A very significant orientation was conducted by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Regional Extension Office IV-A, through the Legal Section on May 9, 2024, at the CAFFMACO Building (4th floor) in Silang, Cavite. This activity’s main goal was to advocate and encourage covered cooperatives to avail of  the One-Time CDA Amnesty Program of the Authority. The program aims to enable cooperatives which have been dissolved or non-compliant status and are still willing but struggling to comply with the requirements to bring their status to compliant. The list of covered cooperatives is a long one, which will then also achieve another outcome that the CDA may finally purge its dockets of pending cases.

The cooperatives that will avail of the said program will have a compliant status and be issued with a Certificate of Compliance (COC) in order to help them establish credibility in the cooperative environment. Notably, a few of these cooperatives continue to operate despite not having a COC or the necessary local licenses or permits.

A deliberate attempt to connect with these cooperatives is demonstrated by the proactive strategy conducted by the Regional Extension Office with the help and support of the Local Cooperative Development Officers in the Province of Cavite. The purpose of sending out invitations and organizing an orientation is to make sure that the qualified cooperatives will be made aware of the program and the benefits it offers.

The fact that one hundred sixty-four (164) people showed up highlights the importance of this Program and the amount of interest it has sparked among collaborative parties. It is clear that everyone understands how crucial regulatory compliance is and how it helps to create a vibrant cooperative identity.

During the interactive Q & A session, cooperatives voiced out challenges hindering their sustainability efforts. These included issues related to financial management, market access, and governance. Such insights underscore the multifaceted nature of cooperative development and the necessity for tailored support mechanisms.

The success of this Program and activity hinges not only on the dissemination of information but also on fostering a culture of cooperation and compliance. Through targeted outreach and education, the interested cooperatives are given a chance to participate in the amnesty program with a fair timeline as this will only be offered until November 30, 2024. The commitment to encourage at least 50% of the attendees to avail of the program reflects a tangible goal, one that emphasizes the practical impact of this initiative.

Moving forward, sustained efforts will be required to ensure the continued success of the one-time CDA Amnesty Program. This includes ongoing support from stakeholders, streamlined processes for COC acquisition, and continued education and outreach efforts. By working together, cooperatives, regulatory and developmental bodies, and local authorities can pave the way for a more robust and compliant cooperative sector, one that serves the interests of its members and the community at large.