On June 3, 2021, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) led by Usec. Joseph “Joy” Encabo and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) led by OIC Director Dennis Villasenor met to discuss areas of collaboration and actions to jumpstart the implementation of 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”, As Amended.
As an initial step, a Technical Working Group will be created to work on proposed policies and activities to realize R.A. No. 11535.
In the course of the discussion, Usec Joy shared that “we should never stop thinking what is good for us and for the cooperative movement, and specially, the people who will benefit in the creation of Cooperative Development Offices in the Local Government Units, from the municipal, city and provincial, as well.”
On the other hand, DILG NBOO, OIC Dennis Villaseñor remarked that DILG is one with the CDA and the cooperative movement and will support any initiatives to realize the implementation of the law.
Also present during the meeting were Ms. Celia Atienza of Liga ng mga Cooperative Development Officers ng Pilipinas (LCDOP) and Ms. Lucy Furo of the National Cooperative Development Council (NCDC). Beatriz Samanta Castro
