Strengthening Accountability: CPDAS Region XI Conducts Intensive Handholding for Livelihood Project Liquidations
DAVAO REGION – In a steadfast commitment to transparency and operational excellence, the Cooperative Project Development and Assistance Section (CPDAS) of Region XI spearheaded a comprehensive Handholding and Technical Assistance initiative from January to March 4, 2026.
The three-month intensive activity focused on the validation and verification of liquidation documents submitted by cooperative beneficiaries under two flagship programs: the CMPL Start-up Livelihood Project and the Sa Kooperatiba, Imee Solusyon Program.
A Hands-On Approach to Compliance
Moving beyond traditional auditing, the CPDAS team adopted a “handholding” strategy. This approach ensures that micro and small cooperatives are not merely checked for errors but are guided through the complexities of government accounting and liquidation standards.
The mission was led by Doreen R. Catayoc, Senior CDS and CPDAS Head, alongside Paraluman T. Sepulveda, CDS II, and Talal Djulkefli K. Zailon, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer. Together, the team provided on-site verification to ensure that every peso utilized in these livelihood project is translated into tangible benefits for the farmer-members.
Validation and Verification Pillars
The team focused on several critical areas during the verification window:
- Documentary Integrity: Ensuring all invoices, receipts, and payrolls were compliant with COA and CDA standards.
- Project Alignment: Verifying that the funds released for the Program were utilized specifically for their intended purposes, such as working capital for copra and rice trading.
- Technical Mentoring: Addressing the gaps identified in the cooperatives’ bookkeeping systems to prevent future delinquency and administrative hurdles.
Impact of the Initiative
By March 4, 2026, the initiative successfully bridged the gap between fund utilization and financial reporting. For many cooperatives in Region XI, the presence of the CPDAS team served as a morale booster, transforming the daunting task of liquidation into a learning opportunity.
“Our goal is to ensure that our cooperatives remain ‘relevant’ not just in service, but in their administrative standing,” the team noted during one of the sessions. “By cleaning up the liquidation backlog, we pave the way for these cooperatives to qualify for further assistance and expanded credit lines.”
Looking Forward
As the first quarter of 2026 concludes, the successful validation of these documents marks a milestone for the Region XI cooperative sector. With strengthened financial records and improved technical capacity, the beneficiaries of the CMPL Start-up Livelihood and Imee Solusyon programs are now better positioned to scale their operations, embodying the true spirit of cooperative resilience and accountability.
