BAYAN is made up principally of workers and peasants, founded on the determination and strength of the most numerous oppressed classes. Women, youth and students, urban poor, national minorities, church workers, teachers, professionals also account for the largest membership in the more than one million individual members of the alliance.

The basic unit of BAYAN is the chapter. The highest policy-making body is the General Assembly (GA) which meets in Congress every three years. In between congresses, the highest policy-making body is the National Council (NC) which meets twice a year or when events necessitate a decision by the most representative body other than the General Assembly.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) ensures implementation of the General Program of Action (GPOA) of BAYAN and other policies and directives laid down by the GA and the NC.

The five commissions formulate specific programs and plans based on the GPOA and policies and directives of the NC and NEC. These are the Popular Struggles Commission, the Political Relations Commission, the Policy Studies Commission, the Education Commission and the International Relations Commission,.

Finally, the General Secretariat runs the day-to-day operations and BAYAN's National Office.