Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5786

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Dennis C. Laogan
Ang Kabuhayan Party-List

AN ACT CREATING THE COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT
COMMISSION, REPEALING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.
6939, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT CREATING THE
COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO PROMOTE THE
VAIBILITY AND GROWTH OF COOPERATIVES AS INSTRUMENTS OF
EQUITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT”,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Pursuant to the 1987 Constitution's recognition of the importance of
cooperatives as instruments for social justice and economic development, the
Congress passed Republic Act 6939, creating what is now the Cooperative
Development Authority (CDA), and was signed into law by the late President
Corazon C. Aquino on March 10, 1990.

Almost two (2) decades later. Republic Act 9520, otherwise known as the
“Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008”, was promulgated to law. It amended the
Cooperative Code of the Philippines, which led to the enhancement of the Charter of
the CDA, among other things.

Now, cooperatives form an indispensable of our nation’s movement towards
building an inclusive economy, boasting of a total volume business worth around
P300 billion.

In retrospect, it is indisputable that indeed the continued strengthening of
cooperatives have inured to the benefit of Filipinos nationwide, as through these, even


the lowliest of entrepreneurs and employees were able to capitalize on this new
opportunity to work themselves diligently out of poverty.

This measure hopes to bring about another transformational change for our
cooperatives by improving the CDA and further enhancing its powers and functions in
order to better meet its mandates and responsibilities under the law

With this, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No, 9786

Introduced by Representative Dennis C. Laogan
Ang Kabuhayan Party-List

AN ACT CREATING THE COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT
COMMISSION, REPEALING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.
6939, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT CREATING THE
COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO PROMOTE THE
VAIBILITY AND GROWTH OF COOPERATIVES AS INSTRUMENTS OF
EQUITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT”,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Cooperative
Development Commission Charter Act”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - \t is hereby declared the policy of the State to
promote the viability and growth of cooperatives as instruments of poverty
alleviation, social justice and economic empowerment and to create an agency, in
fulfillment of the mandate in Section 15, Article XII of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution. As such, the State recognize cooperatives as associations organized for
the economic and social betterment of their members, operating business enterprises
based on mutual aid, and founded upon internationally accepted cooperative
principles and practices.

SEC. 3. Cooperative Development Commission - The Cooperative
Development Commission, herein referred to as the "Commission", is hereby created


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to carry out the provision of this Act and those of Republic Act No. 9520, otherwise
known as the "Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008." The Commission shall have its
principal place of business in Metro Manila, and shall organize and maintain regional
executive offices and provincial field offices all over the country.

SEC. 4. Powers, Functions and Responsibilities. - The Commission shall
have the following powers and functions:

(a) Conduct a national periodic assessment and comprehensive study on the
socioeconomic impact of cooperatives in the country and in the provinces,

(b) Formulate, adopt, and implement integrated plans and programs on
cooperative development consistent with the national socio-economic policy of the
government in consultation with the cooperative sector, national agencies, local
government units (LGU's), private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
people's organizations (POs) and other cooperative stakeholders,

(c) Establish, in consultation with the cooperative sector, the necessary
standards, rules or regulations for cooperative governance, management, financial
performance, training and education undertaken by federations or unions and other
cooperative training institutions,

(d) Register all types and categories of cooperatives including its divisions,
mergers or consolidations,

(e) Compel the cooperative to call a General Assembly in accordance with
cooperative laws and the by-laws under the supervision of the Commission, subject to
the criteria or condition to be defined in the implementing rules and regulations issued
for this purpose;

(f) Order the cancellation or revocation of the Certificate of Registration after
due notice and hearing,

(g) Issue cease and desist orders to cooperatives and responsible parties,

(h) Require cooperatives to submit reports on the progress of operation;


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(i) Recognize a national apex cooperative organization representing all types of
cooperatives,

(j) Prescribe and collect reasonable fees, fines or charges in the performance of
its registration and regulatory functions;

(k) Suspend officers of cooperative after due process and require the general
assembly to replace the suspended officers,

