The creation of the Local Councils of Women

(LCW) was moved by the strong belief that

women groups at the local levels should be
organized into one cohesive unit to be strong.
This was initiated by the National Council of
Women of the Philippines (NCWP) during the
incumbency of Chairman Myrna T. Yao as
President.

Several steps and undertakings took place and

processes were worked out with the DILG and
with other women leaders which led to the
issuance of DILG MC No. 2002-167 dated
October 10, 2002 and later amended by MC
No, 2006-125 dated September 21, 2006.
The MC provided the guidelines on
procedures and structures for the creation of
the Local Councils of Women (LCW).

The MC provides that the organization of LCWs

shall
be
conducted
towards
women
empowerment, social justice and poverty
alleviation of marginalized women through
democratic participation; autonomy of LGU
and NGO; spirit of inclusivity; political
neutrality and non-partisanship of government
officials/staff/organizations; transparency and
accountability.

The Council is a non-government entity

which shall be comprised of women
organizations existing in the locality and
is duly recognized by the local
government unit (LGU).
This represents the women GO-NGO
partnership in the localities. It shall be
organized in every city and municipality.

In
organizing
an
LCW,
the
local
government unit may appoint a point
person preferably the city or municipal
Social Welfare Development Officer or
NCWP representative, to convene all women
NGOs in the locality to organize the Local
Council of Women following the guidelines
prescribed under MC No. 2006-125.

a)
Women organizations that have shown
capability
and commitment to implement womens
agenda
at the local level
b)
Should have been in continuous operation for at
least one (1) year. At the minimum they should:

be established organizations with operational

structures and has a membership of at least
twenty (20) members

have programs and projects geared towards

poverty alleviations, social justice and women
empowerment.

The Local Council of Women shall have nine (9)

members of the Board of Trustees: seven (7) from the
NGOs/Pos/Professional Groups; one (1) representative
from the National Council of Women of the Philippines
(NCWP) or its affiliates until such time that there is an
organized NCWP in the locality.
These nine (9) members of the Board shall elect from
among themselves the regular Chairperson, and other
officers such as Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Assistant
Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Auditor, PRO
and such other officers that may be needed. The LGU
representative cannot be elected as Chairperson. The
term of office of the LCW officers shall be three (3)
years (amended from the previous 2 years).

The organized LCW must bear the name Local

Council of Women of (name of the city or
municipality).
It must apply for accreditation to the Philippine
Federation of Local Councils of Women, Inc.
with a one-time accreditation fee of P2,000.00,
and an annual membership fee of P1,000.00.

When LCWs have been duly organized in the

cities and municipalities in a province, a
Provincial Council of Women (PCW) may be
organized which shall be composed of the LCW
chairpersons.
They shall elect from among themselves a
Chairperson and the other officers as required.
They shall perform the following functions:

1. Coordinate and consolidate the efforts of the

municipal/city local councils of women
2. Work for the integration of the PFLCW, Inc.
advocacy agenda and other relevant concerns
in the provincial development plans and
programs
3. Conduct meetings as the need arises
4. Coordinate, collaborate, recommend and
provide the necessary support to NCRFW (now
Philippine Commission on Women) and PFLCW,
Inc. in the implementation of its programs

1. Get the official recognition as an organized LCW by

the local government unit by the issuance of an
Executive Order duly establishing the Local Council of
(name of the city of municipality), and enumerating
therein the names of the organizations comprising it,
its objectives, functions and privileges among others.
2. Secure accreditation for membership to the Local
Special Bodies in order to be considered as member of
the Municipality/City Development Council and have
official representation in municipal programs and
activities as necessary.

3. Get involved in the LGU economic programs with

livelihood assistance
4.
Get
trainings
on
capacity
building
like:
entrepreneurship development, special skills, product
development,
product
packaging,
leadership,
economic-social enhancement activities, livelihood
project demonstrations, and many more
5. Coordinate, collaborate with other NGOs and learn
from their best practices and net works

6. Learn computer operation and avail of the internet

and other cyber facilities and services
7. Participate in city or municipal economic, social and
cultural activities like putting up exhibits in trade fairs
or town festivals, and the like
8. Participate in PPP (Public-Private
programs of the government

Partnership)

1. The opportunity of accessing the services of the

Secretariat Office through referral, networking,
marketing assistance, funding assistance and other
services
2. Networking with national and international
organizations focusing on economic empowerment
3. Availing of mentoring services based on mutual
agreement

4. Right to vote during the Annual General Assembly

5. The opportunity to be a candidate to the PFLCW, Inc.
Board of Trustees as NGO Representative
6. The privilege to be given the first priority to be
invited to the trainings, seminars, conferences and
assemblies being organized by the PFLCW, Inc.
secretariat office