On December 15, 2021, the Cooperative Development Authority and the Department of Social Welfare and Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Project titled “Upliftment of the Quality of Life of the Cooperatives and its Members through Sustainable Livelihood Program”.
Through this Partnership Project, it is hoped that the members of the micro and small cooperatives who belong to the poor and vulnerable sector of society will be provided the assistance to sustain their livelihood, thereby improving their socio-economic status.
Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista and Undersecretary Joseph Encabo, signatories to the MOU, expressed their enthusiasm and optimism with this partnership.
Usec. Encabo remarked that there is parallelism between the CDA and DSWD, both agencies cater to the needs of the less fortunate people. He believed that the micro and small cooperatives are the right beneficiaries for this Project in order for them to recover from the losses they have experienced during pandemic. With high hopes, Usec. Encabo expressed that the partnership of CDA and DSWD will break barriers and go beyond the limits.
Secretary Bautista, on the other hand, expressed his appreciation to CDA and to Usec. Encabo for collaborating with the DSWD to facilitate the registration of SLP Associations to become cooperatives. The partnership with the CDA will open more benefits and opportunities for our program participants and cooperatives to thrive amid various challenges, especially during the pandemic. It is to the advantage of SLPAs when registered as cooperatives. They could avail of the tax exemptions under the Cooperative Code. In addition, they may also become service providers of government programs such as the supplementary feeding program.
He assured that DSWD will be proactive in helping the qualified beneficiaries of this joint project through the provisions of livelihood interventions under the SLP.
The signing of the MOU was witnessed by DSWD Asst. Sec. Rhea Penaflor and CDA Asst. Sec. Abdulsalam A. Guinomla. Also in attendance are Deputy Administrator Ray R. Elevazo, Director Janet Armas and staff of both agencies.
