Organized by the Cooperative Research, Information and Training Division (CRITD) of Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), the National Cooperative Development Council (NCDC) held its General Assembly Meeting and Election of New Officers for 2024-2026 at Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila from September 19-20, 2024.
The two-day event presented covered several presentations and discussions regarding the current status, accomplishments and challenges of the cooperative sector. Addressing the Council, a welcome message via audio-visual presentation was delivered by Asec. Vergel M. Hilario, Board Member III and CDA OIC-Administrator. Asec. Hilario emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration and taking an active role in shaping and building a resilient vibrant community.
Incumbent NCDC Chairperson Alexander B. Raquepo highlighted the initiatives of the Cooperative Development Councils (CDCs) and their best practices as of June 2024. Raquepo presented the Council’s efforts in empowering cooperatives, focusing on the development of training for local cooperative skills, planning and development policy, multi-sectoral approach and advice, and relationship building and networking. Moving forward, Raquepo hopes that the Council will continue to take an effective role in strengthening the cooperative movement through cooperative good governance, active participation and cooperative promotion, legislative proposals and support, and consolidation of collaborative efforts.
In his presentation, guest speaker Dir. Vladimir T. Mata, MNSA of the Commision on Appointments emphasized the importance of public value creation in improving cooperatives and recognizing the needs and problems of our community. To create public value, Mata suggested fostering public engagement, encouraging more people to join cooperatives, and for cooperatives to build credibility as an institution that can respond to the needs of the local government and in return get their support. Furthermore, Mata acknowledged the power of cooperatives as an integral part of nation building, however, hopes that they would get more opportunities and support from the public and the government. Additionally, effective consultation is important to enhance cooperative synergies between the national and local government. Mata added that CDA and RCDCs have an important role as they are the center of cooperative movement, hence, he challenged them to go down and reach out to the cooperatives throughout the country and establish connections.
Deputy Administrator of CDA’s Institutional Development Service (IDS) Ray R. Elevazo presented to the Council the progress report on the Philippine Cooperative Development Plan (PCDP). Elevazo shared that the implementation of the PCDP ended in the year 2022. He added there is no approved successor plan as of this time but activities have been initiated towards a broad-based consultation process based on the CDA’s Consultative Mechanisms under RA 11364. Elevazo also encouraged the Council to explore on key opportunities in our current legislation, such as the strengthening of Agri Financing System under RA 11901, mandatory appointment and designation of CDOs and CDO Certification Program for mandatory trainings under RA 11535, and studying how the Council can calibrate or position the cooperatives under the Go Negosyo Act or RA 10644.
Meanwhile, the election of new officers was facilitated by the Election Committee from CDA’s Legal Division, Planning and Policy Development Division and CRITD, presided over by Atty. Somiranao “Jun” Dimnatang. For transparency and timely casting and counting of votes, this year’s election adapted the online-onsite voting system with the use of QR Codes. The newly-elected NCDC officers for 2024-2026 are as follows:
Chairperson: Ms. Lucia Furo, Chairperson – RCDC NCR
Vice Chairperson: Dr. Gervacio Piator, Chairperson – RCDC X
Secretary: Polytechnic University of the Philippines (represented by Dr. Hilda F. San Gabriel, Chairperson – DCSD)
Treasurer: Ms. Leilani N. Babista, Chairperson – PCDC Bulacan
Auditor: Atty. Socrates P. Villota, PCO Zamboanga Sibugay
With Usec. Joseph Encabo as the Administering Officer, the new set of officers took oath on September 20, 2024.
Delivering his keynote speech, Usec. Encabo recognized the contributions of NCDC in the cooperative movement. He added that, “NCDC has provided us a better position for the amendment of RA 9520.” Encabo also emphasized the duty of NCDC as an organization that will spearhead the change in the sector. According to him, “To make everyone involved, we have to ensure that the leaders and members of NCDC will instill the oneness of the organization.” Finally, Encabo shared his commitments to NCDC, making sure that there will be a reasonable budget and providing additional manpower to NCDC in the future through CDA’s partnership with DOLE.
The General Assembly Meeting, opened by the new Chairperson Ms. Lucia Furo, focused on several key issues, concerns and suggestions. Among the agenda of the assembly are the creation of resolutions for the approval of Philippine Financial Reporting Standard for Cooperatives, the request to DILG for the inclusion of CDO appointment and creation of CDO office, and the Standard training module of PMES. Also, they tackled the review of the MC 2022-03, certification of CDOs, inclusion of Certificate of Compliance on the requirements for accreditation of other NGAs in providing assistance to cooperatives and the review of PCDP, and identifying the mechanism to strengthen the relationship between CDCs at municipal, city, provincial, regional, and national level.
As a government body aiming to help shape the betterment of cooperatives in the country, CDA expressed its eagerness to learn more about the Council’s broader vision, issues, concerns, and future plans.
