Revision Phase Final

NGOs and Its Participation in Policy-Making | 1
CHAPTER I
PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING
Introduction
As students of Political Science, we have constantly seen how the political curtain
unveils one controversy after another. We have seen how actors became politicians and
politicians became actors in the stage of public service. Early on, we have seen politicians
misrepresent themselves as statesmen and how they flaunt their moves for political
advancement. However, we noticed that socio-civic groups or NGOs have entered the
curtain of politics. Although a congregation of individuals, they collectively behave as
one of the prominent political figures in the government. They have thrust themselves to
check and protect the interest of the citizenry. Like that of corporations with juridical
personality, with an intellect of a collective hive, NGOs have emerged as a political force
to be reckoned with.
Non-Government Organizations have taken the political sphere where and their
presence cannot be ignored. They have actively taken the helm in addressing the most
pressing political issues. NGOs have been in the forefront of the cameras, and front pages
of the news. It is only but natural that we take interest in their activities.
Given the foregoing, our group has taken notice of their presence. However, their
existence has not been actually considered an exact science in our local setting so to
speak. Because of this, our resources are short and scarce. However, this set back has not
deterred us from choosing this subject. To digress a little, we have actually considered
other topics that could have given us a plethora of ideas to work on. Even if these other
subject matters can give us more pages easily, we decided to work on the said topic
because this frontier have been very seldom charted as aptly placed by Scott Peck.
Non-Government Organizations, to put it simply are organizations created outside
the government to tend and answer to certain issues, usually humanitarian in nature.
Supposedly represent the power and initiative civil society possesses in a democratic
government and the novel spirit of man that who seeks to help his fellow. Which is all
well and good, for the more involvement private citizens in public affairs the more
democratic a state seems and the state could use a little extra help. NGOs act as lobbyist,
activist, watchers, patrons, benefactors, organizers and some extra hands for whatever
cause they think is worth their time and effort, and for that they should be commended.
However at the turn of the 21 st century, there was a common perception that
NGOs were beneficial. But now, there seems to a shifting view regarding their
involvement in state matters and their role in present day politics; for as NGOs steadily
rose into power during the last ten years many have begun to question NGOs and some
even begin to denounce them as threats to democracy and state sovereignty. The purpose
of this study is to give an in-depth state study regarding the roles rather the new role
NGOs play in todays political arena their relationship and their dynamics with state, as
well as other institutions, and in re-examining them as formidable political force.
One must also keep in mind that NGOs are not political parties. NGOs, in theory,
are primarily concerned with specific social issues and while they may organize for a
voice in political debate. They do not organize for the sake of winning elections or to gain
access to the corridors of state power. NGOs are rooted in civil society rather than the
state. They may provide assistance or even pay lip service in order to promote political
causes and agendas, but theyre doing to only in pursue of a social end. Apart from that
they, again in theory are completely detach from politics just like the word nongovernment suggests and would preferably having nothing with the whole business.
Background of the study
The entire idea was actually born out of a moments fancy. We were
brainstorming on possible subjects for our group thesis and we decided upon the subject
of NGOs ultimately. We had initially assumed that everything was going to be pretty
simple and that collecting materials for our arguments was going to be easy. It was only
when we were reading up on it more and as our knowledge of the subject matter grew did
we realize as well as reinforce that age old adage that you find out how little you know
the more you know-how intricate the dynamics regarding NGOs and governments really
were and began to find it fascinating.
Its a wonder why in this world so many things, especially those involving people,
are unsure. NGOs are no different; their role in society-whether that of benefactor or pestcant be cut into a single form. Like with everything else involving people we began to
understand that NGOs can take almost any role and any combination of traits imaginable
and can have whatever purpose: grand, obscure or downright silly- they care enough to
raise banners for and call for numbers. Basically, our growing interest in the subject of
NGOs can be explained by this little line: people are fun. Knowing the concept of the
NGOs is a difficult thing to grasp, its because of the nature itself that it is not just another
organization or a group that you can easily predict unlike any traditional organization.
Aside from it, NGOs are a large sector of the society which is diverse (TAFP 2001),
although the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has its list of NGOs in the
Philippines, the lack of a catalog is a constraint in identifying them.
The researchers interest grew even more because of the increase of NGOs
participation on politics- this made the team to pursue the study. Nowadays, NGOs
mushroomed and it seemed like they came out of nowhere. From what the group has
researched so far, this is not the time that NGOs have made their success; it is only
because grassroots politics have come to life again. Their involvement with policy
making is newly recognized,
Statement of the Problem
The research aims to provide a better understanding of Non-governmental

Organizations and the role they play in our political realm, especially in their
involvement in policy making. The focus of this study is on the subject of NGOs and
their involvement in the formulation of policies. Drafting new policies require extensive
amount of research and considerable capital-something which some officials, and sadly,
our own government lacks. NGOs fill in this unfortunate gap and conduct research on
certain subjects, issues, and circumstances upon request by an official or out of their own
volition to assist in the legislative process. Here are few questions that our study will try
to focus on.
1. How and why do NGOs engage in policy-making?

2. What can NGOs do well in legislation? What part in the legislation process
are the NGOs an indispensable part?
3. Are NGOs significant or merely marginal political actors in policy-making?
4. Are there any bad impacts of NGOs participation in policy-making?
5. What do NGOs have at present that affect their long-term participation in
policy-making? What are their weaknesses and limitations?
Hypothesis
As a catalyst of political improvement, we assume that Non-Governmental

Organizations partake of a constructive critic in our political scenery. If NGOs are
players in the political scene then understanding their nature and how they move is
necessary if we are to predict or at least get a good idea of what may happen in the
political playing field in the next few years or possibly even the next decade. As political
scientists, that is our primary purpose. To read between the lines, find or confirm peoples
true intentions, to look for inviolable truths in the subject of human affairs, and to destroy
faulty perceptions.
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) have become an important factor in

policy-making and an indispensable part in modern political affair. They have been very
useful in formulating policies and giving input in every issue that need to be immediately
addressed.
The reason we do so, is because from all these different factors, all these different
elements and circumstances, the researchers can predict possible futures and outcomes so
that we may direct our actions in the most favorable way and therefore increase our
chances of always emerging in the greener side of things. For this particular case, have
decided to focus ourselves into the study of NGOs; to study their role in determining
political circumstance, then from there maybe we can get a picture of how they move,
and their true roles in Philippine politics, and hopefully along the way, get an idea on
what may be in store for the political arena in the next decade.
Theoretical Framework
Non-Government Organization (NGO) has been widely seen in the political

aspect as a face for political change. The numbers of NGOs continuously increase as well
as their prominence as they enter the political arena. The relationship of civil society and
the state give rise to the growing prominence of NGOs in political arena especially in
policy-making. Given the fact that the civil society consist of many interest groups, the
government needs to recognize peoples participation in order for them to minimize their
works and prevent chaos. In order to better understand the action of NGOs toward
politics, we should better understand the theories and perspective regarding civil society
which was presented in the works of different political thinkers. In addition, the theory on
political contentions will also help in this study.
The Notions of Civil Society
Understanding civil society will help explain how it affects NGOs participation
in policy-making. Before they enter the political curtain, they were just merely an
advocacy group promoting the interest of the citizens. Many political thinkers give
different perspective regarding civil society and how they become significant actor in
political change. They present ideas, theory, and concepts that will make us understand
how are these nonpolitical actor became a significant actor in politics.
At first, the notion of civil society is that it is essentially a market society in which
it has its own life independent to political organization (Baccaro, 2001). According to
John Locke, civil society is an arena of self-standing sphere of pre-political activities
(Baccaro, 2001). They usually deal on economic activities in order to accumulate

