Cooperative Leaders' Generosity During the Pandemic

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I take as my guide the hope of a saint:
In crucial things, unity
In important things, diversity
In all things, generosity
Inaugural Address of President
GEORGE BUSH
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RUBEN L. CUNANAN, DDM, MPA
Regional Director

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This quotation was befitting the maturity with which cooperative
leaders in region 9 responded to the crisis brought about the Covid19
pandemic. Even before the weight of the impact of the pandemic was
seriously felt, cooperative leaders already activated their contingency
funds to sieve the impact by sending relief goods and cash assistance to
their members. The spirit of cooperativsm show its way, that cooperatives
even went beyond the call of duty by extending also assistance to our
health workers, health volunteers and non-members in the different
communities.
And as the days progressed into weeks, from weeks into months,
cooperative leaders became even more generous in utilizing their
available Optional Fund and Community Development Fund to sustain the
assistance extended to their members and to their community.
The cooperatives’ dedication to the efforts of the local government
units in their areas lessened the devastation and fortified the government.
Your show of love and compassion are truly admirable for others to follow.
You are the true Heroes of the modern days.
To all our brave and generous cooperative leaders, we cannot
thank you enough, but as one sector, together we shall live up to the
values and principles of cooperativsm even in the hardest times of our
lives.
My gratitude as well to the men and women in CDA region 9, whom
in my personal opinion are considered also as frontlines, for quickly
adjusting to the sudden changes in our work arrangement and priority
activities to continue bring the much needed public service to the people
in times of crisis. I thank my team for your resilience and commitment as
we veered from the usual and comfortable and ventured into the new. I
am proud of your individual contribution and of our strength as a team.
This Annual Report speaks for itself. The pandemic did not matter
so much to us toward accomplishing the mandate that was given to us,
thus this Report.
As the great Aristotle once said, “we are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”. Let me challenge you to keep
up your enthusiasm and passion to serve, continue building each other up
and always strive for excellence in everything you do.
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DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

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Each of us have been affected in so many ways by the disruption brought by
the coronavirus pandemic. We see the effects caused by such adversity. Schools
remain closed, people lost their job and the struggle to tolerate stay at home orders. In
the midst of this, we have witnessed charitable acts and an upswing of volunteerism in
our community. From the making of face masks to preparation of food for front liners
and to whoever needs it.
But amidst this pandemic, through the applicable work arrangement allowed by
the Civil Service Commission, government agencies have been mandated by the
government to carry on with the performance of its mandate, to still continue serving
its clients. Though hampered by the situation we are in, the CDA Regional Office IX
has continuously delivered its tasks under the Cooperative Development Program
(CDP), Cooperative Regulatory Program (CRP), and Support to Operation to ensure
the prompt delivery of services to enable cooperatives to continually develop into viable
and responsive economic enterprises.
-ROBERT INGERSOLL

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COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM
All Nine (9) Field Specialists were fully committed to ensure prompt and efficient
Handholding and Technical Advisory Services to 107 pre-identified micro and small
cooperatives.
Such commitment is fueled by their desire to ensure that every cooperative
targeted for specific assistance is served. By the end of the 1st semester this year,
hand holding services were extended to 110 micro and small cooperatives
notwithstanding the sudden lockdown and change in the work arrangements caused
by the Covdi19 pandemic.
As for technical assistance extended to medium and large cooperatives, the
region documented a total of 35 cooperatives duly served.
Out of 110 hand holding services reported, 54 or 49% were rendered while
working from home and on a skeleton workforce during the Enhanced Community
Quarantine and General Community Quarantine.
By mid March 2020, field specialists shifted from the usual one-on-one method
of mentoring, coaching, and cliniquing to other available means of contact while within
the confines of their homes, such as using SMS/calls, chat apps, video call apps,
electronic mail and facebook to continue assisting the clients mostly in the preparation
of the annual reports and all other assistance needed.
By the end of June 2020, out of the 110 micro and small cooperatives served,
71% submitted their mandatory reports before the extended deadline.
The technical assistance was also provided not only to the cooperatives but as
well as to the proposed cooperative. For this period there were 16 proposed
cooperatives provided assistance for them to be registered as cooperative and 3
technical assistances to the proposed Cooperative Surety Fund (CSF) cooperative.
Hand Holding Program (HHP) and Technical Assistance
Services (TAS)

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Accreditation Program
Despite the abrupt changes in strategies
due to lockdown, social distancing, and different
work arrangements, CDA was not deterred in
pursuing its partnership with Cooperative
External Auditors through its accreditation
program.
Out of the four (4) applications for
accreditation as Cooperative External Auditor,
one for initial and another three for renewal,
three (3) were endorsed to CDA Accrediting
Division in the Central Office, one of which
already issued Certificate of Accreditation dated
April 6, 2020, the new CEA of region 9, Mr. Raul
Abajero, Jr.. The other one (1) was withdrawn on
account of the difficulty in securing the required
documents due to lockdown.
And in support of the monitoring program
as an added feature to the accreditation program
of the CDA, CDA 9 successfully conducted on-
site monitoring of 3 CEAs during the first quarter
of the year, and proceeded with the conduct of 5
online monitoring during the second quarter
while on community quarantine.
The monitoring program proved beneficial for both the CEA and the CDA in ensuring
that the accounting, reporting and auditing standards were adhered to by the cooperative with
the help of the CEA with the end goal of stability and sustainability of the business operation
of cooperatives.
Capability Building Program
This program was implemented with
sheer determination to effectively address the
knowledge gap among micro cooperative
officers in region 9, and indeed we succeeded
in the conduct of mandatory training with 10
micro cooperatives and 50 cooperative
officers trained, but only for the first quarter of
the year. The next quarter has seen us
suspending all training activities to uphold the
law and comply with the mandatory
community quarantine.

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Capability Building Program Pictures
STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIP
Cooperative Development Council. The
Regional Cooperative Development Council (RCDC)
IX started the year 2020 with its first quarter meeting
on January 24, 2020, held at the CDA IX Conference
Room in Pagadian City, attended by its members
representing the different National Government
Agencies (CDA, DTI, TESDA, LBP, DILG, DA, DAR,
DOST, and NCIP), and the Dapitan City Cooperative
Development Council, the Pagadian City Cooperative
Development Council, the Zamboanga City
Cooperative Development Council, the Zamboanga
Sibugay Provincial Cooperative Development Council,
the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Cooperative
Development Council and the Western Mindanao
Federation of Cooperatives.
The members who attended presented their
respective accomplishments on programs, projects
and activities for cooperative development in 2019 and
plans for 2020.
The Presiding officer and incumbent
Chairperson, George Castillo was optimistic that more
developmental activities will be implemented this year
and was eager to pursue the conduct of a region-wide
cooperative summit, with the environment as one of its
highlights.
Director Ruben Cunanan then encouraged the
body to consider the inclusion of training sessions
during the summit with Business Continuity
Management (BCM) for cooperatives as one of the
suggested topics.

