Role of Civil Society Report

By: Lee & Natividad

Civil Society
The aggregate of civil institutions and citizens
organizations that is distinct and autonomous
from both State structures and private business

CSOs
Civil society organizations (CSOs) are groups that
are organized independently of and operate outside
of but interact with the state and the market.

Raison d'tre

Make claims and demands on the government based

on certain organizational principles and interests.

In the Philippines
CSOs became most visible in the countrys
democratization process post-Marcos.

1. CSOs often serve as an alternative to government in

terms of service provision that the latter fails to deliver
sufficiently or effectively
2. CSOs also serve as self-help organizations where
members engage in mutual aid regardless of the absence
or presence of assistance from the government or the
private sector.

1987 Philippine Constitution

Article II, section 14, recognizing the role of women in
nation-building and ensuring the fundamental equality
before the law of women and men.

1987 Philippine Constitution

Article II, section 23 or the promotion of non-governmental,

community-based or sectoral organizations by the State;

1987 Philippine Constitution

Article XIII, section 3, which recognizes the right to selforganization by workers and afford these organizations full
protection;

1987 Philippine Constitution

Article XIII, section 15, which recognizes the role of peoples

organizations to pursue their collective interests through
peaceful means

1987 Philippine Constitution

Article XIII, section 16, which acknowledges the right of
people and their organizations to participate in decisionmaking, and requires the state to establish adequate
consultative mechanisms in government.

The State is required to encourage these organizations

because recent events have shown that, under responsible
leadership, they can be active contributors to the political,
social, and economic growth of the country.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Peoples
Organization

Membership based
Marginalized groups
Promote public interest
Provide basic services
Health
Education
Water and sanitation
Environmental services
Local government affairs

Characteristics
Mutual benefit association based
on the ability to serve its members

Peoples
Organization

Democratic structure that gives

members authority over leaders
Self reliant

Characteristics
Membership-based organizations
formed largely on a voluntary
basis

Peoples
Organization

Bona fide associations of citizens

with demonstrated capacity to
promote the public interest

Has an identifiable leadership,

membership and structure.

Roles
Strengthen resilience of members

Peoples
Organization

Create sense of solidarity and

identity among poor
Create mechanisms for more
creative and inclusive forms of
assistance

Roles
Leaders can represent constituents
in negotiations

Peoples
Organization

Articulate the advocacies of their

sector to the government and the
public

Strengths
Provide services to their
constituencies and increasing
their awareness of their rights

Capacity to influence
government policies and
programs

Fragmentation of organizations

Leaders

Limited organizational capacity

Financial constraints

Weaknesses

Issues Faced by POs

Political & social exclusion and economic
marginalization

Farmers
Aniban ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura
Federation of Free Farmers

Kilusang Mangingisda
Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas

Workers
Kilusang Mayo Uno
Labor Solidarity Movement

Federation of Free Workers

Trade Unions Congress of the Philippines
Pambansang Kalipunan ng Manggagagwang Impormal ng
Pilipinas

Social Sectors
Coalition of Older Persons Associations of the Philippines
Federation for Senior Citizens Associations of the
Philippines
Student Council Association of the Philippines

Confederation of Student Governments in the Philippines

National Union of Students in the Philippines.

Women & Urban Poor

General Assembly Binding Women for Reform, Integrity,
Equality, Leadership and Action (GABRIELA)
Womens Action Network for Development
Urban Poor Alliance (UP- ALL)

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program

https://www.facebook.com/campaign.kmp

http://www.theguidon.com/1112/main/2014/06/civil-sectorrallies-alongside-farmers-in-agrarian-reform-congress/

Intermediate agencies and

institutions that tend to
operate with a full-time staff,
complement and provide a
wide-range of services to
primary organizations,
communities and individuals

Non-governmental
Organizations

Characteristics
Many non-government
organizations in the Philippines
have an advocacy and lobbying
component as part of their
services.

Non-governmental
Organizations

There are numerous networks and

associations that have been
established to coordinate the
work of various nongovernmental groups.

Roles
Most NGOs are small in size
(staff is less than 25)
Flexible in terms of their
operations
Often stress participatory views

Responds to the legitimate needs

of the poor

Non-governmental
Organizations

Roles
Best revealed by the many
activities that they under take
in the following sectors:
Education*
Training and human resource
development*
Community development*
Sustainable development and
environmental protection
activities

Non-governmental
Organizations

Roles
Best revealed by the many
activities that they under take
in the following sectors:
Health and nutrition
Enterprise and livelihood
development
Social services,
microfinance and
cooperative development

Non-governmental
Organizations

In recent years, NGOs have been engaged in many activities

besides service provision
NGOs have also done lobbying for and advocacy of policy
reforms and social legislation
They have strengthened engagement in local government
and decentralization efforts.

Top Activities
First

Second

Third
Fourth
Fifth

Association of
Foundations (2001)
Education, training and
human resource
development
Community
Development
Sustainable
Development
Health & Nutrition

Cario (2002)
Development and
Housing
Business,
Professional and
Trades
Social Services

Law, Advocacy and

Politics
Enterprise Development Culture and
Recreation

Civil Society Index

Philippines (2010)
Supporting the
Poor
Education

Employment
Health & Nutrition

Estimate Numbers
Type of Organization
Estimated Size
NGOs
15, 000 to 30, 000
NGOs
20, 000
NGOs
48,713 to 67,674
CSOs
249,000 to 497,000
Non-stock, non-profit 81,436
organizations
Non-stock, non-profit 107,163
organizations

Source
Brillantes (1992)
Aldaba (1993)
Cario (2002)
Cario (2002)
Clarke (2008)

SEC (2009)

SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) figures are as of December 31, 2009.

Teach for the Philippines

Education

Project: LAAN
Health & Nutrition

UNICEF
Children Rights & Emergency Relief

Priority Development Assistance Fund scam

SOURCES
http://www.theguidon.com/1112/main/2014/06/civilsector-rallies-alongside-farmers-in-agrarian-reformcongress

http://aid.dfat.gov.au/Publications/Documents/csomapping-assessment.pdf