CODE-NGO is the largest coalition of development NGOs in the Philippines, which, because of its scale and synergy, influences public policy, provides leadership in civil society and increases the effectiveness of social development work in the country.
We commit ourselves to taking civil society leadership in policy advocacy and partnership building in the public arena, as well as developing the capacity and accountability of our member networks, towards the realization of a peaceful, just and sustainable Philippine society.
CODE-NGO has sustainable, accountable, transparent and active member networks and base organizations which are engaged in strengthening and renewing public institutions of integrity and for development and human rights by:
OUR WORK
CODE-NGO commits to the following thrusts for the next five years:
Building Capacity and Institutions
We must continue to improve our efforts at ensuring the delivery of basic social services to the poor communities and work harder to transfer productive assets to the hands of the poor.
We should re-emphasize the empowerment and development of communities and the capacity building of people's organizations (POs) and cooperatives to help them become viable and sustainable.
At the same time, we will also focus on the capacity building of service NGOs to enable them to become sustainable while empowering their partner communities and POs/co-ops.
We need to continue to innovate and find new and more effective ways of solving the problems of poverty and disempowerment.
We should invest in the development of young and effective NGO leaders who will form the successor generation. Related to this, we need to more effectively tap the energy and skills of volunteers from the youth, business, and other sectors.
We must also continue to improve our capacity to influence public policy at the local, regional and national levels, and strive to shape government policies, programs and projects support the empowerment of the poor.
Enhancing Policy Development and Advocacy
We have to sharpen our capacity to influence macro-economic and other cross-sectoral policies, starting with striving to improve our appreciation for and understanding of the dynamics between macro-economic development, public administration/governance and sectoral development, and between national and local development.
We must continue to explore and promote alternative economic models and strategies that will enable the empowerment and sustainable development of the poor. This has to be done at the national and local levels, but in line with our advocacy for federalism, we need to promote collaborative efforts among our members to develop such models especially at the regional or inter-provincial level.
We also have to deepen our understanding of the government bureaucracy, including its limits and potentials, and search for effective strategies in reforming governance policies and methods, emphasizing citizens' participation, transparency, efficiency and responsiveness.
We should continuously analyze the local and national situation, and strive to ensure an effective balance between holding government accountable and partnering with government in the pursuit of our development agenda.
Promoting Social Entrepreneurship
We have to encourage and support more of our members to venture into enterprise development and management, including collective and cooperative enterprises.
We also need to pay attention to the world of development finance, learn more about savings, credit and other financial services, and use these to help the poor.
Improving NGO Governance and Accountability
We must intensify our efforts to work with NGO Board members, managers and other leaders in improving their appreciation for and capacity in effective governance and accountability.
We will continue to ensure the enforcement of the Code of Conduct among our member networks and expect them in turn to decisively work for adherence to the Code by each and every one of their members.
We need to strengthen our promotion of and support for NGO certification by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC), not merely as a requirement for tax exemption, but as a way of improving the standards of NGO transparency, accountability and effectiveness.
Developing Effective Information/Knowledge Management and Communication Systems
We need to maximize our advantage as the broadest NGO network in managing information and developing knowledge. Building on the efforts of our members, we will systematize and upgrade our management of information and knowledge on development work. We will particularly work to establish an e-library of best NGO practices.
We will optimize our use of the advances in information and communications technology (ICT) to exchange information faster, manage it more effectively and improve our decision-making systems in order to respond more effectively to the challenges we face.
We have to improve our communication to the public, effectively harnessing the media, ICT and other means, so we can encourage them to get involved in our work and support our development agenda.
Caring for Development NGO Workers
We need to build consensus on and promote standards for NGO workers. welfare and development.
We will maximize our network and partner with responsive service providers to develop improved packages for health, life and accident insurance and pension plans for NGO workers.
We will strive to specially support NGO workers and volunteers in high risk projects and areas, including among others the provision of legal assistance and a legal assistance fund.
