As the lead agency responsible for promoting and developing cooperatives and ensuring a policy environment conducive to the sector’s growth, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) conducted a Learning Workshop on Access Points in Policy Advocacy on March 20, 2025 held at CDA Head Office Conference Hall, Quezon City.
This Policy Advocacy Training aligns with the existing CDA strategies to refine legislative engagement and ensure that cooperative-related policies are effectively pursued and supported as part of the Authority’s efforts to strengthen policy advocacy.
In his Welcome Remarks, CDA Chairperson Usec. Alexander B. Raquepo stressed the training’s importance in strengthening the Authority’s policy-making capabilities. He highlighted the CDA’s pivotal role in shaping cooperative-related bills and advocacy efforts, expressing confidence that such workshops will expand its legislative horizons and empower it to effectively safeguard cooperative rights and privileges through legislation.
In addition, Asec. Santiago S. Lim, CDA Administrator, also lauded the conduct of such activity as a timely and strategic step in strengthening the Authority’s ability to navigate and engage in the legislative process effectively. He added that policies and laws shape the environment in which the cooperatives operate and it is imperative that the CDA must actively participate in the crafting of legislative measures that foster a more enabling, progressive and sustainable cooperative sector and ensure that policies remain responsive, forward looking and aligned with the evolving needs of the sector.
Moreover, said learning workshop is essential in equipping concerned CDA personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively engage with policymakers, stakeholders, and legislative bodies. Strengthening these competencies is crucial in sustaining proactive and well-informed policy advocacy, which directly supports the Authority’s mandate.
Mr. Erwin Vicman L. Lara assisted by Mr. Noel Fabela from the House of Representatives served as the Resource Persons during the policy training. The discussion mainly focused on the Purpose of Policy Advocacy and Overview of the Policy Advocacy Arena in the Philippines, Access Points in the Legislative Process, and Legislative Oversight: Inquiries in Aid of Legislation and the Budget.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Administrators, personnel from the CDA Legal Affairs Service (LAS), particularly from the Legal Division and Adjudication Division, key personnel from the Policy Development and Research Division and the Planning and Policy Development Division, and Legal Officers from the CDA Regional Offices participated in the said workshop in view of their direct vital roles in shaping and guiding the agency’s policies, formulation and assessment of cooperative-related policies, legal guidance and policy implementation across different jurisdictions.#
