CDA sees brighter future for coops under new code

THERE's a bright prospect for the cooperatives under the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008, according to the regional director of the Cooperative Development Authority.

With the advent of Cooperative Code or Republic Act 9520, CDA-11 director Elma Oguis is optimistic that the cooperatives would be able to perform well, thus saying that a bright future awaits them.

Oguis in an interview said the new law requires for instance a basic training for the cooperative's key players -- its members and officers who play a vital role in the proper managing of its operations and services.

"Being an officer of the cooperative should not be taken simply and easily,” said Oguis adding that management of the cooperative is crucial to its progress and success.

She said a lot of cooperatives died or failed to improve due to poor management and incompetence among officers because of lack of training.

"If only the officers would strictly abide to the law’s mandate, for sure they will be successful," Oguis said in the vernacular.

The lady director bared a plan for next year of facilitating for the accreditation of trainors who could be tapped by the cooperatives to provide the capability building program.

Oguis also disclosed that CDA is now looking into ways of resolving the squabbles among officers of the cooperatives which she said was one of the reasons of the misfortunes of the cooperatives.

She informed that they are currently working out on the accreditation of mediators from among the cooperative officers and members themselves to resolve the conflicts.

The next to accredit this year, she continued, would be the auditors, either as individuals, partners or associates. She said more than 20 auditors who shall undergo training under CDA, have already signified their applications.

Meanwhile, Oguis raised a reminder to all cooperatives to secure from CDA new Certificate of Good Standing which requires the submission of audited financial statement, Cooperative Annual Performance Report and minutes of the last general assembly.

"Otherwise, any benefit being a cooperative will be forfeited," she warned, referring particularly to tax exemption incentive.

The region has re-registered 1,334 operating cooperatives out 1,822 under RA 9520, leaving the 488 as “deemed cancelled” due to their failure to re-register or secure a Certificate of Registration during the prescribed period beginning March last year.

As of September this year, about 199 cooperatives were newly registered.