Batangas City, February 13, 2024 – The Cooperative Development Office Extension Office Region 4A (CDA 4A), in collaboration with the Provincial Cooperative, Livelihood & Entrepreneurial Development Office Batangas, conducted the CDA-LGU-CDO Partnership Forum, inviting representatives from other partner Government Agencies, Local Government Units and Cooperative Development Offices in each city/municipality of CALABARZON. In a historic collaboration activity attended by eighteen (18) delegates from Cavite, thirty-two (32) delegates from Laguna, thirty-one (31) delegates from Batangas, eighteen (18) delegates from Rizal, and twenty-two (22) delegates from Quezon, the cooperative stakeholders have united their efforts to drive positive change and sustainable development within the sector.
This collaborative initiative aims to address pressing cooperative challenges by combining the governance expertise of governmental organizations with the local insights of the local governments through the Cooperative Development Offices. The ultimate goal is to empower cooperation, promote inclusive growth, and lay the groundwork for a resilient and prosperous future.
Key figures in attendance were the Head of Finance Cluster Assistant Secretary Luz H. Yringco, CDA R4A Regional Director Salvador V. Valeroso, CDA Deputy Administrator Atty. Ma. Lourdes P. Pacao, Batangas Province Governor Hon. Hermilando I. Mandanas, Chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Cooperative Development Board Member Claudette Ambida-Alday, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Batangas representative Ms. Janice M. Umali, and members of the Liga ng mga CDOs sa Pilipinas (LCDOP) Region IV-A and IV-B.
During the activity, CDA 4A presented the state of cooperatives in the region and its plans and programs for the year 2024. Likewise, the representative of each province of CALABARZON was given time to discuss their plans and programs. They also shared their best practices in implementing their plans and programs for the learning of the attendees, especially those newly designated/appointed Cooperative Officers. An open forum was also held for the attendees to freely express their inquiries which were answered by CDA in the person of Asec. Luz H. Yringco and RD Salvador V. Valeroso.
The collaborative efforts between CDA 4A, LGUs, and CDOs will focus on a range of initiatives spanning development activities, data gathering, and policy development. By pooling resources, expertise, and local knowledge, the partners aim to implement impactful projects that make a tangible difference in the cooperative sector.
The partnership addresses a variety of risks and challenges common to such collaborations, such as competing priorities, bureaucratic processes, and resource constraints. By recognizing these challenges, the collaborating entities demonstrate their commitment to open communication, effective problem-solving, and mutual respect.
To close the program, Dr. Leonardo F. Opulencia, President of the LCDOP and Head of the Calamba City Cooperatives and Livelihood Development Department, expressed his gratitude for the conducted forum as they were able to voice out their issues and concerns and to be able to strengthen the relationship with the CDA Region 4A and other stakeholders, looking forward to the fruitful partnership and improvements it will bring to the cooperative sector in the CALABARZON region.
The CDA-LGU-CDO collaboration is poised to become a model for effective NGA-LGU partnerships, setting new benchmarks for cooperative-focused initiatives. With a clear vision, well-defined objectives, and a commitment to overcoming challenges, this partnership stands as a beacon of hope, showcasing the potential for collective action in creating positive change.
As the initiatives unfold, the sector eagerly anticipates the transformative outcomes that will result from this synergistic collaboration between CDA, LGUs, and CDOs, ultimately contributing to the well-being and prosperity of the cooperatives. We partner, we share, because we care
