The Cooperative Development Authority Region III Extension Office, under the leadership of Regional Director Marieta P. Hwang, thru the Legal Section, organized a Legal Forum for Cooperatives on October 30, 2024, at the Heroes Hall, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The event was participated by 70 cooperative leaders and members, as well as key representatives from the CSFP Cooperative Development Council (CCDC), and City Tourism & Investment Promotions Division.
The forum aimed to equip the cooperative members/officers across the City of San Fernando with proper knowledge on the procedures of availing the one-time grant of amnesty, and conducting conciliation, mediation, and dialogue to enhance the efficiency, professionalism, and sustainability of their respective cooperatives. It also served as a platform for the participants to share their cooperative’s best practices, address the pressing issues they are experiencing, and outline future directions for their legal concerns.
Ms. Ching Pangilinan, City Tourism & Investment Promotion Officer, commenced the activity with her welcoming remarks. Ms. Pangilinan highlighted the objectives of the activity, and reiterated the importance of collaboration, and the role of cooperatives in fostering community development.
Mr. Joselito Sanchez, Chairperson of the Cooperative Development Council also delivered a message for the participants, and encouraged them to actively participate to enhance their learning experience. Ms. Carolina Miguel, Supervising Cooperatives Development Specialist, also took the opportunity to extend her appreciation toward the initiatives of the Cooperative Development Council in bringing together the cooperatives from across CSFP, and leading them toward a proactive cooperative movement.
The lecture proper started with a comprehensive discussion on the one-time grant of amnesty. Atty. Macy N. Marcelo, Attorney III – Legal Section, explained the significance and implications of availing the one-time amnesty for the cooperative community. Atty. Marcelo’s discussion detailed the provisions of Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2024-09, and covered the guidelines for the revival of dissolved cooperatives, and revitalization of non-compliant cooperatives and those with pending involuntary dissolution cases, the eligibility criteria, application process, and potential benefits that they could receive from participating in this program. She further emphasized that the program will only be offered until November 30, 2024, and encouraged the participants to disseminate the information should they know a cooperative who’s willing to avail the one-time grant of amnesty.
After the orientation on availing one-time amnesty, Ms. Marichris S. Lanorio, CDS II – Cooperative Research, Information and Training Section, discussed the conciliation- mediation procedures. Ms. Lanorio encouraged the participants to engage in conciliation-mediation in handling their issues within the cooperative to preserve the harmonious relationship among members and officers. In her discussion, she highlighted the nature and procedures of mediation and conciliation, emphasizing the uniqueness between the two processes.
Ms. Lanorio reiterated that mediation, an alternative form of dispute resolution, involves an unbiased third-party mediator who facilitates the discussion to help both parties come to agreements. On the other hand, the third party on conciliation plays an advisory role and may intervene in order to offer feasible solutions to both parties and help settle their disputes.
To complement Ms. Lanorio’s discussion, some participants were asked to perform a simulation of the mediation process. The group was composed of complainants, respondents, and a mediator. After the group presentation, Ms. Lanorio commended the participants and gave her feedback and advise to improve their mediation skills.
After the Legal Forum, Mayor Vilma Balle-Caluag, delivered her message
emphasizing the major role of empowered cooperatives for the city’s sustainable
development. Mayor Caluag also pledged to continuously support the CSFP
cooperatives.
