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a. R.A. No. 9520 - refers to an Act Amending the Cooperative Code of the Philippines to be known as the "Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008";

b. Academe - refers to colleges/universities having established partnerships or linkages with the Authority for education, training and research for cooperatives;

c. Alternative Dispute Resolution - refers to any process or procedure used to resolve a dispute or controversy other than by adjudication of a presiding judge of a court or an officer of a government agency, as defined by R.A. No. 9285 or the "Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004", in which a neutral third party participates to assist in the resolution of issues, which includes arbitration, mediation, conciliation, early neutral evaluation, mini-trial, or any combination thereof.

d. Arbitration - refers to a voluntary dispute resolution process in which one or more arbitrators appointed in accordance with the agreement of the parties, or rules and regulations implementing Republic Act No. 9285, resolve a dispute by rendering an award.

e. Authority - refers to the Cooperative Development Authority, a government agency created by virtue of Republic Act No. 6939, as amended by Republic Act No. 11364, in compliance with the provisions of Section 15, Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which mandates Congress to create an agency to promote the viability and growth of cooperatives as instruments of equity, social justice and economic development.

f. Business Enterprises - refer to the activities of a cooperative in the provision of goods and services to its members involving financial, commercial, and industrial aspects where the primary objective is to achieve the social, economic, and cultural need and aspirations of the members who made equitable contributions to the capital required and/or goods and services provided to non-members, if allowed by law and the Articles of Cooperation and Bylaws; 

g. Certificate of Authority - refers to the official document issued by the Authority authorizing the establishment and operation of a cooperative branch office;

h. Consultation - refers to a structured public engagement which involves seeking, receiving, analyzing, and responding to feedbacks from stakeholders and are mutually discussed by the parties.

i. Cooperative - refers to an autonomous and duly registered association of persons, with a common bond of interest, who have voluntarily joined together to achieve their social, economic, and cultural needs and aspirations by making equitable contributions to the capital required, patronizing their products and services and accepting a fair share of the risks and benefits of the undertaking in accordance with universally accepted cooperative principles;

j. Cooperative Development Council (CDC) - refers to a multi-sectoral body, under the supervision of the Authority, created to provide a system with regard to policy monitoring, consultation, and coordination of cooperative programs and projects to be established at the national, provincial, city, and municipal levels.

k. Cooperative Development Office (CDO) - refers to a local govenrment office primarily responsible for the formulation and implementation of the LGU's cooperative development programs;

l. Cooperative Sector - refers to a portion of the economic society comprised of all types and categories of cooperatives registered with the Authority. For this purpose, the term cooperative sector and cooperative movement could be used interchangeably;

m. Federation of Cooperatives - refers to the three (3) or more primary cooperatives doing the same line of business, organized at the municipal, provincial, city, special metropolitan political subdivision, or economic zones created by law and registered with the Authority, to undertake business activities in support of its members.

n. Inter-Cooperative Disputes - refer to conflicts/disputes arising from inter-cooperative relations; relationship between one cooperative and another cooperative or relationship among cooperatives;

o. Intra-Cooperative Disputes - refer to conflicts/disputes arising from intra-cooperative relations; relationship between or among the members of the cooperative; or the relationship between the members and the cooperative;

p. Letter of Authority - refers to the official document issued by the Authority authorizing the establishment and operation of a cooperative satellite office;

q. Local Government Unit (LGU) - refers to a unit created or organized as body politic and corporate endowed with powers to be exercised by it in conformity with law. The territorial and political subdivisions include the provinces, cities, municipalities, barangays and the autonomous regions;

r. National Alliance of Cooperatives (NAC) - A recognized association of Sectoral Apex Organization in the national level acting as the primary advocacy and over-all consultative and coordinating body for national issues and concerns affecting cooperatives;

s. Partnership - refers to the established relationship or collaboration between the Authority and other stakeholders relating to the formulation and implementation of cooperative development activities, programs and projects.

t. Quasi-Judicial Power - refers to the action, discretion, etc. of public administrative offices or bodies, who are required to investigate facts or ascertain the exercise of facts, hold hearings and draw conclusions from them, as a basis for their official action and to exercise discretion of a judicial nature;

u. Recognition - refers to the act of acknowledging the existence or the validity of a certain entity or organization without necessarily bestowing juridical personality upon the latter;

v. Regional Clustered Organization (RCO) - A recognized association of primary, secondary, tertiary cooperatives as well as union of cooperatives belonging to a specific cluster in a region to serve as a consultative body of cooperatives in the regional level.

w. Regional Development Council (RDC) - refers to the highest policy-making body in the regional development and serves as the counterpart of the NEDA-Board at the subnational level. The RDC is the primary institution that coordinates and sets the direction of all economic and social development efforts in the region. It also serves as a forum where local efforts can be related and integrated with national development initiatives. 

