This week was the occasion for the annual general assembly of the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), the Philippines’ largest umbrella group of nongovernment organizations. Its 1,600 members nationwide are all genuine, and all detest the generalized smear caused by the fakes of the Janet Napoles scam.
Checking out NGO credentials is so easy to do that the failure of concerned bureaucrats to detect the Napoles fakes before releasing funds to them seems to me to be evidence of utter incompetence, if not outright corruption. The best accreditation comes from the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC), which provides certifications, after careful audits, to those that meet stringent criteria for financial management and accountability, and is legally empowered to recommend them for donee status at the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
The PCNC was cofounded in 1997 by CODE-NGO and the Association of Foundations (AF), Bishops’-Businessmen’s Conference for Human Development, League of Corporate Foundations, National Council of Social Development Foundations (NCSD), and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). AF, NCSD and PBSP are also member-networks of CODE-NGO, along with the Coalition for Bicol Development, Central Visayas Network of NGOs, Cordillera Network of Development NGOs and POs, Eastern Visayas Network of NGOs and POs, Mindanao Coalition of Development NGO Networks, National Confederation of Cooperatives, Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas, Partnership of Philippine Support Service Agencies, and Western Visayas Network of Social Development NGOs. (“POs” are people’s organizations.)
Social Weather Stations (which is PCNC-certified) was a guest at the assembly, having done a national survey in 2009 for the study “Civil Society Index: Philippines,” published by CODE-NGO and the World Alliance for Citizen Participation (Civicus) in 2011. Among the SWS findings were that popular confidence in organizations was 94 percent for churches, 70-77 percent for women’s organizations, charitable/humanitarian organizations, and environmental organizations; 60-61 percent for cooperatives, people’s organizations, and NGOs; 57 percent for labor unions; and only 40 percent for political parties.
The study, which also used surveys of 120 civil society organizations and 60 experts from government, business, academia, media, church groups and the donor community, concluded that “civil society has made a moderately strong impact in the Philippines, especially in the areas of poverty reduction and environmental protection, and in program development.”
Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB). The theme of this year’s assembly was “making participatory governance work and sustaining it beyond 2016.” CODE-NGO welcomes BUB as an innovative approach that encourages active citizen participation in meeting the needs of poor communities. BUB was initiated in 609 municipalities in early 2012 for the formulation of the 2013 budget, and expanded to 1,233 municipalities in late 2012 for the 2014 budget.
Civil Society Report Card (CSRC). In 2012, CODE-NGO introduced the survey-based CSRC. Mayors and other local government officials to whom the CSRC results were presented have generally welcomed them and cooperated with their recommendations.
Reviewing the Philippine Development Plan (PDP). In 2013, CODE-NGO assessed midterm achievements of the 2011-2016 PDP with respect to agriculture, fisheries, housing, peace and security, and health. It is a member of several subcommittees formed by the National Economic and Development Authority to update the PDP.
PDAF Watch. CODE-NGO has been watching the “pork barrel” since 2005. With support from the Coalition Against Corruption, a study covering 2010-2011 finds that 51 percent of the Priority Development Assistance Fund went to infrastructure, and 18 percent went to financial assistance for bills like scholarships, hospital expenses, and burial costs. The full report, including analysis of the PDAF as a tool for patronage politics, will be published soon.
After the Napoles scam broke out, CODE-NGO submitted recommendations to the Department of Budget and Management, the Senate and the House of Representatives on how to validate the legitimacy of NGOs and other civil society organizations contracted for government projects. At the assembly, plenary speaker Teddy Baguilat Jr., congressman from Ifugao, revealed that just last Wednesday, he had filed a bill on accrediting NGOs for government contracts.
Federalism. CODE-NGO advocates regional empowerment. It is part of the Coalition for a Citizens’ Constitution, which has been calling, since 2005, for a constitutional convention primarily for the establishment of a federal form of government.
Freedom of information (FOI). The FOI bill’s main advocate in the House is Congressman Baguilat; CODE-NGO strongly supports him on this.
Political engagement. After the CODE-NGO report, Dr. Eddie Dorotan, executive director of Galing Pook Foundation and outstanding former mayor of Irosin, Sorsogon, reacted: “Dapat magalit tayo!” and called for anger and action, rather than mere words and consultations.
In particular, Doctor Eddie recommended that this early, capable leaders of civil society consider running for governor, mayor and other local government posts in their areas in 2016. Furthermore, he said it is already time to search for the best candidate for president. Both Doctor Eddie and Congressman Baguilat identified themselves as members of the Liberal Party, by the way.
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Contact SWS: or mahar.mangahas@sws.org.ph.