Villarin, Tom S.

The paper examines the provisions made by the Local Government Code enacted in 1991. The code, which aimed to curb the powers of the national government, mandated the transfer of powers, resources, authority and responsibilities from the national to the local government through the process of devolution. The paper analyses the main obstacles encountered in strengthening popular participation and discusses the key enabling factors for the latter. The three "I's" strategic approach of engaging local governance - implementation, improvements and interface - is presented.

This book provides an insight into the role that Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and People's Organisations (POs) play in local governance in the Philippines. It explains the features of the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991, which serves as the foundation for the new relationship NGOs and POs have with local governments enabling communities to have a voice in the decision making processes of government.