Not all NGOs are bogus (Part I)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) celebrated its 63rd anniversary last Jan. 16, with the theme “Kaagapay sa Pagbangon at Bagong Simula,” a very fitting theme dedicated to the survivors of recent calamities in Visayas and Mindanao. President Benigno Aquino III recognized the DSWD‘s dedication and service in responding to the needs of Filipinos, particularly after the earthquake in Central Visayas and Typhoon Yolanda despite the many criticisms received by the Department. Recognition was also given to individuals, groups and organizations who have shared their resources, time and talent to help the Department achieve its goals.

DSWD should have cried foul when the Napoles scam discredited NGOs in general. Were it not for dedicated NGOs, DSWD would come short of its national purpose.   

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Google site, with the commission on Population (POPCOM) reveals every minute the population of each country showed that as of Feb. 4, 2014, 10:33 a.m., Philippine population was 99,075,108. By Feb. 5, noontime, Philippine population rose to 99,080,388, indicating 5,280 babies were born overnight.

Legit NGOs and bogus operations

Realistically, government’s resources and programs are not enough to address all the social welfare needs of Filipinos, considering our population, geographic location and depth of problems regarding poverty and illiteracy. Many individuals, groups and organizations have taken it upon themselves to focus on certain sectors of society on specific concerns. Civil society has played a big role in addressing the needs of society that government has failed to deal with. David Lewis of the London School of Economics and Political Science sees the emergence of non-government organizations (NGOs) as a way to hasten the “delivery of services to people in need, to further policy advocacies and public campaigns in pursuit of social transformations.” He notes however, the presence of bogus NGOs established as fronts for government organizations and briefcase NGOs set-up by individuals for purely personal gain. The NGOs set up by Napoles and her group may be categorized under this.

The tedious process of accreditation

Republic Act 5416 designed the DSWD to set standards and policies to ensure that individuals and groups effectively implement their social service programs, and to accredit public and private institutions as legitimate partners of the Department in providing social welfare and development activities.

Several NGOs have been operating in the Philippines and offering quality social welfare and development services but have not acquired accreditation from DSWD. The tedious and arduous process of applying for accreditation may become discouraging for agencies whose only desire is to help those in need if they are not given the proper guidance. Although the O.B. Montessori Child and Community has been setting up the Pagsasarili Preschools made affordable for laborers’ districts in Metro Manila, as well as six Negros sugar plantations between 1983 to 1987, it was only in 1992 when it received the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) certificate of registration and articles of incorporation to prove its legal personality to operate in the Philippines. It took a whole decade to work this out.

Between 1992 and 2002, annual accomplishment reports with audited financial reports had to be submitted together with documented partnership with LGUs, local and foreign organizations. Much time and effort were spent to put together the comprehensive manuals of operation for office administration at the foundation office located at the OB Montessori headquarters with Concepcion Suarez as director and a staff of six, the teacher training modules and classroom management. 

 Major funders were Canada Fund, which helped develop the seven Pagsasarili Preschools in 5 World Heritage towns of the Ifugao Rice Terraces. The assistance of private donors, such as the Lhuilliers, Aboitiz, Jose Mari Chan, Lucio Tan, Ricky Razon helped rebuild a two-story building good for 18 classrooms, laboratories and offices from abandoned lahar-damaged classrooms of Pulung Bulu Elementary School. Between 2002 to the present the pilot for UNESCO EFA-DAKAR quality Basic Education (K to Grade VI) using the Pagsasarili Montessori system was completed. It took four years to retrain and help the 12 public school teachers get used to the Montessori equipped classrooms. Hopefully, Grade VII to XII can be added between 2014 and 2019, with the support of DepEd Region 3 Director Isabelita Borres.

Although we are certain that we have met the DSWD challenge in poverty alleviation and empowerment, we have attained far reaching results beyond the current funding practice of Pangtawid Pamilya or Conditional Cash Transfer. Through the Pagsasarili educational efforts, we consistently developed students who have acquired third grade competence in all subjects compared to the conventionally trained preschoolers. These new type of students with their self-confidence and eloquence in English, have made them honor students in both public and private schools. It takes about half a year or so before all requirements are compiled and submitted for assessment by the technical staff of the DSWD Standards Bureau.

Since a registered social worker is required, our senior teacher Cecile Azurin became a working student for 4 years, doing the additional Social Service course although already proficient in recording profile of clients and case studies. This also involved a visit by DSWD personnel of the Pagsasarili Preschools and facilities, which complied with the safety, sanitation and building standards of the LGU where it is located.

As an agency that operated in the CAR, Region 3, Region 4 A and B (MIMAROPA) and NCR, the foundation had to acquire permits per area. Accreditation as a center of excellence becomes even more in depth with interviews of beneficiaries, board members and programs implementers by DSWD staff.

Completing the cycle of application of registration became easier with the technical assistance provided by the Standards Bureau and their clear-cut process of going about the application. It’s commendable that DSWD was able to deliver their service while doing away with so much bureaucracy, including banning the gift-giving to facilitate recognition.

DSWD imprimatur and levels of accreditation

There are three levels in the assessment of SWDAs. The first level is the registration of auxiliary SWDAs or those that provide supportive activities in the delivery of social welfare and development programs and services to the disadvantaged sectors. These agencies may grant funds for micro-businesses, scholarship or donation of materials to implement medical, educational or advocacy programs. They have met the minimum standards set by DSWD and are given a certificate of registration that is renewable in 3 years.

The second level involves the registration and licensing of SWDAs providing direct services. “These agencies usually employ social workers, community development workers, and/or other qualified paraprofessionals who have related trainings and experiences that directly provide remedial, preventive and developmental programs and services to individuals, families, groups and/or communities.” Thus the Operation Brotherhood Montessori Child and Community Foundation Inc. has finally been accredited on the second level. (DSWD Quick Guide for Accreditors) Agencies given a certificate of registration and license to operate, that is valid for 4 years, have reached the desired level for an SWDA. It is a special recognition from DSWD that they are not a bogus organization and that they have had a track record of providing quality service.

The third level is the accreditation of programs and services of SWDAs and resource agencies providing direct services. This exemplary level recognizes the specific programs delivered by SWDAs that have surpassed minimum standards set by the government. Such an accreditation is valid for 5 years for a center of excellence. All SWDAs with either a certificate of registration and license to operate or accreditation are tax free when receiving foreign donations and/or funding.

Did members of the Senate and Congress have to disgrace NGOs?

How could our honorable senators and congressmen involved themselves in the national scandal of misusing the greatest amount of public fund for decades, while our countrymen are poverty stricken? Most of their flagship projects are school buildings and scholarships — missing the root cause of poverty —namely the lack of quality education, as labeled by the UN system, “the education for sustainable development.” The public is outraged that sincere efforts of legitimate NGOs have been used as a front for their own interests.

Since we gained independence from America 68 years ago traditional politics has crippled Filipinos through dole out. Mr. President, we sadly foresee that from your indulgent governance that our country cannot be acquitted from blame for having failed to learn how to stand on her own feet.

(Part II – NGOs Who Help Reduce Poverty Incidence)

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