Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Honorable ALFONSO V. UMALI JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In a nation like the Philippines which exemplifies the ideals 
of democracy, good governance is almost equivalent to 
participative governance, where everyone is provided with the 
opportunity to contribute and partake, where exchange of ideas 
is highly encouraged.  
The country’s political history glaringly shows that aside 
from strong government institutions and bureaucratic policy 
initiatives,  
This bill seeks to empower the people by providing them 
greater access and participation to governance through the 
accredited Civil Society Organizations. 
ALFONSO V. UMALI, JR. 
      Representative 
 Second District, Oriental Mindoro 
July 28, 2022
5:16 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Honorable ALFONSO V. UMALI JR. 
AN ACT  
CREATING A SYSTEM OF PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN LOCAL 
GOVERNMENTS AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS 
THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PEOPLE'S COUNCIL  
IN EVERY LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT,  
PRESCRIBING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS 
AND PROVIDING FOR ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE 
LOCAL SANGGUNIAN AND LOCAL BOARDS, COUNCILS,  
COMMITTEES, TASK FORCES, OR SIMILAR WORK GROUPS 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "The 
People Empowerment Act.”  
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared as 
policy of the State to ensure participation of citizens in all 
avenues of local governance. Likewise, the State acknowledges 
the value of creating a mechanism where its citizen's views and 
opinions in different areas of governance may be heard and 
considered. Furthermore, pursuant to Article Il Section 23 of the 
Constitution, the State recognizes the value of non-governmental, 
community-based, or sectoral organizations in nation building 
and creating an avenue to ensure their growth and development. 
The state also recognizes that a partnership with people’s 
organizations (POs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) will 
spur development in local government units (LGUS) as envisioned 
by the Local Government Code of 1991.  
Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act: 
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a) Civil Society Organization (CSO) refers to any organized 
citizens' group including People's Organizations (POs) and 
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) such as community 
groups, labor unions, indigenous groups, charitable 
organizations, faith-based organizations, professional 
associations, and foundations;  
b) Local Sanggunian refers to the local legislative body 
either specifically the Sangguniang Panglungsod for cities or 
the Sangguniang Bayan for municipalities;  
c) Non-government Organization refers to an independent 
private and non-profit organization formed primarily to 
promote social and economic development with none of its 
officers or members occupying elective position; 
d) People’s Council refers to a body composed of 
representatives of registered or accredited CSOs and POs 
which shall be created in every city or municipality and 
provincial levels as mandated under Section 8 of this Act; 
e)  People’s Organization refers to a bona fide cooperative 
or association of citizens organized for purposes not 
contrary to law, with demonstrated capacity to promote the 
public interest and with identifiable leadership, 
membership, and structure whose officers and members do 
not occupy any elective government position. 
Section 4. Accreditation of CSOs.- To be duly recognised and 
allowed to participate in local governance, a CSO should have 
actively operated for at least one (1) year in the city or 
municipality where majority of its members reside, and must 
apply for accreditation with the Local Sanggunian. An application 
for accreditation shall be approved by the Local Sanggunian upon 
submission of the following requirements:  
a) Proof of existence and operation in the respective city or 
municipality they are applying in for at least one year 
prior to the application for registration;  
b) Proof of activities held in pursuit of developmental 
objectives or of organizational activities conducted;  
c) Program of activities planned for the year following the 
date of application for registration; 


