THE Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)-Dagupan Extension Office and United Cooperatives of Pangasinan (Unicoop) will host an inter-regional public consultation on the proposed Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9520.

The consultation of the said RA 9520 or the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008 will be held on Nov. 9 to 10 at the City De Luxe Restaurant, Tapuac District, Dagupan City.

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Cooperative stakeholders from Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera (CAR) are enjoined to attend the event since this will be a venue for discussions to obtain public inputs testimonies and comments relevant to the proposed IRR.

In line with this, CDA-CAR Director Ray Elevazo encourages all cooperative stakeholders in the region to join the consultations.

The consultation, he said, is being done nationwide and every stakeholder's input will be as important since this will all be incorporated in the final IRR which will be submitted to the Oversight Committee of Congress for ratification.

Elevazo also stressed RA 9520, which was signed into a law last March 23, will have a big impact on the cooperative sector and the rural and urban economy once the IRR is finalized.

CDA-CAR is now in the process of sending invitations to the various cooperative groups in the region.

For more information, you can coordinate with the CDA-CAR office at tel. no. 4426731.

Meanwhile, Elevazo is calling on all cooperatives in the region to coordinate with his office in relation to the issuance of new certificates before the deadline on March 22.

He explained under RA 9520, all cooperatives are mandated to get New Certificates of Registration or to re-register. Cooperative, which will not comply, will forfeit their registrations.

Elevazo also announced the documents needed for re-registration are the original copy of their past certificate of registration, photo-copy of the coop's by-laws and articles of cooperation, latest audited financial statement for the past two years (As of Dec 31, 2007, and/or 2008 and/or 2009). A re-registration fee of P500 is also included.

Non-operational cooperatives are also welcomed to re-register, if they are willing to, although operating cooperatives will be prioritized.

Elevazo is also inviting all cooperative stakeholders in the region to join the regional Cooperative Month celebration on Nov. 13 and 14 at the PFVR Multi-Purpose.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri is the expected guest of honor for the event.
(Lito Dar)