x. Regulation - refers to the function of the Authority to issue and implement laws, formal or informal orders and subordinate rules;

y. Sectoral Apex Organization (SAO) - A recognized association of Regional Clustered Organizations, including tertiary cooperatives and union of cooperatives operating nationwide, to serve as consultative body in the national level on issues and concerned affecting their respective clusters;

z. Subpoena ad testificandum - refers to a process directed to a person requiring him to attend and to testify at the hearing or the trial of an action, or at any investigation conducted by competent authority, or for the taking of his disposition;

aa. Subpoena duces tecum - refers to a process directed to a person requiring him to bring with him any books, documents, or other things under his control necessary in the hearing or trial of an action, or at any investigation conducted by competent authority;

bb. Supervision - refers to the action or process of assessing the cooperative's overall condition in compliance with laws, rules and standards that will ensure its safe and sound operation.

cc. Training Standards - refer to set of rules or measures in the conduct of training which may include curriculum design, training delivery, trainee entry requirements, training tools and equipment and trainer qualifications.

dd. Union - refers to a cooperative the members of which are registered cooperatives and/or federations organized purposely to represent the interest and welfare of all types of cooperatives at the city, provincial, regional, and national levels.

A. DEVELOPMENTAL

1. Formulate, adopt and implement integrated and comprehensive plans and programs on cooperative development consistent with the national policy on cooperatives and establish an integrated framework on cooperative development for all govenrment agencies;

2. Require registered cooperatives to develop business continuity plans to address all kinds of risks;

3. Grant awards, recognition and incentives to cooperatives, cooperative leaders and partners;

4. Administer all grants and donations exclusively intended for cooperatives coursed through the Authority for cooperative development, without prejudice to the rights of cooperatives to directly receive and administer such grants and donations upon agreement with the grantors and donors thereof;

5. Develop and conduct management and training programs that will provide members of cooperatives with the entrepreneurial capabilities, managerial expertise, and technical skills required for efficient operations of their cooperatives and inculcate in them the true spirit of cooperativism and provide, when necessary, technical and professional assistance to ensure the viability and growth of cooperatives with special concerns for agrarian reform, agriculture, fishery and the economically depressed sectors;

6. Recognize sectoral apex organizations and a national alliance representing all types and categories of cooperatives which shall function as the overall consultative and coordinating body with the Authority, for this purpose, the pertinent provisions of R.A. No. 9520 are hereby amended accordingly;

7. Establish a consultative mechanism consistent with Sec. 18 of the Act in order to provide the cooperative sector a system to ensure participation on matters concerning government plans, programs, and policies affecting cooperatives;

8. Coordinate with the provincial, city, or municipal cooperative offices the adoption and implementation of national plans, programs and policies of cooperative development, and to establish partnership in the promotion, organization, and development of cooperatives within the jurisdiction of the local government units;

9. Establish the formation and organization of cooperative development councils in the national, regional, provincial, city and municipal levels in order to provide the cooperative movement a system for policy consultation and program coordination in accordance with the guidelines to be prescribed by the Authority;

10. Collaborate with concerned agencies that can provide technical, professional, and marketing assistance including trainings on transfer of technology to ensure the viability, growth, competitiveness and innovativeness of cooperatives giving special concern to agrarian reform, agriculture, fishery and the economically depressed sectors;

11. Provide assistance on cooperative product development and facilitate their marketing both in the domestic and international market in coordination with the concerned agencies;

12. Designate a representative in the Regional Development Council (RDC) and in its sectoral committees, as a regular voting member thereof;

13. Establish linkages with the academe and other institutions, both local and international, for education, training and research for cooperatives;

14. Formulate, adopt and implement educational and technological exchange programs both in domestic or international levels; and

15. Formulate adopt and implement, in a manner consistent with Sec. 17 of the Act, a standard of training for cooperative officers or members which shall focus on basic cooperative principles and values, good governance, business and entrepreneurial management, human resource management, risk management, conflict management, and technical skills required for the efficient and effective operations of the cooperatives. 

B. REGISTRATION AND REGULATION

1. REGISTRATION

a. Register all cooperatives including amendments to the Articles of Cooperation and By-Laws (ACPL), divisions, mergers, and consolidations;

b. Authorize the establishment of branches and satellite offices of cooperatives; and

c. Issue Certificates of Recognition to organized laboratory cooperatives.