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Mr. Loy Cañales, incumbent Chairperson of
the Pagadian City Cooperative Development Council
in Pagadian City called for a meeting on February 14,
2020, to discuss the plans and activities of the
council this year, highlighting the cooperative training
program the council will be spearheading in
partnership with the Pagadian City Cooperative
Development Office and CDA including relevant
updates based on the newly issued CDA guidelines,
which was presented by Ms. Xela Mae Tan, Sr. CDS
of CDA Regulation Section.
Prior to lockdown, Director
Ruben Cunanan graced the meeting of
the Dipolog City Cooperative
Development Council on March 6,
2020 at Top Plaza Hotel, Dipolog City.
He encouraged the newly elected
officers of the vital role they play in the
collaboration and coordination efforts
toward the holistic development of
cooperatives in the city.

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Information, Promotion and Development of
Cooperatives
Subsequent to the development of the 2020 Communication Plan, the
regional office distributed 514 information, communication, and education
materials comprised mostly of newly issued Memorandum Circulars, Advisories,
Notices, and leaflets provided mostly through email, Facebook timelines, and FB
Messenger, collaboratively by all technical personnel in the region and unit
offices.
Conducted 1 CDA KoopBalitaan during the celebration of the 25th CDA
Charter Anniversary on March 10, 2020, with loyal partners from the LGU-
Cooperative Development Offices as guest participants.
The balitaan focused on the discussion of the 2020 programs, projects
and activities (PPAs) of CDA and the LGUs represented that day with the goal
of information and harmonization of PPAs for the optimum benefit of the
cooperative sector in their respective local jurisdiction. The balitaan lasted for
four (4) hours, which was culminated by good food and easy conversation as a
simple way of celebrating the many years of good partnership and in anticipation
of more to come.

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ADVOCACY PROGRAM
Business Continuity Management
(BCM) for Cooperatives was highlighted
during the 1st regional staff conference held
on March 3-5, 2020, in Dapitan City, where
all CDA region 9 employees were required to
participate in the detailed discussion of the
training program.
Training and Development for Improved
Productivity and Competitiveness of
Cooperatives
While the enthusiasm to avail
of the scholarship program with the
TESDA was dampened by the
Covid19 restrictions, particularly on
face to face learning sessions,
instead, potential scholars were
encouraged to prepare for trainings
through webinars, the region has
recommended 5 potential scholars
with full support from its cooperative
to the SKOOPLARSHIP Program, a
partnership program between the
CDA and the TESDA.

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Mindanao Peace and Normalization thru
Cooperative Development Project Dubbed
as 2019 MPNCD Project
The project is a key socio-economic component of the Peace Initiatives
of CDA. It intends to positively contribute to the normalization process in the
areas of conflict in Mindanao, through a development package. Its aim is to
organize and develop sustainable and self-reliant cooperatives. Five (5) pre-
identified cooperative beneficiaries will be provided with a mini-mobile rice mill
amounted to 650,000.00 plus a livelihood assistance amounted to 250,000.00.
On March 4, 2020, Project Program Orientation attended by the pre-identified
cooperative-beneficiaries.

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COOPERATIVE REGULATORY PROGRAM
Registration of Cooperatives
For the 1st
semester of the year 2020,
fifteen (15) Pre-Registration Seminars (PRS)
were conducted by the PRS Team and Field
CDS IIs. Out of the fifteen (15) PRS conducted,
seventeen (17) validations to cooperatives were
done to ensure that registration of bogus
cooperatives is prevented. Part of this were
validations carried out to three (3) applications
for Branch specifically on applications of the two
branches of Timber Mines Multi-Purpose
Cooperative in Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay and
in Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur.
Out of these PRS and validations
conducted and after ensuring that proper and
thorough evaluation of the applications for
registration documents were done, the Authority
has approved Seventeen (17) primary
cooperatives out of the eighteen (18)
applications for new registration received by the
Authority. With the approval of application for
registration, a total of four hundred sixty-five
(465) membership has been added to the total
membership of the cooperatives in Region 9.

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One hundred percent of the newly registered cooperatives has conducted a
Post-Registration Orientation to capacitate and guide the cooperative officers on
the basic steps on how to start and go about their operation after the approval of
its registration.
Thirteen (13) amendments to the
Articles of Cooperation and By-laws were
approved this semester, forty-five percent of
which has amended their Articles of
Cooperation and By-laws due to increase in
capital and the rest are for purposes of
additional business engagement and changes
in the date of general assembly and quorum.
In the course of the work from home
arrangement of the Office, monitoring of
activities under the Bayanihan Report which
was assigned to the section was done
specifically on the dissemination of Advisory
No. 6 to all proposed cooperatives in which all
applications for registration of cooperatives,
which name reservation has expired or will
expire on or before April 12, 2020, will still be
accepted even after the said date. This notice
was disseminated to proposed cooperatives
through email and text messages.
Plans of the Section to purchase a
scanner to implement the scanning of
registration documents for e-filing was
hindered due to the occurrence of the
pandemic. Implementation of such was
temporarily deterred but surely this will be put
into force before the year ends.
Conduct of Post Registration Orientation to
Newly Registered Cooperatives

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Beginning in 2020, the Regulation Section (ReS) has been focusing on attaining the
Plans, Programs and Activities of the Section based on the Cooperative Regulatory
Program (CRP) of the Authority for the year. Such Activities, Plans and programs are
geared towards the attainment of the Authority’s vision and mission – that is to ensure that
the Cooperatives within the region are operating safely and soundly, thus fulfilling the
mandate of the Authority in becoming an effective and efficient regulatory agency working
towards the development of viable, sustainable, socially responsive and globally
competitive Cooperatives.
However, during the last month of the first (1st
) quarter of 2020, Cooperatives in the
entire nation had been stricken by the pandemic caused by the Corona Virus which made
an impact in the country and in the Region beginning of March 2020. On March 8, 2020,
the President of the Philippines, then issued Proclamation No. 922 declaring a State of
Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to the outbreak of Covid-19.
Hence, the Authority then issued guidelines to support all the Cooperatives during the
crisis by granting regulatory reliefs to all the Cooperatives affected by the pandemic.
Full implementation of the initial Plans, Programs and Activities of the Section were
put into a halt, most specially activities and programs related to Cooperative Inspection,
Examination, seminars, orientations and other activities requiring travel, face-to-face
interaction and mass gathering. Due to the lockdown and strict community quarantine
protocols, the Authority had implemented various precautionary measures such as travel
restrictions, including work from home/skeleton work arrangements in order to eliminate,
if not lessen the risk of acquiring and spreading the virus.
In view thereof, plans were calibrated or modified in order to cope with the crisis
caused by the pandemic and to put more attention and focus in the rehabilitation and
recovery of Cooperatives.
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Regulation of Cooperatives
Cooperative Status
As of December 31, 2019, the ratio of Compliant Cooperatives against the total
Operating Cooperatives in the entire region is Sixty-Two Percent (62%), with 397 Compliant
out of the 637 Operating Cooperatives. The ratio is considered to be acceptable since more
than half of the total Operating Cooperatives registered in the region as of the said date are
adhering or complying with the regulatory requirements of the Authority.
Subsequently, by the end of the 1st
semester of 2020, the ratio has improved from
Sixty-Two Percent (62%) to Sixty-Five Percent (65%) with Four-Hundred Twenty-Six (426)
Compliant Cooperatives out of Six Hundred Fifty-Seven Operating Cooperatives as of June
25, 2020

