CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATION

(CSO) CONFERENCE
August 7, 2019
SB Session Hall
The Relevance of Participatory
Governance

Civil Society Organization

Conference
2019
 “ Citizen’s participation is a key in
governance and is the bedrock of
any strong nation”
 
14th ASEAN Leadership Forum at
the Manila Hotel in April 28, 2017
 
“ ..every citizen’s participation will
be crucial as we set ourselves to
the great but rewarding task of
effecting meaningful and lasting
transformation for our country and
our countrymen”

Malayan Colleges Mindanao (MCM)

Inauguration, Davao City on July 7,
2018
Outline of the Presentation

I. Defining Participatory Governance

II. Legal Basis of Citizen Participation
III. Benefits of Participatory Governance
IV. Qualities of a Good Citizen
V. Rights and Responsibilities of Filipino Citizen
I. Defining Participatory Governance
Participatory governance involves citizens
participation in governance especially in decision
making, e.g. participation in

• assessing their own needs,

• planning
• monitoring and evaluation, and in the
• implementation of government programs,
projects and activities.
II. Legal Basis of Citizen Participation
The idea of citizens participation in governance has
gained more prominence and popular interest in the post
EDSA 1986 when the 1987 constitution was crafted.

The Constitution is very emphatic in saying

“Sovereignty resides in the people, and all

government authority emanates from them”.

Article 1, 1987 Philippine Constitution,

Declaration of Principles and State Policies
 1987
The 1987 Philippine Constitution Constitution of
  the Republic
  of the
Philippines
ARTICLE II

Section 23. The State shall encourage non-governmental, community-

based, or sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the nation.
  
ARTICLE XIII

Section 15. The State shall respect the role of independent people's
organizations to enable the people to pursue and protect, within the
democratic framework, their legitimate and collective interests and
aspirations through peaceful and lawful means.

Section 16. The right of the people and their organizations to effective
and reasonable participation at all levels of social, political, and
economic decision-making shall not be abridged.
 Local
The Implementing Rules and Government
Regulations of Local Government Code of
1991
Code of 1991

RULE XIII

ARTICLE 62. LGUs shall promote the establishment

and operation of people's organizations, NGOs, and
the private sector, to make them active partners in the
pursuit of local autonomy.
 International
Covenants

UN 1986, Declaration of the Right to Development and the

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

‘. . . every human person and all peoples are entitled to

participate in, contribute to and enjoy economic, social, cultural and
political development, in which all human rights and fundamental
freedoms can be fully realised.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

‘Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity … To take
part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely
chosen representatives.
 III. The Benefits and Potential Impact
of Participatory Governance
Citizens and civil society perspectives:

• More responsive basic services to people’s needs

• Greater access to and control of resources by citizens
• Local plans and budgets are based on what were collectively
defined as the needs of the community
• Increase in productivity and income generation opportunities
• Recognition of people’s rights especially the marginalized
sectors including women
• Affirmation of being listened to or having a say
• Sense of belongingness and ownership
Local Government Units perspectives:

• Restoration of people’s faith in public institutions and

security from external threats
• Better service prioritization of policies, programs and
projects
• Greater chance for politicians to be reelected
• Sense of satisfaction of having done a good job
• Satisfied constituents with basic services delivered
 The Benefits and Outcomes
Outcomes
of Participatory Governance
More responsive
basic services to
people’s needs

More effective
Citizens
Engagement
LGU service delivery
and Civil
Society

Organized and More efficient

Capacitated use of resources
IV. Qualities of a Good Citizen
 
Active, responsible, participatory and
justice-oriented
 
 Active
• Being engaged in action; characterized by energetic work,
participation; having the power of quick motion

Responsible
• Acts responsibly in his/her community
• Honor duties, obeys laws, works and pays taxes
• Honest, respectful and compassionate
• Volunteers to lend a hand in times of crisis.
Participatory
 
• Actively participate in community structures and organizations
• Organize community efforts to care for those in need, promote
economic development, or protect the environment.
• Listen and respect opinions of others
• Knows how government agencies work
• Knows strategies for accomplishing collective tasks.

Justice-Oriented Citizen
 
• Critically assesses social, political, and economic structures
• Seeks out and addresses areas of injustice.
• Explores why people are hungry and acts to solve root causes.
• Knows how to effect systemic change.  
Defining* . . .
Rights

“These are what every human being deserves, no matter

who they are and where they live so that we can live in a
world that is fair and just”*

Duties (Responsibility or obligation)

“Something that is your job to do something about, or to

think about which affects your life and other people’s
lives”*

* Rights and responsibilities. Kids’ Health: Women’s and Children’s Health Network.. Retrieved from
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/ HealthTopic Details Kids.aspx?p=335&np=307&id=1712 on June 23, 2019.
Rights as Filipino citizen**
1. Freedom of speech, of the press and of assembly – - -
-- ensure that the voices of people are heard and
their views considered
2. Right to form unions, associations or societies
3. Right to privacy
4. Right to information
5. Freedom of religion
6. Due process of law
7. Equal Protection of the Laws
8. Free Access to the Courts & to Legal Assistance
9. Right to Education
10. Right of workers to a Living Wage …
11. Right of workers to Safe & Humane Working Conditions
Duties and Responsibilities**
1. To be loyal to the Republic
2. To honor the Philippine flag
3. To defend the State
4. To contribute to State development and welfare
5. To uphold the Constitution and obey the laws
6. To cooperate with the duly constituted authorities in the
attainment and preservation of a just and orderly society
7. To exercise rights, responsibility and with due regard to
the rights of others
8. To engage in gainful work
9. To register and cast his or her vote
**My Rights and Responsibilities as a Filipino by Csherina Sanchez, Teacher.
https://www.slideshare.net/csherinasanchez/my-rights-and-responsibilities-as-a-filipino
If there is a best time for you to participate in
governance to achieve meaningful change,
that time is NOW!!

Thank you!