PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan urges local government offices in each town to have a cooperative development officer (CDO) to support the growth of cooperatives in Palawan, particularly at the grassroots level.
Board Member Nieves Rosento believed that officers would help in monitoring the performance of cooperatives and also checking if the funds downloaded from the national government were properly utilized.
The mandatory designation of CDO in LGUs is under Republic Act No. 11535, signed in 2021.
“Nakita na napakahalaga talaga ang grassroots formation. Nakita natin sa ibang local government sa Palawan na meron municipal cooperative development officers ang paglago ng kooperatiba. Kapag mandatory, hindi ito designated, plantilla position, pwede rin special position para created talaga for the purpose,” she said.
It is also important for chief executives to realize the importance of CDOs in the economic growth and development of the community. There are already towns in the northern and southern parts of the province that have CDOs.
Rosento said that the provincial board will focus on the review of the budgets of all towns and that this post must be created before having optional offices.
“Dito rin nadi-develop ang character ng ating mga kabarangay at kababayan sa pagtugon sa kakaibang nangyayari sa ating ekonomiya—Nakikita natin na ang kooperatiba talaga ang pwede maging susi sa kaunlaran,” she said.
The equitable distribution of wealth can be seen at grassroots levels through cooperatives. It also helps build the characters of locals through shared values and responsibilities. (RG/PIA Mimaropa – Palawan)
