Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article 12 of the 1987 Constitution recognizes cooperative as instruments of 
equity, social justice, and economic development. As of 2018, there are 18,065 
registered cooperatives in the Philippines with 10.7 million members that account to 
almost 10% of the country’s population. Cooperatives also hold around Php 429.7 
billion worth of assets and contributed Php 3.9 billion via indirect taxes. Cooperatives 
also contribute to ensuring employment with 580,800 direct and 1.9 million indirect 
employees.1 
In 2021, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has 
lauded cooperatives for being essential allies in assisting and reaching small 
businesses with limited access to financial institutions and government agencies 
during the pandemic. He further added that cooperatives helped in extending 
government services to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the 
grassroots level especially those in far-flung areas of the country.2 
This bill aims to recognize the vital role of cooperatives in our economy by 
institutionalizing the annual celebration of cooperative movement and declaring the 
month of October as National Cooperative Month. Through this, we further highlight 
the strengths of cooperative business model, promote its principles and values, and 
strengthen the cooperative movement in the country. 
1 http://icaap.coop/sites/ica-
ap.coop/files/DRAFT%202020%20Philippines%20country%20snapshot.pdf 
2 https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1155316 
July 19, 2022
4:59 pm
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The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.  
 
 
 
 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.             MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE   
 
 
 
 
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA  
 
 
NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
AN ACT  
DECLARING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER OF EVERY YEAR AS THE NATIONAL 
COOPERATIVE MONTH 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Designation. – The month of October of every year is hereby declared as 
the National Cooperative Month. 
Sec. 2. Goals and Aspirations. – The National Cooperative Month aims to: 
a. Raise public awareness on the invaluable contributions of the cooperative in
sustainable development, poverty reduction, employment generation, and 
social integration; 
b. Highlight the strengths of the cooperative business model as an alternative
means of doing business and furthering socio-economic development; 
c. Further strengthen the cooperative movement by increasing public awareness
about cooperatives and their contributions to advance national 
development, community empowerment, and quality of life of families and 
individuals; and 
d. Institutionalize annual celebration of the cooperative and its contribution.
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Towards this end, the State shall introduce pro-active measures to raise the 
awareness of the public, especially the youth, on climate change and address the 
impact of global warming. 
 
Sec. 3. Theme. – The Cooperative Development Authority, through its Chairperson 
and Board of Directors, in partnership with the National Cooperative Development 
Council shall determine the theme of the annual celebration. 
 
Sec. 4. Implementation Structure. – The Chairperson of the Cooperative 
Development Authority, as the lead, in coordination with cooperative development 
councils, national and local federations and union of cooperatives, and other 
government agencies of the government, is mandated to conduct activities and 
programs that promote the principles and values of cooperatives and encourage 
cooperative movement. 
 
Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days after the 
effectivity of this Act, the Chairperson of the Cooperative Development Authority shall 
issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
 
 
Sec. 6. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,