Cooperatives eye stronger political voice

The Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives Inc. is set to convene its 3rd National Leadership Congress, seeking to translate the economic strength of the country’s cooperative sector into a stronger voice in national policymaking and governance.

The congress, themed “Economic Strength to Political Voice: Organizing the Cooperative Vote for National Governance,” will bring together representatives of 16 regional cooperative chambers, from the Cordillera Administrative Region to the Caraga region.

The chamber said the gathering marks a shift toward more organized and direct policy advocacy for cooperatives, which have long supported financial inclusion, agriculture, transportation and community-based enterprises.

“The Cooperative Vote is not about seeking partisan favors, it is an exercise in democratic self-determination,” Coop Chamber chairperson Noel D. Raboy said.

Raboy said the group aims to engage national leaders, including members of Congress and executive agencies, on policies affecting cooperative members and local economies.

Coop Chamber secretary general Edwin A. Bustillos said the group is also pursuing what it called the Senatorial Project 2028, through which it plans to assess and engage candidates based on their positions on cooperative-related legislation.

“The Senatorial Project and the Coop Vote are not merely political exercises, they are a structural awakening,” Bustillos said.

The chamber said its 2026-2028 executive and legislative agenda will focus on protecting democratic participation within cooperatives, maintaining statutory tax exemptions, strengthening local government support and prioritizing agricultural, agrarian reform, transport and utility cooperatives.

Among its proposals is the protection of the “One Member, One Vote” principle in primary cooperatives and the promotion of “One Coop, One Vote” in federations and secondary cooperatives.

The group also plans to work with the Bureau of Internal Revenue on the implementation of tax exemptions provided under Republic Act 9520, or the Philippine Cooperative Code.

It is likewise pushing for legislation requiring local government units to establish Local Cooperative Development Funds and appoint dedicated Cooperative Development Officers.

Vice chairperson and trustee Marlene Sindayen said democratic participation remains central to the cooperative movement.

“At the very heart of the cooperative movement is the sacred principle of equity and democratic participation,” Sindayen said.

The chamber said it will continue coordinating with the Cooperative Development Authority, congressional committees on cooperatives, national government agencies and local government units.

It also cited planned discussions with the BIR and other government partners on issues involving poverty reduction, food security and sustainable economic development.