πππ₯π¦π§ ππ’π’π£ π’π‘πππ‘π π£π¨ππππ ππ’π‘π¦π¨ππ§ππ§ππ’π‘ ππ‘ ππ¨ ππ’π‘π©ππ‘ππ
By: Sangguniang Panlalawigan | Photos By: Sangguniang Panlalawigan | Date: January 19, 2022
La Union Sangguniang Panlalawiganβs Committee on Cooperatives chaired by Board Member Gerard G. Ostrea organized the first Public Consultation of registered cooperatives in the province via online video conference.
Attended by almost 50 registered participants, the activity aimed to check on the status of local cooperatives, address their concerns and monitor their programs, projects and services as part of their recovery response amidst the pandemic. Further, said activity is part of the public consultation targets of the committee to draw inputs from this sector that could be used as aid of legislation.
βWhen community members collaborate and learn to rely on themselves and their abilities to act collectively to improve their personal situations and the well-being of their community, they are empowered,β said BM Ostrea. Indeed, this public consultation is a key vehicle in empowering the provinceβs cooperatives.
In adherence to minimum health standards, the Committee designed an online survey sheet prior to the scheduled public consultation which was made available and easily accessible online for all registered cooperatives in the province. Participating Cooperatives were given a week to discuss among their officers and members and to fill in the survey form with their inputs. A total of 42 cooperatives answered the form indicating their concerns, program and policy recommendations, assistance needed from the Committee on Cooperatives and other interventions needed from different agencies, offices and persons.
The SP Committee on Cooperatives has consolidated the feedback of the cooperatives. Need for capacity training and assistance on capital, machineries, office equipment and vehicles were among the top concerns of the participating cooperatives. Moreover, simplification of the Cooperative Development Authority Reports and intransparency in the management of Cooperatives were raised.
The Provincial Legal Office, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and the SP Secretariat were also tapped for their expertise on the matters at hand. The public consultation went smoothly and a very interactive open forum pursued thereafter.
The recommendations gathered during said public consultation will be submitted for agenda during the plenary session of the SP and will be discussed in detail at the committee level.