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Breakdown including the horizontal analysis could be seen in the table above:
The leap in the ratio could be attributed to the changing of status of Cooperatives
previously tagged as Non-Compliant to compliant after adhering to the regulatory
requirements, particularly in the report submission and also due to the addition of newly
registered Cooperatives by the end of the semester.
During the year, 94 cooperatives were endorsed by the Regulation Section to the
Legal Section for the issuance of Show-cause order to those Cooperatives that failed to
comply or submit their Annual Report for two (2) consecutive years, thus strengthening the
enforcement.
Inspection of Cooperative is one of the monitoring activities included in the
Cooperative Regulatory Program (CRP). The implementation, monitoring and assessment
of inspection reports are done by the Section. Initially, the implementation during the 1st
two
(2) months of the first quarter of 2020 was off for a good start. Monthly targets were 100%
accomplished. However, in March 2020, during the height of the pandemic, the percentage
of accomplishment started to decline as a result of the crisis and restrictions established in
order to prevent the spread of the virus. The conduct of Inspection was temporarily put into
a halt.
Below is the trend analysis relative to the inspection accomplishment for the 1st
quarter of
2020:
Cooperative Inspection

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On the other hand, 100% of the reports relative to the conduct of inspection for
the year 2020 were already collected/gathered, evaluated, assessed and analyzed by
the section. Appropriate actions and recommendations were made as a result of the
evaluation and as part of the analysis made by the Section.
One of the major activities to be accomplished by the Regulation Section (ReS)
is the evaluation of Annual Mandatory Reports, issuance and release of Certificate of
Compliance (COC) to all Cooperatives that were able to comply with the reportorial
requirement. The turn-out of the report submission by all Cooperatives in the region
was also greatly affected by the pandemic. Due to the community quarantine which
resulted in travel restrictions, limited courier services and all other similar factors,
submission of the Annual Mandatory Report had been very difficult for all the
cooperatives in the entire region. Relative thereto, the Authority issued memorandum
circulars granting various regulatory reliefs to all Cooperatives affected by the
pandemic in order to attend their needs and provide support to these Cooperatives.
One of the relief granted was the extension of the deadline of the Annual
Mandatory Reports including the Annual Tax Incentive Report. The relief
encompasses the submission of reports through various means aside from the
conventional way of submitting the reports such as submission of report via email.
Below is the status of the Report Submission (CAPR and its attachments
including the Annual Tax Incentive Report) and COC issuance and release as of June
25, 2020:
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Cooperative Annual Report Submission and
COC issuance

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SUPPORT TO OPERATION
In the 1st quarter of FY 2020 an
Assessment and Planning conference
with the regional staff was conducted
to assess and improve performance in
the implementation of Programs/
Projects/ Activities. Plans and
strategies for FY 2020 were discussed
thoroughly to ensure effective
implementation of the plan. With the
issuance of Proclamation 922 of
President Rodrigo Duterte declaring a
State of National Health Emergency on
March 8, 2020, the implementation of
FY 2020 plans was affected, however,
the CDA-IX crafted its Rehabilitation
and Recovery Plan (RRP) and
recalibrated its FY 2020 Work and
Financial Plan to address the present
situation. Virtual meetings were
conducted to discuss RRP on May 20
and 27, 2020.
Assessment and Planning

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Coordination and Collaboration
To ensure that the CDA strategic
Plan is incorporated in the Regional
Strategic Plans of the Regional
Development Council (RDC), Director
Ruben L. Cunanan presented and
depended the CDA-IX budget proposal
during the Joint RDC IX Advisory Committee
(AdCom) and Executive Committee
(ExCom) Review of Priority Programs and
Projects for FY 2021 Budget last February
20, 2020. New programs included in the
Plan are establishment of CDA Office in the
land donated by LGU Pagadian City at
Balintawak Regional Center, establishment
of Cooperative Training Center at the
Donated land of Mr. Rodriquez, a very active
coop leader in the region, Priority PAPs and
Budget for the implementation of EO 70
(NTF-ELCAC) for the priority cluster areas
as identified in the Zampen Areas for Peace
and Development (ZAPD) implementation
Plan. The EO70 was given emphasis by the
members of RDC in the region during the
presentation.
The CDA in its desire to deliver and inform
the LGUs and the public of its services and
programs offered, actively participated in the
Dialogue and Consultations initiated by
Cong. Babasa in Ten (10) Municipalities in
the 2nd District of Zamboanga del Sur last
January and February 2020.
During the Community Quarantine
brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic,
the CDA continually
participated/collaborated with the different
agencies to be educated and to work hand in
hand to deliver services to the people. Below
are the virtual meetings attended.

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The Importance / Relevance of Information Technology
It has been a long history how technology, through many breakthroughs and
advancements, has made lives so much easier over the years as it provides convenience
and relative efficiency.
During this difficult time that the COVID 19 pandemic has forced the world to a
standstill to ensure disease control and prevention, the severity and reach of the coronavirus
pandemic have drastically changed our everyday lives. In the middle of this, information
technology provided a crucial role in maintaining a sense of normality.
Over the years, the CDA continuously provides technological enhancements in order
to give much better technical assistance to all cooperatives through personnel capacity
enhancement, upgrading and distributions of latest devices and creating reliable web-based
information systems.
With the situations stated and in line with the national community quarantine that was
being implemented by the Local Government Units, the CDA Region IX adopted an
alternative Work-From-Home (WFH) arrangement from March 17, 2020 to May 30, 2020 and
in order for continuous delivery of our services to the cooperatives, all employees learned to
fully utilized the applications from the Google Platforms like Google Meet for video
conferences and meetings including national and inter-agencies, Google Sheets and Google
Docs for work collaborations and Google Forms for online services and collection of data.
As we all adopted the online services and with the
approval from Central Office, this office provided prepaid
data allocation to all employees, including Job Orders
taken from the sub-allotted Prepaid Data Allocation in the
2020 MITHI Budget covering the period January to March
2020 which was originally intended for our Nine (9) CDS
IIs assigned in the field.
In the Month of June 2020, as we moved on and
adjusted to the new normal, the CDA Region IX
purchased additional internet connection from Globe
Telecom with up to 50mbps internet speed intended for
webinars and e-forums that will be conducted in the
second semester of this year.
The CDA Regional Office IX will continue to
commit and apply new technological ideas in line with the
existing Information System Strategic Plan (ISSP)
through the full support of the Department of Information
and Communications Technology (DICT) – Government-
wide Medium-term Information and Communications
Technology Harmonization Initiative (MITHI).

