Understanding Civil

Society Organizations:
Characteristics and
Scope
 Definition of CSOs
In literature
All non-state associations, excluding the STATE
State and Market, Schools and Hospitals,
Households and Individuals (Cariño, 2002)

“The arena of uncoerced collective action,

around shared interests, purposes and MARKET CIVIL SOCIETY
values. In theory, its institutional forms are
distinct from those of the state and
market…” (Centre for Civil Society, London
School of Economics)

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Definition of CSOs
DILG (MC 2021-054, MC 2022-083)
CSO refers to a non-state and non-
profit association that works to improve
society and the human condition. Basic
types of CSOs include non-governmental
organization, people’s organization, civic
organization, community-based
organization, faith-based organization,
cooperative, social movement,
professional group, and business groups.

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Basic Types of CSOs
1. COOPERATIVE

A cooperative is an autonomous and duly registered association of

persons, with a common bond of interest, who have voluntarily
joined together to achieve their social, economic and cultural needs
and aspirations by making equitable contributions to the capital
required, patronizing their products and services and accepting a fair
share of risks and benefits of the undertaking in accordance with the
universally accepted cooperative principles.

Examples: Abot Kamay sa Kalusugan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Buklod

Tulungan sa Kabuhayan Credit Cooperative

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2. CIVIC ORGANIZATION

This is any local service club, fraternal society or association,

volunteer group, or local civic league or association not organized
for profit but operated exclusively for educational or charitable
purposes, including the promotion of community welfare, and the
net earnings of which are devoted exclusively to charitable,
educational, recreational or social welfare purposes.

Examples: Lion’s Club, Red Cross

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Basic Types of CSOs
3. PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATION (PO)

This refers to an independent, bonafide association of citizens with

demonstrated capacity to promote public interest and with an identifiable
leadership and membership structure. POs are often formed among the
basic sectors of society. Community-based organizations and labor unions
fall in this category.

Examples: Organisasyon ng mga Kababaihan para sa Kalusugan ng San Pedro,

Bukid Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association, Bankers Village V
Homeowners Association, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino

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Basic Types of CSOs
4. SOCIAL MOVEMENT

These are large informal groupings of individuals or organizations that

aim to affect social change through sustained, organized, collective action.
Some of them are not permanent institutions, but instead tend to coalesce,
pursue their aims, and then dissolve. But others remain permanent
institutions. Religious movements and faith-based organization are
included in this category.

Examples: August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM), Couples for Christ, Task Force
Participatory Local Governance (TF-PLG)

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Basic Types of CSOs

5. BUSINESS GROUP/INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

This refers to a non-stock corporation composed of businesses in the

same industry and established to pursue the interest of the industry.
Chambers of commerce and industry associations also fall in this
category.

Examples: Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Hotel and

Restaurant Association of the Philippines

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Basic Types of CSOs
6. PROFESSIONAL GROUP/ASSOCIATION

A professional association is a duly incorporated non-stock corporation

by registered professionals and established for the benefit and welfare
of the professionals of one discipline, for the advancement of the
profession itself, and for other professional ends.

Examples: Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), Philippine

Economic Society (PES)

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Basic Types of CSOs
7. NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION (NGO)

It is a non-stock, non-profit organization that work with different

sectors and communities, promoting their general welfare and
development and provides a wide range of services for people’s
organizations and tends to operate with full time staff. Social
development organizations, foundations, and independent research
institutions fall in this category.

Examples: Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Inc., Save the Children, Petron

Foundation,

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1. San Simon Farmers
Cooperative

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1. San Simon
Farmers
Cooperative
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2. Union of Budget
Officers of Malabon

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2. Union of
Budget
Officers of
Malabon
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3. Rotary Club of
Balagtas

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3. Rotary Club
of Balagtas

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4. Bukidnon Chamber
of Commerce and
Industry

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4. Bukidnon
Chamber of
Commerce and
Industry
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5. BTS Army: San
Juan Chapter

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5. BTS Army:
San Juan
Chapter
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6. World Vision

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6. World Vision

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7. Philippine
Institute of Civil
Engineers (PICE)

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7. Philippine
Institute of
Civil Engineers
(PICE)
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Civil Society Organizations

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 How to engage with CSOs

✔ Wide variety of CSOs

✔ Treat them as partners

✔ Work on common interests

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The Relevance of
Participatory
Governance
 I. Defining Participatory
Governance
Governance
The process of decision-making and the
process by which decisions are implemented
(or not implemented)

• corporate governance
• international governance
• national governance
• local governance

Source: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
 8 Major Characteristics of Good Governance

1. Participatory
2. Consensus Oriented
3. Accountable
4. Transparent
5. Responsive
6. Effective and Efficient
7. Equitable and Inclusive
8. Follows the Rule of Law
Citizen Participation

"... implies the involvement of citizens in a wide range of

policy making activities...in order to orient government
programs toward community needs, build public transport, and
encourage a sense of cohesiveness within neighborhoods"
UN World Public Sector Report 2008
 Participatory Governance

Participatory governance involves

citizens participation in decision
making, e.g.

• assessing their own needs,

• planning and budgeting,
• monitoring and evaluation, and
in the
• implementation of government
programs, projects and activities.
II. Legal Basis of Citizen Participation
Article II, Philippine Constitution

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

sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the nation.

Article XIII, Philippine Constitution

Section 15. The State shall respect the role of independent people's
organizations to enable the people to pursue and protect , … 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.
The Local Government Code of
1991
Section 34. 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.
III. The Benefits and Potential Impact of
Participatory Governance
Participatory governance can give people a sense that their rights are being
respected, improve their sense of dignity, and make them feel more
connected to others in the community.

It may also result in better governance:

• Greater government responsiveness

• Increased transparency
• Better budget utilization
• Improved public service delivery
Local Government Units perspectives:

• Improved people’s faith and relationships

• Better service prioritization
• Greater chance for politicians to be reelected
• Sense of satisfaction
• Satisfied constituents
 Outcomes
The Benefits and Outcomes of
Participatory Governance More responsive basic
services to people’s
needs

More effective service

Citizens and Engagement
LGU delivery
Civil Society

Organized and More efficient use of

Capacitated resources
IV. Ladder of
Participation Citizen Power

Degrees of Citizen
Participation

Arnstein’s Ladder (1969)

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In the final analysis it doesn't really
matter what the political system is...We
don't need perfect political systems; we
need perfect participation.

Cesar Chavez