This is not a vision statement jointly crafted by the Board of Trustees, the member networks, and secretariat of CODE-NGO in a participatory process that always characterizes how we do things. Instead, this is a reflective piece drawn from the mid-term assessment of our Strategic Plan 2018 to 2022, and inspired by the well-wishes of our founders on the occasion of CODE-NGO’s 30^th anniversary.

What is a vision? A vision focuses on tomorrow and what we want to become. In that near future, I see CODE-NGO a much stronger coalition than what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic because of four things:

First, from this day to 2026, we will refocus our energies on what binds us, not on what divides us. The COVID-19 pandemic speaks to us of one undeniably basic message, that is, the truth of our shared humanity. We will heed that call and live our shared purpose – To work on COVID-19 recovery and the civil society sector, to persevere in our work on poverty reduction and people’s participation in governance, to craft our Development and Reform Agenda and advocate this to candidates of the 2002 elections, and to protect our civic spaces.

Second, we will present our shared purpose to the public again and again in different platforms – sa radyo, TV, at komiks, in social media, in the municipal and provincial halls, regional and national government offices, sa mga salusalo at maboteng usapan – and the public will trust us more and understand that we work with integrity, excellence, dignity, and respect.  

Third, we will strengthen our partnerships with CSO alliances in Asia and with the academe, business groups, faith-based organizations, and youth leaders in the Philippines from whom we can build our capacities or with whom we can share our expertise and aspirations.

Fourth, we will improve our internal governance systems, structure, and policies by imbibing an entrepreneurial spirit to make our work sustainable, and a growth mindset to make ourselves innovative and bold. This includes the tough act, especially at this time, of generating resources – money, materials, technology, and people altogether. But as always we say: No pain, no gain.   

Yes, I see CODE-NGO as a much stronger coalition five years from now. But I also hold a vision in the present, at this very moment, of leaders who are courageous, steadfast, determined, creative, and optimistic. They are gathered here right now. You have made this 30^th anniversary happen, and you will realize our vision of CODE-NGO for the next five years. Today, we celebrate everyone who make up CODE-NGO: its founders, our leaders, staff, volunteers, our partner communities, our colleagues in the development sector, in government, academe, business sector, those who are here and those who are abroad, and each person who believes in the purpose of CODE-NGO. Mabuhay po kayong lahat!

Deanie is currently the Executive Director of CODE-NGO. She dedicates this vision for CODE-NGO on the occasion of its 30^th anniversary this 2021.