Duterte OKs bill assigning cooperative dev’t officer in LGUs

By Prince Golez

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law making the position of a cooperatives officer mandatory in all municipalities, cities and provinces.

Republic Act No. (RA) 11535 amended RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 mandating Cooperatives Development Officer (CDO) in local government units (LGUs).

Under the law, A CDO must be a Filipino citizen, and a resident of the local government concerned, of good moral character, a degree in cooperatives, business administration or any related course, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent.

S/he must also have experience in cooperatives organizations and management of at least five years for provincial or city CDO, and three years in the municipal level.

The following are functions of CDOs:

-formulate measures for the consideration of the sanggunian, and provide technical assistance and support to the governor or mayor in carrying out measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and provision of facilities

-develop plans and strategies in consultation with the cooperative sector, and upon approval by the governor or mayor

-take the lead in identifying groups, sectors or communities that can be organized into cooperatives to address poverty, create jobs, and contribute to the socio-economic development of the community

-provide assistance to prospective cooperatives in the conduct of the required pre-registration seminar and/or pre-membership education seminar and in the preparation of requirements for registration

-assist cooperatives in establishing linkages with government agencies, cooperative unions and federations, the academe and nongovernment organizations to promote and integrate the concept of cooperatives in the livelihood of the people and other community activities

-assist cooperatives in the development and implementation of risk management plans and business continuity plans and management as a response to anticipated or unexpected man-made and natural calamities and disasters, to aid in their survival, and, if necessary, subsequent rehabilitation

At present, only 305 out of 1,715 LGUs have cooperative development officers across the Philippines.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)