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Human Resource Development Activities
The Human Resource (HR) Section
conducted a Team Building Activity last March 5,
2020 at Dakak Beach Resort, Dapitan City,
Zamboanga del Norte which was participated by
CDA IX personnel during the Mindanao Peace
Normalization (MPN) cum 24th
Regional
Performance Assessment and Planning Conference.
Team building is the best way to strengthen the
relationships between employees and their team
spirit. This is an opportunity to share memorable
experiences and to spend time together as a group.
Also, as part of the activity, it can offer them
challenging, relaxing, and fun moments to improve
their creativity and their communication.
In response to the Call for Nominations for the Gawad sa Natatanging Kawani ng
CDA, the Regional Office has submitted the name of the nominee on Natatanging Kawani
ng CDA. Basis for the nomination of an employee was his/her outstanding
accomplishment at work, dedication/commitment to work, professionalism, and
professional/personal growth/ development.
Awards and Incentives Program
HR Section has successfully coordinated the
National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) IX for
the Orientation on Monitoring and Evaluation. The
Orientation was successfully conducted on March 5,
2020 at Alexandra by the Sea in Dapitan City and
conducted by Engr. Elvie D. Maisog, Senior Economic
and Development Specialist for technical personnel in
relation to MPN Project Orientation on Fund Liquidation.
To adopt new technology in monitoring the reports
of employees and conducting meetings online, 100% of
the technical personnel and 2 admin personnel were
recommended to the webinar on G-Suite Application for
the end-user. The webinar greatly impacted the work of
employees and facilitated the communication between
the employees and management.
Continuing Professional Education and Development

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Kooperatiba para sa Kabataan: Programa at
Oportunidad na Pangkabuhayan
Leading to the celebration of the CDA’s 30th
Anniversary, the K-POP: Kooperatiba para
sa Kabataan: Programa at Oportunidad na Pangkabuhayan activity were conducted.
This program is in support of the DTI Youth for Entrepreneurship Program (YEP).
The event was a success. It was attended by three hundred and forty-five (345)
participants:
Majority of the participants were teenagers ranging from sixteen to nineteen (16-19)
years old.

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Nevertheless, it was also attended by aspiring entrepreneurs from nine (9) different
Cooperatives.
Seeing these two generations in one event that was pursuing economic growth was
nostalgic!
The program was held in Tigbao Municipal gym. It formally started at 9:00 AM and
ended at 4:00 PM. It was a whole day of an information and application packed
program.
Everyone was thrilled to hear what the speakers had prepared.
Thus, right after few formalities, the speakers were introduced:

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We were graced with four knowledgeable speakers: (1) Ms. Edelyn Ondo of
the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); (2) Mr. Ryan Huesca of Aurora Integrated
Multi-purpose Cooperative (AimCoop); (3) Ms. Ma. Fronie Dalid of Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); and (4) Mr. Camilo Encila, Jr.
of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Our Regional Director Mr. Ruben
L. Cunanan was also very supportive of the project.
Ms. Ondo of DTI mentioned that the young
entrepreneur can visit anytime at the nearest
Negosyo Center of the locality to avail the services
and program they offered.
Next to speak was Mr. Ryan Huesca of
AimCoop. He inspired the millennials to save
money and to be financially literate in managing
daily allowance from their parent’s money.
Ms. Ma, Fronie Dalid of TESDA introduced
several services TESDA has to offer for the youth like
TESDA Online Program (TOP). It provides an
effective and efficient way to deliver technical
education and skills development services at a lesser
cost. The program is created for students, out-of-
school youths, unemployed adults, local and
overseas workers, and professionals who would like
to take TESDA courses at their own pace, in their
own time, and at the comfort of their desktops or
laptop computers.
Mr. Camilo Encila, Jr. of DOLE gave a very
informative lecture on Special Program for
Employment of Students (SPES) which aims to
provide temporary employment to poor but deserving
students, out-of-school youth, and dependents of
displaced or would-be displaced workers during
summer and/or Christmas vacation or any time of the
year to augment the family’s income to help ensure
that beneficiaries are able to pursue their education.

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Ms. Elynor Tolosa, CDA IX’s Head of
Registration Section, spoke about how to register a
cooperative, the minimum number of individuals to
form a cooperative and the documentary requirements
needed like By-Laws. Articles of Cooperation,
Economic Survey, Treasurer’s Affidavit, Surety Bond
and the Certificate of Pre-Registration Seminar.
The program was concluded by our
Regional Director Mr. Ruben Cunanan. He
acknowledged the effort and support of the Local
Government Unit of Tigbao Zamboanga del Sur,
where we held the program and of our co-
organizer AIMCoop, who provided for the snacks
and other essentials.
Awarding of tokens of appreciation to the
guest speakers and to the departments that
they had represented was also handled by
Director Ruben L. Cunanan. He was assisted
by the Supervising CDS Windelyn Avila.

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Simultaneous to the program was a mini booth fair that showcased the program
and services they can offer for the youth. IEC materials were also distributed in
each booth.
DTI displayed their successful Negosyo
Center products:
This helped aspiring young entrepreneurs to
get ample ideas so when they want to start
their own product they’ll more or less know the
basics.
DOLE distributed brochures
that enumerated their programs
and services. They had also
tasked few of their personnel to
answer queries from the
participants.
TESDA had also distributed IEC materials
and assigned personnel to answer queries
from the participants.

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Implementation of EO 70 (NTF-ELCAC)
The CDA Region IX continuously and actively participated in all NTF-ELCAC
activities.
In compliance to the Executive
Order 70, a Regional Cluster
Meeting and Signing of
Pledge of Commitment for
Poverty Reduction,
Livelihood, and Employment
Cluster (PRLEC) Members
was held on February 26, 2020,
at Provincial Capitol, Urro St.,
Pagadian City.
The meeting, presided by the TESDA, was
attended by the different members of the cluster
including CDA, to show support to the National
Task Force to End Local Communist Armed
Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). The activity focused on
the discussion about how each member can
contribute in providing skills and livelihood
training, support, and funding to make each
project possible and feasible in the affected
areas. The objective is to visit the area and
provide interventions in the form of skills training
and livelihood programs.
The CDA intervention for the 1st Semester of
2020 is to educate the focused areas on how
cooperation can alleviate their existing condition.
On February 7, 2020 and June 24, 2020, a pre-
registration seminar was conducted in Guinoman,
Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay and Balagon,
Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay, respectively. A total
of 137 individuals (Rebel Returnees, IPs, and
community residents) were educated and are
proposed cooperative members.

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Tax Forum. Cooperative Assessment Information
System (CAIS) Orientation and Koop Malasakit
Program
The Municipal Cooperative Development
Office of the Local Government of Ipil in
partnership with Ipil Community Multi-
Purpose Cooperative (ICMC) in coordination
with the Cooperative Development Authority
(CDA), Pagadian Extension Office and
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) conducted
a two-day “Tax Forum cum Seminar on
easy compliance of Cooperative Annual
Progress Report cum orientation of
Cooperative Assessment Information
System (CAIS) and Koop Malasakit
Program” on February 20-21, 2020 at
Jackie’s Hotel and Restaurant, Ipil,
Zamboanga Sibugay.
The purpose of the Tax Forum cum seminar and
orientation is for the Cooperatives to obtain knowledge
and information on all relevant guidelines and regulations
including new issuances released by the Bureau of
Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Cooperative
Development Authority (CDA) and for the Cooperatives
to be oriented with the new Information System of CDA.
Koop Malasakit Program was also held back-to-
back with the CAIS Orientation to assist the Cooperatives
in the preparation of the Cooperative Annual Progress
Report (CAPR) and cater all other concerns and needs of
the Cooperatives relative to the compliance of CDA
regulatory requirements. Cooperative officers or
representatives were assisted in the CAPR preparation
during the Koop Malasakit Program and were advised to
bring all the necessary documents such as Business
Permit, Audited Financial Statements (AFS) including
schedules, List of Officers, valid COC, CTE, etc. in order
to promote ease and accuracy during CAPR preparation.
A.Zamboanga Sibugay

`
28
The activity was attended by important
personalities from the Municipality of Ipil such
as the Municipal Mayor, the Cooperative
Development Officer of the Municipality of
Ipil, the Chairman of Ipil Municipal
Development Council and the Chief of the
Legal Division of the Bureau of Internal
Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region No. 15. Of
course, It was also attended by our very own
Regional Director, Dir. Ruben Cunanan, Sr.
CDS and CDS IIs of the Regulation Section,
Sr. CDS-CRITS/Acting Atty. and field CDS of
the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay.
(1st
day: Tax Forum cum Seminar on easy compliance of Cooperative Annual
Progress Report cum orientation of Cooperative Assessment Information System
(CAIS).

