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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Batasan Hills, Quezon City TIME 2: 36pm

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NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 1596

Introduced by
HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
and
HON. JUDE A. ACIDRE

AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR FAITH-BASED AND
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Existing collaboration and partnerships between the State and faith-
based organizations have contributed to a more open and closer coordination
in creating and implementing lasting solutions to many current social needs and
challenges, maximizing the positive impact of government programs,
encouraging grassroots participation and improving of the quality of life in
‘several local communities in the country.

While Article II, Section 6 of the Constitution provides for the separation
of the Church and the State as distinct societies directed toward different ends,
both, however, aim at achieving the common good of the human community
and building the social cohesion and unity of the Filipino nation. Thus, the State
recognizes the important role of faith-based communities in the alleviation of
poverty, the upholding of justice and preservation of peace and order,
strengthening individuals and families, ensuring the sustainable development
of communities and providing support and services to vulnerable populations.

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DATE July 7, 2022

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Article XIll, Section 16 of the Constitution provides that 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
and that the State shall, by law, facilitate the establishment of adequate
consultation mechanisms.

Faith-based and other community organizations are vital to our nation’s
ability to address the needs of low-income and other underserved persons and
communities. Few institutions are closer to the people than our faith-based and
other neighborhood organizations. It is therefore critical that the government
strengthen the ability of such organizations and other nonprofit institutions in
our neighborhoods to deliver services effectively in partnership with the
government and with other private organizations, while preserving our
fundamental constitutional commitments guaranteeing the equal protection of
the laws and the free exercise of religion and forbidding the establishment of
religion.

This bill intends to create the National Council for Faith-Based and
Community Partnerships, which will serve as a bridge for the government and
faith-based organizations to more effectively serve Filipinos in need. Composed
of representatives from various faith-based organizations, it shall be
responsible for establishing closer collaboration and implementing partnership
programs directed towards vulnerable populations in order to help them survive
and thrive.

This proposed legislation recognizes that it is essential for the State to
identify, define, establish and institutionalize strategies for increased
partnerships in order to improve the capacities of faith-based organizations and
afford them the fullest opportunity to better respond to our country’s pressing
social needs as a partner for change and a complement to government
programs, in a manner consistent with our existing laws and values.

Faith-based and other community organizations are indispensable in
meeting the needs of poor Filipinos especially those from the marginalized


sector. While the government cannot be replaced by such organizations, but it
can and should welcome them as partners. The paramount goal is
compassionate results, and private and charitable community groups, including
faith-based ones, should have the fullest opportunity permitted by law to
collaborate more closely, especially in strengthening families and communities,
and overcoming the burden of poverty. This delivery of social services must be
results oriented and should value the bedrock principles of pluralism, non-
discrimination, evenhandedness, and neutrality.

In view of these considerations, approval of this bill is earnestly
recommended.

Rep. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
Representative,MTingog Sinirangan



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__1596

Introduced by
HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
and
HON. JUDE A. ACIDRE

AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR FAITH-BASED AND
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of the Representatives of the

Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Faith-Based
and Community Partnership Act of 2019”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy — The State recognizes the separation
of the Church and the State as distinct societies directed toward different ends,
both, however, aim at achieving the common good of the human community
and building the social cohesion and unity of the Filipino nation.

Furthermore, the State acknowledges that it is essential to identify,
define, establish and institutionalize strategies for increased partnerships with
faith-based organization in order to afford them the fullest opportunity to better
respond to our country’s pressing social needs as a partner for change and a
complement to government programs, in a manner consistent with our existing
laws and values.

Section 3. Creation. - There is hereby created the National Council for
Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, hereinafter referred to as the

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“Council”, which has the lead responsibility to establish policies, priorities, and
objectives for the government's comprehensive effort to enlist, equip, enable,
empower, and expand the work of faith-based and other similar community
organizations to the extent permitted by law, guided by the principles of
pluralism, non-discrimination, inclusion, impartiality and neutrality and in line
with our constitutional commitments guaranteeing the equal protection of the

laws and the free exercise of religion and the prohibiting the establishment of

religion.

Section 4. Faith-Based Organizations - Faith-based organizations
(FBOs) are defined as organizations that derive inspiration and guidance for
their activities from the doctrine, teachings and principles of a particular faith or
religious institution or from a specific tradition, interpretation or school of
thought within that faith or religious institution.

Section 5. Nature and Composition of the Council. - The Council
‘shall be independent and autonomous and shall have the same status as that
of a national government agency attached to the Office of the President. It shall
be composed of not more than eight (8) members appointed by the President
from among individuals with experience and expertise in fields related to the
provision of social services by faith-based and other community organizations.

Members of the Council must be members of a faith-based organization
at the time of the appointment, of good moral character, not be convicted by
final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude, recommended by a faith-
based organization which has been in existence for at least five (5) years, and
a member of the said faith-based organization for at least three (3) years.

Members of the Council shall retain their character as private citizens
and shall serve without compensation, but shall be allowed travel expenses,
including per diem, to the extent funds are available and authorized by law.

