GO HAILS NEW LAW BOOSTING COOPS
SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has lauded the signing of a law strengthening cooperatives as he stressed the need for a whole-of-nation approach for equitable development in all regions.
Go welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s signing the measure mandating local government units (LGUs) to appoint a cooperative development officer (CDO).
The CDO will formulate measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and provision of facilities through the organization, promotion and development of local cooperatives.
Republic Act (RA) 11535, which Go co-authored and co-sponsored, amended RA 7160 or the Local Government Code which transfers control and responsibility of delivering certain basic services to LGUs.
“Cooperatives are an important force in countryside development and nation-building,” the senator said on Sunday in a statement.
“Not only have they contributed to the development of the sectors they represent but they have also encouraged the empowerment of their respective stakeholders and communities,” he said.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri authored and sponsored the measure. Other authors are Senators Ana Theresia Hontiveros, Ramon Revilla, Jr. and Francis Tolentino.
Under RA 11535, a municipality or city government can either appoint a full-fledged CDO or merge the said position with a related office. The CDO should lead the office responsible for the development of local cooperatives registered with the cooperative development authority (CDA).
The officers will formulate and implement plans and strategies that have to do with integrating cooperative practices into local programs and projects.
They will also identify groups, sectors or communities that can be organized into cooperatives and help the cooperatives link up with government agencies, cooperative unions and federations and nongovernment organizations.
With the assistance of the CDA, Department of Trade and Industry and other stakeholders, the CDOs should also provide technical assistance and other forms of aid, including training, education and business and financial management to help cooperatives grow and succeed.
They will assist in developing and implementing risk management plans and business continuity and management plans that will ensure the rehabilitation of a cooperative following a calamity.