House panel OKs bill on accreditation system for NGOs

MANILA, Philippines - The House committee on people’s participation has approved a bill providing a system for the accreditation of non-government organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) eligible to access government funds to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.

The committee chaired by Manila Rep. Benjamin Asilo approved House Bill 4688 entitled “NGO Accreditation for Government Fund Releases Act,” which substituted HB 3444 authored by Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr.

Among the co-authors of the bill are Representatives Ma. Lourdes Acosta-Alba, Cresente Paez, Leonor Gerona-Robredo, Sol Aragones, Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales, Catalina Leonen-Pizarro, Elisa Kho, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Samuel Pagdilao and Emmerenciana de Jesus.

The pork barrel scam allegedly masterminded by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles made use of bogus NGOs to trap congressional allocations.

Baguilat said the measure aims to recognize the need of the state to establish a central accrediting agency for NGOs seeking to be entrusted with government funds.

The lawmaker said the bill also aims to provide for a system of accountability and transparency by pinpointing responsibility over the proper utilization of public funds and the successful implementation of government projects.

The bill covers all NGOs and POs seeking to implement projects from any department or agency of the national government and local government units, including government-owned and controlled corporations and their subsidiaries, either through competitive bidding or through direct releases to beneficiaries.

It requires accredited NGOs and POs to prove and provide evidence on the following: years of existence; legal personalities; fund sources and financial condition; place of business; successful track record; compliance to all reportorial requirements; non-existence of a conflict of interest and nepotism, and legitimacy and commitment to public service.

Another salient feature of the bill is that it provides for a multi-partite body validation of the legitimacy and capacity of the NGOs within 30 days of accreditation. It also mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development to act as central accrediting and repository agency for NGOs seeking to be entrusted with government funds.