The Cooperative Development Authority through its Institutional Development Service (IDS) and Cooperative Project Development and Assistance Division (CPDAD) hosted a Webinar on Business Opportunities for Cooperatives of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) on September 6, 2024.
The online activity was filled with opportunities for enterprise development and information on the programs and services offered by the National Government Agencies for PWDs through the discussion and presentation made by the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA).
Atty. April Flor F. Borlagdatan-Vejano, Procurement Management Officer VI of PS-DBM, discussed the Participation of PWD Cooperatives in the Public Bidding: Applicable Laws, Rules and Regulations. She cited that under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA), as a general rule, all procurement shall be done through competitive bidding, However, when an appropriation law earmarks an amount for products to be specifically contracted out to NGOs, it is the intent of Congress to give due preference to NGOs. Such is the case of the Department of Education (DepED) where the General Appropriation Act provided that in the procurement of school desks, furniture, and fixtures, 10% of the amount should be allocated for cooperatives of PWDs while 15% for other types of cooperatives.
The second speaker, Mr. Randy DC Calseña, Regional Program Coordinator of NCDA, talked about the Role of PWDs in Nation Building: The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) Program for the PWD Sector. Among the salient programs of the NCDA include promoting inclusion through accessible online learning systems, and provision of capacity building.
The webinar was graced by the Opening Remarks of the Board Member and OIC- Administrator and, ASec. Virigilio R. Lazaga and shared a message that PWD Sector has untapped potential and through cooperatives they can create a supported ecosystem that promotes inclusivity, entrepreneurship and financial independence. He believed that by harnessing the power of cooperatives, it can create an environment were PWDS could thrive and fully participate in economic activities.
This was followed by the CDA Chairman, Usec. Joseph B. Encabo, where he cited that in today’s ever-evolving business landscape, it is crucial that CDA provide PWD Cooperatives with the knowledge skills, and opportunities to thrive. He is confident that this activity will open doors to sustain business models that will not only benefit PWDs but also enhance inclusivity in the economic development efforts.
The open forum of the webinar was very fruitful and engaging. They made follow up questions on some matters that they have been wanting to be addressed and requested to have another forum to discuss further matters with the resource persons.
Concluding the webinar, Mr. Ray R. Elevazo, Deputy Administrator of the CDA Institutional Development Service (IDS), expressed that they are able to see how the three (3) government agencies linked and can help to strengthen the cooperatives and its members. He wished that the participants will be able to follow through the steps towards the success of their cooperative enterprise. He also encourages the cooperatives to send them feedbacks/inputs to other means or ways to assist the PWD Cooperatives that can be facilitated by the CDA. He sends his gratitude to the government agencies who sends their support and assistance and looking forward to more opportunities and assistance so that the PWD Cooperatives will gain self-reliant economic activities which will be beneficial to everyone.
The webinar was attended by a total of 150 participants from cooperatives and the CDA across the Philippines.
