Beyond good governance: participatory democracy in the Philippines

This book provides case studies and analytical critiques of experiences in participatory governance in the Philippines. Seen as one of the most important experiments in grassroots democracy, the experiences of the Barangay-Bayan Governance Consortium are explored in the book through a combination of case studies and analytical chapters. The chapters look at the complexities of deepening democracy at the local level, including an exploration of power, democratic spaces, and fundamental questions about how social and political change occur. Each of the ten case studies tells a unique story, based on the experiences and reflections of each of the authors. Yet together, they describe how people are changing their role in the politics, and the nature of politics in general. The case studies, built on by the analytical chapters, explore and challenge concepts of æparticipationÆ, ægovernanceÆ and æempowermentÆ. The chapter titles include: æFinding meaning in local governance through popular participation at the Barangay-BayanÆ by Tom Villarin; æDeepening Democracy of æSophisticatedÆ patronage? The experience in Barangay KawayanÆ by Teresa Naraval; æTransforming leadership by creating alternative centres of power: the experience in Barangay Santa CruzÆ by Lin Ramos Mendez; æCombining multiple strategies for community organizing and local governance in an urbanizing communityÆ by Ariel Santos; æThe rebirth of the Makiling Forest Dwellers: Environmental governance and empowerment in Bagong SilangÆ by Conrad Castillo; æInstitutionalising participatory development planning: The experience of the municipal government of AlimodianÆ by Goldelino Chan; æInnovations in resource mobilisation: Surallah does it fiesta-styleÆ by Nina Iszatt; æAssessing the Barangay-Bayan governance programÆs impact on womenÆs participation in governance: the experience in Barangay Binitayan, DaragaÆ by Maria Dolores G. Alicias; æMainstreaming gender in local governanceÆ by Kissy Haynes Sumaylo; æParalegalism, local governance and development: PESANTEchÆs work in progressÆ by Vincent Festin; æCreating participatory tools for impact assessmentÆ by Mario Glavez Jr. and Rene D. Clemente; æMaximising gains in participatory, democratic governanceÆ by Marisol Estrella and Nina Iszatt; æEmpowerment and governanceÆ by Joel Rocamora.