Cooperatives has critical nation-building role
Prioritizing government assistance to farmers and IPs through cooperatives could lessen the instances of the aid being politicized
Daily TribunePrioritizing government assistance to farmers and IPs through cooperatives could lessen the instances of the aid being politicized
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SENATOR ROBIN PADILLA FACEBOOK SENATOR Robinhood Padilla.
Cooperatives can play a critical role in creating competitive markets by enabling better access to opportunities, particularly for farmers' groups and indigenous peoples traditionally marginalized or uncompetitive in a market exposed to domestic and international competition.
Senator Robinhood Padilla said a strong collaboration and coordination among involved national line agencies, such as the Cooperative Development Authority, Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, is crucial.
"Ito pong coordination ng DA sa pagbibigay ng fertilizer sa mga magsasaka ay dinadaan sa LGU at ito po ay madalas ginagamitan ng pulitika. Kaya akin pong minungkahi sa DA na mas mainam kung ito ay idadaan sa kooperatiba (The DA coordinates with LGUs in distributing fertilizers to farmers, but sometimes being politicized. That's the reason why I suggested to DA that it is better to provide assistance to cooperatives instead)," Padilla said.
He continued that putting a premium on cooperatives manned by farmers and indigenous peoples is vital to determine these sectors' specific needs effectively.
Padilla emphasized that prioritizing government assistance to farmers and IPs through cooperatives could lessen the instances of the aid being politicized, especially when it is being coursed through the local government units.
The senator insisted that IP communities should also get enough "attention and time" from the CDA, NCIP, DSWD, and the DA, in terms of essential government services.
He said that IPs would greatly benefit once the centralization of government assistance is coursed through the cooperatives.
