CUBAO, QUEZON CITY – THE LEGAL AFFAIRS SERVICE (LAS) OF THE COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CDA) INAUGURATES ITS MILESTONE PROGRAM, BECA, FOR THE LUZON-WIDE COOPERATIVE REGIONAL CLUSTERED ORGANIZATIONS (RCO) VIA VIRTUAL PLATFORM ZOOM VIDEO CONFERENCING
A first in all aspects, the orientation was aimed at providing an extensive educational awareness for cooperatives and their officers and members. The activity, among others, intends to guide the concerned parties on how to engage in proper legal recourse at the cooperative level, and whenever necessary and practicable, before the CDA. Over three-hundred (300) participants comprised of officers from the RCOs and interested members within the sector devoted their time for the whole day seminar regarding the Authority’s quasi-judicial function through lectures facilitated by resource persons composed of the lawyers from the Adjudication Division.
Discussions on the salient provisions of Rule V (Investigation) – Atty. Joana P. Mandac, Attorney III, Rule VI (Adjudication) – Atty. Somiranao M. Dimnatang, Jr., Rule VII (Administrative/Disciplinary Procedure) – Atty. James B. Fernandez of the CDA Omnibus Rules of Procedure were tackled. Ultimately, Atty. Ma. Caridad Dela Cruz Graza presented an Overview of the Process Flows Involving Adjudication of Cases and an extensive explanation of the Memorandum Circular on the Guidelines on Penalties Against Cooperatives, Their Officers and/or Members. An open forum was also held wherein questions from the participants were readily answered by the panelists.
The coverage of the topics is all for hope of a more efficient and to ensure the smooth flow of the disposition of cases, leading to a more harmonious and legally compliant cooperative environment, making it conducive for growth and viability as instruments of social justice and equity.
For the sector as a whole and those officials designated as Adjudicator under pertinent cooperative laws, the orientation seeks to establish a pro-active approach within and among the members for:
- INCREASED AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING of the CDA Omnibus Rules of Procedure, including the processes, requirements, and timelines involved in the adjudication of cases.
- CAPABLE AND EQUIPPED OFFICERS AND MEMBERS with practical knowledge on how to represent the cooperative or defend its interests in case of legal proceedings, thus building their capacity to manage cooperative affairs responsibly.
- STRENGTHENED COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE for strict adherence to proper legal processes to contribute to a better overall governance, trust, and transparency within the organization.
- REDUCED LEGAL ISSUES AND CONFLICTS: By educating participants on the rules of procedure for adjudicating cases, the orientation aims to prevent legal disputes from escalating, as members will better understand how to resolve issues early on.
- PROMOTION OF FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE: The orientation will ensure that all parties involved in cooperative cases have an equal understanding of how adjudication works, ensuring that the process remains fair and just for all members, whether they are plaintiffs or defendants in cases.
In his welcome remarks, CDA Chairperson, Usec. Alexander B. Raquepo, highlighted the importance of the quasi-judicial functions of the CDA and the role of the officers and its members.
“I always believed that the true delivery of quality services is through the development of the human resource capital in any organization. This is one of the many factors that would ensure a better future, better delivery of services, and the attainment of our goals and aspirations for the sector,” Usec. Raquepo shared.
On the other hand, Atty. Leah B. Banagui-Han beams with pride with the launch of the activity, an initiative she started and thought has been long overdue, all for a better cooperative movement in the country.
“The Basic Education on CDA Adjudication will help provide a simplified and better understanding of the CDA processes, as well as to settle issues amicably and speedily as early as in the level of the cooperative, to propel our cooperative sector for justice and attain better governance to reduce the number of cases filed,” the Deputy Administrator for Legal Affairs Service proudly stated.
The LAS-Adjudication Division targets to stage another BECA this time for the Visayas and Mindanao-based coops, including one for the adjudicators within the year. This is in pursuance of its Quasi-Judicial Program for a reduced number of cases filed for adjudication and full disposal of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms at the cooperative level. – Jerome N. Gatus
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