d) Copies of its constitution, by-laws and/or articles of 
incorporation;  
e) Lists of its officers and members of good standing and 
their respective addresses;  
f) Financial statement and declaration of assets and 
liabilities, and  
g) Board resolution manifesting a decision to register and 
participate under this Act.  
A CSO whose application for registration has been approved shall 
be issued a certificate of registration containing the terms and 
conditions for accreditation.  
The Local Sanggunian, however, may from time to time, and in 
consultation with the organized People's Council, impose such 
other requirements and conditions for registration as it may 
deem appropriate to best adhere to the principles of this Act.  
Any CSO already accredited by the Local Government prior to the 
effectivity of this Act need not register for purposes of this Act, 
unless its accreditation has in the meantime been withdrawn.  
Section 5. Accreditation Deemed Inactive. - An accredited 
CSO is required to submit, by January 31 of every year, a list of 
accomplishments of the previous year and its plans for the 
current year. The failure to submit these requirements for two (2) 
consecutive years shall render the CSO’s accreditation inactive 
and thus disqualifies the CSO from availing the rights and 
privileges thus vested upon registration as mandated in Section 7 
of this Act.  
A CSO apply for the reactivation its accreditation after submitting 
the required list of accomplishments and plans for the current 
year.  
Section 6. Committee on Accreditation of CSOs. - There shall 
be a Committee on Registration of CSOs in all provincial, city and 
municipal Sanggunians. It shall perform the following functions:  
a) Receive and process applications for registration; 
b) Monitor compliance with the conditions for registration, and  
c) Initiate legislative measures for the effective performance of 
its tasks.  


The People's Council created under Section 8 hereof, once 
formally organized, shall be entitled to a two (2) -seat 
representation in the Committee. 
Section 7. Rights and Privileges of Registered CSOs. - 
Registered CSOs may enjoy the following rights and privileges:  
a) Enter into joint ventures and other cooperative 
undertakings with the Local Government to engage in the 
delivery of certain basic services, capability-building and 
livelihood projects;  
b) Develop local enterprises designed to improve 
productivity and income, diversify agriculture, spur rural 
industrialization, promote ecological balance, and enhance 
the economic and social well-being of the people within the 
framework of equitable and sustainable development;  
c) Receive assistance from the Local Government for 
economic, socially-oriented, environmental, good 
governance, or cultural projects to be implemented within 
their territorial jurisdiction;  
d) Automatic membership in the People's Council.  
Section 8. Creation of Local People's Councils. - A People's 
Council composed of accredited CSOs shall be created in each 
local government unit (LGU). For this purpose, the Committee for 
the  Accreditation of CSOs of each Local Sanggunian shall, not 
later than ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, call for 
a convention of all accredited CSOs to facilitate the formal 
organization of the People's Council. 
Section 9. Structure and Rules of the Local People's Council. 
- Each People's Council shall determine its own organizational 
structure and internal rules, but shall at all times provide for 
adequate consultation mechanisms for purposes of obtaining the 
views and suggestions of all political parties or movements, 
government employees' crganizations, other non-accredited but 
legitimate CSOs, and accredited CSOs which are not members of 
the Council; Provided, that no political party, government 
employees' organization or non-registered CSOs may be 


nominated by the Council for membership in the LGU's special 
bodies nor  granted the rights and privileges of accredited CSOs 
under this Act; Provided further, that no provision herein shall be 
interpreted to prohibit the Council from changing its name or 
from being organized for purposes other than those indicated in 
this Act.  
Section 10. Recognition of the Local People's Council by the 
Local Sanggunian. - Only one (1) People's Council shall be 
recognized by each Local Sanggunian. Each Local Sanggunian is 
hereby mandated to issue a certificate of recognition and shall 
pass a Sanggunian Resolution embodying the rights and 
privileges of the recognized People’s Council.  
Section 11. Withdrawal of Recognition of the People's 
Council. - A Local Sanggunian can withdraw the recognition 
granted to the People's Council only upon action of a petitioner, 
and based on the following grounds:  
a) That the People's Council allowed itself or any of its 
member organizations to engage primarily in, or to be 
used primarily for, partisan political activities; and  
b) Other grounds to be provided for in the rules and 
regulations to be issued to implement this Act.  
The Local Sanggunian shall not recognize internal or inter-
organizational conflicts within the People's Council.  
Section 12. Powers and Responsibilities of the People's 
Council. - Upon recognition, the People's Council may, in 
accordance with its policies and internal rules, exercise the 
following powers and responsibilities:  
a) Elect or appoint, from among its member organizations, 
its representatives to all Local Government bodies, 
boards, councils, committees, task forces special 
government bodies and other similar work groups which 
the Local Government or national laws may hereinafter 
create. Member organizations elected or appointed to 
represent the Local People's Council shall have the sole 
prerogative to choose, from among their bona fide 
members, the persons who shall sit in the boards, 