2. SUPERVISION AND EXAMINATION

a. Exercise supervision and jurisdiction over all types and categories of cooperatives registered with the Authority;

b. Develop and formulate, in consultation with the cooperative sector and other concerned institutions, appropriate regulations, standards, rules, orders, guidelines and/or circular to implement the Act, R.A. No. 9520 and R.A. No. 10744 to ensure the effective and sound operation of cooperatives;

c. Require the submission of annual reports, audited financial statements and such reports in compliance with the R.A. No. 9520 and R.A. No. 10744 in such forms as may be be prescribed by the Authority;

d. Promulgate and issue guidelines on the specific use and utilization of statutory funds and obligations that will achieve the real intent and spirit of establishing such funds and obligations for the benefit of the cooperatives and communities they serve;

e. Prescribe and collect reasonable fees, fines or charges in the performance of its registration and regulatory functions;

f. Compel the cooperative to call a general or representative assembly, as deemed necessary, under the supervision of the Authority with the participation of their respective cooperative federation or unions, subject to the criteria or conditions to be defined in the implementing rules and regulations issued for this purpose;

g. Conduct regular inspection or examination of cooperatives in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Authority and, when deemed necessary conduct examination and investigation to protect the interest and welfare of the members of cooperatives and the general public.

For this purpose, cooperative federations, unions, local government units (LGUs), cooperative development offices (CDOs), cooperative federations and unions, and the alliance of cooperatives representing all types and categories of cooperatives as the consultative and coordinating body of the Authority, may be requested by the Authority to assist in the inspection and examination of cooperatives.

h. Create an information system from the report and other document submitted by cooperatives;

i. Adopt and implement a dispute resolution mechanism that will settle conflicts between and among members, officers, and directors of cooperatives, and between and among cooperatives in accordance with Article 137 of R.A. No. 9520, which amended R.A. No. 6938, and R.A. No. 9285, otherwise known as the "Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004". However, in case of elected related issues, the aggrieved party may elevate the case for adjudication to the Authority without undergoing through the alternative dispute resolution;

j. Issue cease and desist orders to cooperatives and responsible parties specified under Article 137 of R.A. No. 9520, and such other orders and notices to preserve the assets and documents of the cooperatives subject of the dispute or litigation;

k. Order the suspension or cancellation of the Certificate of Registration of cooperatives and/or the revocation of the Letter of Authority and/or Certificate of Authority to establish and operate satellite or branch offices, respectively, after due notice and hearing for non-compliance with lawful orders, rules and regulations of the Authority, including the articles of cooperation and by-laws of the cooperative subject to the conditions as defined in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act; and

l. Order the dissolution and liquidation of cooperatives as well as the transfer of all or substantially all of their assets and liabilities.

C. QUASI-JUDICIAL

1. Conduct investigations, file necessary charges, discipline, suspend and/or remove erring officers and members of the cooperative for violation of cooperative laws, rules, regulations, issuances of the Authority, and their articles of cooperation and by-laws, after due process, and direct the general assembly to replace the suspended/removed officers, in accordance with the rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the Authority;

2. Hear and decide inter-cooperative and intra-cooperative disputes, controversies and/or conflicts, without prejudice to filing of civil and/or criminal cases by the parties concerted before the regular courts: Provided, that all decisions of the Authority are appealable directly to the Court of Appeals;

3. Issue subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum for the parties to appear and produce documents in any proceedings of the Authority 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;

4. Cite for contempt any person guilty of misconduct in the presence of the Authority where seriously interrupts any hearing or inquiry and impose a fine of not more than Five thousand pesos (Php5,000.00) 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;

5. Implement and enforce its decision and orders with the assistance of deputized law enforcement agencies or the local government unit concerned as may be necessary;

a. Credit and Financial Services, Banking, Insurance,. and Credit Surety Fund;

b. Consumers, Marketing, Producers and Logistics;

c. Human Services: Health, Housing, Workers, and Labor Service;

d. Education and Advocacy;

e. Agriculture, Agrarian, Aquaculture, Farmers, Dairy, and Fisherfolk; and

f. Public Utilities: Electricity, Water, Communications, and Transport;

a. Formulate policies, rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of R.A. No. 11364, R.A. No. 9520 and R.A. No. 10744;

b. Adopt implementing rules and regulations for the conduct of the internal operations of the Authority;

c. Organize the operating structure and functions of the Authority;

d. Approve the work and financial plan of the Authority;

e. Approve annual, medium-term and long-term cooperative development plans of the Authority consistent with the over-all socio-economic development policy of the national government;

f. Provide overall direction to the Authority, defining the respective roles of the national government agencies (NGAs), LGUs, people's organizations, private sector and non-government organizations (NGOs) in the promotion and development of the cooperative sector;

g. Conduct regular policy consultations with the cooperative sector government agencies, LGUs, people's organizations, private sector, NGOs, and other stakeholders on the Authority's policies, programs and initiatives;

h. Decide cases involving cooperatives that are submitted to the Board for resolution;

i. Authorize the Chairperson or the Administrator to enter into contracts or agreements in behalf of the Authority;

j. Approve and submit the annual proposed budget of the Authority to the President of the Philippines through the DBM;

k. Appoint Deputy Administrators; and

l. Formulate rules and regulations and exercise such other powers as may be required to implement the objectives of R.A. No. 11364.

