Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTA‘
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session
House Bil NOE 233

Introduced by Honorable Roy M. Loyola

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Cooperatives play a significant role in the economy. The Cooperative Code of the
Philippines describes them as “practical vehicle for promoting self-reliance and hamessing people
power towards the attainment of economic development and social justice.”

To actively promote the creation, growth, and welfare of cooperatives, the Local
Government Code provides for the appointment of a cooperatives officer with the following
qualifications: (1) citizen of the Philippines; (2) resident of the local government unit concerned;
{@) of good moral character; (4) holder of a college degree preferably in business administration
with specialty training in cooperatives; (6) a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent; and
(6) must have experience in cooperatives organization and management of at least five years for
provinces and cities and three years for municipalities.

‘The cooperatives officer shall take charge of the office for the development of
cooperatives and shall:

(1) Formulate measures for the consideration of the sanggunian, and provide technical
assistance and support to the governor or mayor, as the case may be, in carrying out
measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and provision of facilities through the
development of cooperatives, and in providing access to such services and facilities;

(2) Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the governor or mayor,
as the case may be, implement the same, particularly those which have to do with the
integration of cooperatives principles and methods in programs and projects which the
governor or mayor is empowered to implement and which the sanggunian is empowered
to provide for under this Code;

(3) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the cooperatives officer shall:
(j) Assist in the organization of cooperatives;

(ii) Provide technical and other forms of assistance to ‘existing cooperatives to
enhance their viability as an economic enterprise and social organization;

(iii) Assist cooperatives in establishing linkages with government agencies and
nongovernment organizations involved in the promotion and integration of the
concept of cooperatives in the livelihood of the people and other community
activities;


(4) Be in the frontiine of cooperatives organization, rehabilitation or viability
enhancement, particularly during and in the aftermath of man-made and natural
calamities and disasters, to aid in their survival and, if necessary subsequent
rehabilitation;

(6) Recommend to the sanggunian, and advise the govemior or mayor, as the case
maybe, on all other matters relative to cooperatives development and viability-
enhancement which will improve the livelihood and quality of life of the inhabitants; and
(6) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be
prescribed by law or ordinance.

Unfortunately, the appointment of a cooperative officer under the Code is merely optional.

The tendency then becomes that local government units opt to not make such appointment.

This bill recognizes and confirms the importance of cooperatives in bringing sustainable

economic development to the country. In order to maximize the its potential, local government
units should be at the forefront of fostering creation and growth of cooperatives by the provision
of technical guidance, financial assistance, and other similar services to enable cooperatives to
develop into viable and responsive economic enterprises. In this context, a cooperative officer at
the helm of the Cooperative Development Office in every province, city, and municipality
becomes indispensable. Ergo, their appointment should be made mandatory in all provinces,
cities, and municipalities.

In view thereof, support and approval of this measure is eamestly sought.

\Y M. LOYOLA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House BillNos! 233

Introduced by Honorable Roy M. Loyola

AN ACT MAKING THE APPOINTMENT OF COOPERATIVES OFFICER
MANDATORY IN ALL PROVINCES, CITIES, AND MUNICIPALITIES AMENDING
SECTION 487 (a) of REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991.

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

SECTION 1. Section 487 of Republic Act No. 7160 as amended, otherwise known as the
Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows:

* SEC. 487. Qualifications, Powers and Duties. - (a) x00

‘The appointment of the cooperatives officer is [optional] MANDATORY for the provincial,
[and] city AND MUNICIPAL governments.

Xxx"

SECTION 2. If any provision of this Act shall be deciared invalid or unconstitutional, the
remaining part or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in force.

SECTION 3. Any law, decreed, ordinance, administrative circulars not consistent with any
provision of this Act is hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,