(1) Develop, create and manage funds for training and financing projects of
‘cooperatives;

(m) Provide technical and financial support to cooperatives,

(n) Provide facilities, equipment and infrastructure support services to
cooperatives;

(0) Provide capacity building within the cooperatives through technical and
training services;

(p) Provide technical assistance on governance and management,

(q) Identify and provide in the availment of technical marketing and
financial services,

(r) Provide assistance on cooperative product development and facilitate
marketing of cooperative products both in domestic and international markets,

(s) Participate and promote the involvement of cooperatives in the domestic
and international trade fairs and exhibitions,

(t) Develop and prescribe training programs for all types and categories of
cooperative;

(u) Capacitate and train officers of newly registered micro cooperatives for a
period of three (3) years;

(v) Gather, analyze, disseminate and publish information for cooperatives,


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(w) Promote educational and technological exchange between and among
cooperative leaders with their international counterparts;

(x) Grant awards, recognition and incentives to qualified cooperatives and
partners;

(y) Hear, decide and settle disputes between and among members, employees,
officers, and director of cooperatives, and between and among cooperatives, which
were not settled amicably in accordance with the conciliation or mediation

mechanisms,

(z) Issue subpoenas and summon witnesses to appear in any proceedings of the
Commission and in appropriate cases, order the examination of all documents. papers,
files and records of any cooperative or person under investigation as may be
necessary for the proper disposition of cases before it,

(aa) Conduct an investigation, file necessary charges, discipline and remove
erring cooperative officials, members and employees,

(bb) Implement and enforce its decision with the assistance of deputized law
enforcement agencies or the local government unit concemed as may be necessary,

(cc) Summarily punish for direct contempt any person guilty of misconduct in
the presence of the Commission which seriously interrupts any hearing or inquiry
with a fine of not more than Five Thousand pesos (P5,000.00) or imprisonment of not
more than ten (10) days, or both. Acts constituting indirect contempt as defined under
Rule 71 of the Rules of Court shall be punished in accordance with the said Rule;

(dd) Establish a consultative mechanism in order to provide the cooperative
sector a system for maximum participation on matters of government plans, projects
and policies related to cooperatives.

(ee) Review contract or agreements entered into by cooperatives with the
private sector as requested by the cooperative;

(ff) Conduct special audits on the finances, operations, and management of

‘cooperatives;


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(gg) Establish, operate and maintain a Cooperative Development Academy in
every administrative region in coordination with the State Colleges and Universities
(SUCs), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA),

(hh) Establish, operate and maintain Regional Offices and Provincial Field
Offices in all administrative regions and provinces; and

(ii) Exercise such other powers and functions as maybe necessary to implement
the provisions of the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008.

SEC. 5. Organization. - The Commission shall have a Board of
Commissioners, the Executive Director, Bureaus, Services, Regional Offices and
Provincial Offices,

The Board of Commissioners, hereinafter referred to as the Board, shall be the
collegial policy-making and governing body of the Commission. The Board shall be
composed of the Chairperson and six (6) members of the Board of Commissioners
with two (2) Commissioners each representing Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. They
shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of Philippines and shall serve for a
fixed term of six (6) years without reappointment.

Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled by appointment of the President in
accordance with the provision of this section: Provided, That a member so appointed
shall serve only for the unexpired term: Provided, further. That the incumbent
Chairperson and members of the Board shall continue to serve and act as Chairperson
and members of the present Board up to the end of their terms as provided under
Republic Act No. 6939.

SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of the Board. - The Board as the policy
making and governing body shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Provide executive direction to the Commission, delineating the respective
roles of the governments, LGUs, POs, private sector and NGOs in the promotion and
development of the cooperative sector,


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(b) Establish linkages with national and international organizations involved in
cooperative promotion, organization and development,

(c) Approve annual, medium-term and long-term cooperative development
plans of the Commission consistent with the over-all socio-economic development

policy of the national government;

(d) Formulate policies, rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of
RA. No. 9520,

(e) Adopt implementing rules and regulations for the conduct of the internal
operations of the Commission;

(f) Organize the operating structure and functions of the Commission. No
changes in the approved organizational structure including the transfer of personnel
shall be effected without the approval of the Board;

(g) Act as oversight for policy and developmental interventions of cooperatives
and their federations and unions;

(h) Conduct regular policy consultations with the cooperative sector, LGUs,
government agencies, NGOs, POs and other stakeholders on the Commission policies,
programs and initiatives;

(i) Decide cases involving cooperatives that are submitted to the Board for
resolution;

G) Appoint the Executive Director, Service Directors, Bureau Directors,
Regional Directors and other officials and employees in the Commission,

(k) Authorize the conduct of intervening programs and activities of the
Commission;

()) Approve the Annual Procurement Plan, Manual of Operation and Work and
Financial Plan of the Commission;

(m) Authorize the Chairperson or the Executive Director to enter into contracts
or agreements in behalf of the Commission,


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(n) Approve the division, merger, consolidation, dissolution or liquidation of

cooperatives;

(©) Adopt and submit the annual proposed budget of the Commission to the
President through the Department of Budget and Management,

(p) Attend and participate in domestic and international forums, trade fairs and
exhibition, together with the cooperatives, for cooperative product marketing,

(q) Create an inter-agency convergence mechanism for the development of

micro and small cooperatives;

() Adopt and submit position papers on bills and legislative measures affecting
the cooperative sector filed before the Congress of the Philippines,

(s) Advise the President on the promulgation of executive and administrative
orders and circulars and the formulation of regulatory and legislative proposals
affecting cooperative development,

(0) Exercise disciplinary powers over officers and employees of the
Commission in accordance with existing laws, including their investigation and the
designation of a committee/ panel or officer to conduct such investigation,

(u) Formulate rules and regulations and exercise such other powers as may be
required to implement the objectives of this Act,

(v) Represent the Commission in all undertakings where its presence is
required, and

(w) Perform such other functions and tasks as may be provided or required by
law or assigned by the President.

SEC. 7. Qualifications of the Members of the Board. - The Chairperson or a
member of the Board who shall be appointed must possess the following

qualifications:

(a) Be a natural born Filipino citizen of good moral character and of proven
integrity,


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(b) Be at least 35 years old to 60 years old at the time of the appointment and
in good health;

(c) Have a Doctoral Degree with a dissertation related to cooperative
development in the case of the Chairperson and a Master's Degree with a thesis
related to cooperative development in the case of a member of the Board;

(d) Have five (5) years of experience as an officer or member of a cooperative
or as an officer or member of an NGO engaged in cooperative development,

(e) Have five (5) years of experience in government service,

(f) In the case of members of the Board, be a resident of the Philippines, the
Commissioners must be resident of the region represented for at least ten (10) years:
and

(g) Be recommended and endorsed by a federation and/ or union of
cooperatives operating in good standing under the provision of this Act and R.A. No.
9520.

Any person appointed as Chairperson or members of the Board shall, upon
appointment, divest himself of any direct or indirect pecuniary interest or dealings
with any cooperative.

SEC. 8. Removal of a Member of the Board - The President of the
Philippines may remove any member of the Board for any of the following reasons:

(a) The member is subsequently disqualified under the provision of this Act;

(b) The member becomes physically or mentally incapacitated to properly
discharge the duties and responsibilities of the position and such incapacity has lasted
more than six (6) months; or

(c) The member is guilty of acts or omissions which are fraudulent or illegal in
character or which are manifestly opposed to the aims, objectives and interest of the
Commission and the cooperative sector.

SEC. 9. Meetings of the Board. - The Board shall meet at least twice a month
for the transaction of its regular business. Special meetings may be called by the


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Chairperson with the concurrence of the majority of the members of the Board to
consider specific matters. A majority vote by the entire Board shall be required for a
decision. All regular and special meetings of the Board shall be held at the head office
in Metro Manila or in a place agreed by the Board.

