As part of the celebration of National Cooperative Month spearheaded by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Central Office, the CDA-Regional Office II hosted an e-forum and awarding ceremony of special recognition for cooperative partners on October 28, 2021.

Mr. Nieto P. Bacena, Ed.D,  Chairperson of Regional Cooperatives Development Council (RCDC) Region 02, welcomed everyone in the culminating activity of Regional Cooperative Month Celebration and thanked everyone for raising the bar of excellence in discharging the mandated task in their respective cooperatives.

Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Regional Director, Atty. Franco G. Bawang, Jr. highlighted the importance of a forum to discuss the issues and concerns relating to cooperatives. He expressed his gratitude for the support extended to CDA in making the e-Forum a success.

Mr. Antonio Addun, Chief of Registration Section, acknowledged the importance of the Finance and Workplace Safety Protocols topics, which are components in continuing and thriving business operations amidst pandemic. Having the proper knowledge on these things can help cooperatives mitigate the effect of their potential threats.

Bureau of Internal Revenue’s Legal Officer Atty. Ernesto B. Guzman, Jr. mentioned that the Bureau had issued different revenue regulations to aid cooperative sectors, and they always supported the cooperatives by educating them in tax obligations. He urged the cooperative sector to have their continued support and commitment to realize the shared goal of moving the nation forward.

Mr. Houdini M. Vidad, Revenue Officer IV of BIR Revenue District Office No. 13, discussed the registration requirements and taxability of cooperatives.

Ms. Emmalene Kaye M. Linacero – Babalo, LGOO IV of the Department of the Local and Interior Government (DILG) Regional Office II, explained the DOLE-DOH-DILG-DOT-DTI JMC No. 21-01 entitled Implementing Guidelines of the Safety Seal Certification Program and DOLE-DOH-DILG-DOT-DTI Advisory No. 21-01, Series of 2021. She expounded the guidelines promulgated to guide establishments, local governments, and other implementing agencies on the grant of and retention of the Safety Certification. Safety Certification aims to assure the consumers and the public of establishments’ compliance with the minimum public health standards set by the government.

On the said activity, special awards were bestowed to different partners in the cooperative movement to recognize their vital contribution and endless efforts during the COVID-19 crisis, which have helped the co-op members, front liners, and the general community cope up with the pandemic.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION ON COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS

• Cauayan City Cooperative Development Council – Cauayan City, Isabela

• Regional Cooperative Development Council – Region 2

SPECIAL RECOGNITION ON COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT OFFICES

• Cauayan City Cooperative Development Office, Cauayan City, Isabela

• Provincial Cooperative Livelihood and Enterprise Development Office, Ilagan City, Isabela

SPECIAL RECOGNITION ON COOPERATIVE LEADERS

• Johny T. Balanay, Pata Multipurpose Cooperative, Claveria Cagayan

• Erwin B. Tabucol, FICOBANK, Cauayan City, Isabela

• SONNY R. FABRO, FICOBANK, Cauayan City, Isabela

• RANIEL C. CASTRO, FICOBANK, Cauayan City, Isabela

• RICARDO G. TIMBOL, FICOBANK, Cauayan City, Isabela

• MARIA VICTORIA S. ANAHAW, Caviteno Isabelino Agriculture Cooperative, Echague, Isabela

• GREGORIO ALFEO AMAYUN, Nararagan Valley Multipurpose Cooperative, Ballesteros Cagayan

• WARLITA V. ACAS, Nararagan Valley Multipurpose Cooperative, Ballesteros Cagayan

• LORDY Q. GALZOTE, Masisit Dacal Livelihood Cooperative, Sanchez Mira, Cagayan

• FLORENCIO T. SENSANO, Masisit Dacal Livelihood Cooperative, Sanchez Mira, Cagayan

• NIETO P. BACENA, Ed. D, Agrizkaya Cooperative Federation

• FRAMIL G. VALENZUELA, Holy Trinity Agro-Forestry Multi-purpose Cooperative, Ilagan City, Isabela

• RANNIE A. SERQUINA, Holy Trinity Agro-Forestry Multi-purpose Cooperative, Ilagan City, Isabela

• RELINA N. TORRES, Holy Trinity Agro-Forestry Multi-purpose Cooperative, Ilagan City, Isabela

• RICHARD M. AGCAOILI, Holy Trinity Agro-Forestry Multi-purpose Cooperative, Ilagan City, Isabela

• RUBEN DELA CRUZ, Holy Trinity Agro-Forestry Multi-purpose Cooperative, Ilagan City, Isabela

• JOVITA L. GONZALES, Holy Trinity Agro-Forestry Multi-purpose Cooperative, Ilagan City, Isabela

• Melvin F. Papa,. Holy Trinity Agro-Forestry Multi-purpose Cooperative, Ilagan City, Isabela

• GEMMA D. MANGABAT, Holy Trinity Agro-Forestry Multi-purpose Cooperative, Ilagan City, Isabela

• MARIVIC A. GONZALES, Holy Trinity Agro-Forestry Multi-purpose Cooperative, Ilagan City, Isabela

• MIRIAM CARIAGA, Abulug Highway Agrarian Reform Cooperative, Abulug, Cagayan

• MILARDO MAPPALA, Abulug Highway Agrarian Reform Cooperative, Abulug, Cagayan

• ROBERTO RIVERA, Abulug Highway Agrarian Reform Cooperative, Abulug, Cagayan

• CLAIRE GONAO, Abulug Highway Agrarian Reform Cooperative, Abulug, Cagayan

Their contribution and effort is a true manifestation of the values of solidarity, social responsibility, and caring for others, demonstrating the principle of Concern for the community to achieve resiliency.

Mr. Artemio N. Guzman, Assistant Regional Director, commended cooperatives who supported their members and communities during the pandemic. He thanked the partner agencies, especially BIR and DILG, for their support and time explaining relevant topics for cooperatives in the e-forum. He recognized the efforts of cooperative development councils and cooperative development officers in the region. He urged them to work together for the economic upliftment of cooperatives. He sought the collaboration of everyone to strengthen the cooperative movement in the region.

The webinar was participated by cooperatives, Cooperative Development Officers, National Government Agencies, and the CDA-Regional Office II employees.