The creation of the Local Councils of Women (LCW) was moved by the strong belief that women groups at the local levels should be organized into one cohesive unit to be strong.

This was initiated by the National Council of Women of the Philippines (NCWP) during the incumbency of Chairman Myrna T. Yao as President.

Several steps and undertakings took place and processes were worked out with the DILG and with other women leaders which led to the issuance of DILG MC No. 2002-167 dated October 10, 2002 and later amended by MC No, 2006-125 dated September 21, 2006.

The MC provided the guidelines on procedures and structures for the creation of the Local Councils of Women (LCW).

The MC provides that the organization of LCWs shall be conducted towards women empowerment, social justice and poverty alleviation of marginalized women through democratic participation; autonomy of LGU and NGO; spirit of inclusivity; political neutrality and non-partisanship of government officials/staff/organizations; transparency and accountability.

The Council is a non-government entity which shall be comprised of women organizations existing in the locality and is duly recognized by the local government unit (LGU).

This represents the women GO-NGO partnership in the localities. It shall be organized in every city and municipality.

In organizing an LCW, the local government unit may appoint a point person preferably the city or municipal Social Welfare Development Officer or NCWP representative, to convene all women

NGOs in the locality to organize the Local Council of Women following the guidelines prescribed under MC No. 2006-125.

 a) Women organizations that have shown capability and commitment to implement women’s agenda at the local levelb) Should have been in continuous operation for at

least one (1) year. At the minimum they should:

be established organizations with operational structures and has a membership of at least twenty (20) members

have programs and projects geared towards poverty alleviations, social justice and women empowerment.

The Local Council of Women shall have nine (9) members of the Board of Trustees: seven (7) from the NGOs/Pos/Professional Groups; one (1) representative from the National Council of Women of the Philippines (NCWP) or its affiliates until such time that there is an organized NCWP in the locality.

These nine (9) members of the Board shall elect from among themselves the regular Chairperson, and other officers such as Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Auditor, PRO and such other officers that may be needed. The LGU representative cannot be elected as Chairperson. The term of office of the LCW officers shall be three (3) years (amended from the previous 2 years).

The organized LCW must bear the name “Local Council of Women of (name of the city or municipality).

It must apply for accreditation to the Philippine Federation of Local Councils of Women, Inc. with a one-time accreditation fee of P2,000.00, and an annual membership fee of P1,000.00.

When LCWs have been duly organized in the cities and municipalities in a province, a Provincial Council of Women (PCW) may be organized which shall be composed of the LCW chairpersons.

They shall elect from among themselves a Chairperson and the other officers as required. They shall perform the following functions:

1. Coordinate and consolidate the efforts of the municipal/city local councils of women

2. Work for the integration of the PFLCW, Inc. advocacy agenda and other relevant concerns in the provincial development plans and programs 3. Conduct meetings as the need arises

4. Coordinate, collaborate, recommend and provide the necessary support to NCRFW (now Philippine Commission on Women) and PFLCW, Inc. in the implementation of its programs

1. Get the official recognition as an organized LCW by the local government unit by the issuance of an Executive Order duly establishing the Local Council of (name of the city of municipality), and enumerating therein the names of the organizations comprising it, its objectives, functions and privileges among others.

2. Secure accreditation for membership to the Local Special Bodies in order to be considered as member of the Municipality/City Development Council and have official representation in municipal programs and activities as necessary.

3. Get involved in the LGU economic programs with livelihood assistance

4. Get trainings on capacity building like: entrepreneurship development, special skills, product development, product packaging, leadership, economic-social enhancement activities, livelihood project demonstrations, and many more

5. Coordinate, collaborate with other NGOs and learn from their best practices and net works

6. Learn computer operation and avail of the internet and other cyber facilities and services

7. Participate in city or municipal economic, social and cultural activities like putting up exhibits in trade fairs or town festivals, and the like

8. Participate in PPP (Public-Private Partnership) programs of the government

1. The opportunity of accessing the services of the Secretariat Office through referral, networking, marketing assistance, funding assistance and other services

2. Networking with national and international organizations focusing on economic empowerment

3. Availing of mentoring services based on mutual agreement

4. Right to vote during the Annual General Assembly

5. The opportunity to be a candidate to the PFLCW, Inc. Board of Trustees as NGO Representative

6. The privilege to be given the first priority to be invited to the trainings, seminars, conferences and assemblies being organized by the PFLCW, Inc. secretariat office