property. However, the enjoyment of property is difficult in the absence of centralized
authority. For this reason, civil society needs to create a central authority which is the
state. Thus, the participation of the people is needed for the ensuring the effectiveness of
the state to protect the enjoyment of natural rights, especially the right to property.
There are different approaches of the concept of civil society which were use in
early modern Europe and North America, and to the debates of contemporary
governance. Civil society tended to enclose the aspect of commercial society which
they struggle against despotism (Reid, 2008). According to Tocqueville (1988), the
formation and creation of these organization is the response to the process of
democratization. The effects of democratization give greater scope for peoples
participation and they became growing influence in politics. Neo- Tocquevilleans believe
that civil society is the solution to the threats of democracy. Civil society is also
important because they weaken the tendency of rampant individualism, which, according
to Tocqueville, is inherent in democratic societies (Baccaro, 2001).
After the theories of John Locke and Alexis de Tocqueville, we will present the
theory of JugerHabermas in order to further understand civil society. In Habermasian
tradition, civil society is the process in which the people reach to understand issues of
common interest takes place (Baccaro, 2001). Unconstrained communication taking place
within civil society organizations renews the political debate and forces the government
officials to be attentive and responsive to new issues arising at the boundary of the system
(Habermas, 1996). People can participate in politics of deliberation, but the essence of
democratic discussion cannot be widely seen in the process. On the one hand, these
associations contribute to identify new problems and then pass them along to the actors of
institutional politics which process and transform them into policies.
Contentious Politics
During the 20th Century, war, revolution, and disorganization of people occurred
all over the world. Many different actors and identities appear and transform in episodes
of contention. The behavior of the people depends upon the behavior of the society and
state as well. Their ultimate interest lies in the dynamic of processes through which new
political actors, new identities, organizations, and form of actions emerge during episodes
of contention (McAdam et. al, 2004).
Social movements, revolution, ethnic and religious conflict, nationalism, civil
rights and transnational movements are forms of contentious politics presented in the
books of McAdam, Tilly, and Tarrow. This represented how the civil society struggle for
a change in the current status of their environment. The contentious politics is the
episodic rather than continuous event occurs in public which entailed the participation of
the makers of claims, other group which recognized their claims with same interest as
what they are claiming, and the government as mediator, target, or claimant (McAdam,
Tilly, Tarrow, 2004).
N G O s a n d I t s P a r t i c i p a t i o n i n P o l i c y - M a k i n g | 10
Contentious Politics was divided into two subcategories: contained contention and
transgressive contention. Contained contention refers to those cases which all parties are
previously established actors employing well established claims. On the other hand,
transgressive contention is a kind of contention in which grows out of existing contained
contention, that the interaction between the old established one and new claims entitled to
absolute attention. The episodic public events expressing social and political change
often emerges from transgressive contention rather than contained contention.
To explain how the theory of contentious politics came into action here are some
events including Philippines Yellow Revolution. Parisian revolutionary struggles,
American civil rights, Italian postwar conflicts are well known varieties of contentious
politics (McAdam, Tilly, Tarrow, 2004). In the case of the Philippines, the anti-Marcos
mobilization of 1983-1986 was part of political contentions. The movement against the
Marcos administration was known as the Yellow Revolution. The struggle brought new,
mainly elite and middle class group, against the Marcos regime. The assassination of his
rival, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., solidified and broadened the opposition to the regime
and set new challenges. As long as the Marcos administration didnt respond to the
growing and struggle of Filipinos, there were continuous contentions in the society.
Figure 1. The Simple Polity Model (McAdam, Tilly, and Tarrow, 2004)
The theory on political contentions explains how the makers of the claims, which
is the civil society, press and pressure the government, which is the claimants , target, or
mediator, when an issues or problems remained unresolved. The theory somehow gives a
broader perspective and better understanding on what was happening right now in the
society. In addition, this explains how and why do civil society get involve in the political
arena.
Civil society has become a term always present in every debates on politics and
policy making, and used as a subject for categorizing different phenomena occurring in
the society (Reid 2008). It includes the active participation of civil society in policymaking whereas they have been a significant actor.
Civil society is arguably an
indispensable element in a well- functioning democracy. In fact, many issues and

problems of the society are being resolve not only through institutional channels but also
through the help of social movements.
Conceptual Framework
CIVIL SOCIETY
NONGOVERNMENT
ORGANIZATION
CITIZENS
INTEREST
S
GOVERNMENT
POLICYPOLICY/
LEGISLATION
MAKING
The variables are also identified: Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)

(variable A) and the policy-making (variable B). We have set this as our variables,
because of the fact that these two parameters affect each other. One is the dependent
variable (variable B), and the other is the independent (variable A). The perspectives from
our selected sample will correlate them, and it was analyzed on how it affects each other.
We had set citizens interest and policy or legislation as the indicators to avoid further
biases. Both are indicator in the two concepts, because they are both critics of the state
and the society.
Significance of the Study
Non Governmental Organizations have been in the political scene for quite some
time. They have been in the forefront of policy making and major political turn in the
government. Their presences have been felt and will continue to be felt in the coming
regime. Also called civil society, these organizations have become some sort of political
pressure group that may lobby varying interest covering all spectrums of society.
The relevance of this study is to provide an understanding on how Nongovernmental Organizations participate in the politics especially in the policy making.
This research would help many people to understand how vital NGOs are in the society,
thus, it can be a solution to many complexities in our political system. This will also be
helpful in many scholars researching further on the concepts of NGOs as a little
reference for them. Realizing how important they play a role in the policy making, they
are really influential to the policy makers of this country; helping them constructs
policies that are more efficient and substantive.
The researchers believed that participation of NGOs in the process of policy

making is significant as they seemed to be part of the whole, contributing to every bill
passed in the congress. This study gives you a clearer notion on how they play their game
in the political arena.
Scope and Limitations
The study of NGOs and its political participation will be explained in Philippine
context under contemporaneous events. NGOs being the main concept here will be our
focus of study. To best explains the involvement of NGOs in politics, the researcher
focused on the policy-making.
This study provides significant materials and information scrutinizing the

participation of Non Governmental Organizations in the politics as well as their barrier in
the system of policy making in the Philippines. The reviews and content analysis of this
study accommodates the insight into the quality and quantity of NGOs in engaging their
participation in the Philippine politics. The strategies we used to form our outline in this
study can help determine if the NGOs may become the aids or worse comes to worse it
may end up being the hindrance in the policy making process of the Philippines. Many
experts have made a study about the importance of understanding the politics in
disseminating the relationship of NGOs to the political system, also in connection to the
civil society, scholars, and if the scope of the study is within the reach of the target
coverage of the study.
The information regarding the NGOs and political system of the Philippines is
very useful not only for further study in this area but also in a better indulgent of a
particular target group. This shall help in designing interventions for this group and
sending the right message across to the right people through the use of the right medium.
The relationship between the state and the society gives the study two sides of
perspective. One problem has been looked at from many directions before any
conclusions drawn. This study can be used as a base for many further researches as the
data which was pertinent to the objectives of this research paper was used by the
researcher. Various data are available for further research.
Definition of Terms
1. Non-government Organizations
NGOs are private organizations that pursue activities to relieve suffering,

promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic
social services, or undertake community development (World Bank,
2009).
They include many groups and institutions that are entirely or largely
independent of government and that have primarily humanitarian or
cooperative rather than commercial objectives. (Tigno, 1993 )
2. Civil Society
Civil Society refers to the system of social relations based on the

association of people independently of the State and the family which first
emerged in Europe in the seventeenth century.

Civil society is characterized by "free" labor and a commodity market, a
system of law enforcement and voluntary association.
Civil society focuses or emphasizes more on either values or beliefs or

on institutions (Reid, 2008)
3. Civil Society Organization
CSOs refer to different types of non-corporate private voluntary

institutions promoting a variety of public causes that includes NonGovernment Organization (NGO) as one form of CSO, though these two
are taken to mean the same thing (Serrano,1994).
4. Peoples Organization
1987 Constitution defines Peoples Organization (POs) as bona fide

associations of citizens with demonstrated capacity to promote the public
interest and with identifiable leadership, membership, and structure
(Tigno, 1993)
5. Policy-Making
Policy-making has been defined as the process by which governments

translate their political vision into programs and actions to deliver
'outcomes' desired change in the real world (Ogurida, 2009)
6. Lobbying
Lobbying is an act of attempting to influence government decisions, more

often the legislations by any group of people or an individual from the
private sector or corporation (www.dictionary.com)
7. Lobbyist
A person who tries to influence government decisions in behalf of the

interest of the civil society (www.dictionary.com)
8. Political Contentions
Political Contentions mean episodic, public, collective interaction among

makers of claims and objects when (a) at least one government is a
claimant, an object of claims, or a party to the claims, (b) the claims
would, if realized, affect the interest of at least one of the claimants
(McAdam, Tarrow, Tilly, 2004 ).
9. Neo- Tocquivillean
Theorists like Robert Putnam who believes that the key to successful
democracy lies in societal and cultural factors. They see the participation
in the civil society as machinery for producing the patterns of individual
behavior and social interaction necessary for democratic governance
(Berman, 1997).
10. Contained Contention
Contained contention refers to those cases which all parties are previously
established actors employing well established claims. transgressive
contention is a kind of contention in which grows out of existing contained
contention, that the interaction between the old established one and new
claims entitled to absolute attention (McAdam, Tarrow, Tilly, 2004).
11. Transgressive Contention
Transgressive contention is a kind of contention in which grows out of

existing contained contention, that the interaction between the old
established one and new claims entitled to absolute attention (McAdam,
Tarrow, Tilly, 2004).
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
Review of Related Literature and Studies
I.
What we know about the Non-Government Organizations (NGO) in the