`
29
B. Zamboanga City
2nd
day: Koop Malasakit Program
The Western Mindanao Federation of
Cooperatives in coordination with the
Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)
Pagadian Extension Office conducted a two-
day “Cooperative Assessment Information
System (CAIS) Orientation cum Seminar
on Easy Compliance of Cooperative
Annual Progress Report (CAPR) and Koop
Malasakit Program” on March 12-13, 2020
at Zamboanga City Government Employees
Multipurpose Cooperative (ZCGEMPCO)
Cooperative Hostel, Dr. Estrada St., Tetuan,
Zamboanga City.
The purpose of the Orientation cum seminar
is still for the Cooperatives to obtain
knowledge and information on all relevant
guidelines and regulations including new
issuances released by the Cooperative
Development Authority (CDA) and for the
Cooperatives to be oriented with the new
Information System of CDA. The Koop
Malasakit Program was also held after the
orientation.
The event was also attended by
various important personalities from the
Cooperative sector such as representatives
from the Western Mindanao Federation of
Cooperatives. Our Regional Director, Dir.
Ruben Cunanan was also present during the
event, including the Sr. CDS and CDS IIs of
the Regulation Section who acted as
speakers for the event. Sr. CDS of
CRITS/Acting Atty. And CDS II from the
Zamboanga Unit Office were also present
during the event.

`
30
(1st
day: Cooperative Assessment Information System (CAIS) Orientation cum
Seminar on Easy Compliance of Cooperative Annual Progress Report
(CAPR))
(2nd
day: Koop Malasakit Program)
The above mentioned orientation/seminars back-to-back with Koop
Malasakit Program was considered to be successful and fruitful. Moreover,
successive Orientations/seminars and Malasakit Program were scheduled to
be held for the remaining provinces in the region. However, due to the sudden
outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease, the succeeding activities were
unfortunately cancelled.

`
In March 2020, during the height of the pandemic and after the declaration of State
of Public Health Emergency by the President of the Philippines, the entire nation has
been facing trials and tribulations due to the crisis that escalated. As mentioned, the
Authority, as part of the Government formulated a plan and made an action to help
prevent and fight the crisis. The Authority issued various memorandum circulars
granting regulatory relief to all Cooperatives in the entire nation affected by the
pandemic. Included in the relief initially granted are the postponement of the regular
General Assembly/Representative Assembly and extension of the deadline for the
submission of the Annual Mandatory Report and Annual Tax Incentive Report (ATIR).
Other guidelines initially issued were the utilization of Statutory Funds and Distribution
of ISCPR including the application of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act requiring all
Cooperatives engaged in lending/credit to grant mandatory grace period to loans
granted or loan moratorium.
Immediately, after the issuance of the Memorandum Circulars and other
issuances to counter the pandemic, the Regulation Section then, upon the directive of
the Regional Director, issued various advisories in order to help disseminate further
the information and content in the issuances. Six (6) advisories were made in relation
to the guidelines issued by CDA central office affecting the regulatory compliance by
the Cooperatives.
Moreover, the Regulation Section monitored all the Cooperatives that availed
the relief, more specifically on the postponement of the General Assembly. Below is
the table showing the status of the availment of Regulatory relief as of June 25, 2020:
31
Activities during the surge of the Pandemic
A. Dissemination and Monitoring of Regulatory reliefs granted to
Cooperatives and issuance of various Advisories region-wide
during the pandemic
As seen in the table, 91.67% of the Cooperatives monitored were reached
and communicated by the all CDS in the region, 298 of which availed, 109 already
conducted their General Assembly, while the remaining 8.33% were not able to give
their feedback due to the fact that these Cooperatives were either not operating or
there are no officers or members of the Cooperative that could be reached out or
contacted.

`
B.Conduct of the SKOOP: Serbisyong Kooperatiba – CDA
Regional IX E-Forum
32
On June 26, 2020, CDA IX conducted its very first E-forum titled “SKOOP:
Serbisyong Kooperatiba. The activity is conducted upon the initiative of the CDA IX’s
Regional Director, Ruben L. Cunanan.
The purpose of the forum is to
discuss the Annual Report
Submission and all of the latest
guidelines of the Authority relative to
the report submission during the
COVID-19 Pandemic. Another
reason why the activity was
conducted is to help spread
awareness to all the Cooperatives
with regards to the reportorial
requirements and increase the
number of Cooperatives that are
complying to the mandatory reports
and Annual Tax Incentive Report.
The Forum was the first ever forum
by the region that was conducted
using various online platforms such
as Google Meet and Facebook
utilized in informing and interacting
with all Cooperatives in the region.
(Moderator), CDS II – Regulation Jeanifer Ambos (Facilatator), CDSII/Acting HRMO
Ryan Amilhussin and CDS I CSF Hanesa Sultan. It was viewed by all representatives
of Cooperatives in the entire region and other viewers nationwide. The E-forum
garnered more than a1,000 views as of June 30, 2020.
The E-forum was indeed an avenue for the Authority to continue informing and
serving the needs of the Cooperatives even during the midst of the pandemic. The
said activity could be considered as a continuation of the Orientation/Seminar in
Reportorial Requirements previously conducted to Zamboanga Sibugay and
Zamboanga City.
The forum was participated by
Dir. Ruben Cunanan (CDA IX
Regional Director), Sr. CDS-
Regulation Xela Mae Tan (Speaker),
CDS II-Regulation Ellen Panong
(Speaker) and Sr. CDS –
CRITS/Acctg Atty Ellen M. Ando

`
C. Linking Cooperatives with Product to Kadiwa on Wheels
of the Department of Agriculture and LGU Mobile
Markets
1. RES Comprehensive Online Monitoring Tool
33
Cooperatives with products were linked to DA/LGU not only to help market their
products but also to help the community access their services during the community
quarantine. 5 cooperatives were linked with a total sales of 742,663.00.
.
DEVELOPMENTS AND INNOVATIONS
Due to the pandemic, the need for monitoring of Cooperatives’ compliance to
the regulatory requirements and availments of reliefs granted was considered very
necessary and essential which should not be neglected/disregarded. Thus, the
Regulation Section (ReS) saw the situation during the pandemic as an opportunity
to create a Comprehensive Monitoring Tool wherein all the necessary
data/information including the progress of the accomplishment in the Region when it
comes to the Regulatory requirements and information dissemination will be
monitored properly, accurately and real-time. Using the Google Sheet platform, the
Regulation Section was able to create an online comprehensive tool capable of
providing all information necessary in monitoring the progress of the
accomplishments not only in information dissemination but also in the
programs/activities required to be monitored according to the bayanihan act and
most importantly, a system capable of providing information and updates regarding
the submission of annual report, annual tax incentive report, progress of evaluation
of the annual report, inspection and examination details and information. The tool
does not only contain the summary and the progress or % of completion but it shows
the masterlist of Cooperatives with corresponding details of the evaluation of their
reports (e.g. date report was submitted, reports and attachments submitted, findings
on the annual report, recommendation by ReS Head, COCs issued and released).
Some of its best features are that all CDS and other concerned personnel and
officers are able to access it and that it shows the actual status of the region, per
CDS and per Cooperative real-time.

