Creating the Filipino Social Conscience: Civil Society in the Philippines Francis Gallardo Enrique, MISP 2010-2011 Page 2 In Focus: The Philippines Location: Southeast Asia Archipelago: 7.107 islands (3 main island groups: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) Capital: Manila Total Area: 300.000 sq.km (slightly larger than Arizona) Total Population: 90.500.000 (Freedom House, 2009) Colonial Past: Spanish and American Official Languages: English and Filipino (Tagalog) with more than 500 dialects Page 3 Political, Economic and Social System Democratic Republic President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief (6-year term) Legislature: bicameral with Senate and House of Representatives Religion: Roman Catholic 85%, Muslim 5%, others 10% Adult Literacy Rate: 96% Human Dev’t Index: 105 th /182 countries (UN, 2009) Gross Nat’l Income per capita: USD 1.030 Gross Domestic Product per capita: USD 3.406 Economy: Agriculture, Fishing, Manufacturing, Mining, Human Resources (Overseas Filipino Workers), Outsourcing Currency: Philippine Peso (Php 64,74 = 1 Euro) Poverty Rate: 43% lives on less than USD 1 per day Page 4 A Brief History of Civil Society in the Philippines Anthropological Perspective Basis: - Pakikipagkapwa (holistic interaction with others) - Kapwa (shared inner self) Voluntary assistance or charity connotation is embodied in other terms: - Damayan (assistance of peers in periods of crisis) - Pagtutulungan (mutual self-help) - Utang na loob (debt of eternal gratitude) - Bayanihan (spirit of communal unity) Page 5 Classical Epoch (900 – 1521) 10 th Century. Pygmies formed as hunter-gatherer tribes, warrior societies, maritime-oriented harbor principalities which eventually grew into kingdoms, rajahnates, confederations and sultanates. Early states were Butuan, Cebu, Maynila, Sulu and Maguindanao. These states formed the early social organization barangay (little town) and attained complex political and social orders, as well as enjoyed fabric, ceramic, gold and spice trade with areas now called China, India, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, long before the Acapulco trade with Mexico. Page 6 Early Roots: Spanish Times (1521 – 1898) 1656. Roman Catholic Church established the first welfare organizations in the country – parochial schools, orphanages, asylums and hospitals and cofradias (brotherhoods). Page 7 Early Roots: Spanish Times 1781. Jose Basco y Vargas established the Economic Society of Friends, the only secular welfare organization during the Spanish occupation. 1888. Jose Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar and Mariano Ponce comprised the main staff of La Solidaridad, official organ of the Philippine propaganda movement in Barcelona, Spain. Page 8 Early Roots: Spanish Times 1892. Inspired by the Propaganda movement, Katipunan (gathering) a secret partisan society was founded by Andres Bonifacio based on the principles of Freemasonry to oust the Spanish colonial rule. 1896. Jose Rizal, doctor, linguist, engineer, writer and the most prominent advocate for reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish era was executed. 1898. Filipino revolutionists defeated the Spanish army. The country was ceded to the U.S. in the Treaty of Paris and the independence from Spain gave birth to Asia’s first republic. Page 9 American Colonial Rule (1898 – 1946) 1906. The Philippine Corporation Law explicitly recognized NGOs. Government subsidized operations. American Red Cross, Anti-Tuberculosis Society, American Methodist and Protestant Churches. Domestic Association: Asociacion de Damas Filipinas and Catholic Women’s Federation Welfare Service 1917. Associated Charities of Manila was established. 1920. Farmer credit cooperatives were supported by government. 1946. After WWII, the Americans liberated the Philippines from the Japanese occupation. No NGOs could operate during the “Puppet Government”. Page 10 American Colonial Rule The Influence of Religion: Catholic Church: social agenda with charitable institutions Jesuits: established social organizations Protestants and non-Catholic churches: rural development services and agricultural teaching 1952. UP Dean Conrado Benitez founded the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) The country slowly recovered from the damages of the wars and a new bourgeoisie began to develop. Family foundations with missions geared to scientific research and education also emerged. Page 11 Ferdinand Marcos (1965 – 1986) “This nation can be great again. This I have said over and over. It is my faith and Divine Providence has willed that you and I can now translate this faith into deeds.” - Marcos - mobilized resources of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) - Philippine Civil Affairs Assistance Group (PHLCAAG) to aid South Vietnam - robust economy but was affected with the Cold War - student/youth (Kabataang Makabayan), labor (Lapiang Manggagawa) and farmer groups (Malayang Samahan ng Magsasaka) were frustrated with government and Imelda’s overspending - envisioned Bagong Lipunan (New Society) and declared Martial Law