by RECHEL T. CAPILI, CDS II- SES
Advancing towards stronger and compliant Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Region VIII Office and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region VIII Office, gear up for the 2026 Caravan Activities, joining forces to ensure ARBOs start strong in 2026. A Preparatory and Coordination Meeting for the 2026 Registration and Compliance Caravans was held on February 19, 2026, at Ritz Tower de Leyte, Tacloban City, bringing together key officials and staff from both agencies.
Hosted by DAR Region VIII, led by Regional Director Atty. Robert Anthony P. Yu, CESO III, the meeting focused on finalizing operational plans, administrative requirements, and coordination mechanisms for the 2026 ARBO Caravan Activities. The session highlighted the agencies’ shared commitment to strengthen cooperatives through coordinated registration and compliance initiatives—key steps to help them begin the year on a solid foundation. CDA’s Regional Director Ms. Venus M. Jornales, delivered an inspirational message and shared 2025 Agrarian Reform Cooperative profiles and compliance statuses, underscoring the importance of the Caravan ahead of the April 30 deadline. Her updates on the Special Program on Merger and Consolidation for Micro and Small Cooperatives highlighted the importance of its quality impact — encouraging cooperatives to hit the ground running.
During the meeting, the CDA also conducted an orientation on Cooperative Compliance Requirements, particularly proper filing procedures of the Cooperative Annual Mandatory Reports needed for the issuance of Certificate of Compliance (COC), and why compliance matters. This timely briefing reminded DAR Provincial Offices of their assisted cooperatives’ reporting obligations and emphasized proper guidance to ensure a strong start for the year. The meeting also included focused sessions by the CDA and DAR participants, including the CDA’s Assistant Regional Director, Senior Cooperatives Development Specialist and Cooperatives Development Specialist of CDA Registration Section, Cooperatives Development Specialist of CDA Supervision and Examination Section, DAR’s Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Mr. Felix Dante D. Espina, DAR Provincial Officers, and DARRO Representatives, engaged actively in discussions on the caravan activities.
The gathering concluded with a shared commitment: the caravans will ensure timely submission of CY 2025 reports, issuance of 2026 COCs, and smooth registration of new ARBO cooperatives, allowing them to start strong and compliant.
Through strengthened coordination and clear guidance, DAR and CDA reaffirm their dedication to fostering empowered, compliant, and sustainable cooperatives across Region VIII—giving all ARBOs a strong start in 2026.
