call for action summary

Call For Action by the Cooperative Cluster Congresses


This document presents a summary of all cluster congresses conducted in

2015 to consult the sector of their needs and for the Cooperative Development

Authority to address these concerns in terms of programs/projects and make

coordination with appropriate government agencies as well as to report to the His

Excellency Pres. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III the gains and sentiments of the

sector. Below is the list of cluster congresses, date conducted and venue.

The conduct of cluster congresses was part of the Philippine Centennial Celebration (1915-2015) to commemorate the birth of the first LAW on cooperatives -- Act 2508, An act regulating the creation and operation of "Rural Agricultural Cooperative Associations," and for other purposes which was approved on February 05, 1915.

Date Cluster Congresses

April 17-18, 2015 Finance Tagaytay International Convention Center (TICC)

May 21-23, 2015

Labor Service and Workers Cooperative Skylight Convention Center, Puerto Princesa City

June 12-13, 2015

Agriculture Cooperative Caoayan, Isabela

June 25, 2015

Cooperative Banks Natures Village Resort and Hotel, Talisay Highway, Bacolod City

July 16, 2015

Housing Cooperative University of Makati (UMAK), Makati City July 16, 2015

July 20-22, 2015 (Luzon) and July 23-25, 2015 (Mindanao)

Agrarian Reform Cooperatives Pasay City (for Luzon Batch) and Davao City (for Visayas and Minadanao Batch)

July 31, 2015 Tourism Cooperative Congress Vigan Convention Center, Vigan, Ilocos Sur

August 5, 2015

Youth and Laboratory Cooperatives Batangas Auditorium, Provincial Government of Batangas

October 8, 2015

Transport Cooperative Sector Senate of the Philippines

November 27, 2015

Person with Disabilities (PWDs) AND Senior Citizens La Breza Hotel, Mother Ignacia Avenue, Q.C.

November 27, 2015

Indigenous Peoples and Muslim Cooperatives Farm Country Hotel Convention Cetre, General Santos City


CALL FOR ACTION BY THE FINANCE SECTOR OF

COOPERATIVES

Tagaytay International Convention Center (TICC) April 17-18, 2015

WHEREAS, on July 17-18, 2015 the cooperatives engaged in financial intermediation including those accepting savings deposits from their members converged in Tagaytay International Convention Center (TICC) to discuss and decide the issues conflagrating the sector;

WHEREAS, prior the conduct of the congress, the working committee composed

by big federations and unions nationwide conducted series of workshops to identify the problems, issues, needs and concerns (PINCs) confronting the sector;

WHEREAS, the issues and concerns identified include the following: • Fragmented sector Many federations Not all coops are affiliated

• Low adoption of the risk management framework • Territorial management • Code of Conduct for Coops • No insurance deposit coverage • Misperception about the coop • Participation of cooperatives in local special bodies (RCDC, CDC, RD) • Competitiveness of cooperatives • “Banking system” is driven by technology/fast changing technology/expensive

technology/mobile technology • Stiff competition from microfinance NGOs, other financial institutions; banks

MOA with LGU • Ethical standards for coop external auditors • Mission drift/diminished coop identity/unclear vision-mission • No succession planning- aging leadership, lack of young officers • Delineation of roles of board and management • Political dynamics/issues/internal politics • Low investment in the development of the KSA of the staff • Succession plan of cooperatives • Nepotism practiced by few cooperatives • Lack of general manager and/or personnel for micro and small coops • Low institutional capital • Insufficient allowance for probable losses • Inflated asset value • Excessive/idle cash for some large coops • Financial sustainability • High portfolio at risk, estimated at >25%


• Challenge in managing liquidity • Difficulty in collecting financial status of cooperatives • Tax exemption not interpreted the same way by BIR • Challenges in renewal of CTE • Financial reporting framework for coops still needs to be finalized • COOP-PESOS and SCA • Appropriateness of the standards • Implementation of the regulations (IRR) • Implementation of CISA • Appropriate regulatory support especially with the deposit taking functions of

the savings and credit coops • No enabling law for stabilization fund, though this is found in the section for

financial cooperatives • Remittance of CETF

Use of the unremitted CETF Preferably remitted

• Law/compliance to the data submission requirements • Mandatory training program for coops with savings and credit (new IRR) • Low growth in membership • No common brand/marketing program • Limited market share (6M members out of the total population and or 50% of

the population) • Members are not well informed of coop rules and regulations/policies • 4 federations promoting softwares NATCCO with Ekoopbanker/plus MASS-SPECC with MSRTE PFCCO VICTO

