Organizations must work closely with fellow institutions to ensure continuous operations towards sustainability. Likewise, there is a need to align vertically or horizontally as a form of integration. Collaboration, consultation and cooperation enhance mutuality that keeps the flame of cooperation burning. Such practice manifest adherence of cooperatives and supportive stakeholders to universally accepted principles specifically Principle No. 6, “Cooperation among Cooperatives”.
The first four (4) months of 2018 was a productive moment for cooperative stakeholders and CDA-CAR Extension Office. Last January 29, 2018 CDA-CAR partnership with the Municipal Government of La Trinidad in the conduct of Research Forum and Updates on CDA Reportorial was held at the Strawberry Valley Hotel and Restaurant, Betag, La Trinidad, Benguet. About 85 participants from different cooperatives based in the valley joined the activity that was conducted free of charge courtesy of LGU-La Trinidad. Given the full support of municipal government officials and employees headed by Mayor Romeo K. Salda together with the Sangguniang Bayan headed by Vice-Mayor Joey Marrero, the activity provided opportunities for cooperatives, local officials, CDA and other stakeholders to interact.
Further, a joint activity held last February 15, 2018 that involved Bureau of Internal Revenue CAR Regional Office; Cordillera Administrative Region Cooperative Union and Cooperative Development Authority-Cordillera Administrative Region Extension Office related to Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion was held at the Mission Function Hall, EDNCP Compound, Magsaysay, Baguio City. Sixty-eight (68) cooperative participants; 3 CDA personnel; 4 BIR personnel and 3 CARCU staff were involved in the orientation related to RA 10963. CDA Regional Director Franco G. Bawang, Jr. and CARCU Executive Director, Dr. Allen Ngilangil graced the occasion. BIR-OIC Director Douglas Rufino was on official business that he entrusted to his personnel the discussions on the TRAIN Law.
The following day (February 16, 2018), CDA-CAR and CARCU continued with an Orientation on CDA Reportorial Requirements with the same participants in the same venue. Both activities aimed to provide real time information related to new laws and issuances that must be complied with by cooperatives. Minimal registration fee was collected that covered rental of venue and meals and snacks of participants. Questions raised during the TRAIN Law Seminar include issues on tax exemption; TIN application; and the effects of the new law to cooperative operations.
On February 27, 2018, about 307 cooperative members, officers and staff from 142 primary cooperatives in Benguet joined the Updates on CDA Reportorial Requirements. Two personnel from the Benguet Provincial Cooperative Development Services Office; 7 CDA personnel and in coordination with other cooperative stakeholders managed the activity. The occasion was graced by five (5) provincial officials headed by Hon. Crescencio C. Pacalso together with Board Members Robert Namoro; Fernando Balaodan; Jim Botiwey and Roberto Canuto; CDA Regional Director Franco G. Bawang, Jr.; and Benguet Provincial Cooperative Development Council members headed by Chairman Miguel P. Luma-ang. Thanks to the Province of Benguet that sponsored the activity free of charge.
On March 8-9, 2018, CARCU conducted Governance and Management Seminar and Executive Director Allen Ngilangil invited CDA-CAR and took part in conduct of the activity. About 48 participants from 19 cooperatives in the region participated in the two-day affair.
Moreover, last April 4-5, the Taloy-Norte Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative tapped the services of CARCU. Executive Director Allen Ngilangil requested technical assistance from CDA-CAR Regional Director related to the conduct of Stress Management and Team Building. A team composed of two CDA personnel and two CARCU staff conducted the seminar at Tam-an Banaue MPC Resort, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya that involved 51 officers and staff. Team-building exercises and inputs on needed skills were discussed to help empower the personnel and officers in coping up with the challenges of large cooperative operations.
Finally, the above series of jointly implemented activities manifest the commitment, openness, mutual cooperation and collaborative efforts of local government units, training providers, and other stakeholders in bringing development. Our salutes to the show of moral and financial support by some local officials that motivate cooperators engage in transformative change. I would like to express my profound gratitude and strongly advocate that this practice be sustained. Serving people with gladness and fostering closer working relationships among cooperative stakeholders can help propel growth and development locally and internationally.