SEC. 10. Chairperson and Commissioners. - The Chairperson shall be the
head of the agency with a rank and privileges of a Secretary. The Commissioners will
also serve as the Oversight of the different types of cooperatives with the rank and
privileges of an Undersecretary.

SEC. 11. Executive Director. - The Executive Director is a career officer that
will act as the Chief Operations Officer of the Board with the rank and privileges of
an Assistant Secretary. The Executive Director shall have a Deputy Executive
Director with rank and privileges ofa Director IV

SEC. 12. Bureaus. The Bureaus of the Commission shall consist of the Bureau
of Registration and Regulation, Bureau of Legal and Adjudication, Bureau of
Education, Information, Training and Advocacy, and Bureau of Economic Affairs and
Credit Surety Fund Monitoring and Cooperative Support Services. Each of these
Bureaus shall be headed by a Bureau Director and Assistant Bureau Director with a
rank and privileges of Director III and Director 1, respectively.

SEC. 13. Services. - The Services of the Commission shall consist of the
Administrative Service, Finance Service, Management Information System Service,
and Planning Service. Each of these Services shall be headed by a Service Director
with a rank and privileges of a Director | with division chief, section chief and support
personnel.

SEC. 14. Regional Offices and Provincial Offices. - There shall be Regional
Offices in every political and administrative region and Provincial Offices in every
province in the country.

Each regional office shall be headed by a Regional Director with a rank and
privileges of a Director IIl. There shall be five (4) divisions in every regional office
consisting of the Administrative and Finance Division (AFD), Registration and
Regulation Division (RRD), Education, Information, Training and Advocacy
(EIATD), Legal and Adjudication Division (LAD), Economic Affairs and


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Cooperative Support Services Division (EACSSD). Each division is composed of a
division chief and support personnel.

The provincial office will be composed of the Senior Cooperative
Development Specialist (SCDS) acting as Provincial Cooperative Officer,
Cooperative Development Specialists (CDS II) as Field Personnel, two support
clerical/ data encoder personnel and a driver

SEC. 15. Powers and Functions of the Chairperson. - The Chairperson of the
Commission shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Preside over the meetings of the Board;

(b) Cause the execution and compliance of cooperative laws and other
pertinent laws and rules and regulations,

(c) Execute approved plans and policies of the Board of Commissioners by
directing all personnel concerned through appropriate issuances or directives and/ or
through appropriate coordination and supervision;

(d) Represent the Commission in the Cabinet meetings if required by the
Office of the President;

(e) Sign all policy-related issuances and directives in the discharge of the legal,
developmental, and other pertinent functions of the Commission and direct their
implementation;

(f) Direct and supervises the Executive Director in managing the day-to-day
operations of the Commission,

(g) Represent the Commission in the governing board of Land Bank of the
Philippines,

(h) Convene and preside over the meetings of the Management Committee
(ManCom);

(i) Represent the Commission in the budget deliberations of the Congress of
the Philippines;


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G) Represent the Commission in international conferences such as
International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), ASEAN Centre for the Development of
Agricultural Cooperative (ACEDAC), Network for the Development of Agricultural
Cooperatives in Asia and the Pacific (NEDAC), ASEAN Business Cooperative
Forum, and other international events,

(k) Represent the Commission in the inter-agency bodies like the National
Anti- Poverty Commission (NAPC), Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corporation
(QUEDANCOR), Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) and others,

(1) Sign contracts and agreements as authorize by the Board;

(m) Report to the President of the Philippines and Congress of the Philippines
on the performance and accomplishment of the Commission on a periodic basis,

(n) Cause the submission to the Board of the required reports in the progress
and evaluation of plans/ programs/ and policies including financial reports,

(0) Represent the Commission in official functions of government,
cooperatives, and other organizations here and abroad and other undertakings where
its presence is required;

(p) Delegate some of the above functions to the members of the Board; and

(q) Perform such other related functions as may be assigned from time to time

by the President or by the Board of Commissioners and as required by law, rules and
regulations.