• Primary Coops having their own software • Top 50 coops have different softwares • NATCCO and MASS-SPECC able to do mobile banking, POS, ATM through

MEGALINK

• Other cooperatives linked with other providers like VICTO with COOPNet

• Banks putting POS in cooperatives

WHEREAS, these issues are deterring the growth and development of the sector and there are issues that can be addressed by concern government agencies, specially the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), as the government agency in-charge in the regulation and development of coopertives in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the body unanimously approved that a copy of this resolution,including

the list of participants who attended theFinanceCluster ofCooperatives is hereby approved and forwarded to the CDA and the Cooperative Centennial Committee for their appropriate endorsement to THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC PHILIPPINES AND CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND LEGISLATORS on the culmination activity to be held in October 23, 2015.


FIRST LABOR SERVICE AND WORKERS COOPERATIVES CONGRESS

Skylight Convention Center, Puerto Princesa City May 21-23, 2015

CONGRESS RESOLUTIONS WHEREAS, two of the most critical problems affecting the Filipino nation today are poverty and unemployment -- problems that have remained unresolved for several decades now; WHEREAS, we, the organizers and participants of the First Labor Service and Workers Cooperatives Cluster Congress held at Skylight Convention Center, Puerto Princesa City, this May 21-23, 2013, believe that labor service cooperatives can become genuine vehicles for social inclusion, economic growth, poverty eradication, more equitable wealth distribution, and human and cultural development of the Filipino people; WHEREAS, labor service and workers cooperatives are truly enablers and partners in job generation, job facilitation, and job security by contributing to the continuous development of relevant skills of the workers, thereby helping enhance their employability at present and in the event of the ASEAN economic integration; WHEREAS, labor service and workers cooperatives directly employ roughly 600,000 workers and benefit their workers-members by way of dividends and patronage refunds, in addition to other statutory and voluntarily granted benefits; WHEREAS, while the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provide recognition and support to labor service and workers cooperatives as legitimate job contractors and sub-contractors, there is a strongly felt need to enhance and intensify such support in order to strengthen the role of labor service and workers cooperatives in job creation, eradication of poverty, and in nation building in general, in consonance with the preferential treatment provided for by the Constitution of the Philippines and R.A. 9520 for cooperatives; NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved: 1. That all government and non-government regulatory bodies, including but not limited

to the DOLE, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), SSS, Philhealth, Pag-IBIG, etc., through the initiative of CDA, should develop and implement ways to support and give preferential treatment to labor service and workers cooperatives;

2. That CDA and BIR should expeditiously resolve existing issues on tax exemptions of

labor service and workers cooperatives, including but not limited to issuance and renewal of Certificate of Tax Exemption (CTE), treatment on taxable transactions, and education and training among field personnel of both offices;


3. That the DOLE and CDA should continue to allow labor service and workers

cooperatives to deduct from their members the instalment payment of their share capital through regular payroll deductions until such a time when each member shall have fully paid their share capital contribution, provided each member shall submit an appropriate authorization for such payroll deduction;

4. That DOLE shall cease from ordering the labor service and workers cooperatives to

return capital contributions earlier deducted from members through payroll deductions for such is the bloodline of a cooperative;

5. That the CDA, DOLE, BIR, and other regulatory or government and non-government

agencies should henceforth harmonize their policy issuance in the future in order to ensure a more integrated approach at regulating the operations of labor service and workers cooperatives, and in order for policies and implementing rules and regulations to be consistent with the Constitutional provisions protecting the cooperatives, and with R. A. 9520;

6. That all labor service and workers cooperative should be fully compliant with all

regulatory requirements of the CDA, DOLE and government regulatory agencies; 7. That all labor service and workers cooperative should stand and unite to fight for its

rights and benefits as provided by the constitution and law; 8. That aforesaid resolutions be accepted, as hereby approved by the participants in this

first Congress of labor service and workers cooperatives, and copies be furnished to appropriate government regulatory bodies, including but not limited to, the Office of the President, the Secretary of Finance, Secretary of Labor, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Chairman of the Cooperative Development Authority, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and other pertinent agencies.

WITNESS OUR HAND, this 22nd day of May, 2014, in Puerto Princesa City.