Philippines
Non-Government Organizations are organizations that have ingrained

itself into Filipino politics during the course of the last decade. They used to be
nothing more or less than charity organizations but as time went on they have
attained a broad reach of influence that can now influence political decisions and
direction. The state has even taken into using them as auxiliary forces;
augmenting the powers of the state by their cooperation and assistance. We can
expect NGOs to be active in years to come as the political and social landscape
of the Philippines shifts and one can expect that NGOs will play a significant part
in its transformation. The focus of our study will strictly be in the Philippine
context, being that this subject matter is much to be broad to be covered in its
entire. This literature review will discuss on: 1) rise of NGOs to a position of
political influence; 2) relationship of state and NGOs; 3) relationship of NGOs
and POs. 4) the participation of NGOs in the policy making.
Civil Society Organizations (CSO) became fashionable during the United Nations
summits of the 1990s. CSOs refer to different types of non-corporate private voluntary
institutions promoting a variety of public causes that includes Non-Government
Organization (NGO) as one form of CSO, though these two are taken to mean the same
thing (Serrano,1994). NGOs strengthens civil society organizations by advocating and
supporting the reform of the state and to give supplements to the traditional institutions of
democracy such as political parties, trade unions, and the media (Farrington and
Bebbington 1993). During the early 1990s, the title civil society invaded the Philippine
discourse, supersede the changes that happened in the Eastern Europe in the 1980s
(Serrano,1994). Civil society focuses or emphasizes more on either values or beliefs or
on institutions. In the Philippines the use of civil society includes both.
In the Philippines, it is hard to find a concrete count of NGOs or CSOs yet the
number is presumed to be large and growing. On 4 July 1946, Philippines was freed from
its colonizers and attained its independence. During the dictatorship of Marcos, the broad
fields of civil societies were limited; civil, human and political rights are brought down
and as a result, underground organizations seeking for redemocratization was formed.
The latter eventually contributed a lot to end the Marcos regime through the famous
people power revolution of 1986. This gave inspiration for the beginning of the recovery
in civil society. Post-Marcos governments partnered with NGOs in service delivery and
public policy for the reason that strong relationships with poor communities was built up
in the time of dictatorship. Not all of these NGOs formed with charitable and good
intentions, some are formed to advance personal, rather than public welfare. In response
to this, Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO) was formed, CODE-NGO
aims to promote professionalism, expand reach and increase the effectiveness of NGOs.
In other words: CODE-NGO aims to empower civil society-getting people more involved
in social issues and increase the efficiency of NGOs as well to answer to organizations
that have formed in the name of personal interests.
Brought by the challenges of Globalization, a new set of concerns roomed.

Growing numbers of NGO, have conducted wide range of activities, and undertook
measures to resolve these concerns such as implementing sustainable development,
human rights activism, social justice, environmental issues and many more, that are
ignored by the government agencies (Barghouth 1994; Bratton 1989; Chazan 1992;
Fouler 1991; Fox &Henandez 1992; Frantz 1987; Ndegua 1993, 96; Ngethe&kanyinga
1992; Sauyal 1994). NGOs serves as an arena which people help others for reasons other
than profit or politics. Economist and development planners acclaim the role of
associations in alleviating rural poverty and helping communities to adapt to
modernization. The relationship of NGOs to social movement and their capacity to both
empower people and contribute to the alternative discourses of development and
democratization have profound impacts on sustainable development (Fisher 1997). NGOs
have the capacity to efficiently transfer training and skills that guide individuals and
communities to compete in markets. They are also involved in a struggle for ideological
autonomy from the state, political parties and the development apparatus (Friedman
1992, Lind 1992). NGOs politicize issues that were not formerly politicized through the
discourses of development or democratic participation. The reasons why these NGOs
have expanded its role is because of the national problems the government cant easily
address. In addition, the expansion of NGOs is also the result of the personal interests of
politicians because they notice how effective NGOs are. They are being used as
machinery to advocate politicians interests.
In the political space created by the political actors, new concerns have
mushroomed brought by globalization, contests, and also by the failure of states.
Growing numbers of groups entered the scene, thus overtaking the governmental
functions of the state. According to the work of fisher (1997), there is a realization of
NGOs becoming a potential in development planning, policy making and activism,
however there are few studies on the impact of NGOs on the relations of power among
individuals, communities, and the state, and thus this literature is limited only as there is
little discourse on the study of NGO practices (Fisher 1997) in resolving problems of
social welfare, service delivery and democratization. But few works from different
scholars presented some little knowledge on this.
Scholars have reexamined the role of non-government organization to the society,

as well as the relationship of State and NGOs (Fisher, 1997). NGOs have become an
important arena of activities in politics. These institutions have provided opportunities
and developed a political role independent from the main political organizations in the
Philippines. Organizations help in complementing government services and in building
civil society. However, it is still debatable whether they are independent on the structure
of government. There are some instances that NGOs are notably seen in political process
and sometimes involve themselves in the policy making.
Critics have foreseen that NGOs benefit the expanding diverse society like providing
training for those who are less fortunate, in order to cope up and engage into competence,
as a result, greater participation can be achieved, thus, democratization can be more

appreciated (Fouler,1991; Frantz 1987 &Hyden, 1998). In this process, people are
educated in the sense that they are being informed about the existing problems of the
society. As Alexis de Tocqueville stated, NGOs strengthen and improve interest of the
civil society. De Tocqueville distinguished the relationship between the political
associations organized independently on the state. NGOs as an institution that is
autonomous local-based organization that is necessary for decentralizing and
participatory system of the state. These institutions coincide with the power of mass and
counter-hegemonic organizations and the declining appeal of coherent class-based
political characters. They committed to relief and welfare activities; improve small-scale
local development projects and reforming both national and international political
empowerment.
NGOs beg to be considered nonpolitical but their political nature can hardly be
denied. The development of NGOs in the Philippines can be rooted from the political
aspect, specifically during the time of dictatorship. NGOs traditional role in politics is
mainly advocacy in which they promote popular interest and agendas. Whenever the
issues take on a more comprehensive scope, NGOs may play front line roles in the
advocacy efforts together with other cross-oriented groups (Alegre 1996). NGOs such
as mass media tend to popularized issues and campaigns and tend to influence decision
makers.
Philippines is an example of a developing country, wherein the civil society is

strong and possesses high degree of clientelism and semi-clientelism. Activism and
reformation have been an important agenda in the late 17 th century and latter 20th century
(San Juan and Alegre 1996). This time, substantial efforts made by POs joined force with
NGOs. This section examines the relationship of non-governmental organizations and
Peoples organization with the state.
The politically left-of-center development nongovernment organizations and

peoples organizations have attempted to crossover to state positions in order to
implement social and economic reforms (Reid 2008).
Ben Reid argues that the
Philippine experience suggest that some NGOs and POs, far from challenging issues of
defined semiclientilism, are themselves in these very relationship. Engagement with the
state brings explicit dilemmas and proposes that activist political groups would be better
served by being observant of the structural and historical constraints that constantly set
limits on the capacities for intervention in policy making in order to achieve social and
political changes. Thats why NGOs and POs personnel are sometimes advised to enter
government positions because the state cannot manage to resolve the growing dilemmas
of the society.
In contrast to the Tocquevilleans, Gramscis conceptual approach on explaining

