In a collaborative effort, the Cooperative Development Authority Region IX partnered with Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) to conduct a three-day Training of Trainers (TOT) from November 16 to 18, 2023, at the Lantaka Campus Hall D, N. S. Valderoza St., Zamboanga City. This initiative aligns with Article 44 of Republic Act 9520 and Rule 7 of its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations, outlined in Memorandum Circular No. 2015-09.
Through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed in July 2023, ADZU has been officially recognized as a duly accredited training institution and the academic partner of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in providing ToT for Accredited Training Providers (ATPs).
The primary focus of the ToT was to enhance the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of trainers, equipping them to conduct and manage effective training programs for cooperatives. The agenda included a range of topics such as an overview of cooperatives in the Philippines, discussions on relevant cooperative laws, principles of education and training in cooperatives, and practical aspects of training design and evaluation.
The event featured distinguished speakers whose expertise greatly enriched the discussions. Dean Dexter Velez delivered the welcome remarks, and Dr. Joy Dajuela and Mr. Francis Arroyo provided insights into cooperative laws, education and training principles, and cooperative development skills and techniques. Attorney Emmylou Esolana, Sr. CDS Christal Caindog, and Sr. CDS Alvazer Duran delved into specific cooperative laws.
Participants had the opportunity to engage with the material through interactive sessions, including the presentation of training designs by the participants themselves. Dr. Joy Dajuela also led the sessions on preparation for training design and concluded the event with action planning and training contract evaluation.
The collaborative effort of these speakers, with their depth of knowledge and expertise, played a crucial role in achieving the objectives of the ToT. Participants, representing various institutions such as Jose Rizal Memorial State University, Shrine Federation of Cooperatives, National Irrigation Administration, and Cooperative Development Officers of Ipil and Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga City, benefitted significantly from the wealth of information shared.
This collaboration, guided by the provisions of RA 9520, signifies a crucial step towards promoting cooperative development. The active involvement of State Universities, Colleges, and National Agencies underscores a shared commitment to fostering a robust cooperative sector, contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of the region.
by: ALVAZER B. DURAN, SR. CDS
