On April 30, 2013, the CDA conducted the 1st National Forum of Accredited Cooperative Training Providers (ATPs) with the end in view of strengthening the CDA partnership with them as Authority’s arm in delivering quality training to cooperatives. There are 220 individual executives, trainers and coordinators of ATPs participated in the Forum.
Accreditation of Cooperative Training Providers started two (2) years ago by virtue of Memorandum Circular 2011-01 approved in February 2011. This Circular was issued based on the provision of Article 44 of Republic Act No. 9520.
In an update made by CDA Chairperson, Dr. Emmanuel M. Santiaguel, there are 143 training providers accredited nationwide as of April 2013 with 1,177 registered members of pool of trainers.
The Forum which was called for as a venue to thresh out issues and concerns affecting ATPs has successfully achieved its real intent. The whole afternoon of the National Forum was devoted to questions and answers which were ably handled Chairperson Santiaguel, Adm. Eulogio T. Castillo, Adm. Mercedes D. Castillo and Executive Director Niel Santillan and Dir. Fe Caingles.
Aside from this, information relative to CDA Accreditation Program of Training Providers were downloaded. These include the presentation of the Status of the Implementation of Accreditation Program and the Training for Cooperative Officers; Partnership Agreement between CDA and the Academe on Cooperative Education; and Updates on the latest CDA Issuance on Training for Cooperative Officers.
The partnership agreement of CDA with the academe is in line with the conduct of Enhancement Training among the trainers of ATPs. The Agreement will provide that the public and private colleges and universities recognized by the Authority can conduct the subject training among the members of the pool of trainers of ATPs following the prescribed standard course outline.
The Forum was ended with a note that the CDA will continuously pursue strong collaboration and partnership with the ATPs towards enhancing the capacity of the cooperatives and the sector. — by Melissa C. Santos
