B Hotel, Quezon City – The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) successfully conducted the First Batch of the Training of Trainers (TOT) on Cooperative Excellence and Institutional Impact, bringing together Cooperative Development Specialists (CDSs) and trainers of the Cooperative Development Officer (CDO) Certification Program from the Head Office and Regional Extension Offices.
The five-day training was designed to strengthen the competencies of CDA trainers by enhancing their knowledge, facilitation skills, and instructional capabilities in delivering standardized cooperative education programs. The initiative forms part of the Authority’s continuing efforts to develop a highly competent pool of trainers who will provide quality capacity-building interventions for cooperatives nationwide.
The program promotes a more balanced and inclusive approach to cooperative education by ensuring that participants not only gain a deeper understanding of the foundational cooperative courses but also develop the skills and confidence to effectively facilitate these learning programs. Anchored on experiential learning principles, the training emphasized active participation, practical application, collaborative learning, and hands-on exercises rather than traditional lecture-based instruction.
The intensive course focused on two foundational training programs: Fundamentals of Cooperatives (FOC) and Cooperative Governance and Management (CGM).
The Fundamentals of Cooperatives (FOC) course equips cooperative officers, members, and stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of cooperative principles, values, legal frameworks, and the cooperative business model. It aims to strengthen participants’ capacity to effectively govern and manage their cooperatives while promoting sustainable economic growth, member participation, and compliance with existing laws and regulations.
Meanwhile, the Cooperative Governance and Management (CGM) course enhances the knowledge and competencies of cooperative officers in practicing sound governance, strategic leadership, and effective management. The course enables participants to contribute meaningfully to the efficient operation and long-term sustainability of cooperatives as both economic and social enterprises.
An important highlight of the training was the introduction of an enhanced Adult Learning Methodology, facilitated by Assistant Secretary Luz Yringco, CDA Board Member and Ms. Rhoda Pillerin of the Model Cooperative Network. Drawing from their extensive experience in the cooperative sector, Asec. Yringco and Ms. Pillerin introduced learner-centered approaches that encourage participation, critical thinking, collaboration, and practical application. The methodology integrates cooperative education, adult learning principles, effective communication, training management, and module development to ensure that CDA trainers possess not only technical expertise but also the facilitation skills necessary to create meaningful and impactful learning experiences.
The Training of Trainers will be conducted in four batches to accommodate participants from all regions. The first batch was attended by forty (40) Cooperative Development Specialists from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Regions I, II, III, and the MIMAROPA Region.
Also participating in the training were personnel from the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Cooperative Enterprise Development Service (ACED) as part of their continuing capacity-building and familiarization with cooperative development. Their participation reflects the ongoing collaboration between government agencies in strengthening support mechanisms for the cooperative sector.
Through this learning opportunity, ACED personnel gained a broader understanding of the CDA’s principles, programs, and strategies for advancing cooperative growth and sustainability. The training likewise provided practical insights into cooperative development interventions, strengthened their appreciation of the Authority’s mandates and operations, and enhanced their capacity to support and promote the development of agricultural cooperatives and other cooperative sectors across the country.
As the Authority continues to professionalize its pool of trainers, the Training of Trainers serves as a significant step toward ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality cooperative education and capacity-building programs. By investing in the development of competent trainers, the CDA reinforces its commitment to empowering cooperatives and advancing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cooperative development throughout the Philippines.