SEC. 16. Powers and Functions of the Executive Director. - The Executive
Director of the Commission shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Oversee the day to day operations of the Cooperative Development
Commission;

(b) Recommend policies and programs for the development of cooperative
Programs,

(c) Implement the policies and programs as adopted by the Board of
Commissioners;


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(d) Implement rules and regulations necessary to carry out the Board directives
and policies,

(e) Delegate authority for the performance of any function to officers and
employees under his direction,

(f) Discipline the Commission's personnel subject to the confirmation of the
Board;

(g) Convene and preside over the meetings of the Executive Committee
(ExeCom),

(h) Prepare the proposed annual and supplemental budgets of the Commission
for the consideration and approval of the Board;

(i) Implement a human resource management system consistent with the Civil
Service Commission that will promote professionalism and excellence in accordance
with sound principles of management;

(j) Prepare, consolidate and submit periodic reports for the consideration of the
Board;

(k) Prepare the annual work and financial plan and annual procurement plan;
(1) Sign contracts and agreements as authorize by the Board,

(m) Represent the Commission in all undertakings where its presence is
required, and

(n) Perform such other functions as maybe ordered by the Board and or
provided by law

SEC. 17. Powers and Functions of the Regional Director. - The Regional
Director of the Commission shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Approve the registration of cooperatives and their federations and unions,

(b) Exercise direct supervision and control over all the organizational units of
the regional and provincial field offices including recommending to the Board


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through the Executive Director the appointment of personnel and disciplinary actions
may be necessary for the effective management of the regional office;

(c) Implement policies, plans, programs, projects, rules and regulations of the

Commission;
(d) Provide and deliver efficient and effective service to the constituents,

(e) Represent the Commission in the Regional Development Council (RDC)
and other administrative and legal bodies in the region;

(f) Coordinate and establish harmonious linkages with other regional
government offices and departments;

({g) Coordinate effectively with Local Government Units, NGOs, POs and the
private sector in the promotion, organization and development of cooperatives in the
area of his/ her jurisdiction, and

(h) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the
Board

SEC. 18. Board of Advisers. - There shall be a constituted Board of Advisers
which shall meet the Commission at least once a year to assist it in aligning its
policies and plans with the socio-economic and developmental needs of cooperatives.
The Board of Advisers shall be composed of the following:

(a) Director-General of the National Economic Development Authority as
Chairman,

(b) Chairperson of the Cooperative Development Commission as Co-
Chairman;

(c) Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry;
(d) Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology,
(ec) Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment;

(f) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture;


(g) Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform;

(h) Secretary of the Department of Education;

(i) Secretary of the Department of Transportation;

(j) Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development,
(k) Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;
(1) Chairperson of Housing and Urban Development Council;

(m) Chairperson of the Apex Cooperative; and

(n) Chairperson of the National Cooperative Coordinating and Development
Council

SEC. 19. Representation in the Governing Board of Land Bank of the
Philippines, - The Commission represented by the Chairperson or its authorized
representative shall sit as a regular member in the governing board of the Land Bank
of the Philippines.

SEC. 20. Representation in the Regional Development Councils. - The
Commission represented by its Regional Executive Directors will sit as regular
members with voting rights in all Regional Development Councils.

SEC. 21. Cooperative Development Fund. - A Cooperative Development
Fund, hereinafter referred to as the Fund, is hereby established exclusively for the
development of cooperatives in the entire country and for the operationalization of the
Cooperative Development Academy. The fund shall be appropriated from the
following sources:

(a) Proceeds from the registration and regulation fees of cooperatives; and (b)
The equivalent of one percent (1%) of the gross sales of the lotto operation of
the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO),

(c) The equivalent of one percent (1%) of the gross income of the Philippine
Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR),


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(d) Foreign aid and donations; and
(e) Other sources as prescribed by the Commission.

SEC. 22. Management and Administration of the of the Cooperative
Development Fund. - The Fund shall be administered by the Commission. For sound
and judicious management of the Fund, the Commission shall appoint a reputable
government financial institution as portfolio manager of the Fund, subject to the
following conditions:

(a) A portion of the Fund shall be utilized for the creation and maintenance of
the Cooperative Development Academy as provided in Sec. 26; and

(b) At least 50% of the Fund shall be spent on cooperative financing, product
development, market development, infrastructure support and other cooperative
support services.