CALL FOR ACTION BY THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES

Caoauyan, Isabela June 12-13, 2015

We gather today for the larger interest of the Filipino Nation as we decide to advance inclusive growth through the powerful interplay of Philippine Agriculture and the Cooperative Movement in this event dubbed as NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE CONGRESS (NACC). We are doing this with the strong support of the leaders of the host province, Province of Isabela, enthusiastic participation of cooperative leaders and delegates from all over the country, and the National Government Agencies, including the CDA, DA, DAR and PDIC. With the continuous fight against poverty and powerlessness, especially in the agricultural sector, and our unrelenting efforts for equity, social justice and economic development, we decided to hold this Congress to discuss the problems, issues, needs and concerns, and success stories of Agricultural Cooperatives in our country. Timely as it is, this Congress aims also to strengthen the position and capability of Agricultural Cooperatives under the regime of global trade liberalization and ASEAN Integration. Guided by the Theme: “Kooperatiba at Magsasaka: Sama-sama para sabansangmaunlad at mapayapa”, we call on everyone and all stakeholders for action in the following concerns:

1. Legislative advocacy for the inclusion of “Agricultural Cooperative” as a type of cooperative under an amended R.A. No. 9520, otherwise known as the Philippine Cooperative Code of the 2008.

2. Strengthen functional and organization integrative linkage of agricultural cooperatives to build their economies of scale and entrepreneurial capacity;

3. Intensify concerted and organized efforts to institutionalize value chain mechanisms with the end view of cooperative product marketability in both the national, ASEAN and global markets.

4. Continually work for the upgrade and sustainability of micro and small cooperatives, respectively to graduate to small and medium or even large cooperatives.

5. Partner with Local Government Units and National Government Agencies for the convergent and coherent implementation of cooperative programs and the mobilization of resources and technical support to agricultural cooperatives;

6. Advocacy for the increased awareness of legislators and policy makers on the impact and potential of agricultural cooperatives in the local and national economy with the objective of increasing legislative and policy support, and the provision of an legal and policy environment conducive to the development of agricultural cooperatives.

7. Popularize cooperativism and cooperatives through public and quad-media advocacy, particularly in the agricultural sector and farming communities.


In this manner, we will vigorously act on and support the following: 1. LGU-CDA-NGA (DA,DAR,other agencies) Partnership in the following areas of

endeavor for agricultural cooperatives:

a. Capacity Building b. Technical Support Services c. Marketing d. Access to Funds e. Crop Insurance f. Social Protection g. Production Cost Mitigating Measures h. Provision of Post Harvest Facilities and Cooperative Service Facilities i. Appropriate and sustainable technology support in connection with

climate disturbances j. Implementation of measures against rice, vegetable and meat

smuggling;

2. Advocate for the amendment of RA No. 9520 to include in its provisions, “Agricultural Cooperative” as a type of cooperative.

3. Identify agricultural products and champion cooperatives and federations that will be the focus of assistance for capacity building and institutionalization of value chain to ensure marketability and quality of said products

4. Support all CDA initiatives on the policy and operational levels, including its budgetary proposals, for the advancement of agricultural cooperatives.

5. Deliberately tell the story of agricultural cooperatives to the public and the youth at all means viable and possible.

6. Actively lobby for proper and broader support of agricultural cooperative agenda and roadmap from legislators and policy makers.

7. Act against rice, vegetable and meat smuggling. The body unanimously approved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to

the CDA and the Cooperative Centennial Committee for their appropriate endorsement to THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC PHILIPPINES AND CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND LEGISLATORS on the culmination activity to be held in October 23, 2015.


CALL FOR ACTION BY THE COOPERATIVE BANKS

Natures Village Resort and Hotel, Talisay Highway, Bacolod City June 25, 2015

WHEREAS, on 25th of June 2015, Bangkoop affiliates converged in Nature‟s

Village Resort & Hotel, Talisay Highway, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental to tackle issues and concerns significantly affecting the cooperative banks;

WHEREAS, said workshop is facilitated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)

and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) through the efforts of the BANGKOOP; WHEREAS, issues crop-up were in the areas of operation, regulation and

standards, governance, human resource, and others found to stiffer the management of cooperative banks;

WHEREAS, on 26th of June 2015, the members of BANGKOOP conducted its

General Assembly and affirmed the following recommendations in order to arrest the issues and concerns conflagrating the cooperative bank sector:

1. Passing of the Coop Banking Act 2. Endorsement for the increase of CDA budget to P5 Billion 3. Study the possibility to make the employees of Coop Banks to become

Stockholders 4. Conduct a comprehensive consultation on easing of BOD qualification

regarding the past due loan 5. Request and urge BSP to allow Coop Banks to engage in Money Transfer