the involvement of NGOs and POs is in the civil society in which he locates as a central
component of traditional relationships of power. The power being talked about is the
clientilism and semiclientilism existing in the society. The weak nature of dominant
section of class interests meant that these interests had to rely upon civil society to
stabilize social relationship. The dependence of section of class interest to the society
will result as the clientilist relation. The conflicting interests of different classes will
cause chaos on ideologies. Similar features of this kind of relation are clearly evident in
NGOs and POs. Conflict constantly takes place within this field, NGOs and POs, are
invariably spheres of contestations between competing ideologies. The state and the
historical bloc can adopt discourses of good governance on the field of works of NGOs
and POs. In this process, NGO and PO leaders can be co-opted to give the appearance of
legitimacy to the state and political elite.
The policy making is often undervalued, yet it is a vital course of action in the
city, municipalities, provinces, and at the national level. Policy making determines what
services will be provided to the residents and the level of those services, what kinds of
development will occur in the community, and it determines what the communitys future
will be. Public policies are guide to decision making of a state, be it a city, town, province
or a country. These policies are based on a consultation which the law making body have
agreed upon governments are consulting their constituents. This process is a complex
one, which requires the very best of the legislators.
In the international policy making, different actors are involved in the process.
According to the work of GeorgetaNae in NGOs engagement in International Public
Policy Making, it is necessary to know the actors involved: public actors and private
actors - which NGOs belong. And so with the Philippines, there are public and private
actors too, one is from the government, on the other hand, belongs from the private
sector. These two actors are the key players in the making of public policy, but how do
these two actually get themselves connected in the process? Legislative body are vested
with the power to make laws, therefore, they directly participate in the process.
How NGOs get involved in the policy making?
Non Governmental Organizations have been active since their very beginning in
different socio civic activities. Brought by the changes of globalization, NGOs have
entered the world of policy making. NGOs are really been effective in delivering welfare
and services in many parts of the world, indeed, these organizations have supported
marginalized sector of the country (Miller, 1994). Their efforts are an improvement for
the economic, social, ecological, and political.
With the transition of true democracy in 1986, Filipinos and many organizations
began playing major roles in the policy making, mainly according to Miller (1994),
because of two factors: 1. the Aquino administration paved way for the civil society to
participate in the policy making by the 1987 constitution and 1991 LGC 2. the
continuing government obstacles that groups encountered when trying to promote more
equitable and sustainable approaches to development. As the voice of the unheard, NGOs
are there to represent them. Just as the state failed to require their citizens satisfaction,
NGOs had the chance to penetrate the political sphere, or more specifically in the policy
making process. Filipino NGOs increasingly identified political obstacles that blocks
their work and saw opportunities for actual influences, they place policy advocacy
above other agendas (Miller, 1994). In particular, NGOs are able to introduce new set of
issues to public agenda - concerns which are not acquiescent to political action
(Silliman,1998).
Policy Making Process

1. Agenda Setting
The political agenda is set by the government, but can also be shaped by
NGOs thru campaigns, and lobbying for issues, needs and concerns.
2. Drafting
This step in policy making is drafting bills regarding on the agenda they
have set for. Usually, the policy making formally starts here. Here,
NGOs are involved in areas such as problem identifying, proposing
solutions and researching (INGO OING, 2009). Consultation is the key
element in this stage.
3. Decision
At this very crucial moment of the process, forms of political decisiontaking differ according on the national perspective and legislation (INGO
OING, 2009). Common characteristics are the organization of a
government policy directive a legislation, such as passing a law by public
referendum or parliamentary vote, which requires enabling legislation.

NGOs are open to participate and should be involved in the decision
making since, they are part of the civil society, and the government is
mandated to encourage civil society in the policy making. Public
authorities evaluate the different views and opinions before the decision is
taken. When bills are approved by the congress which is the law making
body of the government, it goes to the executive for approval. When the
law is vetoed, it goes back to the legislative branch for review, and after
measures have taken, the bill will now become a law or a public policy.
4. Implementation
NGOs are very active in this stage. Much of the work done by the NGOs
in the previous steps is to influence and to make sure that they will
legislate policies efficiently. In this phase, they make sure that the outcome
will be fulfilled. NGOs are focused in awareness building, public
awareness raising, and explanations of advantage and disadvantages or the
impact of such policy.
5. Monitoring
NGOs participation does not end in the implementation alone, at this
point; NGOs are monitoring the outcomes of the implemented policy.
They make sure, the purpose of the policy is achieved.
II.
What we need to know about NGOs?
Given the history of NGO and how it was formed, the perplexity of its creation
should be answered in view of its context in the local setting. They have virtually been in
all facets of government and our society. NGOs have been involved with social services
working hand in hand with Peoples Organization and the Government itself to promote
better standards of living.
But this aspect is merely one of the many socio-political fields they have parked their
channels at. NGOs can be seen delving into law and policy making as one of the
component part of Governance. NGOs have been considered a political pressure group
which can be an ally or a strong adversary for politicians depending on their stand and the
interests affected. NGOs have sprouted from the grass roots and reached out to the most
influential echelons of society.
Therefore in order to formulate and answer what we really need to know about
NGOs, we need to rise from the mundane levels of our perception and actually
understand what makes these groups thick and tick. Considering our level in the
thresholds of the academe, as college students we are limited by mass media and the
books that are readily made available by the internet and local respectable libraries.
NGOs have been shrouded for the longest time and their existence seems to have caught
very little interest among society. Despite their clamor and the righteous cause they lobby
for, our generation has perceived the NGOs with scant consideration. It is therefore
imperative not only to know their cause but how they get their message across. With this
in mind let us construct plausible questions and issues that may be hurled to the cauldron
of knowledge as what we need to know, to wit:
1.
We need to know what areas have been scaled by the NGOs and what
areas of our socio-political environment they still need to enter or
improve.
In the Philippines, there is an NGO involved in helping the urban poor. There
is an NGO involved in organizing workers and upholding their interest. There is
an NGO keeping a close eye on the standards of the government. There is an
NGO delving into the complexity of policy making in various levels of the
government from the LGU up to the Senate and House of Representative. There is
an NGO extending its hands for education and child welfare. There is an NGO
upholding women and childrens rights.
In all of these aspects and facades of politics, there is always an NGO that can
be identified maintaining their interest as well as the people specifically they cater
to. According to the Philippine Council for NGO Certification, there are several
areas of concern these Organizations have engaged into including but not limited
to the following:
a.
Athletic, Character Building, Youth and Sports Development.
b.
Charitable
c.
Cultural
d.
Education
e.
Environmental
f.
Grant-making
g.
Health
h.
Micro Finance
i.
Non-formal Education
j.
NGO Network
k.
Rehabilitation of Veterans
l.
Religious
m.
Research
n.
Social Development
o.
Social Welfare
p.
Training
Considering the number of areas these NGO have already engaged in, we are
left with the voluminous task of identifying NGOs that have considerable
influence and effect on each of the subject. However, the list of NGOs (over
60,000) and their actual number presents a very trivial value. Hence, choosing a
field that is close to politics should be a more intelligent approach in the matter.
At the moment, our political arena seems to have a plethora of issues related
to Social Welfare, Peace and Order, and Corruption. A more viable choice of field
would definitely include Social Development, social Welfare, and the NGO
Network.
Aside from the foregoing, we should also seek other fields that NGOs should
penetrate and consider as a strong partner of the Government in Nation Building.
Given the list above, we will compare the said enumeration with relevant social
issues plaguing current politics to determine if these areas are enough and all
socio-political bases are covered. Verily, we would monitor current events
scenarios and check if said area has been considered and covered in the
abovementioned list.
2. We need to know the role of these groups in the government?

