently
updated to provide for clearer enforcement mechanisms. Itupdated to provide for clearer enforcement mechanisms. It
further calls on the Philippine development NGOfurther calls on the Philippine development NGO
community to adopt the principles, goals, and provisionscommunity to adopt the principles, goals, and provisions
embodied in the Code of Conduct (D. Songco. 2006)embodied in the Code of Conduct (D. Songco. 2006)

20. ► The government continues to open its doors toThe government continues to open its doors to
CSO participation not only in national and localCSO participation not only in national and local
planning processes, but now also in budgetplanning processes, but now also in budget
preparation and execution and in audit. Thepreparation and execution and in audit. The
Department of Budget and Management (DBM)Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
issued National Budget Memorandum No. 109 inissued National Budget Memorandum No. 109 in
2011 to require six national government agencies2011 to require six national government agencies
and three government-owned and controlledand three government-owned and controlled
corporations to partner with CSOs in undertaking acorporations to partner with CSOs in undertaking a
participatory process for the formulation of theparticipatory process for the formulation of the
national budget for 2012.national budget for 2012.

21. ► The following year, National Budget Memorandum No. 112The following year, National Budget Memorandum No. 112
implemented the bottom–up approach in budgeting andimplemented the bottom–up approach in budgeting and
further expanded CSO engagement in budget preparationfurther expanded CSO engagement in budget preparation
for 2013. The DBM also created a CSO Desk that willfor 2013. The DBM also created a CSO Desk that will
monitor CSO participation in budget preparations.monitor CSO participation in budget preparations.

22. ►The government also promotes a system ofThe government also promotes a system of
public procurement that standardizespublic procurement that standardizes
procedures and increases transparency.procedures and increases transparency.
The current procurement system allows civilThe current procurement system allows civil
society to attend meetings of bids andsociety to attend meetings of bids and
awards committees and to be given accessawards committees and to be given access
to relevant documentsto relevant documents

23. Civil Society CapacityCivil Society Capacity
► The strength of Philippine CSOs lies in their number, the extensiveThe strength of Philippine CSOs lies in their number, the extensive
networking with the sector and with other sectors or society, thenetworking with the sector and with other sectors or society, the
experience and skills from many years of development work, theexperience and skills from many years of development work, the
dedication and creativity of CSO leaders and workers, and thededication and creativity of CSO leaders and workers, and the
flexibility that is linked to the small size of most CSOs. A surveyflexibility that is linked to the small size of most CSOs. A survey
conducted for the Civil Society Index (CSI) in the Philippines foundconducted for the Civil Society Index (CSI) in the Philippines found
that 46% of the population considered themselves as activethat 46% of the population considered themselves as active
members of at least one CSO, 37% were inactive members, andmembers of at least one CSO, 37% were inactive members, and
only 17% said that they do not belong to any CSO.only 17% said that they do not belong to any CSO.
Complementing this, most CSOs, especially NGOs, sectorComplementing this, most CSOs, especially NGOs, sector
organizations, and cooperatives, are linked together throughorganizations, and cooperatives, are linked together through
provincial, regional, and national networks or federations orprovincial, regional, and national networks or federations or
coalitions. This may also pose difficulties in selecting thecoalitions. This may also pose difficulties in selecting the
appropriate CSOs with which to engage and could hinder having aappropriate CSOs with which to engage and could hinder having a
unified constructive voice from civil society (unified constructive voice from civil society (C. V. Abao. 2011.)C. V. Abao. 2011.)

24. Civil Society Briefs: Philippines – AsianCivil Society Briefs: Philippines – Asian
Development BankDevelopment Bank
https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publichttps://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/public
ation/30174/csb-phi.pdfation/30174/csb-phi.pdf