La Union, Philippines – The Registration, Supervision, and Examination Service (RSES) of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) recently concluded its annual evaluation of performances through the conduct of Year-End Performance Assessment and Strategic Planning Conference at Hudor Resort, La Union, from December 2 to 6, 2024. The five-day event evaluated RSES’s achievements, addressed challenges, and laid the groundwork for the agency’s strategic priorities for the coming year.
Key CDA officials also attended the conference, including the Chairperson, USEC Joseph B. Encabo, and Deputy Administrator Atty. Ma. Lourdes P. Pacao, Service Director, Mildred S. Esguerra, Chiefs Augusto Salvador P. Balles and Doris D. Teodoro. Their collective experience and untiring commitment to cooperative development played an essential role in steering the discussions and strategic planning sessions.
In his keynote address, USEC Encabo stressed the crucial role of RSES in steering the CDA’s mandate. He commended the two divisions’ performance throughout the year, praising the hard work of its personnel in driving cooperative growth and resilience. “Forming a cooperative is not just about economic empowerment—it’s a tool for social progress, helping to maximize the use of our limited resources for sustainable development,” he stated. He also reiterated the government’s ongoing effort to enhance the CDA’s presence and impact in communities, ensuring that cooperative support reaches its intended beneficiaries effectively and equitably.
Divisions presented their significant accomplishments for 2024, highlighting their successes, challenges, and strategies for meeting their targets. The teams also engaged in productive and collaborative sessions to refine their work plans for 2025, ensuring alignment with the broader goals of the Philippine Cooperative Development Plan (2024-2028 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Atty. Pacao also shared insights from her recent study tour to some European countries, particularly the innovative agriculture and cooperative banking models. Drawing from global best practices, she presented actionable strategies that could be implemented to strengthen the Philippine cooperative sector further. Her presentation underscored the importance of aligning with international models to ensure the sector’s development, particularly in the areas of cooperative finance and rural development.
The conference also allowed the RSES team to reflect on the progress in achieving its 2024 objectives. The participants, with their unwavering dedication, expressed a strong sense of optimism and commitment to completing the remaining tasks and realizing their goals for the year. At the same time, they acknowledged the evolving challenges facing the cooperative sector and agreed on the need for continuous innovation and collaboration.
As the conference concluded, RSES leadership and personnel left with a renewed sense of purpose, eager to carry forward the momentum built over the past year. The event reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the cooperative movement as a key driver of economic growth, social equity, and sustainable development in the Philippines, inspiring all stakeholders to support its growth.
Looking ahead to 2025, RSES remains focused on its mission to foster a vibrant and sustainable cooperative sector. It recognizes that cooperative development through regulation is fundamental to building resilient communities and ensuring inclusive growth across the nation. With dedicated leadership, a unified vision, and strong support from its partners, RSES is poised to play an even more transformative role in empowering cooperatives and uplifting local communities in the year ahead.
