Local people from their own communities choose groups to form Social Support teams. These teams operate in areas where Local People’s Organizations (LPOs) exist. Local communities will also elect Social Support teams where they build Permaculture Centers and Rural Development Centers.
Even though OPISAC pays these local Social Support teams, they work for the people and do not report directly to OPISAC. Instead, they report to the local LGU or local government unit and residents.
The purpose of these teams is to represent the interests and needs of the local people. Local populations select members of the Social Support teams through a vote or election among themselves. This process ensures that the members truly represent their community.
Election of Social Support Teams
Local populations vote to choose members of their respective Social Support teams to serve their communities within the local context. The candidates come from within the community itself. This means the people who live and work in the area decide who will speak for them.
By electing their own members, local people have control over who will guide and support community development. This democratic selection builds trust and ensures that Social Support team members understand local issues well.
Connection to Regional OPISAC Rural Development Centers
Each Local People’s Organization and Permaculture Center assigns one member of their respective teams to the regional OPISAC Rural Development Centers. This service may be part time primarily for votes or meetings, or may occur as a full time position depending on the needs of the local community.
These centers serve as a regional bridge between local communities and higher levels of governance. The Social Support team members representing the local area at the regional center will bring forward the concerns and priorities of their community.
This representation allows local interests to be heard and addressed within a larger regional context. This further assists to ensure their voice remains enforceable even at the national or international scale of operations.
Election of National Representatives
The members of the teams who serve at the regional level come together to elect one national representative from each regional OPISAC Rural Development Center. This person carries the voice of many local communities to the national and international levels.
These regional representatives carry out the election process, ensuring that the chosen national representative earns the trust and confidence of the communities, all of which they must now serve. This system helps align national decisions with local needs.
Role of Representatives During National Decisions
Sometimes, decisions made at the national level directly affect particular local communities. In such cases, representatives from the local Social Support teams may need to accompany the national representatives to national and international organizational events.
Their role is to help communicate local views and impacts clearly to decision-makers. They also assist in explaining the national decisions back to their local communities. This helps maintain transparency and keeps local people informed.
Furthermore, the direct voice of the local teams is then introduced within a formulaic or weighted voting system based on their specific concerns.
Collective Responsibility of Social Support Teams
Together, the Social Support teams hold the responsibility to guarantee that local people have proper representation at all levels. Social Support teams ensure that even when programs are managed nationally or internationally, the voices of the community are not lost.
The work of these Social Support teams creates a continuous link between local realities and broader policy. This structure supports the goal of inclusive development and respects the rights and perspectives of local populations within their context.