DAVAO CITY-The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Davao Legal Unit with the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP)-School of Law conducts first ever free legal consultation for 16 cooperatives in the Island Garden City of Samal held at the ABC Hall, Sitio Pasig, IGACOS on October 19, 2023 through the support and leadership of Mr. Glenn Sabanal Garcia, Regional Director of CDA Region 11 Extension Office.

The event was graced by the presence of the Associate Dean of the USEP School of Law, Atty. Maria Zola Estela I. Geyrozaga together with two (2) Law Student Practitioners, Ms. Eunice Gagayan and Ms. Kate Tancino. The City Mayor’s Office of Samal was represented by the City Cooperative Development Council Chairperson Ms. Maylinda L. Sumalinog and Ms. Karen Kaye L. Ruiz of the Community Affairs Division.

CDA Region 11 Extension Office Legal Chief, Atty. Earl D.F. Larroder also gave a brief introduction of the CDA Omnibus Rules of Procedures at the IGACOS Sangguniang Panlungsod regular session during the courtesy visit of the legal team. The Legal Unit during the courtesy call also introduced Mr. Arnold Bordios, Cooperative Development Specialist II in-charge of the IGACOS to the august body for any concerns regarding cooperatives in the city.

CDA Region 11 is the first CDA regional office to implement the CDA Legal Awareness Program (CLAP) with a partner law school. USEP-School of Law will be the second Law School in the Davao Region to be part of the said program.

Also part of the CDA Legal Team during the successful event was Mr. Paul Ryan S. Simbajon, CDS II of the Legal Unit and Mr. Louie Camarote of the CDA Davao Regional Office.