Volunteer organizations for Covid-19 response required to secure PNP clearances

Quezon City, Philippines – Civil society organizations (CSOs) before partnering with local government units for local Covid-19 response and recovery efforts are now being required by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to secure a clearance from the Philippine National Police.

In a press release by the agency on Thursday, February 4, 2021, it said the requirement is necessary to determine the legitimacy of CSOs and prevent scams and frauds that could possibly transpire.

"To determine the legitimacy of CSOs and prevent scams and other fraud, they are required to secure clearances from the PNP in addition to local accreditation requirements," DILG Officer-in-Charge Bernardo C. Florece, Jr. said.

"Gusto lang nating makasiguro na ang mga CSOs na katrabaho natin ay tunay na nais makatulong sa gobyerno at sa mga mamamayan,” he added.

Florence revealed the agency has verified reports that deceitful CSOs are planning to work with the government for such endeavour to lend legitimacy to their operations in order for them to be granted by local and foreign institutions fund which they can use for their personal heinous agenda.

"Kunwari ay gustong makatulong at makikipagpartner sa gobyerno pero may hidden agenda ang mga ito kaya kailangan nating siguruhin kung legitimate ba talaga sila o nanggagamit lang," the officer said.

For CSOs to be accredited, DILG has required the following documents; list of current officers and members, board resolution signifying intention for accreditation, original sworn statement that CSO is an independent and non-partisan organization, minutes of annual meeting, annual accomplishment report and financial statement for the preceding year.

In connection with this, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya is encouraging LGUS to establish desk for CSOs that will take charge of CSO-related concerns in their jurisdictions. Said directive is contained in DILG Memorandum Circular 2021-012.

Malaya explained the participation of CSOs in the government is mandated by the constitution, adding that the desk will help ensure effective and reasonable participation at all levels of social, political, and economic decision-making.

The report said that LGUs are likewise mandated to enact an ordinance establishing a system of partnership between the LGU and CSOs or People’s Organizations (POs) that defines their roles and involvement in various local government programs, projects, and activities.

In addition, the establishment of a mechanism that will facilitate a federation of sectoral CSOs or POs in the barangay, municipality, city, and province, and a People’s Council in the province, city, or municipality, with membership coming from the different sectors of CSOs or POs that are accredited, registered, and recognized by the LGUs is also ordered by the agency’s directive.

Malaya said the participation of CSOs in government processes is crucial as it provides check and balance and accountability.

“An active CSO participation is an indicator of healthy participatory governance,” Malaya added.