In our last column we discussed on M.C. 2017-01 “Capability Building Program for Micro Cooperatives” and M.C. 2017-02, Memorandum Circular Number 2017-02 “Guidelines on the Conduct of Pre-Registration Seminar for Prospective Members of Would-be Primary Cooperatives”. Let us continue with M.C. 2017-03 “Amendment to CDA Memorandum Circular No. 2012-15 dated June 11, 2012 on Policy Guidelines Mandating Cooperative to Put-up signage in Their Respective Offices”. Section 2. Purpose. This guideline is issued for purposes of ascertaining the identity and location of the cooperative as stated in its Articles of Cooperation.Section 3. Legal Bases. This guideline is anchored on the following provisions of the law: A. Article 14 (2) (d) of RA 9520. The Articles of cooperation shall set forth: (d) The area of operation and postal address of its principal office. B. Article 51 0f RA 9520. “Every cooperative shall have an official postal address to which all notices and communications shall be sent. Such address and every change thereof shall be registered with the Authority.Section 4.Coverage. This guideline shall apply to cooperatives registered with CDA but failed to put-up and maintain a business signage. Section 5. Signage specification. Registered cooperatives must put up and maintain a signage at the entrance of the principal and all branch or satellite office. The signage shall be visible, legible and shall contain at least the following information: a. Name of Cooperative; b. Address, b.1. Address of the principal office, if it is a principal office, b.2. Address of the branch office, if it is a branch office, b.3. Address of the satellite, if it is a satellite office; c. Registered Number of Cooperative; d. Tax Identification Number (TIN) of the Cooperative; e. The words “Principal, Satellite and or Branch Office” if applicable and f. The phrase Registered with the Cooperative Development Authority – _______________ Extension Office”. (Note: Where the principal office id registered) Additional information for Branches and Satellites: g. Certificate of Authority Number if it is a branch; h. Letter of Authority Number if satellite. Section 6. Effectivity. This guideline shall take effect upon approval of the CDA Board of Administrators and fifteen (15) days after filing with the Office of national Administrative Registry (ONAR). Section 7. Separability Clause. If any provision of this guideline is declared null and void or declared unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in force and effect. Approved by the Board of Administrators pursuant to BOA Resolution No. 103, s. 2017 dated April 25, 2017. For the Board of Administrators. Signed. Orlando R. Ravanera, Chairman.
Comment.
The said circular amended the provisions of M.C. 2012-15 dated June 11, 2012 that provided a specific measurement of the signage. It may be in consideration on the feedback and clamor of some cooperatives that they cannot fully comply with the 6 feet X 3 feet requirement as other cooperatives and stakeholders prefer Panaflex or smaller dimensions especially those located in commercial establishments that have limited space. This brings us to the idea that cooperatives affected by issuances can dialogue with CDA to be clarified on the provisions of the Code and the circulars issued by the Authority. In cases wherein cooperative leaders or members doubt some provisions of issuances, the best way is to signify their comments or request for clarification through any extension office so as CDA can render opinion related to such query.
Further, Memorandum Circular Number 2017-04 “Tools for Assessment of Gender Equality in Primary Cooperatives as Supplemental to Memorandum Circular 2013-22”. Section 1. This Circular shall be known as the Tool for Assessing Progress of Gender Equality (GE) in Cooperatives as Supplemental to Memorandum Circular 2013-22. Section 2. Purpose. This Circular aims to disseminate to the cooperative sector the tool for assessing gender equality in cooperatives. This tool shall assess the cooperative’s progress in mainstreaming gender and development (GAD) toward achieving GE. Section 3. Scope. This Circular shall be applicable to all primary cooperatives duly registered with the Cooperative Development Authority. Section 4. About the Tool. The tool for Assessing Progress of GE in Cooperatives, attached as Annex A, will assess the cooperative’s progress in implementing gender equality (GE). The Tool determine the extent to which the cooperative lives the Universal Cooperative Principles of equality, equity, social responsibility, and caring for others as outlined in the Statement on the Cooperative identity (SCI) of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). The results of this Tool can be used as basis for crafting the cooperative’s gender and development (GAD) plan.
The Asian Women on Cooperative Development Forum (AWCF) developed this Tool during its GAD mainstreaming project for Philippine cooperatives in 2010-2012, funded by the Swedish Cooperative Center (later known as We Effect). AWCF enhanced the tool in its GAD project for Philippine cooperatives in 2013, also supported by We Effect. In March 2016, the Tool was improved by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), the Gender Equality Resources Center (GERC) and partner cooperatives.
The Tool for Assessing GE in Cooperatives was developed in response to the implementation of CDA M.C. 2013-22 on the Guidelines in Mainstreaming Gender and Development (GAD) in Cooperatives, and GAD Summit 2016 Declaration and Call for Action. 4.1. Purpose of the Tool. Rates the extent to which the cooperative lives the Universal Cooperative Principles of equality, equity, social responsibility, and caring for others as outlined in the Statement on the Cooperative identity (SCI) of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA); and Basis for crafting gender responsive cooperative development plan. 4.2. Components of the tool. I. Cooperative information – basic and general information about the cooperative including the number of members, officers, staff and members’ contribution to share capital; II. Levels of Gender Equality in the Cooperative-the main component of the tool where the status and levels of implementation of cooperative vis-à-vis gender equality will be rated accordingly. These include determining the level of gender awareness by the key players of cooperative, presence of the different aspects of GAD mainstreaming, presence of GAD mainstreaming mechanisms and instruments and status of implementation thereof, and other areas of concerns indicated in CDA M.C.-2013-22; III. Scoring instruction-summary of scores and the corresponding qualitative values for the overall scores including the scores for each area of improvement and for improvement (people, policy, programs, and enabling mechanisms) and qualitative interpretation of each; and IV. Interpretation of Scores-identification of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) and the needed actions. Section 5. Adoption of Tool. All cooperatives must adopt the tools for Assessing GE in Cooperatives herein attached and shall come up with their respective gender-responsive cooperative development plan in accordance with the result of the assessment. The cooperative shall be guided by CDA Memorandum Circular 2013-22. Section 6. Effectivity. This Memorandum Circular shall take effect upon the approval of the Board of Administrators of the Cooperative Development Authority and fifteen (15) days after the publication in the Office of National Administrative Registry (ONAR). Approved by the CDA Board of Administrators under Resolution Number 24, S-2017 dated March 21, 2017. Signed for the Board of Administrators. Orlando R. Ravanera.
Comment:
The Tool is a welcome development for cooperatives to appreciate the importance of gender and development in cooperatives. However, the problem at present is that not all cooperatives had complied with the provisions of CDA M.C. 2013-22 as only few had amended their by-laws to include the GAD Committee. This situation serves as a development challenge both for CDA officials and cooperatives to ensure that provisions on GE are reflected in official documents of the different primary cooperatives. The non-adoption of GAD by these cooperatives will have an effect on the results of the assessment. We then encourage all cooperatives to include in the provisions of their respective by-laws the creation of GAD Committee. TO BE CONTINUED.. HAPPY ADIVAY TO ALL…