`
A. Regulatory Relief and Accomplishment in
Bayanihan Act Monitoring
34
This tool is made in order to monitor the progress and the statistics of regulatory
relief and implementation of the bayanihan act in real-time.

`
B. Annual Report, COC, Inspection and Examination
Tool
35
This tool is made to bring ease in the monitoring real-time of the progress of
the annual report submission, annual tax incentive report, evaluation of mandatory
reports, issuance and release of COC. This tool could be used by all technical
personnel in viewing the real-time result of evaluation of the annual report including
the CDS in charge. The tool also shows some of the necessary details of the
Cooperative (e.g. status, cte number, contact number, reporting and operating
status).

`
2. Annual Tax Incentive Report (ATIR) Online Form
36
This tool was made in order to simplify the submission and consolidation of the
softcopy of the Annual Tax Incentive Report. The tool is in a google form.

`
Contingency Planning Training Course cum:
Formulation Workshop
37
Doomsday, Armageddon, apocalypse, whatever we
call it, a day where man’s survival and existence is at
stake. Are we prepared to face these catastrophic
events? Do we stand a chance against the act of
nature?
On March 9-12, 2020, the Office of the Civil Defense IX
conducted a 4-day Contingency Plan Formulation
Workshop on Earthquake for Regional Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council IX at LM Metro
Hotel, Don Toribio, Zamboanga City. On behalf of the
CDA-Regional Office IX, I, Administrative Aide VI/OIC
GSS, Kristopher Mark B. Cortez, was sent to attend the
said event.
The event focuses on the
preparation of an event which is referred to
as the “bigger one”. The ‘bigger one’ is an
earthquake anticipated from the Sulu
Trench, as it has not recorded major
movement over a hundred years already.
The last recorded Sulu Trench earthquake
on September 21, 1897 caused a
devastating tsunami that destroyed several
coastal communities of BASULTA island
provinces and west coasts of Zamboanga
Peninsula. For this year, an 8.0 magnitude
earthquake is expected, with a tsunami of
10 meters high with a displacement of
11km radius which shall affect the entire
Zamboanga Peninsula Region. It is
expected to happen in the month of
September 2020.

`
38
Thus, in preparation thereof, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
IX (RDRRMC-RIX) headed by the Office of the Civil Defence, together with the different
Agencies in the entire region, crafted and created a contingency plan in case that such event
shall take place.
For the entire 4-day workshop, the participants
have been able to come-up with the
contingency plan which shall be activated
when the expected earthquake hits the
Zamboanga Peninsula Region. Its primary
purpose is to adhere and give an immediate
response and aid to the affected areas and
communities, and to lessen the possible
damage to life and property.
Each agency is identified and assigned to different sectors based on their functions,
capacity and availability of resources. These sectors are identified based on the expected
needs of the displaced and affected communities when this disaster takes place. The CDA-
RIX has been identified as a member of the Camp Coordination and Camp Management
(CCCM) sector. This sector shall act in response with the displaced individuals and
communities in setting-up camps as a temporary shelter during this catastrophic event.
The RDRRMC may have
prepared for the worst case scenario
if this time comes. But let us hope and
pray that this unimaginable havoc
may never take place. We may have
planned and prepared, but we’ll never
know how it will end.

`
The New Life Amidst Pandemic (COVID-19)
39
What is Coronavirus Disease
2019?
The coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19) is an
infectious disease caused by
severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-
CoV-2), a new strain of virus first
detected in Wuhan, China in
2019.
(http://www.covid19.gov.ph/)
COVID-19 is known to target a person’s respiratory system. Infected patients
may exhibit symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, and in some cases,
muscle pain and sore throat. Some patients may also be asymptomatic.
On March 11, 2020, the World
Health Organization (WHO) has
characterized COVID-19 as a
pandemic due to the exponential
increase of the number of cases in
more than 100 countries.
On March 16, 2020, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte placed the entire Philippines under
a State of Calamity amid the threats posed by COVID-19. (http://www.covid19.gov.ph/)
Starting March 17, 2020, upon the
declaration of the IATF placing the whole
region of Zamboanga Peninsula under
the Enhanced Community Quarantine,
and upon the directive of the CDA-
Central Office, the office have adopted
an alternative work schedule, to ensure

`
40
upon placing the Province of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga
del Norte, per IATF advice, under modified general community quarantine, the office has
resumed its operation except for the unit office in Zamboanga City who is still in the
General Community Quarantine.
the safety of the personnel and to still
cater the needs of our clientele. Office
has adopted a work-from-home work
arrangement during the entire
community quarantine (ECQ), and
skeletal work arrangement during
general community quarantine
(GCQ). Starting last June 16, 2020,
The resumption of office together with
other various establishments do not
connote that the threat of the pandemic
has ended. The peril brought by the
virus is still at the doorsteps, the
danger of the unseen enemies never
ceased.
Thus, to cope-up and to ensure that the safety of the
personnel and clientele are not jeopardized, the office has
adopted measures with the so-called “new normal”. The
guidelines imposed by the IATF shall now become the
new norm. Regular checking of body temperature, the use
of alcohol to disinfect hands, the wearing of masks, social
distancing, limited number of persons allowed per
establishments, frequent washing of hands, and other
possible means to prevent the transfer of virus is the new
norm.
Considering that there is still no vaccine available to cure this deadly virus, health
measurements and protocols must be strictly observed and followed. We may find it so
strange and hassle, we may not be used with all of these, but this is the new normal.

`
CREDIT SURETY FUND (CSF)
41
Republic Act No. 10744 a.k.a. “The Credit Surety Fund Cooperative Act of 2015” is an
act providing for the creation and organization of Credit Surety Fund Cooperatives to
manage and administer Credit Surety Funds enhancing the accessibility of Micro, Small
and Medium Enterprises, Cooperatives and Non-Government Organizations to the credit
facility of banks and for other purposes. It was enacted into law on February 6, 2016 and
it’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) was published in the Official Gazette on
October 9, 2017. This credit enhancement scheme aims to increase the creditworthiness
of MSMEs which are experiencing difficulty in availing loans from banks due to lack of
acceptable collaterals, credit knowledge and credit track records.
For 53 existing CSFs nationwide, Region 9 has only 1 CSF, the Zamboanga del Norte-
Dipolog City Credit Surety Fund which has an intent to register as CSF Cooperative.
Contributors Orientation Seminar was already conducted by the CSF Division Chief Atty.
Mona Liza P. Arriba-Juarez and Ms. Eleanor D. Ramos from Bangko Sentral ng PIlipinas
last July 26, 2019, as one of the requirements in registering such. Series of Oversight
Committee Meetings were also conducted by Zamboanga del Norte- Dipolog City Credit
Surety Fund for the preparation of documents in registering CSF Cooperative.
Articles of Cooperation and By Laws were finalized and printed after it was checked and
pre-evaluated by the CSF Central Office last December 16, 2019. They were given
technical assistance from CSF Section of CDA Region 9 by way of mentoring the
cooperative members of CSF in preparing the supporting documents such as
Cooperative Board Resolution and/or General Assembly Resolution, Undertaking Under
Oath (if BOD Resolution is available), the Audited Financial Statement, Certificate of
Registration from CDA and BIR, Certificate of Compliance, List of BOD, Manager, and
Credit or Loan Officer, and the CSF Application Membership Form.
Nevertheless, the preparation of supporting documents from some cooperative
members were not still completed and signing of Articles of Cooperation and By Laws
still on pending that have caused deferment in processing the registration due to
COVID19 community quarantine nationwide.

