To ensure that cooperatives as well as stakeholders are well-versed of the latest regulatory standards, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region 1 Extension Office in partnership with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Ilocos Norte Provincial Office held an orientation for DAR Assisted Cooperatives last May 13-14, 2025 on Memorandum Circular 2025-02, titled “Revised Guidelines on the Submission of Required Reports and Prescribing the Requirements for the Issuance of a Certificate of Compliance (COC) and the Grounds for the Non-Issuance, Suspension and Revocation of COC.”

As mandated by the Article of RA 9520, otherwise known as the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008, and Rule 8 of the Revised IRR, all cooperatives are required to submit their annual reports within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of the calendar year.

 

 

The orientation started with welcome remarks by OIC PARPO II, Atty. Armi Christie Pe Benito, who recognized the value of having Certificate of Compliance not just by submitting reports but upholding the values and principles of a registered cooperative. An Inspirational Message and Rationale of the Training was presented by DAR Personnel.

 

 

The orientation proper was led by Ms. Renee Faye Carino, Senior Cooperatives Development Specialist from the Supervision and Examination Section, together with Mr. Jomar Palsimon, Cooperatives Development Specialist II.

Ms. Carino discussed the submission of reports via Cooperative Assessment Information System (CAIS) Highlighting New timelines and protocols wherein only Small to Large cooperatives are advised to submit report in the system. While Mr. Palsimon discussed the simplified Reporting for Micro Cooperatives found in the CDA Website. The inclusion of the Sworn Statement signed by all officers was also explained properly to ensure the accountability of officers in their submission of the report.

 

 

Participating Cooperatives raised questions and clarifications regarding the presentations and were answered and clarified by the resource speakers.

 

Mr. Marwin Peralta, Ms. Rosievic Medina and Mr. Richard Gacisan, all are Cooperatives Development Specialist II, also assisted in the conduct of the orientation wherein they committed in providing technical assistance whenever needed by the cooperatives.

 

 

This initiative showed the collaborative efforts between agencies in strengthening compliance and supporting in the development of cooperatives.