Default Thumbnail

Role of cooperatives

April 18, 2021 People's Tonight 373 views

THE coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has thrust out front the importance of the “cooperative movement” in the socio-economic development of the Philippines.

And everybody agrees that the people now find it hard to earn a living due to the many restrictions imposed by the government to prevent the further spread of the dreaded disease.

Thus, there’s that urgent need to establish cooperatives in towns, cities and provinces across the country.

A cooperative is an autonomous association of individuals aimed at realizing their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned enterprise.

That’s why we commend President Rodrigo Duterte for signing into law a measure making the position of a cooperative development officer (CDO) mandatory in all local government units.

Under Republic Act (RA) No. 11535, which amended RA No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, an LGU ought to appoint a cooperative development officer.

RA No. 11535 is a consolidation of SB 1855 and HB 5925, which was approved by the Senate and House of Representatives on February 16 and February 17, 2021, respectively.

The CDO will be in charge of assisting promising groups and sectors in organizing and forming their own cooperatives in the province, city or municipality.

The CDO will also assist existing cooperatives in the development and implementation of risk management plans and business continuity plans and management as a response to unexpected man-made and natural disasters

A CDO must be a Filipino citizen, preferably a resident of the LGU concerned, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in cooperatives, business administration with special training in cooperatives.

We support the view that if we are to fast-track Philippine economic development and pave the way for the elimination of mass poverty in the Philippines, then let’s set up more cooperatives across the country.

AUTHOR PROFILE