Section 6. Term of Office. - Members of the Council shall serve for
terms of two years and may continue to serve after the expiration of their terms


until the President appoints a successor. Members shall be eligible for
reappointment and serve at the pleasure of the President during their terms.

Section 7. Chairperson. - The President shall designate a member of
the Council to serve as Chairperson for a term of two years at the pleasure of
the President. The Chairperson may continue to serve after the expiration of
the Chairperson’s term until the President appoints a successor. The
Chairperson shall be eligible for reappointment by the President and shall serve
at the pleasure of the President.

Section 8. Functions. The principal functions of the Council are, to the
extent permitted by law:

(a) Develop, lead, and coordinate the government's policy agenda affecting
faith-based and other community programs and initiatives and expand
the role of such efforts in partnership with the government, with particular
focus on poverty alleviation and social development;

(b) Integrate the government's policy agenda relevant to faith-based and
other community organizations and design and recommend the
implementation of appropriate procedures and mechanisms for effective
coordination with faith-based organizations;

(c) Evaluate the need for improvements in the implementation and
coordination of public policies relating to faith-based and community
partnerships;

(d) Establish and support partnerships with faith-based non-profit
organizations in an effort to respond effectively to pressing social needs
and to provide durable development solutions to underserved
communities;

(e) Strengthen the capacities of faith-based organizations to deliver
services effectively in partnership with the government and other private
organizations;


(f) Coordinate public education activities designed to mobilize public
support for faith-based non-profit initiatives through volunteerism,
special projects, demonstration pilots, and public-private partnerships;

(g) Encourage private charitable giving to support faith-based and
community initiatives;

(h) Bring concerns, ideas, and policy options to the President for assisting,
strengthening, and replicating successful faith-based and other
community programs;

(

Serve as a platform for dialogue on the role of faith-based organizations
in national development and make recommendations to the President
for changes in policies, programs, and practices that affect the delivery
of services by such organizations and the needs of low-income and
other underserved households and communities;

d

Provide policy and legal education to policymakers and public officials
seeking ways to empower faith-based and other community
organizations and to improve the opportunities, capacity, and expertise
of such groups;

(k) Showcase and herald innovative grassroots nonprofit organizations and
civic initiatives;
() Monitor implementation of the government's agenda affecting faith-

based and other community organizations;

(m) Ensure that the efforts of faith-based and other community organizations
meet high standards of excellence and accountability;

(n) Serve as the lead government agency in determining and ensuring
effective coordination, collaboration and engagement with faith
communities and faith-based organizations;


(0) Submit to the President and to Congress an annual report of its
accomplishments; and

(p) Perform such other functions and carry out activities as may be
necessary to effectively and efficiently carry out the provisions of this
Act.

Section 9. Secretariat. The Council shall organize a Secretariat headed
by an Executive Director with the rank of Assistant Secretary, to be appointed
by the President. The Secretariat shall have the overall responsibility to ensure
that the objectives and functions of the Council are realized, propose the
‘specific allocation of resources for projects instated under the approved
programs, handle its administrative, operational and technical requirements
and activities, submit periodic reports to the Council on the progress and
accomplishment of programs and projects, prepare an annual report on all
activities of the Council and perform such other functions as the Council may
deem necessary.

The staffing pattern and compensation schedule of the Secretariat shall
be drawn up in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.

Section 10. Assistance from Government Agencies. All government
agencies are directed to actively cooperate and support the Council to the
extent permitted by law. The Council may call upon any agency of the
government for assistance, information and cooperation in the discharge of its
functions.

Section 11. Meetings. The Council shall meet, at least once a month,
to consider matters and issues relevant to its mandate and make a review and
recommendation of all its activities.

The Council may request and collect information, hold hearings,
establish subcommittees, and establish task forces consisting of members of


the Council or other individuals who are not officers or employees of the
government, as necessary to carry out its mission.

Section 12. Funding Limitations. The Council may not use direct
government funds to support inherently religious activities such as prayer,
worship, religious instruction, or proselytization. The Council or any of its
individual members cannot discriminate on the basis of religion when providing
programs and services and any inherently religious activity must be offered
separately in time or location from programs and services that receive
government funds.

Section 13. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the unexpended contingency
funds of the Office of the President and other such funds as may be identified
by the Department of Budget and Management and other such appropriate
funding sources, subject to existing budgeting, accounting and auditing laws,
rules and regulations. Thereafter, the amount needed for the operations of the
Council shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 14. Tax Deduction of Exemption of Donations and
Contributions. Any donation, contribution, bequest and grant which may be
made to the Council shall constitute as allowable deduction from the income of
the donor for income tax purposes and shall be exempt from donor's tax,
subject to such conditions, as provided under the National Internal Revenue
Code, as amended.

Section 15. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held
invalid or unconstitutional the other provisions not so declared shall remain in
force and effect.

Section 16. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders and rules
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or amended accordingly.


Section 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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