City of San Fernando, La Union. Consistent with the continuing efforts to strengthen cooperative governance and institutionalize effective conflict management mechanisms, an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Mediation-Conciliation Training-Workshop was successfully conducted on March 11-12, 2026 at Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) Conference Room, Sevilla, City of San Fernando, La Union.
The conduct of the training-workshop was facilitated through the collaborative efforts of the Cooperative Development Authority Region I Extension Office (CDA R1) thru CDA ADR Training Team spearheaded by Atty. Katherine F. Ellorin, Supervising CDS Edilberto Unson, PCDS-La Union Constancia de Guzman, CDS II Engr. Marwin Peralta, and CDS I Edgar Ibuan in partnership with Provincial Government Office of La Union and the Provincial Cooperative Development Office led by Acting Provincial Government Assistant Department Head OPG-Provincial Cooperative Development Office Ms. Gemma Macusi.. This inter-office collaboration reflects a coordinated institutional approach toward strengthening dispute resolution capacities and competencies of cooperative officers in the application of mediation as a structured and non-adversarial approach to resolving disputes and reinforcing compliance with applicable governance and regulatory frameworks within the cooperative sector.
The ADR training- workshop was attended by cooperative officers, Mediation-Conciliation committee members and representatives from LGU and OPAg who play a critical role in ensuring that internal disputes are addressed in accordance with Article 137 of RA No. 9520, cooperative principles, applicable laws, and established governance policies.
During the lecture proper, Atty. Katherine F. Ellorin oriented the participants on the appropriate application of mediation in the context of cooperative operations as provided in RA 9520 and CDA Omnibus Rules of Procedure. Emphasis was likewise placed on the importance of due process, ethical standards in mediation practice, and the proper documentation of mediated agreements to ensure clarity, enforceability, and compliance with cooperative policies and regulatory requirements. Atty. Ellorin likewise provide a comprehensive discussion on the legal and procedural foundations of ADR, including the principles of voluntary participation, neutrality, confidentiality, and the facilitative role and qualities of the mediator in assisting disputing parties toward a mutually acceptable resolution.
As one of the resource persons, CDS II Engr. Marwin Peralta discussed the duties and responsibilities of the Mediation-Conciliation (Med-Con) Committee, the procedure in filing a complaint before the MedCon, principles and matters not covered by mediation in the cooperative.
As part of the training methodology, participants engaged in structured workshops and simulation exercises designed to replicate common cooperative dispute scenarios encountered within cooperatives. These practical sessions enabled participants to apply mediation techniques, including active listening, issue identification, interest-based negotiation, and agreement-building, while maintaining impartiality and adherence to procedural fairness.
At the end of the session, the participants expressed appreciation to the resource speakers for the training, noting that conflicts within cooperatives can sometimes affect productivity and trust among members. By developing mediation skills, leaders are now better prepared to address disagreements constructively and maintain harmony within their respective organizations.
Ultimately, the program reinforces the commitment of cooperatives to uphold sound governance practices and to ensure that disputes are resolved in a manner consistent with both legal standards and the fundamental cooperative values and principles.
Prepared by:
Atty. Katherine F. Ellorin, Legal Officer
