What are the functions of the Cooperative Development Authority?

Answer 1

• Formulate, adopt and implement integrated and comprehensive plans and programs on cooperative development consistent with the national policy on cooperatives and the overall socio-economic development plans of the Government;
• Develop and conduct management and training programs upon request of cooperatives that will provide members of cooperatives with the entrepreneurial capabilities, managerial expertise, and technical skills required for the 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, fishery and economically depressed sectors;
• Support the voluntary organization and consensual development of activities that promote cooperative movements and provide assistance towards upgrading managerial and technical expertise upon request of the cooperatives concerned;
• Coordinate the efforts of the local government units and the private sector in the promotion, organization and development of cooperatives;
• Register all cooperatives, their federations and unions, including their divisions, consolidations, dissolutions or liquidation. It shall also register the transfer of all or substantially all of their assets and liabilities and such other matters as may be required by the authority;
• Require all cooperatives, their federations and unions to submit their annual financial statements, duly audited by certified public Accountants, and general information sheets;
• Order the cancelation after due notice and hearing of the cooperatives certificate of registration for non-compliance with administrative requirements and in case of voluntary dissolution;
• Assist cooperatives in arranging for financial and other forms of assistance under such terms and conditions as are calculated to strengthen their viability and autonomy;
• Establish extension offices as may be necessary and financially viable to implement this Act. Initially, there shall be extension offices in the Cities of Dagupan, Manila, Naga, Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao;
• Impose and collect reasonable fees and charges in connection with registration of cooperatives;
• Administer all grants and donations coursed through the Government for cooperative development, without prejudice to the right of cooperatives to directly receive and administer such grants and donations upon agreement with the grantors and donor thereof;
• Formulate and adopt continuing policy initiatives consultations with the cooperative sector through public hearing;
• Adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its internal operations;
• Submit an annual report to the President and Congress on the state of the cooperative movement; and
• Exercise such other functions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of cooperative laws and, in the performance thereof, the Authority may summarily punish for direct contempt any person guilty of misconduct in the presence of the Authority which seriously interrupts any hearing or inquiry with a fine of not more than Five hundred pesos (P500.00) or imprisonment of not more than ten (10) days, or both. Acts consisting indirect contempt as defined under Rule 71 of the Rules of Court shall be punished in accordance with the said rule.