a. Propose to the Board policy initiatives in accordance with the national development agenda, and/or agenda for the development of the cluster he/she represents;

b. Spearhead and facilitate the conduct of regular consultations;

c. Be primarily responsible in encouraging peace, unity and solidarity within the cluster he/she represents;

d. Conduct research for the development of the cluster;

e. Report to the Board his/her accomplishments; and

f. Represent the Authority in hearings or meetings in Congress and other government institutions on issues affecting their respective clusters.

a. Natural born Filipino citizen;

b. Holder of any bachelor's degree;

c. With five (5) years experience as an officer of a cooperative in the cluster one represents; and

d. Must be a resident of the Philippines for at least five (5) years prior to appointment.

a. Natural born Filipino citizen;

b. Holder of any bachelor's degree;

c. Must possess the necessary Civil Service Eligibility; and

d. With five (5) years of experience as an officer of a cooperative or official or employee in a government office or NGO dealing with cooperatives. Any person appointed as Administrator shall, upon appointment, divest oneself of any direct or indirect pecuniary interest or dealings with any cooperative.

a. Prepare, consolidate and submit periodic reports for the consideration of the Board;

b. Implement a human resource management system in accordance with existing Civil Service laws, rules and regulations that will promote professionalism and excellence in accordance with sound principles of management.

c. Prepare the proposed annual and supplemental budget of the Authority for the consideration and approval of the Board;

d. Submit report to the President of the Philippines and Congress on the performance and accomplishment of the Authority on an annual basis;

e. Appoint personnel lower than the position of Deputy Administrators;

f. Represent the Authority in all undertakings and where his/her presence is required; and

g. Perform such other functions as may be required by law.

a. General Administration and Support Services;

b. Institutional Development; 

c. Legal Affairs;

d. Registration, Supervision and Examination; and

e. Credit Surety Fund (CSF)

"Section 18. Partnership with the Cooperative Sector. A strong partnership between the Authority and the cooperative sector and the academe shall be established in implementing the development functions of the Authority as stated in Section 4, paragraphs (a), (b), (aa), (bb), (cc), (dd), (ee), (ii), and (jj), and Sec. 17 of this Act to ensure the maximum participation of the cooperative sector on matters of government plans, projects and policies affecting cooperatives.

The Authority, the cooperative sector, and the academe shall formulate guidelines for the implementation of the partnership that may give rise to the recognition of apex organizations and a national alliance representing all types and categories of cooperatives, as provided for under Section 4 (z) of this Act, that shall function as the overall consultative and coordinating body with the Authority.

The Authority shall recognize cooperative unions and federations under Articles 24 and 25 of RA No. 9520, and issue guidelines to promote and develop these secondary cooperatives.

Section 4 (a) Develop and formulate, in consultation with the cooperative sector and other concerned institutions, appropriate regulations, standards, rules, orders, guidelines and/or circulars to implement this Act and RA No. 9520 to ensure the effective and sound operation of cooperatives.

Section 4 (b) Formulate, adopt and implement integrated and comprehensive plans and programs on cooperative development consistent with the national policy on cooperatives and establish an integrated framework on cooperative development for all government agencies.

Section 4 (aa) Establish a consultative mechanism consistent with Section 18 of this Act in order to provide the cooperative sector a system to ensure participation on matters concerning government plans, programs, and policies affecting cooperatives.

Section 4 (bb) Coordinate with the provincial, city, or municipal cooperative offices the adoption and implementation of national plans, programs and policies on cooperative development, and to establish partnership in the promotion, organization, and development of cooperatives within the jurisdiction of the LGUs.

Section 4 (cc) Establish the formation and organization of cooperative development councils in the national, regional, provincial, city and municipal levels in order to provide the cooperative movement a system for policy consultation and program coordination in accordance with the guidelines to be prescribed by the Authority.

Section 4 (dd) Collaborate with concerned agencies that can provide technical, professional, and marketing assistance including trainings on transfer of technology to ensure the viability, growth, competitiveness and innovativeness of cooperatives, giving special concern to agrarian reform, agriculture, fishery and the economically depressed sectors.

Section 4 (ee) Provide assistance on cooperative product development and facilitate their marketing both in the domestic and international market in coordination with the concerned agencies.

Section 4 (ii) Formulate, adopt and implement, in a manner consistent with Section 17 of this Act, a standard of training for cooperative officers or members which shall focus on basic cooperative principles and values, good governance, business and entrepreneurial management, human resource management, risk management, conflict management, and technical skills required for the efficient and effective operations of the cooperatives.

