The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region I Extension Office, in partnership with the Urdaneta City Agriculture Office, the City Government of Urdaneta, the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) Region I, and the Tayug Pangasinan Transport Service Cooperative (TAPTANSCO), successfully conducted a Training-Workshop on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for cooperatives in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.

The three-day workshop was held from April 23 to 25, 2025, at the Audio-Visual Room (AVR), Old City Hall, Urdaneta City. The event aimed to orient and empower cooperative officers on the principles and practices of mediation. A total of 26 participants from various cooperatives and City Agriculture Office attended the training.

OIC City Agriculturist Alexander J. Mateo and Supervising Agriculturist Atty. Lily B. Tadeo formally welcomed and acknowledged the participants, CDA resource speakers, and facilitators. CDA Regional Director Atty. Frederick Joe Robles delivered the opening remarks.

Representatives from the NCMB, Supervising Labor and Employment Officer (LEO) Lester Panem, Senior LEO Chester Erestingcol, and LEO III Vincent Remular—discussed essential topics such as Grievance Machinery and Labor-Management Cooperation, among others.

The CDA Team ADR, led by Atty. Katherine F. Ellorin, and composed of CRITS Sr. CDS Filipina H. Porio, PCDS Ilocos Sur CDS II Florentino B. Lorenzana, CDS II Imelda Fronda, CDS I Edgar S. Ibuan, and Accountant II Enjirico R. Mondares, presented and emphasized the relevance of mediation, basic principles, ethics of mediation, etc. in dispute resolution, which is essential in the safe and sound cooperative operations.

During the plenary discussions, participants shared valuable insights and key takeaways from the training. They expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation, stating that they felt inspired and equipped to apply their newfound knowledge and learnings to their cooperatives, their members, and their respective workplaces.

Prepared by:

Atty. Katherine F. Ellorin, Legal Officer

Edgar Ibuan, CDS I