CDA XII AND USM-COLLEGE OF LAW FORGED CLAP PARTNERSHIP THROUGH MOA SIGNING

The Cooperative Development Authority Region XII EO sealed a Memorandum of Agreement for the CDA Laws Awareness Program (CLAP) with the University of Southern Mindanao-College of Law on September 16, 2025 at College of Law Building, USM-KCC campus.

This undertaking is in accordance with the CDA’s mandate under RA 11364 to establish partnership with law schools and universities to create a framework for collaborative development and a strong connection between the legal and cooperative sectors, equipping future lawyers with expertise in cooperative laws. It also helps ensure that cooperatives have access to the legal services they need to thrive and grow.

The alliance is also eyed to offer law students the opportunity to fulfill their requirements under the Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP) and to become fully immersed in the CDA, understand its processes, and apply their knowledge and training through legal services. 

CDA XII Acting Regional Director Juriski B. Mangelen extended her appreciation to the USM for its wholehearted collaboration to the agreement.  RD Mangelen also stated that she is happy that the mission of the university is also aligned with the CDA on the promotion of social justice and community development.

Atty. Gil Ray Ontal, CDA Legal Officer, expressed his deepest gratitude to USM-College of Law as the first-partner law school of CDA Region XII under the CLAP. He also added that  he is hoping for a productive partnership together with the university.

Similarly, SUC President Jonald L. Pimentel, PhD thanked CDA for selecting USM-College of Law as the first university in Region XII to implement CLAP and for the opportunity of partnership. President Pimentel further mentioned that it is an honor to support CDA programs and to provide learning support to the endeavors of their law students.

Likewise, USM-College of Law Dean Atty. Freddie H. Baynosa II, LLM stated that the USM-College of Law values open knowledge and that he is looking forward to more CDA projects, opportunities for the law students.

The signing only marked the beginning of the partnership, amplifying the mutual commitment to promote cooperativism and raising awareness of the laws and rules and regulations concerning cooperatives and the CDA and expanding the knowledge and the awareness on the country’s cooperative sector.