The Cooperative Development Authority Regional Office 1 conducted its compliance caravan at Candon City, Ilocos Sur on February 28 and 29, 2024 at Candon City Center for Music and Arts with simultaneous mandatory training held at ABC Hall.

The opening program was graced by Candon City Vice Mayor Atty. Kristelle Singson who represented City Mayor Eric D. Singson. Present also were CDA Regional Director Atty. Frederick Joe N. Robles, ARD Edilberto Unson, Candon City Cooperative Development Officer, Ms. Grace L. Ramos, and Candon City CDC Chairperson, Mr. Efraim Dayap.

The first-day forum was attended by 38 representatives from 38 cooperatives and 4 CDOS while the simultaneously conducted Training on the Fundamentals of Cooperative was attended by 58 officers from 18 micro-cooperatives.

The second-day forum was attended by 90 representatives of 59 cooperatives and 2 Cooperative Development Officers while the Training on Cooperative Good Governance and Management was attended by 61 officers from 20 micro-cooperatives.

Help Desks were set up in the venues to cater to the needs of the cooperatives. There were 20 CDA personnel who assisted the different cooperatives on their various queries and concerns.

Various CDA Programs were presented and discussed in the forum like updates on Mandatory Reports and how cooperatives will submit these reports, the process of rehabilitation of cooperatives, liquidation of cooperatives, merger and consolidation, EcoopBiz, and Koop Kapatid. A brief lecture on project proposal preparation was also done.

Overall, the caravan was a success. The activity proved true to its tagline, Empowering Cooperatives, Empowering the Filipino People, as evidenced by some of the feedbacks: “maganda po ang ganitong forum”, “napakamaganda po yung pagkakaroon ng mga HELP DESKS at nandoon na lahat”, “sana maulit po ang paglagay niyo ng HELP DESK during the submission of mandatory reports”, “mag-schedule po kayo po sana ng isa pang training”, and “matiyaga at mabait po ang mga nag-assist sa amin”.

Indeed, the CDA R1 successfully brought its services nearer to its clients.

The event was made possible by the support of the Local Government of Candon City which provided the venues, meals and snacks, and accommodations for the CDA personnel.  Personnel from the Office of the City Mayor and the City Office for the Development of Cooperatives assisted throughout the event.