The following are some key issues and constraints affecting current GO-NGO/RPO greater collaboration:
1. Absence or lack of clearly defined government policies. This has caused unnecessary delays in the development and implementation of NGO projects; unclear responsibilities of some concerned ministries and department; and the negative perceptions of some government officials who create all sorts of problems and bottlenecks to impede NGO operations.
The government must come up with clear policies and operating guidelines to facilitate immediate processing of NGOs/RPOs registration and the development of their programs and projects.
2. Absence or lack of a single, clearly defined body to assist the NGOs. The NGOs/RPOs find it very difficult to deal with the different concerned departments and ministries of the government because there is no single body or a committee to assist them in their registration and program operations. This has also posed serious problems to NGOs' in dealing with their funding donors.
The need to create a body or a committee composed of GO and NGO/RPO representatives is important. This body or committee shall be responsible in reviewing and drafting NGO/RPO proposed laws for legislation, recommend policies and operating guidelines acceptable and workable to both parties.
3. The government claims that NGO/RPO development models are irreplicable. Because the NGOs/RPOs have worked in isolation, the government feels that the NGO development models are only good in so far as implementing them in the micro level but irreplicable in the macro level due to resource constraints and administrative bottlenecks caused by the existing structural bureaucratic rigidity of the government.
NGOs/RPOs must produce case studies and documentations proving the replicability and effectiveness of their development models both at the micro and macro level. Perhaps, a GO-NGO- RPO Visitation Exchange Program can be conducted to some selected project sites where NGO/RPOs programs and projects are being implemented. This will be a venue for the government to understand the NGOs/RPOs development programs in the field and appreciate their development models. This will also lead to mutual dialogue and greater collaboration on how they can jointly implement and complement their development approaches and strategies.
4. Linkage between the government and the NGOs/RPOs has been poor. Only a few NGOs/RPOs are directly involved in the government programs and projects. Majority of them maintained a safe distance and are isolated working in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
NGOs/RPOs should strive to improve their linkage activities to the government so that, they can easily incorporate their development plans and programs in line with the government major thrust and priority. NGOs/RPOs must strive to win over some GO advocates who can give them information on possible GO-NGO/RPO greater collaboration.
1. Lack of integrated and comprehensive development policy on sustainable agriculture. The government agricultural research policy is strongly biased towards the economic aspects giving little emphasis on the social and the environmental aspects of agricultural development. Concretely, the government has adopted an approach of chemical agriculture and is focused on cropping systems rather than on integrated farming systems.
Therefore, the government and NGOs could conduct joint GO-NGO/RPO Consultation and Policy Workshops on Sustainable Agriculture to come up with a common understanding and development frameworks and approaches on sustainable agriculture.
The following could provide a common criteria for discussions on an integrated and comprehensive sustainable agriculture approach, namely: (a) productivity, (b) sustainability, (c) stability, and (d) equity.
2. Lack of farmers' participation in agricultural policy formulation. There is a strong tendency for the government to rely on the so-called "experts" in modern technology in formulating its policies.
Instead, the government must protect and respect farmers' rights and recognize the viability of their indigenous knowledge systems. The government should consult and actively involve the farmers and the NGOs in the agricultural policy formulation aside from the so-called "experts". The NGOs can assist in farmers' mobilization and advocate for alternative agricultural policies.
In essence, there is a need for an approach which combines an eco-friendly modern technology and the indigenous knowledge systems of the farmers.
3. The government's economic policy is inconsistent to its agricultural policy in improving the agro-ecosystem.
The government should strike a balance between economic growth and productivity by stressing equity through people's participation.
