CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — To address the growing challenges in the cooperative sector, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)-10 emphasized the need for strengthened partnerships and linkages with various stakeholders, including local government units, academic institutions, and the private sector to ensure the continued growth and sustainability of cooperatives in the region.
CDA-10 Regional Director Aminoden A. Elias said the cooperative sector is rapidly growing, and this growth presents a challenge for them in fulfilling their mandate, as the number of cooperatives in the region continues to increase while the manpower remains the same.
Currently, the CDA-10 has more than 30 field personnel responsible for carrying out its duties, including conducting inspections. This disparity poses a challenge in conducting regular inspections mandated by law to ensure each cooperative is visited at least once a year.
“Now given the number of personnel we have, darating ang panahon na hindi na makuha yung “one coop, one day visit” because konti yung tao,” he explained.
(Given the number of personnel we have, there will come a time when we can no longer maintain the ‘one coop, one day visit’ because the staff is limited.)
Elias highlighted that, with over 1,300 cooperatives now operating in Northern Mindanao, many of which are small and micro-sized, the region faces a critical need for intensive capacity-building. These cooperatives require technical guidance to ensure they remain compliant and able to submit mandatory reports on time. Without proper support, many risk being dissolved due to failure to meet regulatory requirements.
He further emphasized that beyond regulatory compliance, the cooperative sector must develop a stronger sense of technical competence and operational maturity.
To address this, CDA-10 is strengthening its partnerships to form a strong network to provide continuous education and technical assistance to cooperative members and equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive.
“That is why we are building linkages with all possible stakeholders, academe, local government units, and the private sector para magkaroon ng unified effort to provide education,” Elias said.
On their part, CDA-10 is also conducting enhancement training, specifically on business continuity management, conflict management for cooperative mediation and conciliation, and credit risk management. (APB/PIA-10)
