CDA conducts CBCR Pilot Testing to Cooperatives in Region XII
On February 12-14, 2025, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) XII conducted a three-day activity on Cooperative Business Continuity and Resiliency (CBCR) Pilot Testing at Sun City Suites, General Santos City to strengthen cooperative operations. The activity gathered 25 participants from five (5) cooperatives across Region XII. Two (2) officers and three (3) members, ensure a well-rounded discussion on the assessment tool represented by each cooperative. The participating cooperatives displayed the diverse spectrum of the cooperative sector in Region XII, including Cinco Samahang Nayon Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Badtasan Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, City Food Terminal Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Lake Sebu National High School Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and the Sto. Niño Teachers and Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
The activity aims to train the cooperatives in long-term planning and recognition of resilience in responding to crises and proactively preparing for them.
Yvonne L. Templonuevo, Adrian C. Carillo, CDSes, and Ruth N. Alendajao, Senior CDS led the sessions. A criteria-based selection of cooperatives for the pilot testing includes micro, small, medium, and large cooperatives and one cooperative with the broadest industry reach. Additionally, the identified cooperatives demonstrated a clear interest in learning about Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and resilience building. Their openness to new ideas, willingness to implement learnings internally, and compliance with CDA XII regulations were key factors in their selection. Furthermore, only cooperatives with at least three (3) years of operations were included to ensure sufficient background knowledge and experience to contribute meaningfully to the pilot testing.
This initiative was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the CBCR tool targets to identify vulnerabilities in cooperative operations, gather detailed feedback, identify areas for improvement, and refine the tool before wider implementation. By applying the tool in a structured environment, participants were able to assess how well it detected weaknesses and provided guidance for developing actionable business continuity plans. The goal was to ensure that cooperatives could proactively address potential risks, allowing them to continue their services even during times of crisis.
During the three-day pilot testing, participants engaged in hands-on activities and projects to simulate challenges. In these activities, the participants explored various aspects of self-assessment, action planning, and monitoring progress. Facilitators guided them through detailed discussions of the worksheets.
