Protecting the welfare of financial consumers took center stage as 194 cooperative leaders from 108 cooperatives across Districts 5 and 6 of Pangasinan came together on 30 July 2026 at the Robert B. Estrella Sr. Memorial Stadium (RBE Gym) in Rosales for the Orientation on Republic Act No. 11765, or the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act (FCPA), together with other related Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) issuances.

Organized by the CDA Region I Extension Office in partnership with the Municipality of Rosales and the Umingan Federation of Agriculture Cooperative (UFACO), the activity underscored the growing role of cooperatives in ensuring that members and clients receive fair, transparent, and responsible financial services.

Welcoming the participants, Mr. Ben M. Mendoza, Municipal Agriculturist of Rosales, expressed the municipality’s appreciation for hosting an activity that promotes stronger and more accountable cooperative governance. He recognized the commitment of cooperative leaders who continue to equip themselves with knowledge that ultimately benefits their members and communities.

One of the highlights of the program was the message delivered by Mr. Disodado S. Botas, Chairperson of UFACO, who emphasized that the orientation is, above all, about the people whom cooperatives serve every day. He reminded the participants that members and clients are the lifeblood of every cooperative and deserve to be treated with fairness, respect, and integrity. As cooperatives continue to provide financial products and services, protecting the rights and interests of financial consumers should always remain a priority.

Representing CDA Region I Regional Director Atty. Frederick Joe N. Robles, Ms. Arlenne C. Espinoza, Acting Sr. CDS of the Credit Surety Fund Section, highlighted the Authority’s continuing commitment to helping cooperatives comply with laws and regulations that protect financial consumers and strengthen public trust in the cooperative sector.

To set the tone for the learning sessions, Ms. Rocelyn C. Banayat, CDS II, presented the rationale of the activity, emphasizing that the implementation of the Financial Consumer Protection Act is not merely a regulatory requirement but a commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of every member and client who entrusts their resources to cooperatives.

The participants then engaged in an in-depth discussion led by Ms. Josie L. Villaver, Supervising CDS of the Inspection and Examination Division, Credit Surety Fund Service. She walked the participants through the salient provisions of Republic Act No. 11765 and CDA Memorandum Circular No. 2025-08, which provides the guidelines for establishing the Financial Consumer Protection Assistance Management System (FCPAMS) among CDA-Regulated Entities.

The discussions encouraged participants to reflect on how their cooperatives can further strengthen transparency, accountability, complaint-handling mechanisms, and consumer-centered practices. Throughout the activity, cooperative leaders actively participated by raising practical questions and sharing experiences on implementing financial consumer protection measures within their respective organizations, reflecting the sector’s collective commitment to continuously improving the quality of financial services provided to cooperative members.

As the orientation concluded, Mr. Regie A. Gattoc, Vice Chairperson of UFACO, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the activity. He acknowledged the CDA Region I Extension Office, particularly the Credit Surety Fund Section, for spearheading the conduct of the orientation, as well as the resource speaker, the Municipality of Rosales, and the UFACO for their invaluable support and collaboration. He also extended his sincere appreciation to all the participating cooperative leaders for their active participation and commitment, noting that they remained engaged from the opening program until the conclusion of the activity. He encouraged them to carry forward the knowledge they had gained and apply the principles of financial consumer protection in their respective cooperatives, recognizing that protecting members’ interests and strengthening their trust are essential to building resilient and responsible cooperative organizations.

The successful conduct of the orientation reaffirmed the CDA Region I’s commitment to promoting a culture of financial consumer protection among cooperatives. Through continuous capacity-building initiatives and strong partnerships with local government units and the cooperative sector, CDA Region I remain steadfast in empowering cooperatives to deliver ethical, transparent, and member-centered financial services, ensuring that every member who places their trust in cooperatives is protected and served with integrity.

Rocelyn C. Banayat

CDS II