MR. MICHEL P. BASISTER MPM-LGRA, 2009-81855 PM 259_2ND Sem_s/y 2011-2012 TMA 1_Dec.

12, 2011

People Participation Rationale and Evolution in Philippine Local Government I. Introduction

II. Brief History of Civil Society Organizations III. The Organization of Civil Society IV. The Legislative Framework for CSO Activities V. Enabling /Disabling Factors for Peoples Participation

VI. List of NGOs/POs in Naga City

VII. Peoples Participation in Naga City VIII.Conclusion

Submitted to: Johnny Francis C. Gonzales, Ph.D. Faculty In-Charge PM259

People Participation Rationale and Evolution in Philippine Local Government I. Introduction In its literal meaning, participation is the action or fact of partaking, having or forming part of. Generally, participation has become a modern jargon and is use to connote any forms of participation, whether guided or spontaneous. Governments and institutions interested in greater productivity at low cost are increasingly in need of participation for their own purposes. Such interest is borne by the fact that the risk in non-participation promoting participation. Thus, the idea of promoting participation in many countries become a politically attractive slogan, even an economically appealing proposition. Participation is now perceived as an instrument for greater effectiveness and is becoming a new source of investment. Participatory processes bring to development projects what they need most to avoid the pitfalls of the past wherein projects are conceived top-down. The interaction and active participation of the three key players in society; the state/government, the private sector and the civil society, leads to good governance. Democracy on the other hand, enables people to participate more actively in governance, through the political process and through different modes of participation. Hence, if there is peoples participation, there is also democracy, and if there is democracy then there is good governance. is greater and governments have learned to control the risks in

I. Brief History of Civil Society Organizations Our concepts of Pakikipagkapwa and Kapwa could be the basis of civil society organizations in our country. In our practice, a voluntary assistance or charity connotes equal status between the provider of assistance and the recepient, which is embodied in the terms Damayan and Pagtutulungan. Thus, peoples participation in any situation in our country has solid foundation in the culture of Filipino people. However, tracing our countrys history, from the period of Spanish and American colonization, to the Philippine Commonwealth and Republic, up to the Marcos dictatorship in 1972, the Philippines was ruled from the national capital, derisively referred to as "Imperialist Manila". Centralization has been exacerbated by a culture of dependency and paradigms that look condescendingly upon local level

institutions

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decentralize administrative authority (but not political decentralization) during the Marcos dictatorship through a local government Code enacted in 1983. But real power continued to be concentrated in Manila with local units heavily dependent upon central government. Furthermore, the Marcos administration became increasingly associated with the suppression of civil, human, and political rights. As a result, civil organizations either fled underground by joining the armed struggle of some groups or sought shelter from Marcos security forces by affiliating with a university or religious institution, The activism of these and other CSOs eventually contributed to the overthrow of the Marcos regime in the people power revolution of 1986, which marked the beginning of a resurgence in civil society. Following the overthrow of the Marcos dictatorship in 1986, the Aquino administration adopted the Policy Agenda for People-Powered Development, which included decentralization of government structures, minimum government intervention and greater involvement of people in the decision-making, planning and implementation of programmes through community organizations and non-government organizations or NGOs. During the dictatorship, many NGO s had built up strong relationships with poor communities. This was one of the reasons why post-Marcos governments partnered with NGOs in service delivery and public policy. Several pieces of society legislation favorable to civil societys development were passed, including the local government code, the Urban Development and Housing Act, and the Women in Development and Nation Building Act. Government line agencies opened NGO - liaison offices, and NGOs were permitted to negotiate directly with bilateral funding institutions for financing. The general strategy of the government then was based on the emerging paradigm of "growth with equity", where development efforts are focused on meeting minimum basic needs of the poor rather than on simply achieving macro economic targets. Since then, "devolution and decentralization have marked Philippine government policies in that while central government provides the broad policy framework and social environment, it is the Local Government Units (LGUs), private sector and civil society entities which act as the prime engines for growth, equity and sustainability (Quizon in ADB, 1997).

Unsurprisingly, the number of NGOs mushroomed during the administration of President Corazon Aquino. However, in addition to those with noble pursuits and good intentions were NGOs of dubious integrity and engaging in questionable practices. Some of these were established by politicians, businesspersons, and bureaucrats to advance personal, rather than public, welfare.

II. The Organization of Civil Society The civil society sector has made great strides over the last 2 decades. NGO s and other civil groups have increased their effectiveness through networking and coalition building, campaigning for policy reform, adopting good practice standards, and advancing sustainable development as a uniting vision for all organizations. The two most important civil society categories in the country are NGO s and peoples organizations (POs) the Filipino equivalent of what in other countries are commonly called community-based organizations. POs are generally composed of disadvantaged individuals and work to advance their members material or social well-being. POs are grassroots organizations, and their members typically work on a voluntary basis.3 NGO s are intermediaries between the State and POs. They advocate and work for disadvantaged individuals, who are not necessarily their members. Many NGO s work to strengthen POs by providing financing, establishing linkages, and undertaking advocacy. In addition to engaging volunteers, NGO s employ staff members. III. The Legislative Framework for CSO Activities Three articles of the 1987 Constitution institutionalize the role of NGO s and POs in Philippine development: Constitution Article II , Section 23: The state shall encourage non-governmental, community-based, or sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the nation. Constitution Article XIII , Section 15: The state shall respect the role of independent peoples organizations to enable the people to pursue and protect, within the democratic framework, their legitimate and collective interests and aspirations through peaceful and lawful means.

