MANILA, Philippines - A congressman has proposed to create a body that would regulate and monitor non-government organizations in the country.
Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said House Bill 3938 would regulate NGOs through the proposed Nation Commission on Nongovernmental Organizations to be composed of five full-time members from nominees of various NGOs.
Rodriguez said the proposed NCNO will prevent the proliferation of fly-by-night or bogus NGOS.
The NGOs may submit their nominees to the Office of the President of the Philippines within 60 days after effectivity of the proposed law, and the President shall appoint the Chairman of the Commission and its four member-Commissioners.
Under the proposed measure, the Chairman of the Commission and the Commissioners must be citizens of the country who shall have knowledge or experience in people’s organization for at least 10 years and must not have been candidates for elective positions in the immediately preceding election prior to appointment.
The full-time Chairman shall hold office for a term of four years, the two Commissioners for three years, and another two Commissioners for two years. The Chairman and the Commissioners shall have the rank of a Department Secretary and Undersecretary, respectively.
"This bill also seeks to promote professionalism, accountability and transparency among NGOs and prevent the fly-by-night NGOs or other organizations established solely for the benefit and self-interest of individuals or groups under the guise of social development," Rodriguez said.
HB 3938 is now under consideration jointly by the House Committees on Government Reorganization and People's Participation.
The amount of P50 million is proposed to fund the initial operations of the Commission and the necessary appropriations shall be included in the national budget.