What precisely is the role of an NGO in the Government? It hardly seems in
consonance considering that they are non-government in nature. They are
basically out of the governmental hierarchy, but we need to know how they
interact and intertwine as a factor in nation building.
NGOs have spawned in the time of former Presidents Aquino and Ramos.
NGOs have been a part of policy making by being consulted in each policy which
have been cued for implementation by various Local Government Units. This
comes in the form of public consultation.
Whenever a local government unit intends to enact a policy to improve service

towards its constituents, various NGOs are invited and consulted especially if it
will affect the constituents of interest. Consequently, NGO have been a partner in
Good Governance by effectively conveying the needs of their area of interest.
In passing the Reproductive Health Bill, NGOs involved in the area of

Religion and Social Welfare have been consulted. This is one of the methodology
of policy analysis that aid the legislatures analyze policy relevant information.
With this method employed, the government is sure to see both spectrums of the
bill and how it will affect each side of the coin.
NGOs can actually inject their own interest in policy making. They can
directly contact legislators and air their grievances. If the legislator deems it fit,
their proposal shall be considered and the appropriate study for it shall inevitably
be conducted.
Likewise, a legislator may call upon several NGOs concerned with their
proposal to help them lobby for the said cause. Hand in hand with media, NGOs
have been known to steal the limelight and effectively push for their cause over
multi mass media network. This gives a boost to legislation.
According to Ira Sharkanskys Model, NGOs have involved themselves in

between Input stage and Output stage of policy making. They continually make
their presence felt and raise the needs of their constituent or area of interest during
the administrative process of creating their policy.
Aside from being consulted by in policy making, NGOs have been known to
be a force to reckon with in checking political issues. Using the same means to
lobby for their cause, NGOs have the ability to question and hold in check the
conduct of government officials. The number and influence of NGOs have
become a political pressure group involved in the dynamics of politics. It is
therefore important to have a more in-depth view as well as identifying the issues
of the NGO.
If we view the political set up of the government, we can readily see that there
are various players in the Political Environment. We have decided to delineate the
field into two sides namely: Government Based Environment and the Outside
Government Environment.
Government Environment consists of the Executive, Judiciary, and Legislative

branches including independent bodies forming part of the Government. On the
other hand, Outside Government Environment would include the NGOs, Public
Organizations, Private Sectors, Public-Private Partnership, the constituents, and
International Relations.
It is likewise paramount to understand how both environments collide and

cohere as an integral part of one complex primordial soup of political interest.
Understanding their relationship and knowing the role of the NGO becomes more
relevant because it will help us determine the next question which begs to answer
the benefits we can derive from their existence.
Lastly, NGOs have been known to act as watch dogs in the government and
they constantly check the spectacles of government transparency. This is one role
of the government that should be considered noteworthy of correlation in
consonance with good governance.
3. We need to know the benefits that can be derived from the existence of
these groups.
Knowing the role of NGO should be coupled with determining the benefits we
can actually derive from them. However, there is really no way to gauge the
benefits they rightfully provide because the spectrum of interest and area NGOs
covered is too vast. However, based on the chosen area mentioned above, we can
narrow down the role and the effect of several NGO to gauge their value.
The degree of benefits would also vary from the perspective of the person
affected. For instance, students who have not yet experience most of the walks of
life can hardly relate to the causes and benefits which Agricultural NGOs have
been fighting for. It is therefore a more prudent step to make a limited approach of
methodology to the topic and hopefully come up with a general conclusion from
the chosen areas of interest.
NGOs have been also known to extend help and use their resources in favor of
the less fortunate, the elderly, and other areas where the government fall short of
help for citizen and society in general. This is an instant and apolitical benefit
which can be derived from the NGOs. This should also be highlighted and
considered with high regard in order to understand the nature and benefits we can
derive from NGOs.
4. We also need to know their organizational structure including their funding

and subsistence.
Every group has to have a system of administering its affairs. It has to have a
set of officers that run the said organization. Considering that NGOs have been
known to shape the system of government and politics as we know it, it would
also be relevant to know how they are organized and how they operate.
In the same light, each organized group cannot actually perform without any
operational cost to reckon with. Therefore, the financial system and how they
source their funding should be considered in our topic. How and where they get
their funding becomes relevant to us because the magnitude of their operation is
directly proportional with their resources and funding.
6. We need to know how these groups interact among each other and who
regulate these groups including the disciplinary process in case of
abuse or violations.
There are several NGOs involved in a particular interest. We should therefore

determine how they attain their ends. The possibility of partnership is actually not
remote, however, in cases where their interest conflict in a certain area should be
considered as very relevant.
As mentioned in our earlier example, religious groups and social welfare

groups could not help but run conflict with each other as regards the reproductive
health bill. How these are resolved or if they are settled at all appear to be relevant
in our topic.
7. We need to know the political inclination of these groups and how they
float among other bodies that shape the future of our country.
Most NGOs have been clearly criticizing the government and continuously act
as the watchdog as regards the standards of the government. As a result, most
NGOs have been perceived as left leaning and not pro government. This is a
natural side effect of being in consistently a contra pose to balance the wheels of
good governance.
Knowing their political inclination becomes a part of our mission to

understand the role of NGOs in the Political environment to ascertain their
motive.
With this in mind, we can readily see if their movement are merely reactionary or
genuinely pro people or whatever area they intend to protect.
NGOs have been seen in the news as front-liners in criticizing as well as openly
opposing the government. It is therefore important to determine their real agenda in order
to size up their real role. Are they genuine allies of the people or just another enemy of
the government opening other venues for their causes?
With these questions in mind, we should get a better view and understanding of the
NGOs. However, the process at how to arrive at the answers is a very tedious process.
Methods to attain the ends of the quandary should be employed considering that these
issues are sensitive and often time hidden from the prying eyes of the public.
Our group intends to employ by way of methodology the conduct of interviews,

among others, combined with contextual research among available books which we have
already scouted, Including but we would not limit our references to political science and
public administration books. We also intend to use relevant current events indicator such
as newspapers and the internet to aid us in arriving at the answers for each respective
questions.
After having answered most of the foregoing, we hope to have a deeper

understanding of NGOs. As political Scientist, this knowledge would arm us not only
with predicting the political climate but also understand how the political chess board of
the government actually works knowing how and why the political chess piece called
NGOs move in the manner they do.
Synthesis
Despite the name, NGOs are political organizations. Organizations that can form
out of any cause under the sky and have extended their influence to almost every single
imaginable aspect of Filipino life; their power and influence is undeniable-they are
literally involved in everything-while one NGO may only be involved in only one
particular issue; collectively speaking, the sheer number of NGOs that are involved in the
vast number of possible rally points have made the NGOs one of todays great political
movers. This growing power may be what led the creation of the CODE-NGO which
serves as guideline (but certainly not a rulebook) for NGOs on how to organize and work
more efficiently: they needed rules now. With power comes a certain need for discipline-a
newly budding organization can work without them just fine, but when you get past a
certain point in the organizations growth that it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain
order over its numbers. As such, the fact that some people have decided to suggest certain
codes of procedure for NGOs are a testament to their growing influence in society-
especially during the last 10 years or so( or to be more in tune with our context, during
the Aquino and Ramos administrations). It seems to be an inescapable truth that any
organization will inevitably be involved in politics at some point; but that aside, NGOs
and other civil organizations, become much more understandable when they are looked at
as political groups-they are pushing for certain interests that they wish to realize; these
can range from the personal to the communal and being that they are born out of civil
initiative dealing with them can be tricky. They also have access to certain powers which,
though not official, the reality of how the Philippine political system works firmly allows
them to possess.
There can be many interpretations for this phenomenon: such as the fact that the
Philippine government is relatively weak while its society is quite strong which of course
leads to conflicts and maintains an air of friction between the two wills, and according to
the our findings it that society is winning-for good or bad, it appears to be the people who
are truly calling the shots, which again adds to the reason of why NGOs are currently
flourishing. The state grows weaker as NGO grow stronger. But as the NGOs usually do
a much better job at certain things than the government; the government relies on them
quite often. It is speculated, that this might cause a problem along the way as it forms a
degenerative pattern: the state will grow weaker and weaker until eventually it will be the
NGOs who holds true power. Or rather, to use a different term, it will be private groups
and collectives, who determine how public policy is to be made and executed- the NGOS
grow stronger which is bad for the state in consideration, especially if they cannot but as
the state cannot perform certain services due to certain realities they employ the help of
NGOs who happily do the job. As this continues, what was feared becomes the reality
and the government is made dumb and useless while the NGOs, who as private interest
groups often conflict with the interests of other different groups, which at some cases
have little hope of compromise. Further study into this theory might be required and the
points made here a source of meditation.
CHAPTER III
METHODS AND PROCEDURE
Research Design
In order to provide a better understanding on this matter, this research