Constitution Article XIII , Section 16: The right of the people and their organizations to effective and reasonable participation at all levels of social, political and economic decision-making shall not be abridged. The state shall, by law, facilitate the establishment of adequate consultation mechanisms. The Local Governance Code (LGC ) of 1991 furthers the Constitutions aims by establishing a role for people power at the local level. Among the significant reforms on devolution mandated by the Local Government Code are the promotion of people's participation (NGO, POs and private sector) in local governance through the following statutory avenues: (a) Membership in Local Special Bodies (LSBs). NGOs and POs are represented in Local Special Bodies, primarily but not limited to the Local Development Council, the Local School Board, the Local Health Board, the Pre-qualification, Bids and Awards Committee and the Local Peace and Order Council. Non-mandated but Code-inspired LSBs have included Agrarian Reform Councils, Fisheries and Aquatic Reform Councils. Representation in the LDC is preceded by the process of accreditation by local governments, while representation in other LSBs is by appointment by the local Chief Executive. Although one-fourth of the membership of the Local Development Councils must be comprised of NGOs and POs, the latter have minority representation in LSBs. LDC proposals such as the Local Development Plan are merely recommended to the sanggunians(consultative bodies). (b) Mandatory Consultations and Public Hearings. NGOs and POs can actively participate in mandatory consultations and public hearings where they help apprise national government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations of local sentiments to consider before implementing projects that could significantly affect local host communities. (c) System of Recall. NGOs and POs may participate in a system of recall where registered voters are against local officials whose performance is unsatisfactory. (d) Local Initiatives and Referenda. NGOs and POs may participate in local initiatives and referenda where registered voters of an LGU may directly propose, enact, repeal or amend ordinances, a process that NGOs and POs may likewise facilitate or participate in. (e) Sectorial Representation to Local Sanggunians. NGOs and POs are expected to participate in selecting and fielding of sectorial representatives to local sanggunians from labour (industrial or

agricultural), women and one representative from either the urban poor, indigenous peoples or the disabled. Broadly, NGOs have participated directly in governance through local government units, national policy and planning agencies, government line agencies, sectorial representation in Congress, and follow-up activities of United Nations summits and international covenants.

IV. Enabling /Disabling Factors for Peoples Participation Peoples Participation in our country is said to be vibrant due to some enabling factors that is inherent in the Filipino community and culture. Some of these is the very high political participation among Filipinos that is reflected every local and national elections. Another enabling factor for the growth of popular participation is culture. Even before western colonization, Filipinos enjoyed and practiced a high degree of collective and autonomous governance through the balangay system governed by village chief and elders elected by the community. People participation is also manifested in traditional activities like bayanihan building or transfering a house, planting and harvesting, etc. These systems is still manifested in rural areas of our country.Furthermore, the presence of a dynamic NGO-PO movement in the country is another critical enabling factor for a sustained intervention in local governance. This is manifested either in sectoral or territorial formations of NGOs-Pos. The passage of the Local Government Code of 1991 also provide more avenues for peoples participation. However, these mechanisms also face constraint and challenges on their implementation. Some of them are the following: 1)Participation begins and ends with the accreditation of NGOs for inclusion in local special bodies. 2) Attitude of Local Chief Executives towards NGOs /Pos -LCEs and constituents remained unenlightened and unmoved by the reason and spirit of decentralization. 3)Absence or weakness in local sectoral representation. 4) Inadequate finances for the NGOs /POs to enable them to participate in programs and projects. 5) Weak or inadequate strategic capability-building or NGOs/POs. 6) Local Special Bodies are mere consultative entity. They can only recommend programs. 7) Political influence and machinations. 8) Lack of legislation on Local Sectoral Representation (LSR). 9) Some Local Officials deemed LSR as redundant, costly and unnecessary.

