Difference between revisions of "Philippines NGO Sector"
From NGO Handbook
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
==The Rise of NGOs: A historical Context 1521-1946== | ==The Rise of NGOs: A historical Context 1521-1946== | ||
| − | The Republic of the Philippines, as it is known today, has a population of over 96 million people, making it one of the most populous countries in the world. An archipelagic country, it comprises 7,107 islands, with Manila as its capital city. Sometime after arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan on March 16, 1521, the country, inhabited by Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) peoples, was established as a Spanish colony and it remained under Spain’s control until 1898 when the islands were surrendered to the United States at the end of the Spanish-American war. | + | The Republic of the Philippines, as it is known today, has a population of over 96 million people, making it one of the most populous countries in the world.<ref>Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). 2008. “Philippines” from The World Factbook. Available at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/rp.html</ref> An archipelagic country, it comprises 7,107 islands, with Manila as its capital city. Sometime after arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan on March 16, 1521, the country, inhabited by Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) peoples, was established as a Spanish colony and it remained under Spain’s control until 1898 when the islands were surrendered to the United States at the end of the Spanish-American war.<ref>CIA 2008</ref> In 1935, “the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth” under President Manual Quezon, who was assigned to move the country towards independence.<ref>CIA 2008:1</ref> In 1942, the Philippines briefly fell under Japan’s control during World War II, but finally gained independence on July 4, 1946.<ref>CIA 2008</ref> |
| − | The introduction of welfare and civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Philippines came as early as the era of the Spanish. The Roman Catholic Church in particular “established parochial schools, orphanages, asylums, and hospitals;” however, these were primarily for the elite. | + | The introduction of welfare and civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Philippines came as early as the era of the Spanish. The Roman Catholic Church in particular “established parochial schools, orphanages, asylums, and hospitals;” however, these were primarily for the elite.<ref>ADB 2007:1</ref> The Church also established religious cofradías—brotherhoods—that involved helping and visiting the sick. One such organization is Hermanidad de la Misericordia—the Brotherhood of Mercy.<ref>ADB 2007</ref> During the Spanish era, almost all of the CSOs established were faith-based. Jose de Basco y Vargas established one of very few secular organizations of the time called the Economic Society of Friends.<ref>ADB 2007</ref> |
| − | In the late 19th century at the end of the Spanish-American war, many cofradías were set up in resistance to Spanish rule; these organizations focused on seeking independence and equal rights for Filipinos. A faith-based association, the Propaganda Movement, began at this time, which sought reform through propaganda education. Katipunan also emerged, a secular group seeking independence and reform “through popular revolution.” | + | In the late 19th century at the end of the Spanish-American war, many cofradías were set up in resistance to Spanish rule; these organizations focused on seeking independence and equal rights for Filipinos. A faith-based association, the Propaganda Movement, began at this time, which sought reform through propaganda education. Katipunan also emerged, a secular group seeking independence and reform “through popular revolution.”<ref>ADB 2007:2</ref> The Spanish government was not supportive of these CSOs and deemed them illegal.<ref>ADB 2007</ref> |
| − | Under the U.S. control, the welfare and CSOs in the Philippines were decriminalized. Overall, the government was supportive of these associations and even introduced some welfare agencies of their own; “a number of individuals and families contributed to the relief, welfare, and [war] reconstruction efforts.” | + | Under the U.S. control, the welfare and CSOs in the Philippines were decriminalized. Overall, the government was supportive of these associations and even introduced some welfare agencies of their own; “a number of individuals and families contributed to the relief, welfare, and [war] reconstruction efforts.”<ref>Soledad 2006</ref> The American Red Cross opened branches in the Philippines and many schools and hospitals were founded by American Methodist and Protestant churches.<ref>ADB 2007</ref> |
| − | It was also at this time that NGOs were recognized by the government. Under the Philippine corporation law of 1906, “the government subsidized their operation.” The Asociacion de Damas Filipinas (organization of Filipino Women) was established as well as “hundreds of farmer credit cooperatives…claiming more than 100,000 farmers as members.” | + | It was also at this time that NGOs were recognized by the government. Under the Philippine corporation law of 1906, “the government subsidized their operation.”<ref>ADB 2007:2</ref> The Asociacion de Damas Filipinas (organization of Filipino Women) was established as well as “hundreds of farmer credit cooperatives…claiming more than 100,000 farmers as members.”<ref>ADB 2007:2</ref> |
| − | 1947-1991 | + | ==1947-1991== |
The communist movement emerged right after the Philippines gained independence and it was seriously resisted by the “government, religious organizations, and non-communist NGOs.” The Institute for Social Order was started in 1947; at the same time, many NGOs were focusing heavily on farmers, agriculture, and rural development. In the 1950s, NGOs dedicated to welfare were beginning to network and the Council of Welfare Foundations of the Philippines, Inc. (CWAFPI) was created, an organization that later became known as the National Council for Social Development Foundations (NCSD). | The communist movement emerged right after the Philippines gained independence and it was seriously resisted by the “government, religious organizations, and non-communist NGOs.” The Institute for Social Order was started in 1947; at the same time, many NGOs were focusing heavily on farmers, agriculture, and rural development. In the 1950s, NGOs dedicated to welfare were beginning to network and the Council of Welfare Foundations of the Philippines, Inc. (CWAFPI) was created, an organization that later became known as the National Council for Social Development Foundations (NCSD). | ||
Revision as of 12:14, 9 March 2009
Charity and welfare work in the Philippines dates back to the beginning of colonization.[1] The motivation behind Kawanggawa (“charity”) is based on the notion of Pakikipagkapwa, meaning “to holistically interact with others” and Kapwa, meaning “shared inner self.”[2] When charity and volunteer work are carried out, it is implied that there is “an equal status between the provider of assistance and the recipient,” as exemplified by Damayan—the assisting of peers when in crisis—and Pagtutulungan, which means “mutual self-help.”[3]
These conceptions have acted as a backdrop to the successful development of the large number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the country today.
To read the rest of the article, please log in using your WANGO membership username and password (using the log in at the top, right-hand corner of the page). Not a WANGO member, but would like full access to the articles in the NGO Handbook? Join WANGO (http://www.wango.org/join.aspx) as an organization or individual member or purchase a year subscription for $30.
