THE Cooperative Development Authority (CDA-CAR) is reminding all types and categories of registered cooperatives in the region to apply for the issuance of new certificate of registration before the March 22 deadline.
According to CDA-CAR Director Ray Elevazo, this is very important because under Article 144, Republic Act 9520 or the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008, any cooperative that fail to comply will be deemed cancelled and CDA will cause its cancellation of registration.
"All cooperatives need to do is to re-register first with CDA and after March 22, they still have a year to amend their bylaws," Elevazo said.
To date, there are only 1 out of 700 registered cooperatives in the region that have already complied or have been issued new certificate of registration.
CDA-CAR Senior Cooperative Development Specialist (Sr CDS) Letty Cayanos explained that cooperatives can apply for the new registration certificate at the CDA regional office at Room 308, 3rd floor of Layman Ogibly Centrum, Magsaysay Avenue, Baguio City or at any of the provincial field offices located at the provincial capital of all the provinces in CAR.
"Cooperatives who have Internet access can also register on-line by logging into the Issuance of New Certificate of Registration window of the CDA website - www.cda.gov.ph, using their Cooperative Identification Number or CIM," Cayanos added.
Cayanos also announced that they are also set to go to the provinces for the registration.
CDA-CAR's senior CDSs are set to go to Kalinga on January 28 to 29, Mountain Province on February 9 to 10 and Ifugao on February 16 to 17.
Schedule for the other provinces is still being arranged.
A pre-registration fee of P500 is required for the issuance of new registration certificates.
Documentary requirements include: an original copy of certificate of registration or certificate of confirmation including Certificate of amendment/s (if applicable); Photocopy of registered Articles of Corporation and By-laws including registered amendment/s; and copy of latest Audited Financial Statements as of December 31, 2007 and/or 2008 and/or 2009.
In case of loss certificate of registration, the cooperative should present a duly notarized Board resolution attesting the circumstances on why the document cannot be surrendered to CDA.
For newly organized cooperative with no audited financial statement, it may submit interim financial statement prepared by the bookkeeper and attested by the Chairman of the cooperative.
For more information, clarification or assistance, cooperatives can coordinate with the CDA-CAR Registration Unit or call telephone numbers (074)442-6731 and (074)300-2683. (Lito Dar)