In the second year of the pandemic, CODE-NGO continued to implement and provide capacity building interventions and initiatives to its member networks and member base organizations for them to better cope with the ongoing adversity and to be more accountable and effective civil society organizations. These strategic initiatives were moderated by the Commission on Institution and Capacity Building (CICB) and the Commission on Internal Reform Initiatives (CIRI).

Sustainability Support Fund (SSF) 2021 for the Member Networks

In May 2021, the CODE-NGO Board of Trustees approved the PhP 1.6M SSF grant to 10 member networks to support their financial sustainability initiatives and supplement their respective internal resource mobilization activities from January to December 2021. The SSF was able to support the following initiatives:

1. Association of Foundation’s (AF) Theory U strategic planning processes,
2. Central Visayas Network of NGOs’ (CENVISNET) various resource mobilization activities and network meetings,
3. Cordillera Network of NGOs and POs’ (CORDNET), Partnership of Philippine Support Service Agencies’ (PHILSSA), and Western Visayas Network of Social Development NGOs’ (WEVNET) establishment of their respective e-commerce programs, and
4. PhilDHRRA’s resource mobilization, membership development, and network management and development activities.

Capacity Development Interventions

Through the CICB, the network’s 2021 Capacity Building Plan was formed and implemented. Highlights of the capacity development interventions are the following:

1. Leadership Development Program, which developed an initial concept for the establishment of the CODENGO leadership institute to hone the competency of the civil society organization (CSO) leaders in the network;
2. Mental Health four-session series, which tackled personal, peers, workplace, and community well-being amid the pandemic; and
3. Initial discussions on Service Continuity Planning training, which aims to develop readiness to continue delivering services/core business in case of emergency and risks.
4. Other capacity building activities like Zoom technical tutorials and e-commerce training were provided in partnership with Ateneo Office of Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI).

Internal Reform Initiatives

In upholding good governance among its members, CIRI implemented its plan in 2021 to continue to safeguard good governance standards and uphold integrity and compliance to the Code of Conduct for Development CSOs. Member networks (MNs) complied with the following government’s reportorial requirements: 7 out of 12 MNs (58%) were able to conduct their General Assembly and have submitted their General Information Sheet. 83% or 10 MNs have prepared and submitted their 2020 (Audited) Financial Statements to SEC and BIR. For other SEC requirements, 50% were able to comply with the SEC Memo-28-2020 or submission of alternative contact details while 33% of the MNs were able to comply with the Online Submission Tool and Beneficial Ownership Transparency. 41% of the MNs have developed and installed their membership monitoring systems while half of them are updating their MMS.

Aside from these, the CODE-NGO secretariat and CIRI conducted an online forum on upholding good governance standards in the new normal which was attended by over 130 members. The secretariat also released issues of the Good Governance e-Bulletin, a regular open-access platform that provides information, updates, and notices from various regulatory agencies.

The #WalkTheTalk campaign on the Covenant on Philippine Development and Code of Conduct will also be spearheaded by the commission in order to reinforce the members’ commitment and adherence to the Code of Conduct.

The Membership Program of CODE-NGO continues to provide other technical support services to its members to help strengthen their capacities.

This article is part of the CODE-NGO Annual Report 2021.