Development Forum

Networking is an application of system theory. Much of the systems theory grew out of the business management literature. According to Cleland and King (1972), several factors have contributed to the development of the systems theory and the system analysis into a distinct field. These factors included new ways of viewing cost efficiency, new management techniques, and the era of the computer. Consequently, a new phenomenon has emerged in business management, i.e., systems analysts. Their work focuses on viewing "the relationships between divisions in companies or organizations in order to obtain the most efficient mechanism for communication, management, planning, and development." This work includes designing and utilizing sophisticated computer programs with emphasis on data processing and analysis of relationship. The last aspect makes systems analysis useful to pastors, social workers, and other helping profession or development endeavors.

The key concepts of the systems theory are wholeness, relationship, and homeostasis. Wholeness implies that the product of interaction by the elements within the system is greater than the additive sums of the separate parts. The concept of relationship asserts the importance of the pattern and structure of elements in the system, equally important as the elements themselves. Homeostasis, which is the tendency of the physiological system of higher animals to maintain an environment of organized stability even when its natural function or condition has been disrupted, suggests that most living systems seek a balance to maintain and preserve the system.

Sharma (as cited in Philippine Journal of Public Administration Vol. XXXIV No. 1 January 1990) noted that the systems approach emphasizes wholeness first, then moves to the consideration of parts, including interaction among them, and between them and the whole. The systems theory, with its emphasis on holism, offers the promise of being an effective guide to management practice. The systems theory focuses on communication patterns and the transactions and relationships among parts.

As pointed out by Hartman (1970), the relationship among parts and the whole are of prime interest when considering the structure of a social system, This relationship is relatively stable. Sometimes, the relationship between systems is referred to as network. Ann Hartman (1970), as cited in Johnson (1995), noted that the systems theory is useful to social workers for it gives a means for conceptualizing linkages and relationships among seemingly different entities: individuals, families, small groups, agencies, communities, and societies. It notes similarities and differences among different classifications of systems. It aids social workers in considering both private troubles and public issues within the nurturing system and the sustaining system of a situation they are assessing.

The overlapping of various systems makes relationship complex. Since the systems theory gives prime importance to relationship, such overlap contributes to the dynamism of networking. As viewed through the systems theory, networking is both a relationship among systems and a sub - system in itself. In this sense, it affects the development of each system while it is also being affected by other sub systems that compose the whole. In like manner, networks and member NGOs work as a system operating collaboratively in order to address the pressing issues and concerns related to development of people. Each NGO, therefore, works as a "component unit" and, as such, affects each other, so that a modification of one NGO will stimulate corresponding change on other NGOs and the network, in general.

The beauty of systems theory and its application in networking is represented by the rainbow. While there are only three primary colors (red, yellow, blue) there is a multiplication of colors when these link, interact, and overlap.

The beginning of networking in the Philippines is traced to the formation of the Council of Welfare Agencies Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (CWAFPI), the forerunner of the present-day National Council of Social Development (NCSD). As early as 1952, a group of social work leaders organized the Philippine National Committee of the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW). Eventually, it evolved into the Council of Welfare Agencies Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (CWAFPI). This serves as umbrella organization of the various welfare and civic organizations, e.g., the Catholic Women's Clubs, Boy/Girl Scouts of the Philippines, National Red Cross, etc. which, up to this day, cater to such sectors as traditional women's groups, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

The early organizational formation, however, is only one part of the story of networking with particular focus on welfare agencies. Alan G. Alegre (1996) discusses the growth and development of networking in the Philippine non government organizations (NGOs) in his book Trends and Traditions, Challenges and Choices: A Strategic Study of Philippine NGOs. A chronological presentation of the formation of nine mainstream national networks after NCSD is found in From the Present Looking Back: a History of Philippine NGO by Karina David (1998).
The story of Philippine NGOs generally follows the trend of the world history of NGOs- from relief and welfare endeavors to social reformation which eventually led to the transformation approach.

American Colonial Period to Post WWII: Relief, Rehabilitation and Welfare.

This period witnessed the emergence of voluntary, private initiatives that engaged mainly in relief and reconstruction work to support a war-ravaged country. Considered to be the first NGOs, their welfare endeavors continued even after normalization. Eventually, the welfare work was geared toward social reform, colored with anti- communist motivation, which concentrated on the problems in the countryside. The environment led to the setting up of the pioneer NGOs in the country: the Institute of Social Order in 1947 and the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement in 1952.

The Deepening Social Crisis and the Rise of New Social Movements (1965-1972).