study on NGOs and its Participation in Policy-Making provided a descriptive type of
research in order to offer you an overview of our research design and the methodologies.
This research utilized both descriptive and exploratory research methods in the conduct
of the study. Descriptive research is a method used to obtain information relating to the
current status of an issue or phenomenon to describe what exists within the variables or
conditions of the situation. This allowed us to familiarize ourselves on the concepts of the
problems under study. We employed descriptive research in order for us to support our
hypotheses as well as the significance of this study, and exploratory research as it tries to
attempt the political participation of NGOs especially in policy-making and to political
development. This allowed our study the flexibility in conducting data gathering, research
analysis and interpretation of gathered information.
This study is a qualitative research that attempts to accumulate existing

information and data regarding on the participation in policy-making of NGOs in the
present time. The researchers used a qualitative type of data to give details on the matters.
Trochim (2006) stated that a key reason for qualitative research is to investigate and
become more experienced with a particular phenomenon of the researchers interests in
order to deliver a detailed description.
Sources of Data
The data that we used in this research study are primary and secondary data. To
accomplish this, we had identified the primary data and as well as secondary data that we
used in this study. The primary data that we used are the facts that we gathered through
an interview. Existing literature reviews are our secondary type of data. Major works
from different authors were used here to verify the data gathered and to come up with
preliminary ideas regarding the research problem. Literatures on Theories and Practices
on political contentions, as well on NGOs, are one of the secondary data we already have.
A qualitative analysis shall be included in this section to further verify the literatures in
relation with the research problems.
Gathering Procedures
The data gathering procedure that was conducted was by means of series of
research and interview. Limitations are also applicable in our methodologies; we opt to
resort by means of libraries, online journals, books, working paper, and case study. We
used these materials in order to provide better analysis for this research. Outside the
scopes and limitations of this study will not be subject to any forms of methods we had
employed, because of the mere fact that it is just a waste of time and effort. All the data,
facts, and information that were gathered and collected were analyzed and studied.
Respondents
Our respondents are from Congress and Non- Government Organizations,

Kalayaan Foundation Incorporated and KABAKA Foundation in particular. We had
interviewed two representatives from the legislative branch namely Cong. Amado S.
Bagatsing of 5th District of Manila and Cong. Bienvenido Benny M. Abante Jr. From
the side of the Non- Government Organization we have Mr. Roberto G. Brillante Sr.,
president of Kalayaan Foundation Incorporated, and Mr. Carlito Guiang, executive

director of KABAKA Foundation.
Research Instrument
To achieve pertinent information, series of interviews were conducted. On the

interview, we divided it into two parts following our conceptual frameworks; the political
development and the civil society. We asked them about the civil society, NGOs, its role
in policy-making and how they influence the policies. Selected persons and entities
selected as our sample. We selected persons who are knowledgeable about the topic,
specifically on NGOs, political contentions, and on the state-society relations; as we aim
to determine if NGOs participation in policy-making is important in shaping the laws.
Their perspectives, views or sentiments were evaluated and analyzed. The data that we
gathered helped us in elucidating the truth; moreover, this validated or at least supported
our statement of the problem.
CHAPTER IV
PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
Table 1. SIGNIFICANT NGO IMPACT AREAS
Public Policy
Public Program
The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA)

(R.A. 8371)
recognize, protect and promote the rights of indigenous

cultural communities/ indigenous people, creating a
national commission on indigenous peoples, establishing
implementing mechanisms, appropriating funds
National Integrated Protected Areas System

(R.A. 7586)
Integrated social forestry, reforestation, integrated

protected area systems management, coastal resources
management, wild life conservation, patrolling and
enforcement of law against illegal logging and fishing,
sloping agricultural land technology.
Antitrust Law (Senate Bill 123)
Urban Development Act of 1992

Violence Against Women and Childrens Act
National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009
Peoples Participation in Budget

Deliberations Act of 2010
R.A. 9502 or Cheaper Medicine Act

R.A. 9710 or Magna Carta of Women
Women in Developing and NationBuilding Act (R.A. 7192)
Prohibition of monopolies, attempt to monopolize an

industry or line of commerce, manipulation of prices of
commodities, asset acquisition and interlocking
memberships in the board of directors of competing
corporate bodies and price discrimination
among
customers
Development and continuing urban development and
housing program
Protective measures for victims, prescribing penalties for
the aged, battered children, and women.
Conservation of the national cultural heritage,
strengthening the national commission for culture and the
arts (NCCA), and its affiliated cultural agencies, and for
other purposes.
Participation of bona fide peoples organization (POs) and
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in the
deliberation of the annual budget in congress and local
government units (LGUs)
Cheaper and quality medicines.
Elimination of discrimination against women by
recognizing, protecting, fulfilling and promoting the rights
of Filipino women, especially those in the marginalized
sectors
Integration of women as full and equal partners of men in
development and nation building
Constructed by the researchers based on the interview with Cong. Amado S. Bagatsing,
Cong. Benny M. Abante, and Mr. Brillante.
As one sees in the table presented, the NGOs are involved in the number of social
issues that together encompasses almost the whole of the Philippine problem in general.
Theres a Non-Government Organization for every problem and this has, in turn, made
the NGOs a very tangible presence in our current world. Because of this we can also infer
from the data since NGOs are such a huge influence on some of our most deeply held
issues (some rooted in the very fundamentals of Filipino culture) the role of NGOs are
unlikely to fade anytime soon.
The table was constructed by the researchers based on the interview and available
data that were gathered in the research study. It shows selected public policies that were
being implemented in the Philippines and the public programs that are address by these
policies. The policies presented were based on the interviews conducted during the
research study. We used these policies to give the readers an overview on how NGOs
have been an effective actor in policy-making and how they formulate the policies based
on the advocacy they are promoting.
The table shows how NGOs can be significant actor in policy-making. They have
able to passed laws that will probably help the needs of the people. These selected laws
show that NGOs provide for effective policies that will address the problems that the
government can barely solve by their own. Thats why the number of Non-Government
Organizations are continuously increasing and their involvement is irrefutable.
In addition, the table shows how NGos can be useful in helping the government
address different problems and could assist in the development of the nation. As one
NGO tackles each of these issues, the country grows one problem less strong.
Table 2.NGOs Participation in Policy-Making on the Perspective of the Policy- Maker

and the Non-Government Organization.
Policy-Maker (Cong. Amado S.
Non-Government Organization-
Bagatsing)
KABAKA (Mr.CarlitoGuiang)
Non-Government
Organizations
serve
as NGOs go to a certain congressman and suggest
resource person in Congress for the formulation or recommend some policies on a specific area,
of policies.
e.g. Health, Education, Women empowerment.
Non-Government Organizations can draft their Non-Government Organizations can directly
own policy and present it to the Congress.
participate in policy-making through the party
list system.
The Policy-Maker consulted the NGOs to NGOs go to the congress and lobby their
pursue their own interest.
advocacy to a certain congressman with similar

interest.
Some NGOs used to support politicians in order NGOs create party list in order for them to
for them to be appointed in office and involve directly participate in the policy-making.
themselves in policy-making.
Constructed by the researchers based on the interview with Cong. Amado S. Bagatsing
and Mr. Carlito Guiang.
This table was constructed by the researcher based on the interview with Cong.
Amado S. Bagatsing and Mr. CarlitoGuinag. Their insights and information that were
given during their interview were used to construct the table. KABAKA Foundation is
one of the NGOs that Congressman Bagatsing is supporting or rather KABAKA is
affiliated to the representative of the 5th District of Manila. The researchers interview the
two to better understand the relationship of the legislative branch which is the Congress
and the Non-Government Organizations.
The participation of Non-Government Organizations in policy- making in the