Business WHEREAS, it has been unanimously approved that aforementioned Call for Action

be submitted to the CDA to include it among the output to be endorsed to the President of the Republic of the Philippines who will serve as Guest of Honor during the culmination rites of the centennial celebration of the cooperative movement in the Philippines;

APPROVED this 26th day of June 2015


CALL FOR ACTION BY THE “2ND NATIONAL HOUSING COOPERATIVE SUMMIT”

University of Makati (UMAK), Makati City July 16, 2015

LEGAL BASIS:

1. Article 2 of Republic Act 9520, also known as the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008, declared the 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 attainnment of economic development and social justice;

2. Article 62 paragraph 13 of the same Code states that, “the appropriate housing agencies and government financial institutions shall create a special window for financing housing projects undertaken by cooperatives, with interest rates and terms equal to, better than those given for socialized housing projects. This financing shall be in the form of blanket loans or long-term wholesale loans for qualified cooperatives, without need for individual processing”;

3. Revised Rule I on Housing Cooperatives on Implementing the Special Provisions of the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008 promulgated the rules and regulations for the proper guidance and compliance of housing cooperatives.

OBJECTIVES: Recognizing the needs of the cooperative housing sector, the CDA in coordination with other government agencies is conducting this Summit with the following objectives:

1. To come-up with position paper on issues and concerns confronting the housing cooperatives;

2. Disseminate the information on blanket loans as formulated and approved by HUDCC to implement the provision of Article 62 (13) of R.A. 9520, otherwise known as the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008, and Rule 1 Section 8 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations ; and

3. Develop a roadmap for Housing Cooperative based on the identified Problems, Issues and Concerns

DECLARATION: We, the cooperative members, officers, and other stakeholders participating in this 2nd National Cooperative Housing Summit held this July 16th day of 2015 with the theme “KOOPERATIBA: Kaagapay sa Pabahay at Maunlad na Pamumuhay”, do hereby state and resolutely declare the following:


a. To make housing cooperatives become a workable solution to the housing needs of the people; and

b. That in order for the housing cooperatives to succeed as a viable solution to the housing needs of the people, an enabling environment shall be created to make more members avail and access their housing needs;

Specifically, we call upon our policy makers to address the following concerns raised by the housing cooperatives, other cooperatives engaged in housing projects, in this 2nd national housing summit:

1. Provide a conducive and enabling policy environment to address the housing needs of Filipino families. The achievement of the target set under the Millenium Developmet Goals should be pushed by instrumentalities of the government and to consider Housing Cooperatives as a vehicle of achieving such target;

2. Passage of significant laws and policies. These include but not limited to 1) the creation of Department of Housing and Urban Development; 2) Continue the implementation of Comprehensive and Integrated Shelter Finance Act (CISFA); 3) establish a national land use framework that will define the indicative priorities for land utilization and allocation; and 4) formulation of national planning and zoning guidelines and standards, to guide LGUs in the formulation of their comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP); and

3. To use Housing Cooperative as a means of providing decent and affordable dwellings by those in need, in support of the Millenium Development Goals of the Republic of the Philippines.

We also call on the cooperative sector to:

a. Provide decent and affordable housing to their members, specially those in utmost need, and support the housing program of the government.

b. Organize other types of cooperatives in the community to support the production of contruction / building materials and livelihood activities of the cooperative members such as workers and producer cooperatives.

c. Observe effective property management. d. Maximize the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (JMEC) on Housing

Cooperatives as instrument to facilitate the needed technical and consultative suppport from the government.

This DECLARATION including the summary of outputs in gathering the PINCs, list of cooperatives and participants to this 2nd National Cooperative Housing Summit is hereby endorsed to the Cooperative Centennial Committee for their appropriate endorsement to THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES AND CONCERNED AGENCIES AND LEGISLATORS in the culmination activity to be held in October 2015.


CALL FOR ACTION BY THE AGRARIAN REFORM COOPERATIVES

Pasay City (for Luzon Batch) and Davao City (for Visayas and Minadanao Batch) July 20-22, 2015 (Luzon) and July 23-25, 2015 (Mindanao)

LEGAL BASIS: Under Republic Act 9700, DAR is mandated to provide support services to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) through the adoption of integrated support services delivery, conducted through organized groups of ARBs such as cooperatives and farmers‟ associations. Article 2 of Republic Act 9520, also known as the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008, declared the 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 attainnment of economic development and social justice. OBJECTIVES:

1. Recognizing the needs of the Agrarian Reform Cooperatives (ARCs), the DAR and CDA in coordination with other government agencies is conducting this Cluster Congress with the following objectives:

2. Disseminate vital information that will significantly affect the operation and management of Agrarian Reform Cooperatives; and

3. Develop a roadmap for Agrarian Reform based on the identified Problems, Issues, Needs and Challenges of the group.

DECLARATION: We, the cooperative members, officers, and other stakeholders participating in this Congress held this July 21st to 22nd day of 2015, do hereby state and resolutely declare the following:

a. To make ARCs become a workable solution to the end goal of uplifting the socio-economic life of ARB members and its immediate families

b. That in order for the ARCs to succeed as a viable solution to the preceeding goal, an enabling environment for ARCs goal and development shall be created to make more members avail and access their needs

Specifically, we call upon the concern government agencies and policy makers to address the following concerns raised by the group (Luzon and VisMin Batches), in this cluster congress:


1. Provide a conducive and enabling policy environment to address the needs of ARCs, specifically by the following government agencies and instrumentalities of the government:

a. Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) b. Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) c. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) d. Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) e. Land Registration Authority (LRA) / Register of Deeds (RD) f. Insurance Commission (IC) / Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC)

2. Passage of significant laws and policies that will help the ARCs attain its goal of

uplifting the lives of its members;

3. To use ARCs as a preferred means of providing services to ARB members and families.

4. Facilitate the registration and certificate of good standing of ARB Coops We also call on the ARC sector to:

1. Strengthen its business organization and practice good governance at all times so that more ARBs will benefit from the services it offer;

2. Adopt a value-chain approach in the production, processing, and marketing of its products and services; and

3. Strengthen the financial capacity of coops through appropriate linkaging and access to funds given by the government.

We believe that: This DECLARATION including the summary of outputs in gathering the PINCs, list of cooperatives and participants to this Cluster Congress for Agrarian Reform Cooperatives is hereby approved and forwarded to the Cooperative Centennial Committee for their appropriate endorsement to THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC PHILIPPINES AND CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND LEGISLATORS on the culmination activity to be held in October 23, 2015.


CALL FOR ACTION BY THE “1ST TOURISM COOPERATIVE CONGRESS”

Vigan, Ilocos Sur July 31, 2015

WHEREAS, on July 29-31, 2015 the cooperatives engaged in tourism converged in Vigan Ilocos Sur;

WHEREAS, cooperatives are being eyed as one of the vehicle to achieve the

tourism target of the Philippines; WHEREAS, convergence of tourism in cooperative is an opportunity to further

ignite the business endeavor of cooperatives; WHEREAS, the participants in the congress unanimously approved that the

Tourism Sector and the cooperatives to partner, but not limited, to the following:

a. Tourism promotion (i.e. Travel and tour services, cooperative media); b. Cooperativization of tourism services (i.e. Tourist guides , HR workers with

labor service coops, tourism transport with transport cooperatives); c. For the big cooperatives to venture in tourism to finance and support

tourism investments needs; d. Work for preservation of cultural heritage and the environment to attract

more tourists

WHEREAS, the body decided that a copy of this resolution including the summary of outputs in gathering the PINCs, list of cooperatives and participants to this Cluster Congress for Agrarian Reform Cooperatives is hereby approved and forwarded to the CDA and the Cooperative Centennial Committee for their appropriate endorsement to THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC PHILIPPINES AND CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND LEGISLATORS on the culmination activity to be held in October 23, 2015.


CALL FOR ACTION AND RESOLUTION ADOPTED DURING THE CONGRESS FOR THE YOUTH AND LABORATORY

COOPERATIVES

Batangas Auditorium, Provincial Government of Batangas August 5, 2015

LEGAL BASIS:

4. 1987 Philippine Constitution recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building;

5. Republic Act 9520 - Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008 supports the inclusion of minors in the cooperative membership through the recognition of laboratory cooperatives;

6. Article 99-101 of the Presidential Decree No. 613, the Child and Youth Welfare Code dated December 10, 1974 emphasized the right of the child and youth to form associations that will carry out child or youth welfare programs and activities;

7. United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Ratified by the Philippine Senate on July 20, 1990;

8. CHED issued Memorandum Order No. 26 Series of 2005 relative to the implementation of suggested program of instruction on values formation of the youth and strengthening their values;

9. The Department of Education (DepEd), through the Center for Students and Co-Curricular Affairs (CSCA) launched the Youth Entrepreneurship and Cooperatives in Schools (YECS) Program in April 1997.

