Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
1 Regular Session

House Bit No. _9422

Introduced by
Hon. Sabiniano S. Canama
COOP-NATCCO PARTYLIST

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the month of October of every year as the “National
Cooperative Month” in the entire country.

A cooperative is an autonomous and duly registered association of persons with a
common bond of interest. Members of a cooperative voluntarily join together to address
their social, economic and cultural needs and aspirations. They make equitable
contributions to the required capital, patronize their: products and services and accept a
fair share of risks and benefits of the undertaking in accordance with the universally
accepted cooperative principles.

The primary objective of every cooperative is to help improve the quality of life of its
members. Cooperatives provide assistance, trainings and services to augment the income
of their members, increase their savings, and widen their investments, productivity and
purchasing power. Cooperatives also teach their members by propagating cooperative
practices and introducing new ideas in business and management.

This year, cooperative movement in the Philippines is celebrating its 104" year
anniversary. As of 2018, the number of cooperatives registered with the Cooperative
Development Authority reaches 26,000 with a total membership of approximately 11
million individuals. Cooperatives have generated more than 580,800 employments and
produced goods and services worth billions of pesos.

Cooperatives are significant contributors to the Philippine economy. In fact, they
serve as instruments in promoting social justice and economic development. They
contribute to economic growth through the mobilization of savings and by providing
capital. They also provide access to goods and services to the less privileged members of
the society.


On October 29, 2003, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation No.
493, Series of 2003, entitled “Declaring the Month of October 2004 and Every Year
Thereafter as Cooperative Month,” to encourage the wider participation of all sectors of
society in nation-building through cooperativism. To give it a more permanent status,
however, this bill seeks to declare the month of October of every year as “National
Cooperative Month,” to raise the consciousness of the people on the principles and values
of cooperatives and encourage them to join the cooperative movement.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

SABINIANO “Ben” S. CANAMA


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
1 Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5422

Introduced by
Hon. Sabiniano S. Canama
COOP-NATCCO PARTYLIST

AN ACT
DECLARING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER OF EVERY YEAR AS THE
“NATIONAL COOPERATIVE MONTH”
IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY

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

SECTION 1. The month of October of every year is hereby declared as the “National
Cooperative Month.”

SEC. 2. The Chairperson of the Cooperative Development Authority, in coordination
with the cooperative development councils, national and local federations and union of
cooperatives, and other agencies of the government, is mandated to conduct activities
and programs that promote the principles and values of cooperatives and encourage
cooperative movement.

SEC. 3. 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. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,