`
42
.
ZDN-DC CSF Coop were already signed by 9 cooperative members and 1 Government
Financial Institution. Some lacking requirements are the signature of Zamboanga del Norte
Provincial Governor Roberto Y. Uy, and some supporting documents from 2 cooperative
members. Mr. Larry Refugio, CSF Treasurer, informed that the Provincial Legal Office advised
the ZDN-DC CSF to provide an endorsement letter for the authority of the Provincial Governor
to sign the ACBL.
The Oversight Committee of ZDN-DC
CSF had conducted their meeting last
June 5, 2020 after the Enhanced
Community Quarantine. One of their
agenda is the signing of Articles of
Cooperation and By laws and it was
partially attested by 4 cooperative
members and 1 Government Financial
Institution. As of present, Articles of
Cooperation and By Laws of proposed
Cooperatives member of ZDN-DC CSF were also enjoined the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act
during the Enhanced Community Quarantine by immediately mobilizing assistance in the
provision of some basic necessities to families and individuals affected by the imposition of
Community Quarantine, especially the cooperative member families. CDA Region9 – CSF
Section personnel also attended the CSF Central webinar attended by the different regions
last May 26, 2020 conducted by Division Chief Atty. Mona Liza P. Arriba-Juarez. CDA Region
9 successfully reported the said updates of Zamboanga del Norte-Dipolog City CSF.

`
FEATURED COOPERATIVE
SUCCESS STORIES
Through Test and Triumphs
(Piñan MPC Success Story)
. With such additional capital, coupled with proper management and good governance, coop
members witnessed the progress of the business and experienced the quality of services
rendered, which in turn aroused the interest of other individuals in the community, and
opened for them the opportunity to expand their area of operation.
Into their 3rd year of operation, they were able to hire 1 employee, which gradually increased
through the years as their business operation expanded. At present there are 39 regular
employees, 1 part time and 2 probationary, 4 hollow block makers, and 50 on call catering
staff.
43
In 1996, Piñan Multi-Purpose Cooperative was
founded by only 21 officials and employees of the
Municipal Government of Piñan in the province of
Zamboanga del Norte because some LGU employees
were reluctant to join the cooperative at its inception.
That time, many of its founding members even shy
away from the burden of leading the cooperative and
managing its business operation, but Ms. Merlie
Regencia took the cudgel as the first chairperson with
Mr. James Tagapan as Manager.
Armed with courage and optimism, they started selling
consumer goods within the municipal compound using
their meager capital of Four Thousand Pesos
(Php4,000.00), which continued to thrive through
diligence and prudence.
By the end of the year 2001, they were able to set up
a capital for lending activity but were limited to micro-
financing. Fortunately, they were able to secure loan
assistance from QUEDANCOR, which was
instrumental in expanding their credit facility to include
livelihood assistance to enterprising coop members.

`
When they expanded their area of operation in the year 2000, they recorded an increase in
membership between 60 to 80 yearly. As of 2019 their total membership is 1,649 strong.
In 2004, Congresswoman Cecilia Jalosjos-Carreon upon the indorsement of Mayor Ricardo
R. Sabandal, awarded the cooperative with One Million Pesos livelihood assistance which
was used as capital for yet another business activity, the Concrete Hollow Block making
inspired by the “ISANG MILYON, ISANG PRODUKTO” program of President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo.
44
By year 2006, the coop rented the building which housed the Piñan Multipurpose
Cooperative from the local government of Piñan. It was then that they formally opened the
Savings and Credit Program, the Mini-Hardware Store, Consumer Store including office
supplies and equipment, and Catering Service to the community.
In 2011, they opened additional consumer stores to serve the increasing demand for basic
and other commodities. Today, Piñan MPC can humbly claim to be the primary supplier of
consumer goods, and other products in the municipality of Piñan.
With expanding business and membership, the cooperative maintained a good credit line
with the Land Bank of the Philippines Dipolog City Lending Center, which at present extends
up to Twenty (20) million pesos, and the United Coconut Planters Bank Cagayan de Oro
Branch of up to Nine (9) Million Pesos.
Aside from regularly receiving their Patronage Refund (PR) and Interest on Share Capital
(ISC), coop members also enjoy other benefits such as door-prices, groceries and t-shirt
during assembly meetings, member’s social benefits in the form of Death Aide and Life
insurance Program, Higher rate of interest on deposits and Lower rate of interest on loans
plus VIP treatment.

`
As their business continue to grow, they make sure to share their blessing, through the
following Social Development Programs undertaken annually:
1. Scholarship Program by supporting 5 students per year with yearly allowance until
they graduate from college. The graduates will be required to render service for a 12
months period at a minimum wage pay. At present, the coop is supporting 33 scholars
and 4 graduates;
2. Twenty Day Summer Job for 30 college students in coordination with the Department
of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The coop will pay the students 60% of the required
wage while the Department of Labor and Employment will pay for the remaining 45%.
3. Medical Outreach, bloodletting, and other activities in partnership with the Local
Government Unit of Pinan;
4. Environment Protection Program such as:
a. Planting of Bamboo and Moringa Tree;
b. Adopt-a-River and Clean-up Program; and
c. Collection of plastic bottles in exchange of rice and groceries;
5. Feeding Program for Malnourished Children, Preschoolers and Elementary
students;
6. Community Services for the Senior Citizens thru massage, haircut, manicure,
pedicure and blood sugar; and
7. Support to the Prison Ministry.
As an affiliate of the Philippine Federation of Credit Cooperative Union (PFCCO) Piñan MPC
enjoys the services provided by the federation such as (1) continuous education,
instrumental in furthering the knowledge and skills of the coop officers; and (2) software
technology used for efficient operation of its businesses, which strengthened the coop’s
internal control measures.
After 24 years of tests and triumphs, their shared labor and cooperation made way for
sustainable development in the community and was duly recognized by different award
giving bodies through the following awards and recognition, namely:
• 2013 Most Supportive Cooperative in Youth Dev. Programs in Zanorte
• 2013 Top 10 Biggest Cooperative of Zamboanga Del Norte
• 2014 Best Cooperative as Capital Build-Up Generation
• 2014 Certificate of Appreciation-Christmas Lights
• 2014 Top 6 Biggest Cooperative of Zamboanga Del Norte
• 2014 Best in Community Involvement
• 2014 Most Outstanding Cooperative in The Province -Small Scale Category
• 2014 Top 10 Millionaires Coop in Zamboanga Del Norte
• 2015 Regional Gawad Parangal Award
45