perspective of these two men are significantly important. Congressman Bagatsing and
Mr. Guiang presented their insights and opinion regarding the participation of NGOs in
policy-making with the positive thoughts. Being with the both side of advocacy,
Congressman Bagatsing and Mr. Guiang somehow presented different thoughts on how
NGOs are involve in the formulation of policy. They have viewed NGOs participation in
a different way but it doesnt mean that their ideas are contradicting with each other.
Because their heart belongs to the low-level of society, they know what is best.
They are far more experienced than us, thats why usually enacted comes from a resource
person which is NGOs in this aspect, they help the government.
Congressman Amado Bagatsing is affiliated to a non-government organization
called KABAKA Foundation. The said organization was established to help highly
marginalized sector of the society like the poor people. They help less fortunate people in
the field of education, health, burial assistance and also financial assistance. Giving
scholarships are one of their activities.
As regards to policy making, Congressman Bagatsing held that KABAKA is not
involve in the policy making directly, instead as representative, proposals form his
organization will be included in his inputs.
Policy proposal NGOs made their spot in engaging in policy making. There are
lots of NGOs who does this style, like CHREBA, a professional group active in housing
projects and development. Often, these groups of professionals come to their advocacies.
It is up to the congressman to adopt their proposal; congressmen only entertain proposals
that are in accordance with their own interest and if so, there is a high probability that
these proposals will be brought to the congress for embracing these new concepts.
Specific House Bills were persecuted By Congressman Bagatsing: Urban
Development Act of 1992, Women in Developing and Nation-Building Act, and National
Integrated Projected Areas System Act. NGOs were involved in creating such bills; their
participation is recognized by the constitution. (Bagatsing, 2011)
As the representative of 5th district of Manila, Bagatsing have notices that they
have penetrated into the political scene. Though, Congressman Bagatsing is not
generating all NGOs, some of them are being used by politicians in exchange for a
position in the government. He sternly asserted that, NGOs should fight for their
advocacies and should not be blinded by all these temptations, a real NGO is objective
not subjective
Upon their little access to the policy making, they have merely affected the
process, even though by invitation, they sometimes put the government into pressure
especially coming from credible NGOs.
According to Congressman Bagatsing, Non-Government Organizations can serve

as a resource person in the formulation of policies through invitation. He discussed how
NGOs participate in policy-making and how they promote their advocacy and be
included in the policy. Non- Government Organizations can also draft their own bill and
lobby it to the Congress. He also added that the Congressmen consulted NGOs to acquire
input needed in the policy that they need to draft in order to address the problems of their
constituents. But there is a negative thing in that, Congressman Bagatsing said that
certain congressman only consulted these NGOs to pursue and protect their personal
interest. This act of consultation is only for acquiring the support of the people. If there is
congressman that uses NGOs for their own interest, there are also NGOs that used to
support politicians in order for them to be appointed. The latter is a good thing because
these NGOs asked for position in order for them to engage in the drafting and
formulating policies.
From the practical view of Congressman Amado Bagatsing, NGOs and lawmakers relationship is sometimes mutual. NGOs need them or the other way around;
sometimes conflict arises between them. Not all the time, NGOs can respond to the needs
of the marginalized sector, they represent, they sometimes fail. To know whats best, it is
a must to weigh the pros and cons. There are two things that must be considered at this
instance: when one treat it as either too personal or different point of views.
On the side of the Non-Government Organizations, Mr. Carlito Guiang started to

present ideas by discussing how NGOs at present be involve in the policy-making
process. According to him, NGOs can directly participate in Congress through the partylist system and they can elect their own representative in Congress. Other NGOs that
cannot participate in the election as a party-list can suggest or recommend some policy to
a certain congressman with similar advocacy in order for them to be heard in Congress.
These representatives serve as their voices in the Congress during the policy formulation.
He discussed how the party-list system creates opportunities to Non-Government
Organizations in the policy-making. Unlike before, wherein there was no party-list
system, NGOs were merely an advocacy group in which they can participate in politics
through campaign, advocacy program, and support groups.
We can see how the interaction between the policy-maker and the NonGovernment Organizations happens during the formulation of policies. The interviews
show that there is a big impact on policy-making if these NGOs participate in policy-
making. Congressman Bagatsing and Mr. Guiang have similar standpoint on how and
why NGOs engage in policy-making and their importance in the policy being
implemented.
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) are indispensable actor in policy-making

because they are the one who can oversee the problems of the community. The state
cannot deny the fact that these NGOs really help them in solving the primary problem of
the government. By engaging in the formulation of policies, NGOs can voice out the
grievances of the people in Congress. As what we can see in the present situation, the
government and the private sector help each other to provide effective programs for the
people.
Table 3. Laws that were passed with the help of Non- Government Organizations
1.
LAWS
DESCRIPTION
Antitrust
Law (Senate
Bill 123)
An Act
prohibiting
monopolies,
attempt to
monopolize an
industry or line
of commerce,
manipulation of
prices of
commodities,
asset acquisition
and interlocking
memberships in
the board of
directors of
competing
DATE OF
PROPOSAL
DATE
PASSED/ENACTMENT
June 30, 2007
April 29, 2009
NGOs
INVOLVED
2.
3.
4.
5.
Urban
Development
Act of 1992
(R.A. 7271)
Women in
Developing
and NationBuilding Act
(R.A. 7192)
National
Integrated
Protected
Areas
System Act
(R.A. 7586)
THE
INDIGENO
US
PEOPLES
RIGHTS
ACT (IPRA)
(R.A. 8371)
corporate bodies
and price
discrimination
among
customers,
providing
penalties
therefor, and for
other purposes.
An Act to
provide for a
comprehensive
and continuing
urban
development and
continuing urban
development and
housing
program,
establish the
mechanism for
its
implementation,
and for other
purposes.
An Act
promoting the
integration of
women as full
and equal
partners of men
in development
and nation
building and for
other purposes.
An Act
providing for the
establishment
and management
of national
integrated
protected areas
system, defining
its scope and
scope and
coverage, and
for other
purposes.
An Act to
recognize,
protect and
promote the
rights of
indigenous
cultural
communities/
July 22, 1991
March 24, 1992
GawadKalinga
(GK) and
Habitat for
Humanity
(HfH)
February 12, 1992
GABRIELA
Womens Party
July 22, 1991
June 1, 1992
Haribon
July 28, 1997
October 29, 1997
PAFID,
Anthrowatch,
6.
7.
8.
R.A. 9502
Cheaper
Medicine Act
R.A. 9710
Magna
Carta of
Women
National
Cultural
Heritage Act
indigenous
people, creating
a national
commission on
indigenous
peoples,
establishing
implementing
mechanisms,
appropriating
funds therefor,
and for other
purposes.
An Act
providing for
cheaper and
quality
medicines,
amending for the
purpose
Republic Act
No. 8293 or the
Intellectual
Property Code,
Republic Act
No. 6675 or the
Generics Acts of
1988, and
Republic Act
No. 5921 or the
Pharmacy Law,
and for other
purposes.
The Magna
Carta of Women
is a
comprehensive
women's human
rights law that
seeks to
eliminate
discrimination
against women
by recognizing,
protecting,
fulfilling and
promoting the
rights of Filipino
women,
especially those
in the
marginalized
sectors.
An Act
providing for the
protection and
Assisi
Foundation,
and Mangyan
Mission, Inc.
September 4,
2007
June 6, 2008
July 28, 2008
August 14, 2009
GABRIELA
of 2009
9.
Peoples
Participation
in Budget
Deliberations
Act of 2010
10. VAWC (RA

9262)
conservation of
the national
cultural heritage,
strengthening the
national
commission for
culture and the
arts (NCCA),
and its affiliated
cultural
agencies, and for
other purposes.
An Act
institutionalizing
the participation
of bona fide
peoples
organization
(POs) and NonGovernment
Organizations
(NGOs) in the
deliberation of
the annual
budget in
congress and
local
government
units (LGUs),
providing
effective
mechanisms
therefor, and for
other purposes.
An Act defining
violence against
women and their
children,
providing for
protective
measures for
victims,
prescribing
penalties
therefore, and
for other
purposes.
July 27, 2009
September 20,
2010
July 28, 2003
March 26, 2010
Henares of the
Heritage
Conservation
Society
June 1, 2011
Alternative
Budget
Initiative (ABI)
(Consolidated/Substituted
in the Committee Report)
March 8, 2004
GABRIELA,
FILIPINA
Constructed by the researchers based on the interview with Cong. Amado S. Bagatsing,
Cong. Benny M. Abante, and Mr. Brillante.
Given the information above, the researchers have assessed the data to be of
relevant in arriving into conclusion. Taken their advantages in the participation of policy
making, researchers have analyzed that they have been a significant contributor in the law
making. Evident in the existing data gathered, it shows that bills were passed together
with the help of different NGOs such as the Women in drafting the VAWC and Magna
Carta of Women. The aforementioned statements show that they have an indispensable
part in creating public policies. These data illustrate how the relationship of the NGOs
and the government are somehow mutual because of their common interests.
Furthermore, at present, the bills have proven to be effective in promoting social welfare,
justice, protection and alleviating issues of the society.
For policy- making, according to Brillante (2011), you can only do policy
research and then make recommendations and submit papers to the agency concerned.
But NGOs can participate to the policy-making to the extent that they can only distribute
papers, suggestion and mass action (rally) to let the government identify our
grievances. NGOs are not directly involved in the process, they are outside the means of
the government system. They can only recommend on how a government should be ran,
especially if they see the government doing wrong things.
Brillante (2011) considers NGOs as significant political actors, because he sees

that there is an enlightment among Filipinos this is another reason why there is such an
increase of NGO proliferation. With the prominence of NGO, encouragement and
leadership among Filipinos are prevailing, taking upon themselves to pursue the interest
of the people, notwithstanding the diverseness there is unity in action in order to
advance and protect the interest of the many as against the few.
The bottom-line of this interview, Brillante (2011) assessed NGOs as beneficial.