Section 6 (f) Powers and Functions of the Board. Provide overall direction to the Authority, defining the respective roles of the national government agencies (NGAs), LGUs, people's organizations, private sector and non-government organizations (NGOs) in the promotion and development of the cooperative sector."

a. Formulate Local Cooperative Development Plan, consistent with the Philippine Development Plan and the Philippine Cooperative Development Plan, to be incorporated in the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) and Annual Investment Plan (AIP) of the Local Government Units (LGUs);

b. Ensure the provision of technical guidance, financial assistance and other services to develop cooperatives into viable and responsive economic enterprises;

c. Promote the organization of cooperatives and support their development within their areas of jurisdiction;

d. Establish partnership and collaboration in sharing of cooperative information and implementation of cooperative information and implementation of cooperative development plans and programs on cooperative promotion, development and regulation;

e. Assist the cooperatives in the preparation of registration documents and mandatory reports;

f. Provide trainings for the development of cooperatives and mandatory trainings in accordance with guidelines prescribed by the Authority;

g. Initiate and implement a localized program for the promotion and mandatory trainings in accordance with guidelines prescribed by the Authority;

h. Provide information as may be required by either party in relation to their respective research projects;

i. Facilitate the availment of local tax exemption privileges of cooperatives; and

j. The Authority shall conduct activities (trainings and seminars) to capacitate further its LGU-partners / Local Cooperative Development Offices and establish convergence in their approach in providing assistance to cooperatives.

"Sec. 4 (o) Develop and conduct management and training programs that will provide members of cooperatives with the entrepreneurial capabilities, managerial expertise, and technical skills required for efficient operation of their cooperatives and inculcate in them the true spirit of cooperativism and provide, when necessary, technical and professional assistance to ensure the viability and growth of cooperatives with special concern for agrarian reform, agriculture, fishery and the economically depressed sectors.

Sec. 4 (ii) Formulate, adopt and implement, in a manner consistent with Sec. 17 of this Act, a standard of training for cooperative officers or members which shall focus on basic cooperative principles and values, good governance, business and entrepreneurial management, human resource management, risk management, conflict management, and technical skills required for the efficient and effective operations of the cooperatives.

Sec. 17. Training Standards for Cooperative Officers and Members. - The Authority, in partnership with learning and training institutions with the cooperative sector, shall formulate standards of training requirements for cooperative officers and members to ensure compliance thereof.

The Authority may accredit organizations other than cooperatives but duly registered under Philippine laws and engaged in cooperative promotion, organization, research and education, as non-academic training institutions.

Upon request of cooperatives, state universities and colleges (SUCs) shall provide technical assistance and guidance to cooperatives in the communities where they are located. The SUCs may engage the support and participation of unions and federations of cooperatives in the implementation of this provision."

a. Cooperative federations;

b. Cooperative unions;

c. Training institutions including Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and academe

d. National Government Agencies (NGAs)

e. Local Cooperative Development Offices; and

f. Advocacy cooperatives.

a. Must have juridical personality;

b. For training institutions, NGOs and academe, they must be in existence for at least two (2) years;

c. Must have cooperative development program/s; and

d. Must have a pool of at least five (5) competent cooperative trainers who possess minimum qualifications as may be prescribed by the Authority.

"Sec. 19. Cooperatives in the Education System. - The history, philosophy concepts, values, principles and practices of cooperatives and their role in nation building, shall be part of the curriculum of both in formal and non-formal education.

Notwithstanding existing laws, memorandum orders and directives, cooperativism as a tool for self-empowerment and nation building shall be included in the curricula of senior students in all the secondary educational institutions and in the syllabus of any social and civic studies subject in the K to 12 level.

Cooperatives development and administration may be offered as a field of study in the baccalaureate, post baccalaureate and masteral programs in SUCs: Provided, That SUCs may also offer the courses on a non-traditional approach under the equivalency program of such SUCs accrediting the equivalent training that an officer has undertaken to the relevant subject offering in the curriculum: Provided, further That in cases where the SUCs do not offer a separate academic program in cooperative development and administration, the SUCs shall include three (3)-unit subject in the curricula of accountancy, agribusiness, agriculture, agricultural economics, business, community development, economics, education, environmental sciences, social sciences, political economy and other curricula that can be instrumental in the development of cooperatives."

"Sec. 4. (n) Conduct regular inspection or examination of a cooperative in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Authority and, when deemed necessary, conduct examination and investigation to protect the interest and welfare of the members of cooperatives and the general public.

For this purpose, cooperative federations, unions, local government units (LGUs), cooperative development offices (CDOs), cooperative federations and unions, and the alliance of cooperatives representing all types and categories of cooperatives as the consultative and coordinating body of the Authority, may be requested by the Authority to assist in the inspection and examination of a cooperative;"

"Sec. 4 (s) Compel the cooperative to call a general or representative assembly, as deemed necessary, under the supervision of the Authority with the participation of their respective cooperative federations or unions, subject to the criteria or conditions to be defined in the IRR issued for this purposes.