A conglomeration of events shaped the global and national sociopolitical landscape which affected the history of NGOs in the Philippines. On the one hand, there was a worldwide questioning of the previous development approach; an emergence of new theories of underdevelopment; highlight on revolutionary anti-colonial struggles; and change in the social directions of the Catholic Church which played a key role in this stage of development.On the other hand, as the Philippine social situation was rapidly deteriorating, there was a resurgence of nationalism and student activism and a groundswell of public outrage, which culminated in the First Quarter Storm. At this period, grassroots organizing dominated the NGOs directions.

Two NGO networks were established during this time: the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in 1967 and 1971, respectively. NASSA served as a clearinghouse and coordinating mechanism for the Philippine Catholic Church's social involvement, while PBSP established itself as a network among business corporations and NGOs they supported.
This period also witnessed the emergence of the community organization approach as an alternative to the limitations of community development. This approach led to the establishment of the Philippine Ecumenical Council for Community Organization (PECCO) in 1971. As a result, many NGOs were organized bearing the new orientation/approach. In 1972, after a series of informal meetings, ten NGOs with more traditional business and family foundations came together to form another network, the Association of Foundations (AF).

Coping with Repression, Carving a Niche (1972-1978).

When the late President Marcos used a hard line stance to establish a New Society, the NGO community was included in a systematic crack down on opposition groups. All legal attempts at organizing for popular empowerment were paralyzed. NGOs responded to the situation in various ways. While some went underground to wage armed struggle, others were either co-opted or forced to lie low. After an initial wave of repression, those that did not join the underground movement continued with their commitment through institutional work, which eventually came to be known as NGO work.

Three significant developments in the networking took place during this period. In 1974, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) came together and adopted a statement defining the priorities and strategies of the development work of the church and its related organization. This development resulted to the formation of a body similar to NASSA- the Commission on Development and Social Concerns. Four years after, as an offshoot of the split of PECCO, a fellowship of pastors and lay workers to assist churches in development efforts was organized into a network known as the Ecumenical Center for Development (ECD).

In 1977, a network among cooperatives came into existence as a response to the government's attempt to regulate the cooperatives. Known as National Association of Training Center of Cooperatives (NATCCO), the network was later renamed National Confederation of Cooperatives, Inc. It was observed that these church-related networks were more political compared to the first three networks established earlier, namely: National Council of Social Development, Philippine Business for Social Progress and Association of Foundations.

As seen by * Soliman (1990), this period witnessed the birth of secular NGOs established by activists who had been working within the church umbrella wanting to institutionalize social development work outside the church. Their endeavors concentrated on uplifting the conditions of the people through cooperatives and provision of start-up capital for income-generating projects. In the words of Alegre (1996), "the intersection of three efforts - the church reaching out, the growing needs of POs, and the development concerns of secular NGOs - gave birth to creative programs that showed NGOs coping amidst repression."

The situation also became favorable to groups and organizations with political and ideological leanings directly opposing the martial law regime. With their relatively advanced coping mechanism, these groups became influential in the NGO movement. They even set up different NGOs and exerted a considerable influence in the programs and projects of existing ones to become more effective in the latter part of this period

Expansion and Innovation (1978-1983)

Learning from the past experiences, NGOs refined their strategies. This effort resulted to qualitative increase in the organized mass movement, as reflected in the formation of more alliances and federations of people organizations. The NGO movement itself experienced tremendous increase in numbers. Human rights advocacy was broadened to include other areas of concern like indigenous people's rights, ecology/environment problems, and women rights. As a result, more NGOs were organized bannering on respective sectoral issues.
This period also witnessed the utilization of new approaches and tools for development like the macromedia, participatory action research, popular education, alternative medicine, and appropriate technology. Following the increased unpopularity and isolation of the Marcos regime in the international scene, foreign funds flowed freely in support of development work. Many Northern NGOs and funding agencies even went to the extent of setting up their Philippine desk making the country their base of operations in Asia because of the bulk of projects being supported here. Repression in various forms, however, was also intensified. As NGOs grew in number, networking as a strategy became attractive because of its effectiveness in lobbying and advocacy work. More regional and national networks were formed during this period, e.g., Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PHILDHRRA) which was established in 1983. Moreover, the other regional and provincial NGOs were integrated into new networks. With these developments, NGOs have become "key players in the country's sociopolitical landscape."

NGO Support to the Surging Mass Movement (1983-1986)

The Aquino assassination in 1983 became a rallying point of growing opposition and outrages which gave birth to the "parliament of the streets." It was a period of multi- sectoral organizing and alliance building as regional and national federations and alliances of POs were formed with NGO support. Similarly, NGOs strengthened their existing networks and formed new ones to share resources and find security in their numbers amidst continuing military harassment. NGOs' support to the surging of mass movement culminated in their participation in the Snap Election and the subsequent EDSA Revolt.

