STRENGTHENING CIVIL

SOCIETY

Civil Society
Civil society consists of the complex
of
citizens
and
groups
outside
government but working in the public
arena (Cario, 2003).

The Local Government Code of 1991

lays
the
groundwork
for
the
institutionalization of private sector
and the participation of NGOs in local
governance
towards
the
operationalization
of
people
empowerment (Alex Brillantes Jr.).

to engage in the delivery of

certain basic services, capability
building and livelihood projects,
and
to
develop
local
enterprises
(Sec. 35, Local Government Code).

NGOs Seats in Local Special

Bodies
(1)Local Development Council
(2)Local Prequalification Bids and
Awards Committee
(3)Local School Boards
(4)Local Health Boards
(5)Local Peace and Order Councils
(6)Peoples Law Enforcement Board

Nongovernment Organization
(NGO)
Services or functions which can
be delivered or implemented by
NGOs are delegated to them in
order to decongest government
functions at the central level
(de Guzman and Padilla, 1985).

Characteristic

Non-profit in nature
Voluntary nature of work
Focus on services to marginal
groups
Flexible leadership structure

Roles in the Development

Process

(1)Serve as mechanism for popular

participation and mobilization;
(2)Identify local priorities and provide relevant
information in the process of planning the
development of the community;
(3)Facilitate the provision of services or act as
service delivery system unit for local social
services, infrastructure facilities, and
agricultural inputs;

Roles in the Development

Process
(4) Mobilize local resources (human
or natural resources) to implement
community projects;
(5) Serve as a forum for eliciting and
demanding greater responsiveness
of local administration to local
needs and aspirations;

Roles in the Development

Process
(6) Provide opportunity for members
to discuss among themselves local
issues and come up with collective
decisions; and
(7) Conscienticize the members by
developing their intense social
awareness of the problems
afflicting them (Cheema, 1983).

Other Types of Civil Society

Organizations

1. Peoples Organizations (PO)

Independent, bona fide associations of
citizens with demonstrated capacity to
promote the public interest and with
identifiable leadership, membership
and structure, as stated in Section 15,
Philippine Constitution of 1987

Other Types of Civil Society

Organizations

2. Cooperatives
An autonomous association of persons
who voluntarily cooperate for their
mutual social, economic, and cultural
benefit

Other Types of Civil Society

Organizations

3. Social Movements
A social movement is a sustained,
organized collective effort that focuses
on some aspect of social change. They
tend to persist over time more than
other forms of collective behavior

Other Types of Civil Society

Organizations

4. Civic Organizations
Comprised of people who join together
to provide aservice or services to their
community

Other Types of Civil Society

Organizations

5. Professional Associations
A nonprofit organization seeking to
further a particular profession, the
interests of individuals engaged in that
profession, and the public interest

NGO

Peoples
Organizations

Cooperatives
(DOLPHIN) Development
Organization on Livelihood
Program & Harbor
Investment Network MultiPurpose Cooperative
(MANSIVECCO)
Mansilingan Vendors
Credit Cooperative
BANGSAMORO WOMEN
GARMENTS AND
TAILORING SERVICE
COOPERATIVE

Civic Organizations

Professional
Associations