Civil Society Organization (CSO) Hub

📜 Legal Basis

RA 7160 mandates LGUs to support people’s organizations (POs) and NGOs, enabling their active role in local autonomy

⚖️ Accreditation & Representation

IRR Art. 64 outlines procedures and criteria for selecting CSO/NGO representatives to LSBs
Accreditation is an ongoing process: Sanggunian must decide within 60 days post-organization; unfilled seats may continue to be accredited beyond this period

🧩 Governance Partnership

Government recognizes that strong CSO partnerships empower citizens in local decision-making

Definition of Terms

CSO (Civil Society Organization) – A non-governmental, non-profit group formed voluntarily by citizens to pursue shared interests, goals, and values, often aimed at promoting social, cultural, economic, or environmental objectives.

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) – A type of CSO that operates independently from the government and provides services, advocacy, or humanitarian assistance.

People’s Organization (PO) – A grassroots CSO composed of members from a specific community or sector, organized primarily to advance their collective welfare and interests.

Civic Organization – A voluntary, non-profit group composed of individuals who unite to address community needs, promote the general welfare, and uphold civic values.

Cooperative – An autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise.

Social Movement – A collective, organized effort by a large group of individuals or organizations to advocate for, promote, or resist social, political, economic, or environmental change.

Professional Group – An association or organization composed of individuals engaged in the same profession, trade, or field of expertise, established to uphold professional standards, provide continuing education, promote ethical practices, and advance the interests of its members.

Business Group – An association of business owners, entrepreneurs, or enterprises formed to promote economic development, protect business interests, facilitate networking, and support policies favorable to commerce and industry.

People’s Council – A recognized body composed of accredited civil society organizations (CSOs), people’s organizations (POs), and other community-based groups within a local government unit, established to institutionalize citizen participation in governance by providing input to policy-making, planning, and program implementation.