*Corazon Soliman is the current secretary of the Department of Social Welfare in the Philippines

ICON stands for Iloilo Coalition of Non-government Organization and People's Organizations. As the acronym implies, it is a symbol of unity among NGOs and POs in the City and Province of Iloilo. Starting as a loose coalition of NGOs and POs accredited by the Province of Iloilo, it has become a rallying point of other NGOs, POs and sectoral members of the civil society organizations. It is now open to other organizations that subscribe to the basis of unity of the Coalition each member network, federation; aggregation is automatically represented in the Council.

RATIONALE/BACKGROUND

When the Provincial Development Council was reconvened in 1999, NGOs and POs accredited by the PDC were required to form a group to represent them in the local special bodies. Among the names suggested, ICON was chosen to symbolize the desired unity. While the representatives agreed to form just a loose organization for particular purpose, latter developments changed the course of history among NGO and PO Community in Iloilo.

On 2000, when the Iloilo Council of Social Development, Inc. (ICSD) spearheaded a move for the declaration of NGO-PO Week which subsequently became an ordinance, ICON has again became a point of convergence to enhance the participation of NGOs and POs in Iloilo. After two years of celebration, NGOs and POs feel the need to strengthen the network. The institutionalization of celebration necessitates the formalization of ICON. In 2002, the General Assembly decided to organize ICON and elected a Coordinating Board to lead the coalition. During the first NGO-PO Congress, the delegates ratified the Constitution, elected the Board of Directors and officers, and worked out for the registration of the organization with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Thereafter, ICON spearheads moves that unify various NGOs and POs. It has the distinction of being an organization that can cross boundaries, and diversified persuasions, approaches, and welfare and development actions.

NATURE. VISION, MISSION, GOALS

Membership in ICON is open to individual NGOs and POs, networks, federations, aggregations, coalitions, etc. The organization is governed by Council of Leaders elected during the General Assembly provided that any network, federation, coalitions that applies for membership is automatically represented in such Council. Seven members of the Council are elected -at-large. The Council elects the Board of Director which, in turn, elects the ICON officers from among them.

VISION: Building Innovations in Networking towards Development (BIND)

MISSION: Link Individuals and Networks thru Keen Advocacy and Genuine and Effective Services (LINKAGES)

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
1.To spearhead the annual celebration of the NGO PO Week in Iloilo.
2. To represent the NGO-PO community when needed & serve as its mouthpiece on issues where it has to make stand.
3. To coordinate programs, service, and activities of NGO-PO to maximize resource for mutual benefit.
4. To mobilize human and material resources of the NGO-PO community in pursuit of social, economic, political, environmental, moral, ethical and other issues.
5. To serve as the center of information, education and communication dissemination of NGOs and POs in the city and province of Iloilo.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Information-dissemination.

With an office located at the 2nd floor Old Provincial Capitol ICON serves as center of information and communication among NGOs, POs and the provincial and city government. In partnership with the Provincial Development Council, ICON sponsors a regular forum every 2nd Thursday of the month at the 5th Floor Conference Room, New Provincial Capitol Building. The forum serves as avenue for a healthy discussion on relevant issues and concerns, sharing of information and updates of the programs and services of the government and private sector, promotion and/or advocacies on welfare and development endeavors.

ICON co sponsors with the Department of Social Work, Central Philippine University a CATV program aired live over Channel 8, Sky Cable every Tuesday 7:30-9:00 pm. Dubbed Angtanay as Katin-aran (The People's Development Network ). While the show focuses on the discussion on socio-economic, political, religious and cultural issues, it has two other features, namely Katuwang Sa Katin-aran (presentation of social welfare and development endeavors) and Buligay (Linking actual needs and resources).

Coordination.

ICON coordinates the welfare and development activities of NGOs and POs, as well as the government agencies in order to maximize resources. The Coalition spearheads the annual celebration of the NGO-PO Week in Iloilo, December 1-7, by virtue of both city and provincial ordinances to recognize the role of NGOs and POs in nation building.

Organizational development.

ICON either initiates or co-sponsors activities to strengthen the organizational capacity of member NGOs and POs and other organizations by sponsoring seminars, training, symposium, forum on Volunteerism, Social Mobilization, Fund Raising, etc.

Networking and Linkages

ICON initiates partnership with other civil society organizations, government agencies and other groups/associations who subscribe to its objectives and programs. It conducts regular Medical -dental Mission together with the Philippine Army, Iloilo Doctors College of Medicine Partnership for Health Project, etc.