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BY AYIN DREAM D. APLASCA
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Monday, October 30, 2017
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LAST week, I had the chance to attend one of the pre-registration seminars of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) for a would-be primary marketing cooperative. I joined a group of professionals pursuing a common goal which is to form a cooperative and share its benefits among its members. I was there as a legal representative of one of their members.
The pre-registration seminar is like an orientation with the function of enlightening prospective cooperatives on the orderly registration in compliance with the requirements as provided under the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008 (RA 9520), Implementing Rules and Regulations, and relevant administrative issuances by CDA.
If you are planning to form a cooperative together with your prospective members, here are some fast facts about CDA, purpose of cooperatives, background of RA 9520, and the required articles of cooperation.
The CDA is a government agency which registers all types of cooperatives in the country. It is created under the Cooperative Development Authority Act or RA 6939. It is created in fulfilment of the mandate in Section 15, Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. It emphasizes that the State shall recognize cooperatives as associations organized for the economic and social betterment of their members, operating business enterprises based on mutual aid, and founded upon intentionally accepted principles and practices.
Cooperative is defined under RA 9520 as an “autonomous and duly registered association of persons, with a common of interest, who have voluntarily joined together to achieve their social, economic, and cultural needs and aspirations by making equitable contributions to the capital required, patronizing their products and services and accepting a fair share of the risks and benefits of the undertaking in accordance with universally accepted cooperative principles.”
Recently, the CDA released the revised guidelines governing the registration of cooperatives. The basic requirement to qualify is to have at least 15 members in the proposed cooperative. Also, they should submit to CDA office the proposed business name and all other necessary requirements such as an economic survey, articles of cooperation and its by-laws and the names of the cooperative’s directors. Take note that the proposed name should include the word “cooperative” to distinguish it from the others.
Some of the needed documents, especially the articles of cooperation, are already available during the pre-registration seminar. The members may fill in the forms so that it will be much easier for them later on when they decide to conduct a general meeting among its members.
The pre-registration seminar was a good way to orient would-be cooperatives. It is a great help for them to consider all possible factors that may affect their cooperative and also to help them maintain their cooperative once registered.
Overall, the creation and growth of cooperatives is a practical vehicle for promoting self-reliance and harnessing people power towards the attainment of economic development and social justice.
(Atty. Ayin Dream D. Aplasca practices her profession in Iloilo City. She may be reached thru ayindream.aplasca@gmail.com/PN)
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