DECLARATION:

1. Enabling law, Policy or Circular recognizing Cooperatives in the Educational System;

2. Development of Cooperative Development Program for the Youth in order to develop future cooperative leaders;

3. Encourage the formation of laboratory cooperatives in schools and youth cooperatives and enhance their entrepreneurship skills;

4. Encourage the primary cooperatives to allot a seat in the Board for Youth Representative that will bring the goals and plans of the youth sector in the leadership of the cooperative;

5. Encourage the formation of National Association of Junior Cooperators or an equivalent;

6. Integration/inclusion of youth development program in the Cooperative Development Plan in the cooperatives and local government units.


CALL FOR ACTION BY THE NATIONAL CONGRESS FOR THE TRANSPORT COOPERATIVE SECTOR

Senate of the Philippines

October 8, 2015

RECOGNIZING the conduct of the 1st National Congress for the Transport Cooperative

Sector by the National Federation of Transport Cooperatives (NFTC) together with the

Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and the Joint Congressional Oversight

Committee on Cooperatives (JCOCC) on October 8, 2015 at the Senate of the Philippines;

NOTING that prior to the said event, CDA has conducted regional transport forum

covering primary‟s issues and concerns (PINCs);

NOTING that based on the gathered PINCs, CDA together with NFTC formulated goals

and strategies to address the need of the transport sector and presented it to the

congress;

ECHOING the NFTC‟s declaration of call to action, which presents the priority action steps

that together show how the transport cooperative program would cater the most critical

environmental and sustainability goals, which includes but not limited to the use of

alternative fuel, owning of cooperative units and acquiring of additional franchise;

Affirming the importance of the transport cooperative development program to support

its goals and plans;

1. RESOLVES to take targeted and immediate action;

2. REQUESTS that the CDA take into consider the facilitation of the national plans and coordinate with the concerned government agencies taking into account:

a. A transport cooperative development program to which fund may be taken from the Road User‟s Tax to make the following possible:

a.1 Owning of the cooperative a minimum of five (5) units as mandated by

CDA that will take effect by the year 2018;

a.2 Shifting to alternative fuel to protect the environment and to comply

with the Clean Air Act;

a.3 Replacing old and dilapidated units for its better performance and to

avoid vehicular accidents;

b. Additional franchise at least to the existing ones to increase the coop‟s

capitalization and to comply with the required owning of units. The sector

even in the hardest way is willing to purchase units but there were no


franchise available;

c. Strict implementation of the preferential treatment by LGUs and national

government agencies as stated in the RA9520. To consider that transport

cooperatives are not participating in the rallies and any other form of

suspension of transportation. This also aims to avoid the „lagayan‟ system;

d. Organized procedures and clear policy on functions of OTC and CDA when it

comes to registration, training and reportorial requirements. A joint policy is

recommended since there are overlapping of polices and requirements;

3. ADOPTS the conclusion that the lack of the transport development program weakens the sector and the realization of the program depends on the cooperation of the government agencies such as LTRB, LTO, DOTC and DILG;

ENCOURAGES CDA to invite LTFRB, LTO. DOTC and DILG for a planning to increase their efforts in order to ADDRESS the need for transport cooperative development program.


CALL FOR ACTION AND RESOLUTION ADOPTED DURING THE SECTORAL CONGRESS FOR THE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDs) AND SENIOR CITIZENS

La Breza Hotel, Mother Ignacia Avenue, Q.C. October 19, 2015

WHEREAS, in order to protect the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and promote their welfare and development, Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons is promulgated to mandate the rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance, and integration of PWDs into the mainstream society;

WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 240 on the Philippine Decade of Disabled Persons 2003-2012 further instructs all Heads of Departments, Chiefs of Bureaus, Offices, Agencies and Instrumentalities of the National Government, Local Government Units to implement plans, programs and activities geared towards the development of PWDs; WHEREAS, Article 27 (Work and Employment) of the United Nations Convention

on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) requires State parties to recognize

the rights of persons with disabilities to work on an equal basis with others, and to be

given the opportunity to earn a living by being accepted in the labor market in an open

work environment and cooperative has been considered as one of the alterative set up

for the sustainable livelihood and employment of PWDs;

WHEREAS, in order to ensure appropriate funding mechanisms for program and projects of PWDs, Executive Order 417 explicitly provided the allocation of at least ten (10) percent of the yearly budget of the National Government Agencies, Government Corporations and instrumentalities and concerns agencies are mandated to implement programs as follows:

a. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall develop and implement a national social preparation program that will deal on moral values and work ethics of entrepreneurs with disabilities;

b. The Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) shall continually develop a system of equivalency to ensure PWDs access to employment and entrepreneurship;

c. The TESDA shall develop and implement relevant unified training programs, basic organizational and entrepreneurial skills that eventually make PWDs self-reliant and not a burden to society;

d. The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) shall develop and implement programs to promote coop organizing and development among PWDs.

