By: Justin Mapile, National Lead Convenor, PCC
To empower the forces of change and partners for democratic participatory governance, we need to push for strategic reforms that institutionalize and make more permanent the types of reforms under the PRRD administration. This includes: Grassroots Empowerment - continuing to build and to strengthen our human capital investments in our people in the grassroots, while also weakening the politics of patronage over time. If there is a strong and inclusive social safety net, then we are protecting our people from having to rely on patronage.
In order to effectively obtain the people’s genuine interests, there must be an organized body of all POs/NGOs/Coops/CSOs from which shall emanate their collective concerns. These valid concerns may then be brought before their local development council (barangay, city/municipal and provincial level) for appropriate action through their democratically chosen representatives.
This organized body thus will take in the form of PEOPLE’S COUNCIL FOR CHANGE or PCC compose of community-based POs/NGOs/Coops/CSOs, not only to give directions to their representation in Local Development Council (LDC), but also to serve as a realistic sounding board for the multi-sectoral interests of the people and community.
For all its intent and purposes, the PCC must attain a high degree of credibility and independence to gain the respect and confidence, not only of its member organizations but by the council itself. It must show sincerity in pursuing pro-people programs and services.
The formation of PCC in every Barangay, city/municipality and province must therefore be an entirely non-governmental initiative. It may not achieve desired goals if initiated by government officials or politicians as it may be suspected of having political or electoral agenda, and if so, many of its members may only be there to seek political patronage. To be truly effective, the PCC must consist of independent POs/ NGOs, Coops and CSOs bound together for the common purpose of pursuing the people’s democratic rights and welfare and achieving a fast, meaningful and genuine development of their communities.
The PCC shall be pro-people, independent and democratic. It shall build and develop upon existing strength, structures and mechanisms, providing a synergy that will further strengthen and broaden the political base of the grassroots.
The existing CSOs in the grassroots have their own established leadership, membership, constituencies, issues and concerns. Building relationships, friendships, partnerships and goodwill with these formations are the key elements to success in any partnership projects.
The PCC shall reach upon all sectoral and multi-sectoral local formations. Establish working cooperation and partnership with organizations of workers, farmers/fisherfolks, Indigenous People, cooperatives, senior citizens, HOA’s, TODAs, PTAs, teachers/professionals, entrepreneurial groups, civic organizations (Rotary club, etc.), church-people/institutions and other POs/NGOs /CSOs in localities — genuinely powered by the people!
The PCC building shall be assisted by competent Social Mobilizers/Community Organizers (COs). National PCC shall be organized for coordination in arousing, organizing and mobilizing grassroots constituents to demonstrate their support for PRRD’s agenda for social change.
(Note: The work of Social Mobilizers/Community Organizers — play a critical role to initiate and sustain support for collaborative action in pursuance and application of participatory governance in the LGUs. Social Mobilizers/Community organizers are critical collaborators who take the particular lead on (a) Building relationships with constituents and key stakeholders and (b) facilitating changes in the community - implementing particular intervention strategies to pursue community and system change.
