Lawmaker urges more stringent standards for registration of NGOs

Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat PHOTO FROM CONGRESS.GOV.PH

MANILA, Philippines — The pork barrel scandal has put non-governmental organizations under a cloud of suspicion, and because of this, there is a need for a stricter system of accrediting private groups that deal with the government, according to Ifugao Representative Teodoro Baguilat.

Imposing more stringent standards would help NGOs, civil society organizations and people’s organizations to erase the stigma on all such groups caused by allegations that lawmakers’ pork barrel funds were funnelled to a network of bogus NGOs, and the money divided among the conspirators.

The process, as proposed under Baguilat’s bill, would allow only groups that have the necessary expertise, capability and experience to  implement projects using public funds.

These groups must also have a proven track record in implementing such projects and demonstrate their financial capability and deep roots in communities.

“This is not to restrict the freedom of NGOs but rather a way to make sure that we elevate the status of NGOs as service providers and not merely as fund conduits,” the lawmaker said.

His bill would put in place a centralized accrediting agency guided by a strict selection procedure to screen groups that want to work with the government.

It would ban NGOs whose officials are related to approving authorities from taking part in government projects.

Baguilat said the bill would put an end to the practice of using NGOs to siphon off the people’s money.

He lamented that NGOs have been placed under suspicion because of the alleged theft of pork barrel funds, and added that this was unfair to the legitimate groups that have been toiling quietly for years to help communities and marginalized sectors.

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