The training is in compliance with Article 2 of Republic Act No. 9520, otherwise known as the “Philippine Code of 2008,” explicitly stipulates that it is the declared policy of the state to foster the creation and growth of cooperatives as a practical vehicle for promoting self-reliance and harnessing people power towards the attainment of economic development and social justice. Towards this end the government, through its appropriate agencies, shall ensure the provision of technical guidance, financial assistance and other relevant services to enable cooperatives to develop into a variable responsive enterprise.

In addition, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) issued a Memorandum Circular No. 2015-09 to implement the revised guidelines of the new mandated training requirements of cooperative officers in order to enhance their competencies and guide them to effectively perform their duties in compliance with provisions of the law.

The Fundamentals of Cooperatives and Management and Governance of Cooperatives is just one of the mandatory training courses for the cooperative officers in improving their competencies as well as their knowledge which will guide them to perform their duties effectively in accordance with the requirements of the law.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Member and Committee Chairperson on Cooperative, Honorable Reinario M. Bihag expressed his gratitude to the officers of Cooperative Development Authority from the region for the support extended to the cooperatives in the province and to the Provincial Cooperative Office for initiating such important activity, and pledged to continue his commitment to support the activities of PCO.

71 Cooperatives attended the two-day training facilitated by Mr. Edwin B. Pelosas, Senior Cooperative Development Specialist and Mr. Alvin A. Castro, Cooperative Development Specialist II, both from the regional office. PIO-LDN