Difference between revisions of "Philippines NGO Sector"
From NGO Handbook
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==1947-1991== | ==1947-1991== | ||
| − | The communist movement emerged right after the Philippines gained independence and it was seriously resisted by the “government, religious organizations, and non-communist NGOs.” | + | The communist movement emerged right after the Philippines gained independence and it was seriously resisted by the “government, religious organizations, and non-communist NGOs.”<ref>ADB 2007:2</ref> The Institute for Social Order was started in 1947; at the same time, many NGOs were focusing heavily on farmers, agriculture, and rural development. In the 1950s, NGOs dedicated to welfare were beginning to network and the Council of Welfare Foundations of the Philippines, Inc. (CWAFPI) was created, an organization that later became known as the National Council for Social Development Foundations (NCSD).<ref>Soledad 2006</ref> |
| − | In 1965, the election of President Ferdinand Marcos was problematic for NGOs because he “envisioned a ‘new society’ in which there was little space for civil society and no tolerance for advocacy NGOs. His administration became increasingly associated with the suppression of civil, human, and political rights.” | + | In 1965, the election of President Ferdinand Marcos was problematic for NGOs because he “envisioned a ‘new society’ in which there was little space for civil society and no tolerance for advocacy NGOs. His administration became increasingly associated with the suppression of civil, human, and political rights.”<ref>ADB 2007:2</ref> This caused NGOs to move underground; they had to join the National Democratic Front or become associated with a church or university institution to shelter themselves.<ref>ADB 2007</ref> |
| − | Marcos’ dictatorship became known as the Martial Law Period (1972-1986). Despite being underground, many NGOs were focusing on social development issues and were strengthening and building relationships with poor communities. Although the NGO community was not that large at the time, the action taken by these organizations focused on similar “ideological forces.” | + | Marcos’ dictatorship became known as the Martial Law Period (1972-1986).<ref>Soledad 2006</ref> Despite being underground, many NGOs were focusing on social development issues and were strengthening and building relationships with poor communities. Although the NGO community was not that large at the time, the action taken by these organizations focused on similar “ideological forces.”<ref>Soledad 2006:1</ref> |
| − | This led to the “Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the Association of Foundations (AF), the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA), the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), the Ecumenical Center for Development (ECD), the National Association of Training Centers of Cooperatives (NATCCO), and the Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PHILDHRRA) [to be] formed.” | + | This led to the “Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the Association of Foundations (AF), the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA), the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), the Ecumenical Center for Development (ECD), the National Association of Training Centers of Cooperatives (NATCCO), and the Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PHILDHRRA) [to be] formed.”<ref>Soledad 2006:1</ref> All of these were NGO networks that united the organizations based on similar community-based programs. |
| − | When Marcos’ regime was overthrown in 1986 (known as the People Power Revolution), CSOs and NGOs began to resurge from underground. | + | When Marcos’ regime was overthrown in 1986 (known as the People Power Revolution), CSOs and NGOs began to resurge from underground.<ref>ADB 2007</ref> During his repressive dictatorship, a lot of international development support came into the Philippines, and when President Corazon Aquino assumed power in 1986 the number of NGOs only increased. In the 1987 Constitution, the government “formally recognized” the roles of NGOs in Filipino society.<ref>Soledad 2006</ref> |
| − | 1992-2000 | + | ==1992-2000== |
From 1992 to 1998, President Fidel Ramos served the Philippines and was highly active in promoting NGO and civil society involvement in politics and public policy. Topics that NGOs addressed, “such as violence against women and the rights of indigenous people” were previously critiqued and labeled “inappropriate for legislation.” Under President Ramos’ term, these issues became common and important subjects debated in legislation. | From 1992 to 1998, President Fidel Ramos served the Philippines and was highly active in promoting NGO and civil society involvement in politics and public policy. Topics that NGOs addressed, “such as violence against women and the rights of indigenous people” were previously critiqued and labeled “inappropriate for legislation.” Under President Ramos’ term, these issues became common and important subjects debated in legislation. | ||
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CONCLUSION | CONCLUSION | ||
| − | The NGO and civil society sector in the Philippines has come a long way in the past two decades. This is largely due to the generally positive government and presidential support they have received. NGOs have been able to network and create partnerships, campaign for reform, and spur sustainable development. In fact, today, the “Philippines is now said to have the most active civil society in Asia.” | + | The NGO and civil society sector in the Philippines has come a long way in the past two decades. This is largely due to the generally positive government and presidential support they have received. NGOs have been able to network and create partnerships, campaign for reform, and spur sustainable development. In fact, today, the “Philippines is now said to have the most active civil society in Asia.” |
== Footnotes == | == Footnotes == | ||
Revision as of 11:18, 9 March 2009
Charity and welfare work in the Philippines dates back to the beginning of colonization.[1] The motivation behind Kawanggawa (“charity”) is based on the notion of Pakikipagkapwa, meaning “to holistically interact with others” and Kapwa, meaning “shared inner self.”[2] When charity and volunteer work are carried out, it is implied that there is “an equal status between the provider of assistance and the recipient,” as exemplified by Damayan—the assisting of peers when in crisis—and Pagtutulungan, which means “mutual self-help.”[3]
These conceptions have acted as a backdrop to the successful development of the large number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the country today.
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