e. Ensure markets for products and services of cooperatives of PWDs and other organizations of PWDs Engaged in livelihood and business activities;

f. All Government Agencies, Bureaus, Offices, Instrumentalities, State Universities and Colleges, Government Financial Institutions and Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations shall employ PWDs


whenever applicable. Local Government Units are also enjoined to employ PWDs whenever applicable;

g. The AGAA – DepEd provides allocation for the 10% for the purchase of school chairs from cooperative of PWDs. Other government agencies and local government units are enjoined to procure at least 10% of their requirements of goods and services;

h. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), together with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), shall develop and implement marketing promotion and product development and to come up with a database of PWD organizations and a directory of PWD products and services.

i. All government offices, national and local, are enjoined to reserve a displace space for PWS products and services in their respective offices upon request and where appropriate;

j. The Philippine Information Agency shall create promotional programs on the positive image of PWDs focusing on the ability and not on the disability.

k. Accessible Work Centers shall be made available for viable endeavors of PWDs with adequate equipment in strategic areas especially near export processing zones or economic zone areas;

l. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) shall conduct an inventory of unused government buildings for free temporary usage as work centers for PWDs.

m. The DSWD shall facilitate post-identification activities, including assisting PWD organizations to source equipment and other operational assistance. It shall also enhance the implementation of its existing social and vocational rehabilitation training centers and sheltered workshops.

n. The Development Bank of the Philippines, Land Bank of the Philippines, Peoples Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC), Quedancor, National Livelihood Support Fund shall make available funds for the credit requirements of PWDs as well as develop other financial services to ensure continuous source of capital for the livelihood programs for PWDs;

o. The PCFC shall enjoin its affiliated microfinance institutions to open programs for PWD entrepreneurs and promote the development of microfinance schemes designed for PWD micro-enterprises.

WHEREAS, "Article XIII, Section 11 of the Constitution provides that the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children. Article XV, Section 4 of the Constitution Further declares that it is the duty of the family to take care of its elderly members while the State may design programs of social security for them.

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act No. 9257, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003", provides for the benefits and incentives of senior citizens, among others;

a. Recognize the rights of senior citizens to take their proper place in society and make it a concern of the family, community, and government;


b. Give full support to the improvement of the total well-being of the elderly and their full participation in society, considering that senior citizens are integral part of Philippine society;

c. Motivate and encourage the senior citizens to contribute to nation building; d. Encourage their families and the communities they live with to reaffirm the

valued Filipino tradition of caring for the senior citizens; e. Provide a comprehensive health care and rehabilitation system for disabled

senior citizens to foster their capacity to attain a more meaningful and productive ageing; and

f. Recognize the important role of the private sector in the improvement of the welfare of senior citizens and to actively seek their partnership.

WHEREAS, RA 7432 also provides that:

a. Mechanisms shall be established whereby the contributions of the senior citizens are maximized;

b. Measures are adopted whereby our senior citizens are assisted and appreciated

by the community as a whole; c. Program beneficial to the senior citizens, their families and the rest of the

community they serve are established; and

d. Community-based health and rehabilitation programs for senior citizens in every political unit of society are established.

WHEREAS, The primary objective of the congress is to craft a roadmap for the

PWDs and Senior Citizens Cooperatives in order to align the plans and programs for their growth and development.

WHEREAS, on 19th of October 2015. PWDs and Senior Citizen Cooperatives converged in La Breza Hotel, Mother Ignacia St., Quezon City to tackle the issues and concerns hounding the sector; WHEREAS, in said congress, the participants adopted the following resolutions for the concerned government agencies to act:

a. Create an enabling law, Policy or Circular recognizing Cooperatives as a mechanism in the development of the PWDs and Senior Citizens Sector;

b. Request the President of the Republic of the Philippines to sign the proposed

amendment of RA 9442; c. Creation of Committees among government agencies spearheaded by the

