“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it.”
— Mahatma Gandhi

In pursuance of Republic Act No. 9285, otherwise known as the “Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004”, the Cooperative Development Authority Region I Extension Office (CDA R1 EO) reaffirmed its commitment to promote amicable settlement of disputes thru dialogue provided under the Omnibus Rules of Procedure, as it underlines the relevance of dialogue for the harmonious resolution of differences between the parties.

Certainly, a dialogue is a vital tool for the peaceful settlement of “genuine disputes” of the cooperative. On two separate occasions, the dialogue was conducted between and among members of cooperatives in Ilocos Sur. The Legal Section led by Atty. Katherine F. Ellorin and PCDS-Ilocos Sur Florentino Lorenzana spearheaded the dialogue as Facilitators, with Sr. CDS Filipina Porio as Secretariat on January 16, 2023 in Candon City, Ilocos Sur. CDS II Joy Basingel likewise assisted the cooperative and the facilitators during the dialogue.

In Bantay, Ilocos Sur, Atty. Ellorin, Sr. CDS Porio and CDS II Raymund Pilorin conducted another dialogue on January 22, 2023. Worthy to mention is that, in both instances, the dialogues were concluded with Settlement Agreements duly signed by the disputing parties, which have been eventually notarized by a notary public. The dialogue is one of the dispute resolution mechanisms available in CDA. The process is designed to help opposing parties to reach a quiet, efficient, and amicable resolution to their case or controversy rather than deal with the unfortunate consequences of courtroom litigation.

With the recent success of the dialogues conducted, it is clear that though conflict is inevitable, it is the ability to cope, deal and end the rift amicably that matters most. Through dialogue, conflicts are resolved and relationships among cooperative members are transformed. (Atty. Katherine F. Ellorin, Attorney III, CDA R1 EO)