March 10, 1990 was the moment when the Cooperative Development Authority was created by virtue of Republic Act 6939 ” AN ACT CREATING THE COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO PROMOTE THE VIABILITY AND GROWTH OF COOPERATIVES AS INSTRUMENTS OF EQUITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, DEFINING ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, RATIONALIZING GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND AGENCIES WITH COOPERATIVE FUNCTIONS, SUPPORTING COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT, TRANSFERRING THE REGISTRATION AND REGULATION FUNCTIONS OF EXISTING GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ON COOPERATIVES AS SUCH AND CONSOLIDATING THE SAME WITH THE AUTHORITY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES” signed by President Corazon Aquino.
This attempt integrated the powers to register cooperatives and regulate cooperatives entire the country. Under RA 3939 transitory provisions, all cooperatives registered under Presidential Decree Nos. 175 and 775, and Executive Order No. 898 shall be deemed registered with the Cooperative Development Authority: Provided, however, That they shall submit to the nearest Cooperative Development Authority office their certificates of registration, copies of their articles of incorporation and bylaws, and their latest duly audited financial statements within one (1) year from effectivity of this Act, otherwise, their registration shall be cancelled: Provided, further, That cooperatives created under Presidential Decree No. 269, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1645, shall be given three (3) years within which to qualify and register with the Authority: Provided, finally, That after these cooperatives shall have qualified and registered, the provisions of Sections 3 and 5 of Presidential Decree No. 1645 shall no longer be applicable to the said cooperatives.
Having existed for three decades, the Cooperative Development Authority Charter was amended with the introduced revisions under Republic Act 11364. As the Organization Structure and Implementing Rules and Regulations are still being polished appointment of new CDA Board of Directors started.
We remember the people who worked hard in starting the agency in the early 1990’s. As a newly created branch of government, setting the foundation was the challenging task. Others might have gone ahead to the great beyond, some may have retired, transferred, resigned and others are still with the current manpower.
As a regional office that subscribe to existing Civil Service Rules, Collective Negotiation Agreement and Employees Union by-laws, the Cordillera Extension Office started to recognize its personnel that rendered 5 years and above. Employees that reached 29 years of service include Dr. Felicidad R. Cenon and Ms. Marina Janet Abalos; for 28 years, Ms. Leticia S. Cayanos, Mr. Dickson S. Aycud,; Dr. Martin B. Manodon, Ms. Evelyn C. Naval, and Ms. Jackeline A. Balay-odao; for 27 years, Julio Decaleng; for 26 years, Mr. Isaac Gallangi, Ms. Priscilla Bejar, Mr. Romeo Denis; for 25 years, Mr. Abel Dawey, Ms. Amelita Bayowan, Mr. Dennis Lumbag, Mr. Desiderio Paderes, and Mr. Robert Gulgulway; for 22 years: Mr. Lotes Lab-oyan; for 19 years: Ms. Margie Lagenio; for 18 years: Director Franco Bawang, Jr, Mr. Arden James Beswayan, and Ms. Faye Flores; for 8 years: Ms. Arvee Gaye-Trinidad Badua; for 6 years: Mr. Kristoffer Erik Uy and for 5 years: Mr. Eric John Dilag.
Also, we remember the retirees, , transferees to other agencies, those that opted to be separated from the service and deceased employees. Director Richard Lebeng (+), Mr. Florencio Babati (+) Mr. Nestor Imbentan (+), Mr. Arthur Galicia (+), Ms. Juliet Modesto(+), Mr. Jesus Balangiao (+), Ms. Leahlyn Bugtong, Mr. Alexander Alagon, Mr. Albert Docallas, Mr. Pedro Pumihic Jr., Mr. Mars Maliones, Mr. Marcelino Manggad, Mr. Cosalino Asislo, Mr. Ambrosio Gagarin, Ms. Norwina Delizo, Ms. Karen Cabato, Mr. Eugene Buyuccan, Ms. Ruth Vergara, Atty. Elizabeth Batonan, Atty. Eric Dumpilo, Atty. Genevieve Shontogan, Mr. Inocencio Malapit, and Mr. Eric Calixto, Mr. Lopo Lebeng. Hoping I have not missed names.
Newly recruited personnel for the last four years include: Atty. Hoven Bolislis, Ms. Mirasol Laoyan, Mr. Marvin Bringas, Ms. Christine Bulalin, Mr. Roderick Duran, Mr. Ceasar Timpac, Mr. Parity Nga-awan III, Mr. Francis John Carlo Castillo, Mr. Pistola Palubos, Mr. Greg Balangiao, Mr. Richard Monte, Mr. Glenn Baniaga and Ms. Karryl Agusdan.
Finally, I take this opportunity to extend our profound gratitude to all private institutions, local government units, national line agencies, academe, international organizations, various cooperatives, media, and other stakeholders that partnered and collaborated with CDA-CAR in the delivery of different services. With your assistance, we were able to accomplish different plans, programs and activities that helped in the growth and development of cooperatives in the region. It is my prayer that the Almighty will continue to bless and keep us healthy as we journey towards sustainable cooperative growth.