Not only in proposal are NGOs do well in policy-making but also in the implementation.
More and more congressman are now watching their backs. NGOs credibility is often
looked on how they execute their advocacies. NGOs serve as watchers; they are watching
the government, just like putting them in their glass house.
The staggering number of laws passed despite the Philippine legislative

notoriously slow process, one can see that NGOs, or rather their assistance is indeed a
very significant factor in the process of policy-making. Their support can be a
determining even quantifiable factor in whether or not a bill gets passed or not. While this
is good for certain concerns, the predictability of human nature that is introduced into the
law-making process by the NGOs could be the cause of the problems. One can also see
that most of the laws passed are of civil matter and are related to social concerns rather
than political. It reflects the NGOs spirit as the embodiment of the peoples interest.
CHAPTER V
SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
Summary
NGOs are influential part of the modern politics and society. Serving advocates,
middlemen, pressure groups, and partly government watchdogs- they have the power to
make the varying interests of the people known to the government.
However, due to the already weak nature of the Philippine government the NGOs
and other civil organizations have risen to a position of power that has rewritten modern
political dynamics. NGOs, now armed with funding and popular support now have to
dictate what policy should be pressuring officials and offering assistance making
deeds to streamline formed polices white constricting those which are not favored.
They have risen beyond mere interest groups and government helpers to become
(collectively speaking) one of the most powerful and kingmaking political factors that
must and deserves consideration.
Whether or not this will result in a favorable outcome is yet to be seen. It is highly
recommended that this assertion that NGOs have grown to such power be checked and
possibly even contested with the purpose of falsification. But if findings to align with
those of this paper then the state misjudged to be in a difficult situation, though does
not necessarily need to be a bad thing for the Filipino people, nay, there are certain parts
in the findings that point to some benefits fot them, while the state suffers a deterioration
of power. The findings are interesting, but as this perceived pattern is rather new it is still
only in its theoretical stage and shoul be experienced on by future researcher delivering
into the subject.
Recommendation
The research has noticed a pattern which is believed to deserve some attention. As
NGOs grow more and more in numbers and in influence as the years go by, the state
grows weaker in comparison; this effect, is confounded by the fact that is the state itself
that makes and allows these NGOs to grow to such power and the sad fact that the
Philippine state is already weak to the point where if it did not rely on the assistance
offered by these NGOs-theyd be unable to do much of anything nay, some projects may
even be impossible to execute without their help due the governments lack of resources.
Ultimately, this could cause the state to dwindle to a state of lameness.
Further studies into the verification of this pattern are suggested. As well as
studies to counter it if deemed necessary or to speed it effects if proven to be beneficial to
the overall good of the nation.
On the part of the students and researchers who wish to conduct the same research
study, they may further research on this topic. Students should identify what specific type
of NGOs their study will focus on.
And lastly, the government should provide a law that will identify to what extent
or limitations can Non- Government Organizations intervene in the process of policymaking.
Conclusion
After a series of research and interviews that have been conducted and the data
that were gathered that will support our hypothesis, the researchers arrive into
conclusions that:
Non-Government Organizations have been significant and influential actor
in Philippine policy-making.
Non-Government Organizations partake of a constructive critic in our
political scenery by engaging in the formulation of policies.

Non-Government Organizations have become indispensable to the modern
government.
While Non-Government Organizations grows in power; the state grows
weaker in relation.
Non-Government Organizations, in reality, had much more influence than earlier

presumed and imagined. Theyre also unbelievably active in the legislative process and
are involved even in its implantation and adjustment stages. They also serve as
constructive input provider for the law-makers in virtue of the NGOs usually specializing
in a single area of expertise. Their criticisms and advice regarding certain matters are
very important for laws to be called well-thought and informed-which of course in
turn reflects well upon the legislator and the assisting NGO. Their involvement in the
government, despite their alleged nature being supposed apolitical, has made the NGOs
indispensable and their presence necessary for the current government to continue with
their projects due to lack of resources which the NGOs handily provide. However; this
reliance of the public government upon the private NGOs has caused an effect
comparable to the ingesting of a poison that builds up in the body and slowly kills it
while providing some temporary relief: the state grows weaker and steadily loses its
ability to support itself as its reliance on NGO assistance grows, which could prove
disastrous if left unchecked
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NGOs and Its Participation in Policy-Making | 1

PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

NGOs and Its Participation in Policy-Making | 2

NGOs and Its Participation in Policy-Making | 3

Background of the study

NGOs and Its Participation in Policy-Making | 4

Statement of the Problem

The research aims to provide a better understanding of Non-governmental

NGOs and Its Participation in Policy-Making | 5

1. How and why do NGOs engage in policy-making?

As a catalyst of political improvement, we assume that Non-Governmental

NGOs and Its Participation in Policy-Making | 6

Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) have become an important factor in

Non-Government Organization (NGO) has been widely seen in the political

NGOs and Its Participation in Policy-Making | 7

The Notions of Civil Society

NGOs and Its Participation in Policy-Making | 8

(Baccaro, 2001). They usually deal on economic activities in order to accumulate

NGOs and Its Participation in Policy-Making | 9

Civil society is arguably an

indispensable element in a well- functioning democracy. In fact, many issues and

The variables are also identified: Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)

Significance of the Study

The researchers believed that participation of NGOs in the process of policy

Scope and Limitations

This study provides significant materials and information scrutinizing the

NGOs are private organizations that pursue activities to relieve suffering,

Civil Society refers to the system of social relations based on the

emerged in Europe in the seventeenth century.

Civil society focuses or emphasizes more on either values or beliefs or

3. Civil Society Organization

CSOs refer to different types of non-corporate private voluntary

1987 Constitution defines Peoples Organization (POs) as bona fide

Policy-making has been defined as the process by which governments

Lobbying is an act of attempting to influence government decisions, more

A person who tries to influence government decisions in behalf of the

Political Contentions mean episodic, public, collective interaction among

10. Contained Contention

11. Transgressive Contention

Transgressive contention is a kind of contention in which grows out of

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Review of Related Literature and Studies

What we know about the Non-Government Organizations (NGO) in the

Non-Government Organizations are organizations that have ingrained

Brought by the challenges of Globalization, a new set of concerns roomed.

Scholars have reexamined the role of non-government organization to the society,

as a result, greater participation can be achieved, thus, democratization can be more

Philippines is an example of a developing country, wherein the civil society is

The politically left-of-center development nongovernment organizations and

Ben Reid argues that the

In contrast to the Tocquevilleans, Gramscis conceptual approach on explaining

How NGOs get involved in the policy making?

Policy Making Process

referendum or parliamentary vote, which requires enabling legislation.

What we need to know about NGOs?

Athletic, Character Building, Youth and Sports Development.

2. We need to know the role of these groups in the government?

Whenever a local government unit intends to enact a policy to improve service

In passing the Reproductive Health Bill, NGOs involved in the area of

According to Ira Sharkanskys Model, NGOs have involved themselves in

Government Environment consists of the Executive, Judiciary, and Legislative

It is likewise paramount to understand how both environments collide and

4. We also need to know their organizational structure including their funding

There are several NGOs involved in a particular interest. We should therefore