councils, committees, task forces and/or special bodies 
concerned. Unless otherwise provided herein, such 
representatives shall not exceed twenty-five (25) percent 
of the membership of the board, council, committee, task 
force or special body;  
b) Participate in the conceptualization, implementation and 
evaluation of government activities; Provided that these 
functions shall be exercised without compensation or 
remuneration. The concerned Local Government shall, 
however, provide for the necessary office spaces, facilities 
and/or equipment for the use of the People's Council;  
c) Observe, and participate in the deliberation, 
conceptualization, implementation and evaluation of 
projects, activities and programs of the LGU, propose 
legislations and participate at the committee level of the 
Local Sanggunian; and  
d) Elect a representative to the provincial People’s Council.  
Section 13. Creation of a Provincial People's Council. - A 
Provincial People's Council (PPC) shall be created and recognized 
by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and shall be composed of all 
representatives from municipal and city People's Councils within 
a province's jurisdiction.  
The PPC shall elect, from within its ranks, a representative who 
will sit on the Sanggunian Panlalawigan and shall exercise the 
duties and powers of a Provincial Board member.  
Section 14. Non-Partisan Nature of the Local and Provincial 
People's Council - The People's Council shall not engage in, or 
allow itself or its member organizations to be used for purposes of 
partisan politics and shall adopt such measures to ensure that it 
is adequately shielded from any political partisanship or 
influence.  
As used in this Act, partisan politics shall refer to any activity, 
statement or manifestation which solely or primarily serves to 
campaign for or against any particular political party or any 
candidate for any elective public office.  


Section 15. Right to Self-Organization. - Pursuant to Article 
XIII, Section 15 of the Constitution, CSOs are recognized as 
independent and autonomous self-help organizations. They are 
encouraged to organize into formal cooperatives, labor union, 
interest groups, non-government organizations, sectoral 
organizations and/or people's organizations in furtherance of 
their constitutionally mandated role of enabling the people to 
pursue and protect, within the democratic framework, their 
legitimate and collective interests and aspirations through 
peaceful and lawful means.  
Furthermore, the Department of Local and Interior Government 
(DILG) and LGUs are mandated to assist, and support efforts of 
the people towards self-organization to address their common 
concerns, to promote their common welfare, and/or to serve their 
localities or their communities and interests. 
Section 16. Empowerment Fund. - There is hereby created an 
empowerment funds that shall be sources from the existing 
empowerment fund of the DILG to be used for the capacity 
building of CSOs. The funds necessary for the maintenance and 
operational expenses of the People's Council, in relation to 
participation in local governance, shall be included in the annual 
budgets of respective LGUS.  
Section 17. Information Boards And Suggestion Boxes. - 
Information boards and suggestion boxes shall be provided, 
maintained and controlled solely by each barangay, to be 
strategically situated in public plazas, government buildings and 
offices, public markets, schools, and at such public places 
accessible to the people, which boards and boxes shall be used 
other than those maintained by the barangays and the national 
government, for other purposes.  
Local Governments are mandated to respond within fifteen (15) 
working days to the suggestions filed by citizens in suggestion 
boxes.  
Section 18. Sunset Review. - Five (5) years from the effectivity 
of this Act, the Congress shall review and recommend 
amendments thereto, after evaluating the problems and issues in 
its implementation. 


Section 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within 
one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the 
DILG, LGUs, in consultation with CSOs that have experience 
working with Local Governments, shall determine effective ways 
and methods to ensure the success of the objectives of this Act 
and craft the Rules and Regulations to implement it.  
Section 20. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions, not 
affected thereby, shall remain valid and subsisting. 
Section 21. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, 
executive orders, proclamations and/or administrative 
regulations, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
are hereby amended, modified, superseded or repealed 
accordingly.  
Section 22. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect 
fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a 
newspaper of general circulation.  
Approved,