The future of the Philippines Council for NGO Certification (PCNC), and the extent to which it will continue to have power to accredit donee institutions, is still unclear. Executive Order (EO) 671, issued in October last year, referred to PCNC’s accreditation function as ‘undue delegation’ and distributed responsibility for accreditation among a number of government departments instead (see Alliance eBulletin, January 2008). Following representations, however, the Order was withdrawn pending a review.

In the meantime, a rather complex compromise has been worked out between PCNC, the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Social and Welfare Development (DSWD) whereby the three have agreed that they will produce an amended Executive Order. In addition to its present board membership, which includes DOF or Bureau of Internal Affairs (BIR) representation, the PCNC board will now include DSWD and Department of Science and Technology representation. Other government representatives will also sit on the board as and when appropriate.

Meanwhile PCNC continues to process applications, but there is an interim arrangement pending issue of the amended Executive Order under which the results will be submitted to the DSWD, which will endorse the certified organizations to the BIR, the body which makes the formal grant of certification of donee institution status.

For more information
Contact PCNC Executive Director Fely Imperial Soledad at felyimperial@yahoo.com