by: Cristine C. Cantes, Ma. Lucia Myrlin S. Botin and Regin M. AycochoThe Cooperative School on Wheels as annually conducted by the Authority is always one of the most awaited activities every first quarter of the year.  Albay is the first destination of CDA’s information caravan that aims to provide latest updates and new issuances, programs as well as hand-holding services on preparation and compliance of mandatory reports.  This was held successfully for two (2) days last February 15, 2024 at Albay Astrodome, Legazpi City, Albay and February 16, 2024 at 2nd Floor, Sen. Migz Zubiri Hall, Albay Provincial Cooperative Building, Cabangan, Camalig, Albay.

With an overwhelming number of attendees, the Cooperative Development Authority in partnership with the Provincial Government of Albay through Albay Provincial Cooperative Enterprise Manpower and Development Office has recorded 226 cooperators – 89 male and 137 females from 77 cooperatives all over the province including six (6) Municipal and City Cooperative Development Officers (M/CCDOs) namely, Malinao, Tiwi, Tabaco City, Manito, Ligao City and Polangui. The program was hosted by Ms. Regin M.  Aycocho, CDS II which started with a prayer, singing of the Philippine National Anthem and cooperative pledge through an audio-visual presentation. Inspirational messages were delivered by Hon. Eva Josephine L. Ribaya, Board Member and Vice-Chairperson, Committee on the Cooperative and Atty. Sheina Marie Onrubia-Dela Cruz, Provincial Administrator of the Provincial Government of Albay. The event was also graced by our supportive and hardworking Acting Regional Director, Atty. Emilio D. Escueta with his remarkable message.CDA has invited a speaker from Bureau of Treasury represented by Ms. Rochelle Ann Bataller, Treasury Officers IV of Bureau of Treasury Albay Provincial Office and Ms. Erika Mae M. Quillope of Bureau of Treasury Regional Office V who have shared knowledge about investment opportunities for cooperatives as well as to its members. In particular, they discussed the 30th Tranche of Retail Treasury Bonds or “RTB30”. Coop officers were informed that they can invest their money on RTB30 and the process on how and where they can apply or transact such investment. Subsequently, Ms. Ma. Lucia Myrlin S. Botin, Provincial Cooperative Development Specialist presented the state of the cooperatives in Albay in terms of status of compliance, assets, type, volume of business, cooperative membership and employment.After the first part of the activity, the presentation and discussion on the CDA Updates followed. The first speaker was Atty. Myk Xavier L. Albao, Attorney III from the Legal Section who discussed the Omnibus Rules of Procedures, Merger and Consolidation and latest memorandum circulars issued. Then, the second speaker in the morning session was Mr. Patrick V. Labastida, CDS II together with Ms. Lady Lorebeh S. Bernal, CDS I of Credit Surety Fund Section discussed the Program for Cooperative Credit Surety Fund.After the health break, Mr. Darine L. Tupaz, CDS II from CPDAS presented the Koop Kapatid Program, Balik Probinsya Bagong Pag-asa Program (BP2), different CDA partnership and Programs for Former Rebels, IPs and Depressed Communities, Coop Value Chain and Supply, CDA Global and K-POP. This was followed by Ms. Monina M. Bechayda, Sr. CDS and Ms. Emalyn Ruth I. Borja, CDS II of CRITS discussing MC 2023-11: Guidelines in the Implementation of the Revised Accreditation and Monitoring of CTPROs Program of the CDA, MOA with SUCs/Academe and updates on training. With regards to update on submission of mandatory reports through CAIS and BOF-DTI JAO 001-2023, Mr. Oroseo R. Tuy II, CDS II and Ms. Camille Eunice E. Lucillo, CDS II of the Supervision and Examination Section explained the needed reports that the coops need to comply with, especially that the deadline for submission of reports is fast approaching. The last speakers were Ms. Gilda Angustia C. Ragay, Sr. CDS and Mr. Jon Andrei Emmanuel O. Banday, CDS II of the Registration Section who presented the updates on CoopRIS/ ECoopRIS, branch, satellites and laboratories as well as amendments to ACBL.

This two-day activity encompassed simultaneous conduct of mandatory training for micro cooperatives and consultation and checking of documents presented by the cooperatives. During the 1st day of activity, Ms. Cristine C. Cantes, CDS II and Ms. Ma. Lucia Myrlin S. Botin of CDA Albay were the resource persons for Training on Fundamentals of Cooperative attended by 63 officers from eight (8) micro coops conducted at the back stage of Albay Astrodome. These participants were 33 male and 30 females. Before the 1st day program ended, approved amendments were awarded to Albay MAROs and DAR Employees Credit Cooperative, Family Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Albay Seeds Producers Multi-Purpose Cooperative. Four (4) newly registered coops were also issued with certificates of compliance upon submission of the hard copy of mandatory reports aside from their submission through Cooperative Assessment Information System (CAIS). These cooperatives were Guinobatan Agriculture Cooperative (GAC), Macalidong Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, Ligao City Recycler Producers Cooperative (LCRPC) and Bicol University Polangui Campus Entrepreneurs Alumni Credit Cooperative (BUPCEACCO). Three (3) compliant cooperatives were also present for the orientation as beneficiaries of ISARA Program namely Familia de Senor San Jose Multipurpose Cooperative (FASEMCO), Albay Operators Transport Cooperative (AOTC) and Legazpi Banquerohan Buenavista Transport Cooperative (LBBTC). Lastly, the closing remarks was delivered by Ms. Lucille L. Arcilla, Acting APCEMDO Head.

On the 2nd day activity, resource speakers for Training on Governance and Management of Cooperatives were Mr. Oroseo R. Tuy II in the morning session and in the afternoon, Ms. Ma. Lucia Myrlin S. Botin, PCDS. There was a total of 112 officers from 28 cooperatives – 53 male and 59 females. While the training was on-going, coop officers with concerns on reports submission, account creation on ECoopRIS and CAIS, queries on how to avail or be included on programs and services for cooperatives like ISARAP and CFIDP, legal concerns as well as authentication of registration documents were made possible through the teamwork of CDA personnel. There were also two (2) Cooperative External Auditors (CEAs) namely, Ms. Yolanda Bilo, CPA and Mr. Joseph Dellova, CPA who were present to assist cooperatives with concern in auditing their financial statements. Certificate of Appreciation was awarded to them for their invaluable support on this activity.The success of this fruitful event will not be complete without the overwhelming support of our partners namely; Provincial Government of Albay headed by Gov. Atty. Edcel Greco A.B. Lagman and Albay Provincial Cooperative Enterprise and Development Office (APCEMDO) headed by Ms. Lucille L. Arcilla with her staff who rendered service during the registration of participants and documentation of the CSW. The last day of activity concluded with a closing remark thanking all the partners and participants from our Provincial Cooperative Development Specialist, Ma. Lucia Myrlin S. Botin. Indeed, CDA together with stakeholders created a wave of awareness and teamwork that shines like a beacon of hope and dedication to serve our cooperatives achieving greater heights.

Download article here: CSW-ALBAY-2024