EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
o'
i
S E N A T E  
S. No.
CGI
'19 JUL16 P2-.52
4—
mxE \ -Cl:
Introduced by Senator FRANKLIN M. DRILON
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
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code was enacted to provide for a 
more responsive and accountable structure of local government. It recognizes the vital 
role of community-based, non-governmental, and sectoral organizations in nation­
building. Section 2 of the Code states that:
"It is likewise the policy o f the State to require all national agencies and offices 
to conduct periodic consultations with appropriate local government units, 
nongovernmental and people's organizations, and other concerned sectors o f 
the community before any project or program is implemented in their respective 
jurisdictions."
However, more than twenty years after its passage, the participation of 
concerned sectors in nation-building has yet to be institutionalized.
To address this gap in the Local Government Code, this measure seeks to create 
a partnership between local governments and civil society organizations and to push 
for an environment where the people can participate in the policy and decision-making 
process of their respective local governments.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is sought..
NKLIN M. DfoDON
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
Vr>if tr oi >ii.
S E N A T E  
S. No.
'19 J'JL 16 P2-52
CGI
m i . ; J
Introduced by Senator FRANKLIN M. DRILON
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
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assem bled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "The People Empowerment
Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. - 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 II 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.
Sec. 3. Definition o f 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;


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b) "Local Sanggunian" refers to the local legislative body either specifically 
the Sangguniang Panglungsod for cities or the Sangguniang Bayan for 
municipalities;
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.
Sec. 4. - Registration o f 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 Local Sanggunian, upon submission or compliance 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, 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.


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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.
Sec. 5. 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.
Any CSO whose registration has been deemed inactive may not avail of the 
Rights and Privileges of registered CSOs contained in Section 7 of this Act.
CSOs may reactivate their registration upon submission of documents they lack.
Sec. 6. Committee on Registration o f CSOs. — There shall be a Committee on 
Registration of CSOs in each Local Sanggunian of all cities and municipalities. It is 
mandated to 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 Local People's Council, once formally organized, shall be entitled to a two-
seat representation in the Committee.
Sec. 7. Rights and Priviieges o f 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) Join and become part of the Local People's Council.


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Sec. 8. Creation o f 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.
Sec. 9. Structure and Rules o f 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' organizations, 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 LCD'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.
Sec. 10. Recognition o f the Local People's Council by the Local Sanggunian. - 
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.
Sec. 11. Withdrawing Recognition o f the Local People's Council. — The Local 
Sanggunian can withdraw the recognition granted to the Local People's Council, only 
upon action of a petitioner, and based on the following grounds:
a) That the Local People's Council allowed itself or any of its member 
organizations to engage primarily in, or to be used primarily for, partisan 
political activities;


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b) Other grounds to be provided for in the Implementing Rules and 
Regulations of this Act.
The Local Sanggunian shall not entertain and exercise jurisdiction over internal 
and/or inter-organizational conflicts within the Local People's Council.
Sec. 12. Powers and Responsibilities o f 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 
representatives to ail 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) Participation of the Local People's Council or any of its member 
organization in the conception, implementation and evaluation of 
government activities and functions shall be without compensation or 
remuneration. The Local Government, however, shall provide for the 
necessary office spaces, facilities and/or equipment for said participation 
of the Council;
c) Representatives of the Local People's Council may observe, vote and 
participate in the deliberation, conceptualization, implementation and 
evaluation of projects, activities and programs of the Local Government, 
propose legislations and participate and vote at the committee level of 
the Local Sanggunian;
d) The Local People's Council shall also elect a representative for the 
provincial level.


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Sec. 13. Creation o f a Provincial People's Council. - A Provincial People's Council
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shall be created and recognized by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The Provincial
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People's Council shall be composed of all representatives to the provincial level from
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the Local People's Councils within the Province's jurisdiction.
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The Provincial 
People's Council shall elect, from within its ranks, a
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representative who will sit on the Sanggunian Panlalawigan and shall exercise the
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duties and powers of a Provincial Board member.
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Sec. 14. Non-Partisan Nature o f the Local and Provincial People's Council. - The
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Local or Provincial People's Council shall not engage in, or allow itself or its member
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organizations to be used for purposes of partisan politics and shall adopt such
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measures to ensure that it is adequately shielded from any political partisanship or
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influence.
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For purposes of this Act, partisan politics shall refer to any activity statement
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or manifestation which solely or primarily serves to campaign for or against any
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particular political party or any candidate for any elective public office.
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Sec. 15. Amendment o f the Composition o f Local Government Units. - The
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existing compositions of the committees, boards, councils, task forces, special bodies
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of all Local Governments are hereby amended and modified to accommodate the
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membership and 
participation therein of the Local 
People's Council or its
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representatives as herein mandated.
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Sec. 16. Right to Seif-Organization. — Pursuant to Article XIII, Section 15 of
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the Constitution, CSOs are recognized as independent and autonomous self-help
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organizations. They are encouraged to organize into formal cooperatives, labor union,
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interest groups, non-government organizations, sectoral organizations and/or people's
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organizations in furtherance of their constitutionally mandated role of enabling the
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people to pursue and protect, within the democratic framework, their legitimate and
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collective interests and aspirations through peaceful and lawful means.
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Furthermore, the Department of Local and Interior Government (DILG) and
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LGUs are mandated to assist, and support efforts of the people towards self-
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organization to address their common concerns, to promote their common welfare,
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and/or to serve their localities or their communities and interests.


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Sec. 17. Funding. - The funds needed for the capacity building of CSOs shall be
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included in the annual budget of the DILG. The funds necessary for the maintenance
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and operational expenses of Local People's Council, in relation to participation in local
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governance, shall be included in the annual budgets of respective LCDs.
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Sec. 18. Information Boards and Suggestion Boxes. - Information boards and
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suggestion boxes shall be provided, maintained and controlled by the Local
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Government Unit in each barangay, at the public plazas, city hall compound, public
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markets, schools, government offices, and at such public places accessible to the
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people, which boards and boxes shall be other than those maintained by the
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barangays and the national government, and shall be controlled solely by the Local
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Government Unit.
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Local Governments are mandated to respond within 15 working days to the
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suggestions filed by citizens in suggestion boxes.
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Sec. 19. Impiementing Ruies and Regulations. - Within one hundred twenty
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(120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DILG, LGUs, in consultation with CSOs
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that have experience working with Local Governments, shall determine effective ways
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and methods for the implementation of this Act and craft the Implementing Rules and
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Regulations.
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Sec. 20. Separability Clause. - |f any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
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unconstitutional, the other provisions, not affected thereby, shall remain valid and
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subsisting.
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Sec. 21. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
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proclamations and/or administrative regulations, which are inconsistent with the
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provisions of this Act are hereby amended, modified, superseded or repealed
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accordingly.
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Sec. 22. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or at least two newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,