Butuan City — July 16, 2025. In a continuing effort to promote cooperative protection and local fiscal accountability, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) – Region XIII Extension Office, through its Cooperative Research, Information and Training Section (CRITS) headed by Senior CDS Niño Rosil C. Bantayan, successfully conducted a one-day multi-stakeholder forum entitled “Enhancing Local Fiscal Transparency and Cooperative Engagement: A Stakeholder Forum on BLGF Memorandum Circular Nos. 11-001-2016 and 31-2009” at Hotel Oazis, Butuan City.
The forum was sponsored by GIZ Philippines under the guidance of Mr. Lowell Sareno, GIZ Advisor. This initiative brought together a wide range of stakeholders from across the Caraga Region, including City and Municipal Mayors, local Treasurers, and Business Permit and Licensing Officers, highlighting strong LGU support for fiscal transparency. Also present were Cooperative Development Officers and Council Chairpersons at the provincial, city, and municipal levels, representatives from DILG, BLGF, and development partner GIZ. Officials from CDA Caraga, including its Legal Officer, Senior and Developmental CDSes, along with selected cooperative leaders and a representative from the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), also participated demonstrating the event’s inclusive and collaborative approach.
The program began with participant registration and opening preliminaries, followed by acknowledgment of participants. Opening remarks were delivered by Atty. Jason Paul C. Magarin, Legal Officer of CDA Caraga, followed by a message of support from GIZ Advisor Mr. Lowell Sareno. Senior CDS Niño Rosil C. Bantayan then presented the rationale and objectives of the activity.
The morning session featured presentations from OIC-DILG Butuan City Director Annabel F. Yangson and BLGF Caraga Local Treasury Operations Officer II Sheena Marie Berido. These covered legal and policy frameworks governing the tax exemption of cooperatives and the implementation of BLGF Circulars.
In the afternoon, a plenary session was held, chaired by Alvin B. Dela Cruz (PCDO of the Province of Dinagat Islands and RCDC Chairperson). Panelists from the BLGF, CDA Legal officer addressed various concerns raised by stakeholders. These included questions about fees based on lines of business and the classification of local charges. Clarifications were provided during the session, and the CDA committed to initiating a joint consultation among relevant agencies to harmonize policy interpretations.
As the forum concluded, stakeholders recognized the importance of continued dialogue and coordination. A clear “way forward” was identified. This includes CDA Caraga initiating a national-level meeting with the CDA Central Office, DILG, and BLGF to clarify the provisions of the circulars particularly on whether the Php 1,000 Mayor’s Permit fee applies per cooperative or per line of business, and the categorization of local fees such as fire and sanitary charges. While awaiting this high-level consultation, LGUs were encouraged to maintain current practices. Additionally, the RCDC committed to drafting a resolution
recommending a Php 1,500 cap on applicable local fees and clearer fee categorization. The target timeline for this coordination is set for the end of the third quarter of 2025.
The event closed with a unified commitment to advancing fiscal transparency, inclusive policymaking, and stronger collaboration between cooperatives and LGUs. This activity marks another milestone in CDA Caraga’s ongoing efforts to foster an enabling environment for cooperatives through inter-agency cooperation, responsive policy interpretation, and the capacity-building of local government stakeholders.
