by CRISTINE C. CANTES, CDS II
Legazpi City – A Cooperative Development Officers Orientation was held last May 19, 2023 at 2nd Floor, Sen.Migz Zubiri Hall, Albay Provincial Cooperative Building, Cabangan, Camalig, Albay. Ms. Lucille L. Arcilla, Acting APCEMDO Head warmly welcomed and acknowledged participants. This activity was attended by Municipal Cooperative Development Officers from the municipalities of Manito, Malilipot, Bacacay, Malinao, Tiwi, Libon, Guinobatan, Oas, Polangui and City Cooperative Development Officers from Ligao and Tabaco City.
Atty. Magdalena A. Borbe – Mallari, Legal Officer IV from Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Office V clearly discussed the RA 11535, An Act Making the Position of a Cooperatives Development Officer Mandatory in the Municipal, City and Provincial Levels, Amending for The Purpose Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the “Local Government Code Of 1991” and tackled the roles and functions of Cooperative Development Officers. She recognized the Local Government Units (LGUs) with designated and appointed MCDOs and CCDOs in the province of Albay. Atty. Borbe-Mallari reminded officers to inform their respective LGUs/CGUs on submission of reports to DILG to keep them updated on the appointed/ designated MCDO or CCDO. A suggestion was raised by Ms. Ruth A. Roperes, appointed CCDO in Ligao City, that there is a need to capacitate municipal and city cooperative officers and be more knowledgeable on plans and programs that the cooperatives need, especially on training.
In the afternoon session, Ms. Ma. Lucia Myrlin S. Botin, CDA Albay -Provincial Cooperative Development Specialist has tackled the updates on Cooperative Development Authority and status of coops in Albay. She gave emphasis on the role of CCDOs and MCDOs as partners in program implementation to cooperatives. Ms. Lucille L. Arcilla, Acting APCEMDO Head provided an update and invited the participants to the upcoming Magayon Coop Forum to be held on May 26, 2023 at Albay Astrodome, Legazpi City, Albay. The success of this orientation was made possible through hand and hand collaboration of APCEMDO and CDA-Albay.