National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) that will meet on a regular basis to monitor the full implementations of the laws concerning the said sector;

d. Encourage the Labor Service Cooperative to deal with private companies who are PWD and elderly friendly and mandate that at least 1% of their deployed are PWD and elderly;


e. Through the initiative of federation and government agencies, collaborate with private companies to course through their CSR to cooperatives in terms of capacity building and social undertakings;

f. Creation of Committees among government agencies spearheaded by the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) of the local government units to monitor the compliance to RA 7432;

g. Establishment of program/project by the CDA incorporating the needs and concerns of the PWDs and Senior Citizens cooperatives in this Congress;

h. Encourage the primary cooperatives to allot a seat in the Board for the Special Sector (women, youth, elderly, PWD);

i. CDA to issue a Memorandum mandating a percentage allotment in the

provision of Community Development Fund (CDF) to support the programs, projects, activities, goals, and plans of the elderly and PWDs in the cooperative and in the community;

j. Strengthen and capacitate the federation among PWDs and Senior Citizens

cooperatives that will provide services for their primary affiliates that include but not limited to: a) provide working capital for the livelihood activities of its affiliate primary cooperatives, b) marketing of products and services, c) technical assistance for the preparation of mandatory reports to be submitted to CDA, d) mandatory trainings (as registered training provider to CDA) among others) support services such as rehabilitation, health care, making the offices of cooperative physically accessible and among others;

k. CDA will take the lead in ensuring that PWD and Senior Citizens Agenda be

included in the General Cooperative Framework of Development.

This RESOLUTION including the list of participants to the Sectoral Congress for the

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Senior Citizens held in Quezon City on October 19, 2015 is hereby endorsed to the Cooperative Centennial Committee for their appropriate endorsement to THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES in the culmination activity to be held in October 2015 AND THE CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND LEGISLATORS for their appropriate action.


CALL FOR ACTION AND RESOLUTION ADOPTED DURING THENATIONALCONGRESS FOR THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

AND MUSLIM COOPERATIVES

Farm Country Hotel Convention Cetre, General Santos City November 27, 2015

WHEREAS, the CDA is mandated by law to promote the viability and growth of cooperatives as instruments for equity, social justice and economic development and as the lead agency for cooperative development it has to proactively and responsively advance and sustain the growth of the cooperative sector by pursuing a holistic development approach, establishing support systems and structures, and building strong linkages with stakeholders, thereby optimizing benefits to cooperatives in particular and to the society in general;

WHEREAS, the NCIP is the primary government agency that formulates and implements policies, plans and programs for the recognition, promotion and protection of the rights and well-being of indigenous peoples with due regard to their ancestral domains and lands, self-governance and empowerment, social justice and human rights and cultural integrity;

WHEREAS, the NCMF is mandated by law to preserve and develop the

culture, tradition, institutions and well-being of Muslim Filipinos, in consonance with national unity and development;

WHEREAS, the CDA, NCIP and NCMF recognizes that cooperatives play

a significant role on economic development, social justice and protection of cultural integrity of Muslims and indigenous peoples;

WHEREAS, The primary objective of the congress is to craft a roadmap

for the Indigenous Peoples and Muslim Cooperatives in order to align the plans and programs of the concerned government agencies for their growth and development.

WHEREAS, on 26thto 27thof November 2015,Indigenous Peoples and Muslim Cooperatives converged in Family Country Hotel Convention Centre in General Santos City to tackle the issues and concerns hounding the group; WHEREAS, in said congress, the participants adopted the following resolutions for the concerned government agencies to act:


a. Create an enabling law, Policy or Circular recognizing Cooperatives as a mechanism in the development of the Indigenous Peoples and Muslim Cooperatives, in consideration of its culture and belief;

b. Formulate appropriate models to enhance governance and succession

planning for cooperative, including a framework of operation manual;

c. Formulate appropriate standards for IPs and Muslim cooperatives;

d. Formulate capacity-building program to address the training needs of officers and employees of the cooperative;

e. Massive information dissemination to Local Government officials on the autonomy and independence and recognition of cooperatives as a legitimate non-government organization;

f. Provision of subsidy on trainings and financial audit;

g. CDA to condone fees and penalties for late and non-submission of reportorial reports;

h. Translate the laws, rules and regulations to vernacular language;

i. Linkage to concern government agencies to improve the farm to market road, provision of pre and post-harvest facilities and other equipment to increase the value of cooperatives‟ products and market access, local and international;

j. NCIP to intervene, monitor and safeguard the IPs ancestral domain;

k. Capacity building programs for officers and employees of cooperative; and

l. Support the passage of Islamic Banking Law;

This RESOLUTION including the list of participants to the National Congress for the Indigenous Peoples and Muslim Cooperatives hereby adopts this Call for Action and request the CDA, NCMF and NCIP to integrate the same in their respective work program.