True spirit of NGO movement

A US state department handbook defines a non-government organization as being independent of both the government and the business sector, whose mandate is to promote the public interest and serve the public good rather than to make a profit or advance the interests of a narrow group of individuals.

The key word is independence. The independence of NGOs is supposed to enable them to monitor government performance and advocate for improvements.

The 1987 Constitution institutionalized the role of NGOs and people’s organizations (POs) in Philippine development. Article II Section 23 provides that the State shall encourage the participation of NGOs, community-based, or sectoral organizations in the promotion of the welfare of the nation.

RA 10693 or the Microfinance NGOs Act, meanwhile, defined NGOs as a non-stock, non-profit organization, duly registered with the SEC, focusing on the upliftment of the basic or disadvantaged sectors of society by providing advocacy, training, community organizing, research, access to resources, and other similar activities.

A study prepared by the Asian Development Bank noted that the number of NGOs mushroomed during the administration of President Corazon Aquino and that in addition to those with noble pursuits and good intentions were NGOs of dubious integrity and engaging in questionable practices, with some of these established by politicians, business persons, and bureaucrats to advance personal, rather than public welfare.

It is estimated by the ADB that the number of civil society groups in the Philippines is as many as 500,000, although only a small fraction of this are registered as NGOs or people’s organizations. Meanwhile, the number of so-called “development-oriented” NGOs is between 3,000 and 5,000.

Registration, the study pointed out, is not mandatory for civil society organizations in the country but only registered organizations benefit from a legal identity that permits them to accept donations or to participate in government projects.

It is without doubt that a lot of these NGOs and POs have contributed greatly to the many changes that we have experienced and seen in society.

Unfortunately, the terms NGOs and POs do not belong exclusively to those who have the real public interest at heart.

There are those who seem to be more preoccupied with influencing and shaping public opinion in support of their principal funders’ agenda.

When needed, some even become willful instruments of hatchet jobs against rival companies of their corporate benefactors.

Lately, San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has been at the crosshairs of some NGOs after a private sea vessel supposedly chartered by its unit under a little-known division under the larger San Miguel umbrella, sank off the coast of Mindoro, creating a spill.

These groups immediately hurled criticisms on the company, while seemingly willfully shrugging off the neglect of government agencies in charge of ensuring the safety of sea voyage in difficult weather.

They also try to pin the blame on SMC, knowing full well that charterers are not the ones liable for such an oil spill, but the vessel owners.

Republic Act 9483 or the Oil Pollution Compensation Act of 2007, provides that liability for pollution damage lies on the owner of the ship at the time of an incident, except if it is a bareboat charter, which in the case of the sunken MT Princess Empress tanker was not, being a voyage charter.

But pinning the blame on the owner of the tanker, RDC Reield Marine Services, even if the owner has already acknowledged liability, and its insurer, was not news worthy. Not even if that means the victims of the oil spill will receive compensation for the damage or loss that they have suffered.

A conglomerate like SMC is obviously a bigger fish. And in terms of putting an unknown NGO on the news, targeting SMC could ensure visibility and fame, if not more donations.

How these NGOs choose which causes to fight for and advocate has also become questionable. For instance, one of these NGO personalities has long been known to be critical of SMC, but is conveniently silent on any issues surrounding a rival company in the same industry.

The other is a member of a religious group who was supposedly kicked out of their influential clique for alleged financial malfeasance.

In the meantime, other more radical groups also seem to have been swept up in the currents created by moneyed benefactors.

As non-profit organizations, NGOs rely on a number of sources to fund their projects, operations, salaries and other overhead costs. Fundraising efforts are important for an NGOs success and existence because the annual budget of an NGO can run into millions, if not billions for the very large ones.

Individual private donors also comprise a significant portion of NGO funding, while some rely heavily on government funding which to some dampens an NGOs independence and ability to advocate for reforms or their goals, as well as their integrity.

According to Wolfgang Jamann, executive director of the International Civil Society Centre, “abuse of power within NGOs is hard to digest… We naturally place high expectations on moral authorities such as NGOs that support the weak of this world. Much like doctors, they should aim to do no one any harm, comply with high ethical standards, and set an example in doing so, and keep their actions somewhat removed from the worldly profane. Money, power, and exploitation have no business here.”

Even the European Parliament is now looking into EU funding allocated to NGOs, after it was discovered that an NGO was used to cover a criminal organization and to channel bribes from third countries to influence the European decision-making process. There now calls for a comprehensive financial pre-screening of NGOs before they are listed on the EU transparency register and for contractual agreements between the European Commission and the NGOs to be published.

As one writer pointed out, the main aim of NGOs is to make the earth a better place for every human being who is suffering. NGOs need to be reminded about their power to change the world for the better. The greater interest of the public should be first and foremost, never the needs of their benefactors or some nefarious agenda.

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