`
The 24-year journey affords them the luxury of planning, funding and proudly erecting a 3-
storey building out of the accumulated optional fund only. And on February 18, 2020,
Director Ruben L. Cunanan cut the ribbon during the inauguration of the New Piñan MPC
business edifice.
The Pinan Multi-Purpose Cooperative has served as the right hand of the Piñan
Government in fulfilling its mandate of serving the public. It has become the center of
commerce in the municipality and is relentless in its endeavors to help uplift the lives of its
members and the whole community.
46

`
FEATURED COOPERATIVE
SUCCESS STORIES
From Market to Riches
(The Pagadian City Dry Goods MPC Success Story )
Prior to 1992, market vendors in the city of Pagadian enjoyed unlimited freedom to do their
trade within the old public market. Such stability was however threatened when in 1992, the
new agora public market was erected and with it, some rules set out to ensure order within
the market.
Then market superintendent, Mr. Gualberto Simon required all businessmen with similar
trade/business to form an association with a caveat that those who will not comply will not
be granted lease to operate.
On July 27, 1992, thirty-six (36) dry goods vendors acceded to the mandate and elected
their first set of officers. However, during the awarding of the lease, only 10 association
members were awarded. Despite the commitment to give them preference on the next batch
of awardees, 21 members withdrew their membership from the association.
Notwithstanding the decline in number, the association decided to contribute for initial
capital of Thousand Pesos (Php 1,000.00) each to be used for lending activity at Two
percent (2%) interest rate per month.
Gradually, the members came to appreciate the easy and convenient financial access
provided by the association, so they decided to increase their operating capital and applied
for Financial Assistance with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) ZDS Provincial
Office.
While disheartened when the application was denied for lack of legal personality, they used
it as opportunity to work for and secured their registration with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC), on August 18, 1993, with the assistance of Ms. Marichu Atay and Mr.
Editho Lumacang of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
A year later, the SEC required the submission of an Annual Report which included the
certification as to the registration of their business with the Bureau of Internal Revenue
(BIR). Unfortunately, such certification required them to pay 3% tax from Gross Income, to
their utter dismay, since they were expecting the association to be amongst the exempt
entities under the National Internal Revenue Code.
47

`
Said circumstance prompted the conversion and registration as a cooperative with the
Cooperative Development Authority, through the assistance of Mr. Nestor Mindaros and Ms.
Evelyn Saldua of the City Cooperative Development Office (CCDO).
On July 3, 1995, the Pagadian City Dry Goods Multipurpose Cooperative was born with 19
founding cooperators.
Subsequently, they were allowed Loan Assistance by the DTI amounting to a total of Two
Million Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php2,300,000.00) at twelve percent (12%) per
annum. With diligence, determination and perseverance, the 19 persistent cooperators were
able to fully pay such huge debt on maturity date.
With such a huge influx of capital, careful management, strong governance and loyal support
from the city government, the cooperative flourished into a beacon of sustainability. They
became a silent partner of the city government in ensuring sustainable and holistic
development among market vendors in the city.
In 2011, they opened their doors for individuals outside the market to join their growing family.
As of 2019, their total membership reached up to 90 enterprising Filipino cooperators and still
growing.
Beginning in 2011, they gradually succeeded in mainstreaming Gender and Development not
only in their social development programs but also in all services affecting coop members.
While the cooperative has truly achieved remarkable feats through the years, its officers
exhibited strength in character and profound concern for the welfare of its members by
providing immediate response during the most trying times.
The aftermath of the AMAN Scam in 2012 proved devastating to the majority of the members
who innocently invested their hard-earned money for the said quick money scheme. Such
losses threatened the collapse of the members’ businesses for lack of capital to support its
daily operation. Fortunately, the officers immediately addressed the crisis by providing a 90
days grace period to pay their loan amortization and condoned the penalty for missed
payments incurred after the lapse of said grace period.
Another devastation hit the public market when a destructive fire caught the place ablaze and
affected 16 coop members and many other stall owners. The cooperative readily provided
loan assistance at zero interest with only minimal service fee plus no penalty for missed
payments within the maximum duration of 1 year. The said initiative helped those members
recover financially, restored and sustained their business operation.
As they continue to grow, they made conscious efforts to meet the needs they saw outside of
their circle by pursuing social services such as:
48

`
1. Yearly Feeding program to out-of-school
malnourished children
2. Medical outreach
3. Tree planting
4. Distribution of school uniform and slippers to
identified elementary schools
5. Donation (cash/in kind) to PWDs to support the
group’s anniversary celebration held annually
6. Support the City Government’s efforts to
eradicate fraudulent practice among vendors through
the weighing scale dubbed “timbangan ng Bayan
Program” by donating one (1) unit worth P6000
7. Mass sponsorship during Pagadian city fiesta
and brgy. Sta. Lucia fiesta celebration
8. Cash donation for fortuitous events
Through the years, the cooperative grew alongside their individual businesses and
employed 3 regular employees and 2 contractual employees paid in accordance with the
wage order issued by the Department of Labor and Employment with social benefits such
as SSS, Philhealth and Pag-Ibig. The coop also supported the government by acting as
withholding agent for the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Inspired by other equally successful cooperatives, they became affiliates of the
PACIFEMCO regional federation of cooperatives and the Philippine Federation of Credit
Cooperative (PFCCO).
LIVING THEIR DREAMS. The officers and members alike continue enjoying their
equitable share in the patronage refund and interest on capital distributed yearly from their
self-sustaining business operations (lending, consumers and boarding house) – operating
solely from the accumulated sum of members’ paid-up share capital.
As of 2019, the coop reported total volume of business in the amount of Php46M, with
gross sales of more than Php4M and total assets of Php33.8M which includes a newly
acquired 2-storey building worth Php10.5M, which housed their lending and boarding
house operation.
DREAMING ON. After careful study, the cooperative is now working on the approved
expansion of their consumer operation by opening a branch in brgy. Danlugan, Pagadian
City within the year 2020.
Like ants conquering every storm together, the once struggling market vendors now
thriving and proud entrepreneurs proved that success may come from unexpected places
or least likely people through perseverance, hard work and cooperation.
49

`
TRIBUTE TO COVID19 HEROES AND
CHAMPIONS in Region 9
Heroes are ordinary people taking extraordinary amounts of courage and
determination to make a difference and champions are winners because they persist
despite the tremendous amount of difficulty they needed to overcome along the way.
The Covid19 pandemic is undoubtedly the most devastating threat to humanity yet
amidst constant fear, was the unraveling of astounding heroes and champions amongst
the cooperative leaders in region 9.
Let this be our tribute to them for making a huge difference in the lives of their
cooperative members and their community. For persisting despite tremendous difficulty in
aiding their local government units, the armed forces, and the medical personnel, during
the times when many cower in fear for their own safety.
For all the cooperatives in region 9 who are too many to count but whose names
were already written in history, thank you very much, maraming salamat, daghan salamat.
50

`
And while, together with the whole nation, we also struggled with the imperative
adjustments caused by the Covid19 pandemic, we were also provided ample
opportunity to showcase the generosity extended by cooperatives by documenting and
posting on the CDA Website and regional Facebook page, 12 short articles
encapsulating the Cooperative Social Responsibility against Covid19. Including the
dissemination of CDA Press Releases to 5 local radio stations in the 3 provinces,
Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay.
55

Cooperative Leaders' Generosity During the Pandemic

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