V. List of NGOs/POs in Naga City Child & Youth Welfare The Franciscan Sisters of the Poor are women religious called to bring compassion, hope and healing to the community of life. This organization creates, manages and perpetuates high-quality senior care services, a home health agency, intergenerational care centers, a foundation for educating young women and a family violence prevention center and shelter. Educational Research and Development Assistance Foundation, Inc. (ERDA) is a nongovernment organization committed to develop and sustain programs and services that will empower socially and economically disadvantaged children, youth, women, families and communities. ERDA envisions a nation where all children will have access to quality education that they might have a decent human life and prepare them for a better future. Women Welfare The Missonaries Of the Poor is an International Religious Missionary Institute of Brothers and Priests who took vows of Chastity, Poverty, Obedience and Free Service to the Least, and have posts in the Philippines, India, Uganda, USA, Kenya and Haiti. Their community adopted the mission of Spreading the Good News, primarily by offering of the corporal works of Jesus (i.e., feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, visiting prisoners, caring for children in need, orphans, the sick and the dying, including those living with AIDS and leprosy), and secondarily, through preaching, liturgy, sacraments, and music. Older Persons The Villa Marillac Community Center of the Louise de Marillac Foundation, Inc. have existed since 1967 under the management of Universidad de Sta. Isabel who established and founded the said institution. This institution helps the incapcetated elderly and the jobless. The center provides rooms, personal assistance, free hospitalization and burial expenses. It also gives the elderly with activities that nurture their spiritual and social being. Persons With Disability

The HELP Learning Center Foundation is a center based facility that provides educational services, physical rehabilitation facilities and livelihood projects for children and youth with special needs. Village health workers, volunteers and parents are trained by the foundation in identification, referral and rehabilitation of children with disabilities. The project has also a strong partnership with the local government.

VI. Peoples Participation in Naga City Drawing inspiration from the return of democracy to the Philippines during the 1986 People Power Revolution, the city government of Naga enacted legislative and executive measures to institutionalize sweeping changes allowed by the law. Peoples participation in the local government of Naga City was institutionalized through the Empowerment Ordinance. Passed in 1995, the landmark ordinance mandated the city government to engage accredited NGOs and peoples organizations (POs), collectively known as the Naga City Peoples Council (NCPC), in running the affairs of the city. The NCPC is a federation of non-government organizations and peoples organizations in the city. Its members are represented up to the committee level of the city council. Until 1996, the NCPC acted as the civil sectors representation to the local government. Yet without formal acknowledgment from the city government, its recommendations were not given much weight. All that changed when the Empowerment Ordinance in 1996, giving the NCPC the power to directly influence the policies of the local government has been enacted by the local council. The same legislative measure also institutionalized the active participation of NGOs and peoples organizations in the city, making them independent of the city government. The Empowerment Ordinance also established the creation of sectoral representation positions in the city council. Representatives from the non-agricultural, women, and urban poor sectors were also elected to function as city councilors, exercise the same powers and responsibilities, and enjoy the same rights and privileges as ordinary city council members.

At present, more than a hundred groups comprise the NCPC. Member-groups from the urban poor, agriculture, transport, youth, women, and the elderly sectors are given the freedom and the opportunity to express their concerns as well as participate in the creation and monitoring of key legislations, programs, and services aimed to help their particular sectors.

The representation of previously unrepresented sectors has made it possible for various groups to air grievances or request assistance in the development of their sectors. NGOs and POs can also request financial and logistical assistance from the city government to implement their own projects and programs. To avail of the citys assistance, member-groups of civil society have to be accredited by the city government. Upon accreditation, they can then request the executive branch for funding assistance, provided that the legislative department approves of the request. The city government, as a policy, however, refrains from shouldering the total costs incurred by civil society organizations. Partnerships and close cooperation between the government and NGOs is espoused but financial assistance is given on a case-to-case basis, with the local government usually shouldering only a portion of project costs, depending on the benefits such projects can give to the city and its constituents.

VII. Conclusion Overall, despite some external and internal diffeculties which NGOs and Pos have to contend, the provision for peoples active participation in governance are significant in the light of emerging trends in decentralization and good governance initiatives. Addressing the issues and challenges of peoples participation will be of great help since most of the studies show that the success of a certain government programs or projects depends on the active participation and cooperation of the beneficiaries themselves. The government should encourage people to participate further in governance through involvement in planning, implementation and evaluation of projects that directly affect their lives.

However, peoples participation alone wont work with the absence of dedicated and committed leaders of our community. What we need today are committed leaders with dynamic leadership on getting people involved and getting programs implemented. Furthermore, we the people should grab all those opportunities given to us by the government to participate in governance. We dont have rights to complain on or criticize government programs if we ourselves waive our rights to take our part on that matter. If we want success and progress, then we should be vigilant and be participative enough on whatever programs being implemented by the government.

References: Asian Development Bank, Overviews of NGOs and Civil Society: Philippiens, December 2007 Directory of NGOs/POs Accridetted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development as of October 18, 2010 Local Government Code of 1991 Nicolas, Gerald M. In Pursuit of an Inclusive City Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 11, 2011 Santos, Alec. Putting People Power To Work in Naga City, May 11, 2010 Tapales, Proserpina D. Philippine Local Government and Regional Administration University of the Philippines Open University, 2005, Diliman, Quezon City Tapales, Proserpina D. and Brillantes, Jr. Alex B.. Local Government in the Philippines: A book of Readings. Diliman, Quezon City: The Center for Local and Regional Governance and the National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines. Vol.III: Chapter 4 Villarin, Tom S. The Philippine Experience in Strenthgning Peoples Participation in Governance KAISAHAN Tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Kanayunan at Repormang Pansakahan, Quezon City, June 1999. 1987 Philippine Constitution