INTRODUCTION

Historically, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the Philippines emerged as agents of the government and other dominant forces.1 However, as they experienced the authoritarian regime of President Ferdinand Marcos from 1972 to 1986 and the subsequent democratization process, they gradually transformed themselves into independent entities.

Today, the Philippines can be described as an advanced country in terms of NGOs. Not only is the number of NGOs large, but the vigour and scale of their activities are also impressive. To understand Philippine NGOs, we need to delve into the country's history and also note the role that Philippine institutions, and the state system in particular, have played in relation to NGO activities, especially in the post-Marcos democratization period. On the one hand, the American-style political system of the Philippines, which limits the role of bureaucrats and emphasizes elected posts, has helped extend the scope of NGO activities from the social to the state area. This system in fact has opened up opportunities for NGOs to participate in elections, to get their officers appointed to government posts, and to do contracting work as consultants to government agencies. On the other hand, this same system has allowed election-conscious politicians to keep state resources under their control. This latter aspect certainly works negatively for NGO activities.

In this chapter we will examine the characteristics of Philippine NGOs, relating them to the institutional framework of the Philippine state as it formed over the course of history. We will discuss the topic with reference to three factors: history, laws and institutions, and the relationship between NGOs and the state.

SPECIFIC FEATURES IN THE EVOLUTION OF NGOs

Historical Development

The stages of historical evolution of Philippine NGOs bear close correspondence to the periods of political history of the country as a whole.

The origin of Philippine NGOs in their embryonic form can be traced back to the period between the end of the Spanish rule (the late 19th century) and U.S. rule (until 1946). During that period charity organizations were founded and operated on the basis of co-operation among local elite philanthropists, the church, and the colonial government.