Sec. 4 (p) Conduct investigations, file necessary charges, discipline, suspend and/or remove erring officers and members of the cooperative for violation of cooperative laws, rules, regulations, issuances of the Authority, the ACBL, after due process, and direct the general assembly to replace the suspended/removed officers, in accordance with rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the Authority.

a. If the cooperative fails to call a regular meeting within the date fixed in the by-laws, or if not so fixed, within ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal year;

b. Upon petition of ten per centum (10%) of all members of the cooperative who are entitled to vote, and for good cause shown, by giving proper notice as required in R.A. No. 9520 or in the bylaw;

c. To report to the members, the result of any examination, or other investigation of the cooperative affairs consistent with R.A. No. 9520; and

d. To replace suspended or removed erring officers as directed by the Authority in the exercise of its quasi-judicial power.

a. Assist the cooperative in ensuring that the procedural process in calling the GA/RA meeting is observed;

b. Witness the conduct of the meeting;

c. Provide technical advisory and clarificatory assistance; and

d. Assist the election committee in performing its functions in case the GA/RA meeting requires the conduct of election.

"Sec. 4 (z) Recognize sectoral apex organizations and a national alliance representing all types and categories of cooperatives which shall function as the overall consultative and coordinating body with the Authority, for this purpose, the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 9520 are hereby amended accordingly, and the Authority shall issue the necessary IRR for this provision."

a. Credit and Financial  Services, Baking, Insurance, and Credit Surety Fund;

b. Consumers, Marketing, Producers, and Logistics;

c. Human Services: Health, Housing, Workers, and Labor Service;

d. Education and Advocacy;

e. Agriculture, Agrarian, Aquaculture, Farmers, Dairy, and Fisherfolk; and

f. Public Utilities: Electricity, Water, Communications, and Transport.

a. NAC

i. Request letter to be recognized as the NAC;

ii. Resolutions from SAOs signifying their recognition and commitment to support the NAC; and

iii. Minutes of organizational meeting.

b. SAOs

i. Request letter to be recognized as SAO;

ii. Resolution from each RCO signifying its recognition and commitment to support the respective SAO; and

iii. Minutes of organizational meeting.

c. RCOs

i. Request letter to be recognized as RCO; and

ii. Minutes of organizational meeting.

"Section 4 (cc) Establish the formation and organization of cooperative development councils in the national, regional, provincial, city and municipal levels in order to provide the cooperative movement a system for policy consultation and program coordination in accordance with the guidelines to be prescribed by the Authority."

a. Coordinate and harmonize the implementation of various cooperative plans, programs, and projects of the government;

b. Assist the Authority in the broad-based monitoring and coordination of the Philippine Cooperative Development Plan (PCDP) through the collective efforts of all sectors and to develop such mechanism in line with the PCDP; and

c. Propose policies affecting cooperatives for local and national implementation.

A. National Cooperative Development Council (NCDC)

1. Chairpersons of the Regional Cooperative Development Councils (RCDC);

2. Members of the National Coordinating Committee (NCC);

3. One (1) official representative from the Authority;

4. One (1) representative from the Committee on Cooperatives Development of the House of Representatives

5. One (1) representative from the Committee on Cooperatives Development of the Senate

6. National Presidents of the following leagues or their duly authorized representatives:

a. League of Provinces of the Philippines

b. League of Vice-Governors of the Philippines

c. League of Cities of the Philippines

d. League of Municipalities of the Philippines

e. Vice-Mayors League of the Philippines

f. Provincial Board Members League

g. Philippine Councils League

h. Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines

7. Chairperson or official representative of the National Alliance of Cooperatives (NAC);

8. President or official representatives of the academe as identified by the Authority;

9. One (1) official representative from each NGO with cooperative development programs as identified by the Authority;

10. President or the duly authorized representative of the League of Cooperative Development Officers of the Philippines.

