Cooperative Development Authority, through its Region X Extension Office, forged allegiance with Bukidnon State University College of Law and Integrated Bar of the Philippines Bukidnon Chapter last August 16, 2024 at the IBP Building, Malaybalay, Bukidnon. Usec. Joseph B. Encabo of Cooperative Development Authority, Dr. Joy M . Mirasol,

President of Bukidnon State University, as represented by the Dean of their College of Law, Atty. Ophelia Pilar R. Zamora and President of the IBP Bukidnon Chapter, Atty. Alfredo G. Cape, JR.A, signed a separate Memorandum of Agreement in relation to the CDA Laws Awareness Program (CLAP) program of the Agency. These efforts are in line with Section 4(gg) of RA 11364 or the CDA Charter of 2019, which empowers the CDA to establish linkages with the academe and other institutions, both local or international for education, training and research for cooperatives.

The said event was witnessed by the following: Atty. Von Derek B. Santoninio – IBP Bukidnon, Atty. Heinz Villanueva – IBP Bukidnon, Annaly Q. Entera – IBP Bukidnon, Atty. Ophelia Pilar Rubio-Zamora – Dean of BukSU College of Law, Marissa B. Catubig – Supervising CDS CDA R10, Atty. Ansarah Julynne M. Yamba – LAS CDA R10, Atty. Analiza C. Sulpot, CPA – CDS II CDA R10/IBP Bukidnon.

CDA Laws Awareness Program or CLAP is a program of the Legal Affairs Service (LAS) of the Authority that aims to spread and raise awareness of cooperative laws, rules and regulations. CLAP is an innovative program to advocate cooperative laws and principles to law schools and law students/Law Student Practitioners (LSPs) through the Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP) under the Revised Law Student Practice Rule (A.M. 19-03-24-SC) with the end goal of integrating cooperative subjects into the law curriculum.

The Agency also sought the help of the members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to help the Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs)/IPs in the organization and registration of their cooperatives, and in fostering the growth of IC/IP cooperatives in different regions.

Looking forward, this event is only the beginning of a fruitful and productive partnership between the CDA and the BukSU- College of Law, and CDA and the IBP Bukidnon Chapter. With both the law school practitioners, and our volunteer lawyers working hand in hand in appreciating cooperative laws, a great number of our stakeholders, particularly our marginalized sectors, will be benefited with efficient and effective service thereby fostering the development of cooperatives, its members and the community as a whole.