Apayao, January 27, 2026 – In line with its mandate to promote and strengthen cooperatives as vehicles for inclusive growth, the Cooperative Development Authority – Cordillera Administrative Region Extension Office (CDA-CAR EO) conducted a Cooperative Registration Orientation at the Aliwa Gym, Apayao Provincial Government Center, Luna, Apayao. The activity aimed to capacitate farmers with essential knowledge on cooperative formation and registration, thereby reinforcing organized farmer groups and advancing sustainable rural development in the province.
The orientation was attended by seventy-nine (79) farmers representing various municipalities of Apayao, composed of fifty-two (52) males and twenty-seven (27) females. The diverse participation underscored the growing interest among local farmers in organizing themselves into cooperatives as a means to improve their economic conditions and collectively address shared challenges.
During the session, CDA-CAR EO Field Cooperatives Development Specialist II, Mr. Sean Ray Ortañez, discussed the basic principles of cooperative development, key provisions of cooperative laws and mandates, and the strategic role of cooperatives in strengthening farmer organizations. Emphasis was placed on how cooperatives promote democratic participation, mutual support, and shared responsibility, enabling farmers to pool resources, access markets more efficiently, and enhance their overall productivity and competitiveness.
The orientation also provided a comprehensive walkthrough of the procedures, documentary requirements, and compliance standards for cooperative registration. Participants were guided on the importance of proper governance, accountability, and sustainability to ensure that newly formed cooperatives operate within the legal framework and remain responsive to the needs of their members.
The activity was funded under the Department of Agriculture’s Farm-to-Consumers-to-Consumers (F2C2) Program and was facilitated with the support of the Department of Agriculture – CAR Field Unit (DA-CARFU). This collaborative initiative reflects the government’s sustained efforts to empower farmers, promote organized agricultural enterprises, and strengthen market linkages from production to consumption.
Through capacity-building activities such as this, CDA-CAR EO, together with its partner agencies, continues to reaffirm its commitment to building strong, self-reliant cooperatives that contribute to local economic development, food security, and inclusive growth across the Cordillera region.
