Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES

Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 6151

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, and where exchange of
ideas is highly encouraged.

This bill seeks to empower the people by providing them
greater access and participation to governance, through the
accredit Civil Society Organizations, consistent with the
provisions of the Philippine Constitution which 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 country’s political history glaringly shows that, aside
from strong government institutions and bureaucratic policy
initiatives, vigorous participation of the civil society which in a way
reinforces the checks and balances in the government, especially
in the local government units, is an effective tool to improve the
delivery of government services to the people.

In this bill, accredited People’s Organizations and Civil
Society Organizations that will constitute the “People’s Council”
will be given more power, not only to assess and evaluate the



implementation of programs, plans and projects of the LGUs, but
also in its conceptualization and execution.

It ig for the foregoing reasons that the undersigned earnestly
seeks for the immediate passage of this bill.



| Republic of the Philippines

| HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. pelsis

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,
RIBING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS
| 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 People
Empowerment Act of 2019"

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 jareas 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 POs and CSOs will spur
development in local government units (LGUS) as envisioned by
the Local Government Code of 1991.


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Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act:

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) Sanggunian refers to the local legislative body either
specifically the Sangguniang Panglungsod for cities or the

Sai iniang Bayan for municipalities;
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c) 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 with none of its officers and members occupying
elective government positions.

pas i Registration of CSOs.- Any CSO in active operation
for at least one year may be registered in their respective city or
municipality where they conduct their operations and where
majority of their members reside. Registration will be approved by
the Lo Sanggunian, upon submission or compliance of the
following requirements:

a) f of existence and operation in the respective city or
unicipality they are applying in for at least one year prior
to the application for registration;
b) Proof of activities held in pursuit of developmental
,jectives or of organizational activities conducted;
ogram 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 ofits officers and members of good standing and their
spective addresses;
f) Financial statement and declaration of assets and
abilities, 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, among others, the
terms and conditions for the maintenance of its registered status.

The Local Sanggunian, however, may from time to time, and in
consultation with the Local 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 s. Registration Deemed Inactive. - A registered 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. Any CSO who fails to comply for two (2) consecutive years,
shall automatically have its registration deemed inactive.

avail of the Rights and Privileges of registered CSOs contained in
Section 7 of this Act.

Any othe ih registration has been deemed inactive may not

CSOs iy reactivate their registration upon submission of
eects they lack.
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a Committee on Registration of CSOs in each Local Sanggunian of
all cities and municipalities. It is mandated to perform the
following functions:

Section i Committee on Registration of CSOs. - There shall be

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 Lo People's Council, once formally organized, shall be
entitled to a two-seat representation in the Committee

Section 7. Rights and Privileges of Registered CSOs. -


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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
an 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) Moin and become part of the Local People's Council.

Section 8. Creation of Local People's Councils. - A Local
People's Council, composed of accredited CSOs, shall be created.
For this purpose, the Committee on Registration 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 Local People's Council.
Thereafter, the organized group shall file a petition for recognition
to the Local Sanggunian.

A Local People's Council shall be formally created upon approval
by the Local Sanggunian of the petition for recognition

Section 9. Structure and Rules of the Local People's Council.
- Each Local People's Council shall determine its own
organizational structures 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 me! Ts of the Council;

eee that no political party, government employees’

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organization or non-registered CSOs may be nominated by the
Council for membership in the LGU's special bodies nor may they
be granted the rights and privileges of accredited CSOs under this
Act; and,

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 ian. - Only one Local People's Council shall be
recognized by each Local Sanggunian. The Local Sanggunian is
mandated to award recognition to a People's Council within thirty
days from the filing of a petition for recognition.

Section 11. Withdrawing Recognition of the Local People's
Council, - The Local Sanggunian can withdraw the recognition
granted to the Local People's Council, only upon action of a
petitions and based on the following grounds:

a) That the Local People's Council allowed itself or any of its
ember organizations to engage primarily in, or to be used
rimarily for, partisan political activities;

b) Other grounds to be provided for in the Implementing
les and Regulations of this Act.

over internal and/or inter-organizational conflicts within the Local

The ‘teal anor shall not entertain and exercise jurisdiction
People's Council.

Section 12. Powers and Responsibilities of the Local People's

Council. - Upon recognition, the Local 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
presentatives to all Local Government bodies, boards,
uncils, committees, task forces special government
dies and other similar work groups which the Local
overnment or national laws may hereinafter create.
lember organizations elected or appointed to represent



b)

c)

d)

Section

¢ Local People's Council shall have the sole prerogative
choose, from among their bona fide members, the
ersons who shall sit in the boards, councils, committees,
isk forces and/or special bodies concerned. Unless
therwise provided herein, such representatives shall not
xceed twenty-five (25) percent of the membership of the
ard, council, committee, task force or special body;

icipation of the Local People's Council or any of its
ember organization in the conception, implementation
id evaluation of government activities and functions
hall be without compensation or remuneration. The Local
jovernment, however, shall provide for the necessary
fice spaces, facilities and/or equipment for said
articipation of the Council;

epresentatives of the Local People's Council may observe,

te and participate in the deliberation, conceptualization,

plementation and evaluation of projects, activities and
rograms of the Local Government, propose legislations
id participate and vote at the committee level of the Local
nggunian.

ie Local People's Council shall also elect a representative

for the provincial level.

13. Creation of a Provincial People's Council. - A

ay People's Council shall be created and recognized by the

Sanggui
be comp
Local Pe

The Prov
a represi
shall exe:

Section
People's
not engas
for purp
ensure

partisan:

iang Panlalawigan. The Provincial People's Council shall
sed of all representatives to the provincial level from the
ple's Councils within the Province's jurisdiction.

incial People's Council shall elect, from within its ranks,
tative who will sit on the Sanggunian Panlalawigan and
‘cise the duties and powers of a Provincial Board member.

14. Non-Partisan Nature of the Local and Provincial
Council - The Local or Provincial People's Council shall
e in, or allow itself or its member organizations to be used
es of partisan politics and shall adopt such measures to

it it is adequately shielded from any political
hip or influence.



For purposes of 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. Amendment of the Composition of Local
Government Units. - The existing compositions of the committees,
boards, | councils, task forces, special bodies of all Local
Govet ents are hereby amended and/or modified to
accommodate the membership and participation therein of the
Local People's Council or its representatives as herein mandated.
Section 16. Right to Self-Organization. - Pursuant to 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 17. Funding. - The funds needed for the capacity building
of CSOs shall be included in the annual budget of the DILG. The
funds necessary for the maintenance and operational expenses of
Local People's Council, in relation to participation in local
governance, shall be included in the annual budgets of respective
LGUS.

Section 18. Information Boards And Suggestion Boxes. -
Information boards and suggestion boxes shall be provided,
maintained and controlled by the Local Government Unit in each
barangay, at the public plazas, city hall compound, public
markets, schools, government offices, and at such public places



accessib|

to the people, which boards and boxes shall be other

than those maintained by the barangays and the national
government, and shall be controlled solely by the Local
Government Unit.

Local Governments are mandated to respond within 15 working
days to the suggestions filed by citizens in suggestion boxes.

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

and met!

ods for the implementation of this Act and craft the

working os Local Governments, shall determine effective ways

Impleme!

ting Rules and Regulations.

Section 20. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions, not

affected th

Section 2
executive

are
accor‘

ereby, shall remain valid and subsisting.

1. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees,
orders, proclamations and/or administrative

by amended, modified, superseded or repealed

regulations, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
her
her

Section 22. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen
(15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or at least two
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,