Republic of the Philippines   
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS  
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
Hon. Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Citizen participation is a fundamental aspect of a robust and functioning democracy, 
ensuring that government actions reflect the will and needs of the people. However, in the 
Philippines, there has been a growing disconnect between government institutions and the 
citizenry, resulting in decreased public trust and engagement. The Citizen Participation in 
Governance Act seeks to address this issue by institutionalizing mechanisms that facilitate 
active public involvement in government decision-making processes. By empowering citizens 
to engage in governance, this bill aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and 
responsiveness of public institutions. 
The Act proposes the establishment of Citizen Advisory Councils (CACs) at the 
national, regional, and local levels, ensuring representation from various sectors of society, 
including civil society organizations, academia, business, youth, women, and indigenous 
peoples. These councils will provide a platform for citizens to offer recommendations and 
feedback on government policies, programs, and projects, thereby fostering a more inclusive 
and participatory governance process. Additionally, the bill mandates public consultations for 
major government decisions and the publication of notices to ensure broad and inclusive 
participation. By incorporating citizen inputs into final decisions, the government can ensure 
that its actions are more aligned with the needs and aspirations of the people. 
Furthermore, the Act introduces mechanisms for citizen-initiated audits and reviews of 
government projects and programs, enhancing public oversight and accountability. It also 
provides for capacity-building and support to empower citizens and civil society organizations 
to participate effectively in governance processes. This includes training programs on 
governance, technical assistance, and funding support for citizen-led initiatives. The Citizen 
Participation in Governance Act represents a comprehensive approach to strengthening 
democratic practices and rebuilding public trust in government institutions, ultimately 
contributing to a more transparent, accountable, and responsive governance system in the 
Philippines. 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
July 29, 2024
8:00 am
10645


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS  
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 10645
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
Hon. Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING MECHANISMS FOR ENHANCED CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN 
GOVERNANCE, PROVIDING FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Citizen Participation in Governance 
Act." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote and 
facilitate active citizen participation in governance processes to enhance transparency, 
accountability, and responsiveness of public institutions. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
a. Citizen Participation - the active engagement of citizens in decision-making processes,
including policy formulation, budget allocation, program implementation, and service delivery.
b. Public Consultation - a process by which government agencies seek the views and inputs of
citizens on proposed policies, projects, or decisions.
c. Citizen Advisory Councils (CACs) - councils composed of representatives from various
sectors of society to provide input and feedback on government actions and policies.
SEC. 4. Establishment of Citizen Advisory Councils. - Citizen Advisory Councils (CACs) shall 
be established at the national, regional, and local levels to facilitate citizen participation in 
governance. These councils shall: 
a. Be composed of representatives from civil society organizations, academia, business, youth,
women, indigenous peoples, and other relevant sectors.
b. Provide recommendations and feedback on proposed government policies, programs, and
projects.
c. Monitor and assess the implementation and impact of government actions.


SEC. 5. Public Consultation and Participation. - All government agencies and local 
government units (LGUs) are mandated to: 
a. Conduct public consultations on major policies, projects, and decisions, ensuring broad and 
inclusive participation. 
b. Publish notices of public consultations in widely accessible formats and through various 
media channels. 
c. Consider and incorporate the inputs and recommendations from public consultations into 
final decisions. 
SEC. 6. Citizen-Initiated Audits and Reviews. - Citizens, through recognized civil society 
organizations, may initiate audits and reviews of government projects and programs. The 
process shall include: 
a. Submission of a petition signed by at least 1,000 registered voters. 
b. Conduct of the audit or review by the Commission on Audit (COA) with citizen 
representatives as observers. 
c. Publication of audit results and recommendations in publicly accessible formats. 
SEC. 7. Capacity Building and Support. -  The government shall provide training and support 
to citizens and civil society organizations to enhance their capacity to participate effectively in 
governance processes. This shall include: 
a. Training programs on governance, public policy, and civic engagement. 
b. Technical assistance for conducting independent research and analysis. 
c. Funding support for citizen-led initiatives and projects that promote good governance. 
SEC. 8. Reporting and Accountability. - Government agencies and LGUs shall prepare annual 
reports on citizen participation activities, including: 
a. Summary of public consultations conducted and their outcomes. 
b. Actions taken based on citizen feedback and recommendations. 
c. Impact assessments of policies and projects with significant citizen involvement. 
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of the Interior and Local 
Government (DILG), in coordination with relevant government agencies and civil society 
organizations, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity. 
SEC. 10. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall 
be charged against the current appropriations of the concerned government agencies. 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall 
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 11. If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and 
effect.  


SEC. 12. All other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations contrary 
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.  
SEC. 13.  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette 
or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
Approved,