B. Regional Cooperative Development Councils (RCDCs)

1. Regional Director of NGAs with cooperative programs;

2. Regional Director of the Authority;

3. Chairpersons of the Provincial Cooperative Development councils (PCDCs);

4. Chairpersons of the City Cooperative Development Councils of highly urbanized/independent component cities;

5. Chairpersons or official representatives of the RCOs;

6. Official representatives of NGOs with cooperative development programs;

7. One (1) official representative from state or private university and college with cooperative development programs; and

8. One (1) official representative from each Government Financial Institution (GFI).

C. Provincial Cooperative Development Councils (PCDCs)

1. Provincial Directors of the NGAs with cooperative programs;

2. Provincial Cooperative Development Officers or their equivalent designation;

3. Municipal Cooperative Development Officers or their equivalent designation;

4. City Cooperative Development Officers of component cities or their equivalent designation;

5. Chairperson of Municipal Cooperative Development Council (MCDC);

6. Chairperson of City Cooperative Development Council (CCDC) of the Component Cities;

7. Chairperson of the Committee on Cooperatives at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan;

8. One (1) official representative from the Authority;

9. One (1) representative from other offices of the LGU with cooperative programs;

10. One (1) official representative of secondary cooperatives;

11. One (1) official representative of the NGOs with cooperative programs; and

12. One (1) official representative from each of the Government Financial Institutions (GFIs);

Representatives from the Office of the Congressmen may be invited as special non-voting members of the PCDC.

D. City Cooperative Development Councils (CCDCs) at Highly Urbanized/Independent Component Cities shall consist of one (1) representative from each of the following organizations/institutions

1. City Directors of the NGAs or their equivalent designation

2. City Cooperative Development Office or its equivalent designation;

3. Chairperson of the Committee on cooperatives at the Sangguniang Panglungsod;

4. Chairpersons of primary and secondary cooperatives;

5. One (1) representative from other offices of the LGU with cooperative programs;

6. One (1) official representative from the Authority; and

7. Official representative of the NGOs with cooperative programs.

Representatives from the Office of the Congressmen may be invited as special non-voting members of the CCDC.

E. Municipal Cooperative Development Councils (MCDCs) and City Cooperative Development Councils (CCDCs) at the Component Cities shall consist of one (1) representative from each of the following organizations/institutions, except for numbers 1 and 2:

1. One (1) representative from each NGA operating in the municipality;

2. One (1) representative from each of the other offices of the LGU with cooperative programs;

3. One (1) official representative from the Authority;

4. Municipal/City Cooperative Development Officer;

5. Chairperson of the Committee on Cooperatives of Sangguniang Bayan/Panglungsod;

6. Chairpersons of municipal/city cooperative federations and unions;

7. Chairpersons of the primary cooperatives in the municipality/city; and

8. Official representatives of NGOs with cooperative programs;

"Sec. 4 (a) Develop and formulate, in consultation with the cooperative sector and other concerned institutions, appropriate regulations, standards, rules, orders, guidelines and/or circulars to implement this Act and Republic Act No. 9520 to ensure the effective and sound operation of cooperatives.

Sec. 4 (aa) Establish a consultative mechanism consultative mechanism consistent with Section 18 of this Act in order to provide the cooperative sector a system to ensure participation on matters concerning government plans, programs, and policies affecting cooperatives.

Sec. 4 (cc) Establish the formation and organization of cooperative development councils in the national, regional, provincial, city and municipal levels in order to provide the cooperative movement a system for policy consultation and program coordination in accordance with the guidelines to be prescribed by the Authority;

Sec. 4 (dd) Collaborate with concerned agencies that can provide technical, professional, and marketing assistance including trainings on transfer of technology to ensure the viability, growth, competitiveness and innovativeness of cooperatives giving special concern to agrarian reform, agriculture, fishery and the economically depressed sectors.

Sec. 4 (z) recognize sectoral apex organizations and a national alliance representing all types and categories of cooperatives which shall function as the overall consultative and coordinating body with the Authority, for this purpose, the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 9520 are hereby amended accordingly, and the Authority shall issue the necessary IRR for this provision.

Sec. 6 (g) Conduct regular policy consultations with the cooperative sector, government agencies, LGUs, people's organizations, private sector, NGOs, and other stakeholders on the Authority's policies, programs and initiatives.

Sec. 18.

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The Authority, the cooperative sector, and the academe shall formulate guidelines for the implementation of the partnership that may give rise to the recognition of apex organizations and a national alliance representing all types and categories of cooperatives, as provided for under Sec. 4 (z) of this Act, that shall function as the overall consultative and coordinating body with the Authority."

"Sec. 4. (p) Conduct investigations, file necessary charges, discipline, suspend and/or remove erring officers and members of the cooperative for violation of cooperative laws, rules, regulations, issuances of the Authority, the ACBL, after due process, and direct the general assembly to replace the suspended/removed officers, in accordance with the rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the Authority.

Sec. 4. (t) Hear and decide inter-cooperative and intra-cooperative disputes, controversies and/or conflicts, without prejudice to filing of civil and/or criminal cases by the parties concerned before the regular courts: Provided, That all decisions of the Authority are appealable directly to the Court of Appeals.

Sec. 4. (w) Issue subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum for the parties to appear and produce documents in any proceedings of the Authority 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.

Sec. 4 (x) Cite for contempt any person guilty of misconduct in the presence of the Authority which seriously interrupts any hearing or inquiry and impose a fine of not more than Five thousand pesos (Php5,000.00) 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.

