Philippine NGOs' Influence on Environmental Policy-Making

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Environmental degradation is a growing concern in the Philippines. This thesis focuses on the five categories of activity being carried out by the Philippine environmental NGOs that eventually led to the establishment of greater laws and policies. The three main aims of this research have been met through extensive research on social movements and literature which particularly illustrate NGO activities？ influence on governance, democratization, and environmental law and policymaking process. The online research method employed has been highlighted through the case study of Haribon Foundation, which exhibited a remarkable amount of influence on environmental policymaking. This study produced a number of major findings including: the increasing number of environmental NGOs parallel the increasing number of environmental laws established; environmental NGOs and laws increased in numbers after the post-authoritarian era; environmental NGOs have a myriad of activities (including: environmental education, direct participation, media, collaboration, etc.); factors (such as political opportunities, mobilization, framing issues) are critical to NGOs？ activity advancement. The main conclusion drawn from this thesis is that the said NGOs have been successful in influencing policy results, thus, making the country replete with environmental laws. This thesis has argued that the Philippine government should equip itself with political will and other relevant facilities that would secure proper and effective implementation of the laws and policies in consultation and collaboration with the government agencies, private institutions, communities, civil society groups, and NGOs.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• 1. Introduction 1
• 1.1. Aims of the Research 1
• 1.2. Scope of the Study 2
• 1.3. Defining NGOs . 2
• 1.4. Glimpse to the Past: Paradigm in the 1970-80s . 3
• 1.5. Empowering Civil Society: Looking Towards the Future 5
• 1.6. Emerging Environmental Movements 6
• 1.7. Theoretical Framework and Literature Review 7
• 1.7.1. Conceptualizing Political Opportunity Structures (POS) 8
• 1.7.2. Mobilizing Movements 10
• 1.7.3. Framing Processes 11
• 1.7.4. Defining Deliberative Participative Democracy 12
• 1.7.5. Literature Review . 15
• 1.8. NGO Case study 17
• 1.9. Methods and Sources 18
• 2. From Past to Present: The Tale of NGOs and Agents . 21
• 2.1. Philippine Civil Society (1521-1946): From Spanish to American Rule . 22
• 2.2. Four Periods of NGO Development
• 2.2.1. Reform and Modernization: 1946-1965 . 24
• 2.2.2. Martial Law, Social Crisis, and Social Movements: 1965-1978 26
• 2.2.3. Fall of Marcos, Rise of Civil Society with Aquino: 1978-1992 . 28
• 2.2.4. Post-Aquino Administration: 1992 Onwards . 31
• 2.3. Other Environmental Actors and Activists
• 2.3.1. The Catholic Church 34
• 2.3.2. Isagani Serrano and Others 35
• 2.3.3. Antonio Oposa Jr. 36
• 2.3.4. Nicanor Perlas 38
• 3. Institutional Settings and Legislative Structures: Government Agencies, Legislations, and Processes 41
• 3.1. Legislative and Administrative Frameworks 41
• 3.1.1. 1987 Philippine Constitution 42
• 3.1.2. Act of 1991: Local Government Code (LGC) . 47
• 3.1.3. Executive Order No. 15 of 1992: Philippine Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD) 51
• 3.2. Major Environmental Laws and Policies 55
• 3.3. Environmental Law- and Policy-Making Process: PCSD, Philippine Congress, DENR, and NGOs
• 3.3.1. The Philippine Council for Sustainable Development . 58
• 3.3.2. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources 59
• 3.3.3. The Philippine Congress 61
• 3.3.4. Non-Governmental Organizations . 64
• 4. Environmental Struggles: Five Categories of NGO Activities 65
• 4.1. Education, Awareness, and Training Empowerment 67
• 4.2. Collaboration, Partnership, and Networking 73
• 4.3. Direct Participation in Policymaking 77
• 4.4. Policy Advocacy, Metalegal Strategies, and Mobilization . 80
• 4.5. Research, Publication, and Media . 84
• 5. From Bird-Watching to Environmental Protection: Case Study of Haribon
• 5.1. Historical Background and Achievements 89
• 5.2. Exploring Haribons Strategic Activities
• 5.2.1. Education, Knowledge, and Awareness Empowerment . 95
• 5.2.2. Collaboration, Partnership and Networking . 101
• 5.2.3. Direct Participation in Policy Formulation . 104
• 5.2.4. Policy Advocacy, Metalegal Strategy, and Mobilization . 107
• 5.2.5. Research, Publication and Media 110
• 5.3. National Integrated Protected Areas System Act: Umbrella Legislation 113
• 5.3.1. Environmental Significance of NIPAS 114
• 5.3.2. Significance of NGOs Roles in NIPAS 115
• 5.4. Summary and Conclusion . 116
• 6. Analysis and Discussion
• 6.1. Policy Success Dimensions 119
• 6.1.1. Policy Dimension . 120
• 6.1.2. Civil Society Dimension . 121
• 6.1.3. Democracy Dimension . 123
• 6.2. Major Factors Surrounding Success in Policymaking Struggles
• 6.2.1. Political Opportunities
• A. The Power of One: People Power Movement 125
• B. Philippine Civil Society Historical Legacy 128
• C. Current Civil Society . 131
• 6.2.2. Organizing Environmental Movements
• A. Mobilizing POs, Environmental Groups, and Citizens Groups 135
• B. Tribal, Indigenous, and Local Communities 136
• C. Environmental Activists and Leaders 139
• D. First Environmentalists, Spontaneous Groups, Unorganized Citizens . 140
• 6.2.3. Framing Environmental Issues
• A. Transnational Relations, Networks, Information Exchange . 142
• B. Funding and Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) . 143
• C. Equitable Distribution of Resources and Christian Values 144
• 6.3. Summing Up NGOs Influence on Policy-Making . 146
• 7. Conclusion and Implications 149
• Appendix . 156
• Bibliography 161