Representing millions of member-owners across 16 Regional Cooperative Chambers from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to CARAGA, the Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives, Inc. (Coop Chamber) is convening its 3rd National Leadership Congress (NLC) under the theme “Economic Strength to Political Voice: Organizing the Cooperative Vote for National Governance.”
The congress marks a significant step in the cooperative movement’s push to translate its economic influence into a unified, organized, and non-partisan voice in national policy and governance.
For decades, primary cooperatives have played an important role in financial inclusion, agriculture, transportation, and community-based enterprises. The Coop Chamber now seeks to strengthen the sector’s participation in policy discussions by organizing its grassroots membership around a common legislative agenda.
Advancing Cooperative Priorities
Among the Coop Chamber’s key priorities for 2026–2028 are protecting democratic participation through the principles of “One Member, One Vote” and “One Coop, One Vote,” defending cooperative tax exemptions under Republic Act No. 9520 or the Philippine Cooperative Code, and establishing dedicated Local Cooperative Development Funds and Cooperative Development Officers within local government units.
The group is also advocating for government procurement preferences for agricultural and agrarian reform cooperatives, as well as legislative support for transport modernization and utility cooperatives.
Chairperson Noel D. Raboy emphasized that the cooperative vote is intended as an exercise in democratic participation rather than partisan alignment.
Meanwhile, Secretary General Edwin A. Bustillos described the initiative as an effort to organize primary cooperatives across all 16 regions into a proactive legislative bloc, while Vice Chairperson and Trustee Marlene Sindayen highlighted the importance of maintaining democratic equality within the movement.
Senatorial Project 2028
The Coop Chamber is also launching its Senatorial Project 2028, an initiative focused on engaging with national leaders and evaluating senatorial candidates based on their commitment to cooperative-friendly legislation.
The organization says the initiative will remain non-partisan, with the cooperative sector engaging candidates who demonstrate support for policies benefiting its member-owners.
The congress will also bring the sector together with government partners, including the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), congressional committees on cooperatives, national government agencies, and local government units.
Through the gathering, the Coop Chamber aims to demonstrate how the cooperative movement’s economic strength can contribute to poverty reduction, food security, sustainable development, and broader grassroots participation in national governance.
Categories: Business, Economy, Cooperatives, Governance, Philippines
SEO Tags: Philippine Cooperatives, Cooperative Sector, National Leadership Congress, Coop Vote, Senatorial Project 2028