Sec. 4. (y) Implement and enforce its decision and orders with the assistance of deputized law enforcement agencies or the LGU concerned as may be necessary.

Sec. 6. (h) Decide cases involving cooperatives that are submitted to the Board for resolution.

a. Complaints against the cooperatives, their officers and or members, for violations or cooperative laws, rules and regulations, issuances of the Authority, and their articles of cooperation and bylaws;

b. Election-related complaints;

c. Adverse inspection, examination and/or investigation findings against the cooperatives, their officers and/or members for violations of cooperative laws, rules and regulations, issuances of the Authority, and their articles of cooperation and bylaws; and

d. Other cases falling within the jurisdiction of the Authority and/or analogous to the foregoing.

a. Cases involving violations of R.A. No. 11364, R.A. No. 9520, R.A. No. 10744 and their respective Implementing Rules and Regulations, other issuances, orders, rules and regulations of the Authority, and Articles of Cooperation and ByLaws by cooperatives registered with and directly supervised by the CDA Head Office;

b. Acts or omissions committed by officers/members of said cooperatives; and 

c. Inter-cooperative disputes between or among cooperatives registered in two or more regions.

a. Filing a Notice of Appeal;

b. Furnishing copies of said Notice of Appeal together with the Appellant's Memorandum to opposing part/s and counsel/s; and

c. Payment of appeal fee.

"Sec. 4.(q) Order the suspension or cancellation of the Certificate of Registration of cooperatives and/or the revocation of the Letter of Authority and/or Certificate of Authority to establish and operate satellite or branch offices, respectively, after due notice and hearing for non-compliance with lawful orders, rules and regulations of the Authority, including the ACBL of the cooperative subject to the conditions as defined in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of this Act.

Section 4. (r) Order the dissolution and liquidation of cooperatives as well as the transfer of all or substantially all of their assets and liabilities."

a. Having obtained its registration by fraud;

b. Existing for an illegal purpose;

c. Willful violation, despite notice by the Authority, of the provisions of R.A. No. 9520, R.A. No. 10744 or its by-laws;

d. Willful failure to operate on a cooperative basis;

e. Failure to meet the required minimum number of members in the cooperative; and

f. Non-compliance with lawful orders, rules and regulations of the Authority, including the articles of cooperation and by-laws of the cooperative.

"Sec. 4. (u) Adopt and implement a dispute resolution mechanism that will settle conflicts between and among members, officers, and directors of cooperatives, and between and among cooperatives in accordance with Article 137 of Republic Act No. 9520, which amended Republic Act No. 6938, and Republic Act No. 9285, otherwise known as the "Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004". However, in case of election related issues, the aggrieved party may elevate the case for adjudication to the Authority without undergoing through the alternative dispute resolution."

"Sec. 14. Registration for Tax Exemption. - The Authority shall furnish the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), LGUs which include provinces, highly urbanized and independent cities, and other concerned agencies a certified list of duly registered cooperatives for purposes of processing tax exemptions.

Any public official or employee who violates or in any manner circumvents this provision shall be dealt with in accordance with Article 140 of Republic Act No. 9520.

"Sec. 20. Cooperatives in the Agriculture Sector and Fishery Sector. The promotion and development of agricultural, agrarian and aqua cooperatives: farmers, dairy and fisherfolk and, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and other government agencies shall be a priority program of the Authority to ensure food security and reduce rural poverty."

a. Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs);

b. Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR);

c. National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); and

d. Other government agencies.

"Sec. 21. Cooperatives in the Banking System. The promotion and development of cooperative banks, as part of the banking system and of financial service cooperatives as defined in Republic Act No. 9520, shall be a special concern of the Authority which shall undertake the necessary program in collaboration with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the cooperative sector concerned."

"Sec. 22. Cooperatives Engaged in Services Covered by Other Laws. Registered cooperatives shall secure the necessary licenses, franchises, certificates of authority and permits from other appropriate agencies with jurisdiction over their activities, if required by other exiting laws, rules, and regulations."

"Sec. 15. Prohibition. Except as provided for under Article 130 of Republic Act No. 9520, the use by any person or organization of the word "cooperative:, "coop", "co-op" and "koop" in their business name, unless duly registered with the Authority, shall be prohibited and shall be penalized under Article 140 of Republic Act No. 9520."

"Sec. 24. Transitory Provisions. The Authority shall collect existing accounts receivables from the transfer of funds from the DA under Presidential Decree No. 175, as amended, and such other funds coursed through the Authority, or enter into compromise agreements or the condonation of said accounts, subject to rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Authority and the Commission on Audit (COA)."

"Sec. 27. Information Campaign. The Authority is mandated to conduct a massive information campaign on the provisions of this Act upon its effectivity."