SEC. 23. Power to Register Cooperatives. - The power to register cooperatives
shall be vested solely on the Commission pursuant to the provisions of R.A. No. 9520.

SEC, 24. Prohibition. - Except as provided for under Article 130 of R.A. No,
9520, the use of the word "cooperative" by any person or organization unless duly
registered with the Cooperative Development Commission shall be prohibited and
shall be penalized under Article 140 of the same Code.

SEC. 25. Settlement of Disputes. - Disputes within or between cooperatives or
disputes within or between the federation or unions shall be mediated, conciliated or
settled in accordance with this Act, Article 137 of R.A. 9520 and its implementing
rules and regulation or under R.A. 9285, otherwise known as the Alternative Dispute
Resolution Act of 2004.

SEC. 26. Cooperatives in the Educational System. - The history, philosophy,
concepts, values, principles and practices of cooperatives and their role as a factor in
the national economy shall be integrated in the curriculum of the basic education,
higher education and vocational education systems.

The Commission shall establish and maintain a Cooperative Development
Academy with international standards and practices. The said academy for initial


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implementation shall advocate good governance standards towards sustainability of
cooperatives and professionalization of cooperative management. The academy shall
be run under the Bureau of Education, Information, Training and Advocacy in
partnership with the State Colleges and Universities (SUCs), Commission on Higher
Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), private sector and non-government organizations engaged in cooperative
promotion, organization, research and education.

SEC. 27. Organization of the Commission. - The Commission shall be
organized within one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 28. Transitory Provisions, - Upon the effectivity of this Act, the
Cooperative Development Authority created under Republic Act 6939 shall be
abolished and the personnel of the Cooperative Development Authority shall be
transferred to the Commission: Provided, That they possess the necessary
qualifications, and shall not suffer any loss of seniority or rank or decrease in

emoluments,

In the organization and staffing of the Commission, the CDA personnel shall
be given preference in the promotion subject to civil service rules and regulations and
rules of the Organization, Position Classification and Compensation Bureau of the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM), provided that those who shall not be
absorbed by the organization shall be allowed to retire under existing retirement laws,
rules and regulations.

All cooperatives registered under Republic Act No. 6938 shall be deemed
registered with the Cooperative Development Commission and shall be automatically
be given a certificate of registration under the name of the Commission.

All certificate of tax exemption issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue
(BIR) to cooperatives are still valid and still in effect subject to submission of their
new certificate of registration issued by the Commission within one (1) year from the
effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 29. Appropriations. - An additional appropriation from the current
budget of the agency shall be allotted for the initial implementation of this Act and
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.


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SEC. 30. Transfer of Funds and Programs. - The Cooperative Development
Loan Fund and the Fund for the Management Training and Assistance Program
created under Presidential Decree No. 175, as amended and the Cooperative
Marketing Project created under loan agreements, all granted to the Department of
Agriculture, is hereby transferred to the Commission under the Cooperative
Development Fund which shall be used for the development and strengthening of
cooperatives

SEC. 31. Information Campaign. - The Cooperative Development
Commission is mandated to conduct a six (6) month information campaign on the
provisions of this Act from its effectivity,

SEC. 32. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Board shall, in
consultation with the cooperative sector, formulate the implementing rules and
regulations (IRR) for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 33. Separability Clause. - \f any if this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of other

provisions hereof.

SEC, 34, Repealing Clause. -Republic Act No. 6939, creating the
Cooperative Development Authority and Executive Order 332, Series of 2004 are
hereby repealed. The provisions of Article 144, Paragraph 2 of Republic Act No.
9520, on securing the requisite Certificate of Tax Exemption following the
registration of cooperatives and the provisions of Art. 17 of Presidential Decree 269
allowing the use of the word cooperative by electric cooperatives are also hereby
repealed. All other laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 35. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days from
the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of

general circulation.

Approved,