An economic inquiry on the nature of the existence of non-governmental organizations in Negros Occidental

This study is an economic inquiry into the nature of the existence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from two standpoints: theoretical and empirical, both of which are exploratory and descriptive in nature. The empirical concern is based largely on the actual experience of the NGOs in Negros Occidental. It involves 98 accredited NGOs included in the list provided by the provincial Planning and Development Office of Negros Occidental. Of the 98 NGOs, 69 are investigated. The theoretical aspect involves a survey of existing literature in economics. This exploratory study investigates whether the NGOs in Negros Occidental do conform to its conceptual and operational definitions. It is descriptive in nature and relies primarily on frequency counts and the measure of central tendency to describe the nature and characteristics of these NGOs. The concensus method was used on the 69 NGOs that have satisfied the operational definition of NGOs, however, only 55 of these organizations responded. A survey instrument was used to measure or determine the variables of interest to the study and a request was made to look at their documents, records and financial statements to validate their responses. The nature of the NGOs in Negros Occidental is generally consistent with the theoretical and conceptual definitions of non-governmental organizations. However, these organizations should not be treated as the most efficient and effective sector to bring about desired goals of a nation. Rather, this sector exists because of the restricted capabilities of markets and governments. It does not intend to compete with the two other sectors, but simply to complement their restricted capabilities. These NGOs are also faced with some restrictive constraints that may have some serious implications to the future of their existence, namely: Their dependence on contribution The extent of government support. The extent of government collaboration. Thus, if NGOs are to successfully complement the tasks of markets and governments, then it has to strengthen its ties with the two other sectors, as well as, increase its levels of self-reliance and self-sufficiency. Whether the NGOs in Negros Occidental exists, as a response to \u27market failure\u27 and/or to \u27government failure\u27 has perhaps not been fully established in this study. What is important though is that these NGOs did have a role to play when the Negros economy was undergoing a difficulty and both the market and the government could not fully satisfy the needs of the province. The extent of role success and whether these organizations continue to persist, however, are areas of further study. The desire to include non-governmental organizations in economic analysis does not imply that markets and governments have completely failed. It is simply an attempt to broaden the framework of analysis to account for initiatives and responses that do exist outside of the two other sectors. The works of Amartya Sen and Tereso Tullao, Jr. have influenced this exposition that tries to bridge the gap between economics and ethics, the rational and the ethical