CDA and QFUC Conduct Conflict Management Training for Cooperative Mediation Practitioners
The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), through the initiative of the Quezon Federation and Union of Cooperatives (QFUC), successfully conducted the “Conflict Management Training for Cooperative Mediation Practitioners” on February 11-13, 2025, at St. Jude Coop Hotel and Event Center, Diversion Road, Brgy. Isabang, Tayabas City, Quezon.
Recognizing the crucial role of conflict resolution fostering cooperative stability and growth, the three (3) day training aimed to equip cooperative leaders and mediation practitioners with essential skills to effectively manage disputes and promote harmony within their organizations. For CDA, this program aims to plug the gap in dispute
resolution within the cooperative level by capacitating officers and members of cooperatives, including the Mediation-Conciliation Committee Members to increase the success rate in handling and resolving conflicts and thereby avoid further escalation of issues within their primary cooperatives and Union/Federation where they are members. A total of thirty-seven (37) participants from various cooperative categories across the province of Quezon actively took part in the event.
resolution within the cooperative level by capacitating officers and members of cooperatives, including the Mediation-Conciliation Committee Members to increase the success rate in handling and resolving conflicts and thereby avoid further escalation of issues within their primary cooperatives and Union/Federation where they are members. A total of thirty-seven (37) participants from various cooperative categories across the province of Quezon actively took part in the event.
Participants engaged in a series of interactive lectures, workshops, and case study analyses focusing on:
Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution – Understanding the root causes of conflicts in cooperatives and how they are manifested.
Mediation and Negotiation Strategies – Techniques, approaches and strategies in resolving disputes effectively and fostering collaboration to meet all parties’ needs and interests.
Legal Framework and CDA Guidelines – Policies governing mediation within cooperatives, how conflicts are handled and the internal workings of the Mediation Conciliation Committee.
Role-Playing Exercises – Practical application of mediation skills, techniques and strategies through real-life cooperative conflict scenarios such as active listening, reframing and summarizing and the stages in conducting conflict-coaching sessions.
The training featured speakers from the CDA Region IV-A Extension Office including Atty. August Owen P. Magdato, Ivyrene Rose Q. Panaglima, Donnavelle C. Manalo, Rheymart E. Romero, John Immanuel C. Garcia and Fatima A. Dolores with the dedicated assistance of Developmental Field CDS Mariah Athina Suzette S. Cabañeros and Sherylene S. Tingle. These trained personnel provided valuable insights into the mediation process, legal considerations, and best practices in cooperative dispute resolution.
Attendees expressed deep appreciation for the training, highlighting the relevance of the topics and the practical approach, noting that it boosted their confidence in handling conflicts within their cooperatives, strengthened their commitment to fostering unity and collaboration, and equipped them with the knowledge and confidence to draft effective procedures and apply conflict management strategies to real-life situations.
At the end of the training, the top three (3) participants in the combined ratings of written test and simulation representing Quezon Public School Teachers and Employees Multipurpose Cooperative, Seafarers Multipurpose Cooperative and Lopez Quezon Multipurpose Cooperative were awarded and encouraged to apply for Accreditation as Mediator-Conciliator Practitioner and be included in the Pool of Mediators of the CDA pursuant to CDA Memorandum Circular No. 2023-08.
The CDA and QFUC remain steadfast in their mission to strengthen cooperative governance through capacity-building initiatives to ensure that cooperatives remain resilient, united, and empowered to navigate challenges while upholding the core principles of cooperation.
