ABSTRACT
Over the past decade, non-governmental organisations in the Philippines have not only grown in size and number–they have created a niche in public life. Government, business, academia, the church and ordinary citizens have recognised the importance of NGOs. National life is no longer defined solely by the traditional power-brokers, and NGOs are grudgingly acknowledged as critical components in Philippine development. Government records claim that there are more than 18,000 registered NGOs in the Philippines today, but this number is misleading, mainly because the term ‘NGO’ is used as a catch-all for all non-profit organisations that do not fall into the categories of government, schools, business, and political parties.
