Many claim to be champions of socio-economic development. Government agencies, transnational corporations (TNCS); multi-national corporations (MNCs); non-government organizations (NGOs); foundations; business entities and cooperatives contribute to economic development. However, TNCs, MNCs, some NGOS and foundations exist to generate profit at the expense of the general public. Their desire to increase their stakes and position themselves in the global market manifest democracy that works within the concept of development specifically capitalism. The naked truth is these institutions are owned by few individuals except established institutions with genuine motives committed to advance the plight of the underprivileged. Cooperatives are considered to be alternative business enterprises as they are capitalized, owned, operated and patronized by members. Also, membership and ownership comes from all walks of life-the undisputed commune concept universally accepted and applied by many nations.
Our heartfelt gratitude to all cooperatives registered operating locally and internationally for your consistent support in making cooperatives as instruments of social justice; peace; and economic development. To all the cooperative members, officers and management staff, we salute you for your sustained action in making cooperatives as genuine civil society organizations that promote socio-economic growth and development.
As members that invest hard earned money in cooperatives in the form of share capital, savings and time deposits proves to world financial experts that everybody is “bankable” not only the affluent and famous people of the universe. It exhibits our cohesion to help ourselves and realize our mission to help improve the quality of lives of people—in particular our members.
The various services offered by cooperatives provide alternative business models that employ and empower people to unite and help develop the country harnessing local initiatives and resource generation. To cooperatives that offer consumer goods, credit facilities, lodging and housing, transport and allied services, water services, marketing, producers of agricultural and industrial goods, etc., the members and the communities are thankful for they had the opportunity to become owners and users of their own enterprises.
Further, compliance to the required social and legislative laws like Social Security System; Phil Health, PAG-IBIG; securing of Mayor’s Permit; Payment of Taxes and Obtaining Certificate of Tax Exemptions from BIR; COC from CDA; etc. paved the way for the involvement of the marginalized sectors of society contribute to nation-building. As legitimate organizations that rely on pooled resources from members, we demonstrate to the world how self-reliance, unity and cooperation lead to innovations using our own resources as capital. It is often said that if we like to succeed, let us start within us and ask from others only when needed. As a matter of practice, cooperatives subscribe to the principle of subsidiarity.
As of December 31, 2015, the Cordillera Administrative Region had a total of 616 compliant/operating cooperatives. Recent data indicated that about 515 cooperatives representing 84% of the compliant /operating cooperatives submitted reports to the CDA. Letters of non-compliance were sent to these cooperatives and we are thankful that some cooperatives responded to our reminder letters.
Like normal enterprises, cooperatives experience setbacks that contribute to non-compliance. Other people find it easy to express disgust on performance of some cooperatives. But I guess they need to be immersed in cooperative operations for them to appreciate the rudiments of collective enterprise. Lack of understanding and imprudent remarks to peoples’ enterprises that require participatory planning, implementation and evaluation may ruin trust of people. Sometimes, other persons castigate CDA for failure of some cooperatives to submit the required reports. However, reasons for non-compliance are not sought before unpleasant remarks are hurled. This situation tarnishes the image of cooperatives that work hard to hurdle the challenges of the present economic upheaval.
As globalization engulfs all nations and impinge radical changes to sovereign laws, it is a challenge both to regulatory agencies and cooperative sector to address the gaps and improve on the aspect of compliance to social and legislative laws. Asserting the importance of cooperatives to people with small means needs government support to recognize them as engines for social, economic and political reforms. Cooperatives had been tested by world economic crisis (i.e. Lehman Brothers) and their strength had withstood the trials as most locally based cooperatives had tremendously increased their assets for the past five years.
Contrary to public notion that cooperatives are not reliable, the latest figure indicated that about 15% of the Philippine population subscribe to cooperative concept. ACD being the top performing cooperative in the Philippines has membership from the military service. If men in uniform believe in the cooperative concept, how much more in the case of ordinary people like us. You might be interested to know my personal opinion on this matter and I am proud to say that majority of my family members and relatives joined cooperatives. How about you? Are you a member? My piece of advice is before you join any cooperative, attend its Pre-Membership Education Seminar or Basic Cooperative Course for you to know the policies and offered services. If in doubt, you may also inquire from the nearest CDA office on the current standing of any cooperative. We encourage you to patronize home grown cooperatives especially those with good track record.
Finally, we take this opportunity to extend our appreciation to stakeholders both from the private and public sector for your unending support to cooperatives. To those we might have offended in the line of duty we ask for your understanding and forgiveness. As we end 2016, may the blessings of the Almighty be upon us; the Holy Spirit work to reconcile our differences and lasting peace and justice reign. It feels great to start 2017 with a clear conscience free from hatred and lingering mental anguish.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
