Philippines Study Tour, November 2009

The Study Tour began with an Introductory Meeting hosted by CODE-NGO at the hotel. It continued that evening with a visit to a very important NGO aimed at educating poor children, the Philippines Educational Theater Association (PETA). The next day there were visits to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (registration of non-stock corporations) and the Philippines Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) (itself an NPO). Both agencies have roles in the registration and accreditation of NPOs for legal purposes. In the following days, there were visits to other NPOs, including a public interest law firm called Saligan.

There were also visits to additional government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Anti-Poverty Commission in the Office of the President (which we found to be highly politicized, needless to say). Highlights included a visit to the House of Representatives Committee on NGOs and the Office of the Mayor of Manila Fred Lim (where we were greeted by a brass band!) . The most affecting part of the study tour involved visits to poor neighborhoods in the Tonga District, where NPOs are trying to deal with issues affecting the poorest of the poor. The situation of poverty in Manila is very significant, and NPOs are working with government to combat the most severe conditions. On the other hand, quite a bit more needs to be done.

On the final day, there was a debriefing session with the teams from Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as a goodbye lunch with CODE-NGO. All in all the teams learned a lot, which they can now incorporate in their action plans for work to be done at home.

For pictures from the Study Tour please click here