in 1972 - underground movements and their leaders’ activism led to killings and exiles - opposition leader Senator Benigno Aquino was assassinated in 1983 - snap presidential elections in 1986 declared Marcos’ victory but the military deflected and “People Power” revolution overthrew Marcos Page 12 Corazon Aquino (1986 – 1992) “I don't have any formula for ousting a dictator or building democracy. All I can suggest is to forget about yourself and just think of your people. It's always the people who make things happen.” - Aquino - partnered with NGOs in service delivery and public policy - legislation favored civil society: local government code, urban and housing code, women in development and nation building act - USAID and ILO funded agency-managed community projects - Corporate Network for Disaster Response (earthquake ’90) - League of Corporate Foundations (corporate giving and long-term social investments) Page 13 Beyond Governments Fidel Ramos (1992-1998) - promoted multi-stakeholder mechanisms for peace in Mindanao - social reform agenda with indigenous and poor groups in policy-making - college graduates sought career in the non profit sector Joseph Estrada (1998-2001) - many NGOs campaigned for the “Man of the Masses” but became disenchanted with mismanaged foreign investments, cronyism & graft and corruption - involved in public funds malversation - People Power II revolution impeached him Gloria Arroyo (2001-present) - received strong support from civil society groups and was appointed as the new president - accused with fraud in the 2004 presidential elections but has continued to champion the role of NGOs in societal transformation Page 14 Philippine Civil Society Today By the numbers: Est. 500.000 (3.000 – 5.000 as development-oriented NGOs) Actors in Civil Society: Non governmental organizations and Public Organizations Functions - networking and coalition building - campaigning for policy reforms - adopting good practice standards - advancing sustainable development “The Filipino Civil Society performs a great role in delivering social services in local poor communities and in achieving independence.” – Synergos Institute Most developed and most institutionalized civil society sector in the developing world: - Asia Pacific Alliance for Reproductive Health - Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities - SEA Committee for Advocacy - SEA Coalition for Stop the Use of Child Soldiers Page 15 Legal Framework Creation of NGOs as stipulated in the 1987 Constitution Article II, Section 23 Article XIII, Section 15 Article XIII, Section 16 NGO registration - Pursuant to the Corporation Code of the Philippines, non-stock, non-profit organizations (religious, charitable, scientific, athletic, cultural, rehabilitation of veterans, social welfare purposes) must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission Taxation - Exempt from income tax on donations, grants and gifts Page 16 Milestones in the Industry 1991. Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), the largest coalition of NGOs established the Code of Conduct for NGOs. This was the first in Asia. 1998. PCNC (Philippine Council for NGO Certification) was established by 6 largest NGO coalitions. First government-recognized NGO certification in the world and replicated by NGOs in other countries. Primary NGOs in Capacity-building - Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and Int’l Inst of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) - Center for Leadership, Citizenship and Democracy - Association of Foundations (AF) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) - Venture for Fund Raising - Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) Page 17 Challenges Up Ahead Highly dependent on visionary founders Key leaders departure lead to internal conflicts Targeting of the same population by several NGOs Existing coalitions that has overlapping memberships Heavily dependent on overseas assistance Notably controlled by the business elite Mission creep to solicit funding Page 18 Summary The Philippine Civil Society, then and now: - considered a young institution but has experienced “storms” throughout its existence and continually evolves with time - its unwavering spirit to achieve freedom and political reforms has been described as one of the third sector champions in developing countries - Filipinos are socially-oriented people, deeply rooted in helping create a conscience for a better Philippines - The faith of the people plays a pivotal role in the country’s development Page 19 Reference and Sources 1987 Philippine National Constitution Caucus of Development NGO Networks (http://www.code-ngo.org) Freedom House (http://www.freedomhouse.org) Philippine Business for Social Progress (http://www.pbsp.org.ph/) Philippine Council for NGO Certification (http://www.pcnc.com.ph/) San Beda College Alumni (http://www.beda7882.com/Philippine_History.htm) SEA Site (Tagalog), Northern Illinois University (http://www.seasite.niu.edu) Synergos Institute (http://www.synergos.org) United Nations Human Development Index (http://hdr.undp.org/en/)