QUEZON CITY (PIA) — More than 90 cooperatives from across the Philippines gathered in Quezon City on Wednesday for the 2026 Cooperatives Sectoral Congress, joining national government agencies (NGAs) in bringing government programs, projects, and policies closer to millions of cooperative members nationwide.
With the theme “Strengthening Cooperatives, Advancing Inclusive Development: From Fiscal Equity to Adequate Housing,” the congress brought together cooperative leaders and government representatives to strengthen coordination on programs and policies that can directly benefit their members, families, and communities.
Among the government institutions present were the Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives, Inc. (Coop Chamber), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Pag-IBIG Fund, which sought to engage cooperative members and organizations to opportunities tied to housing, livelihood, taxation, and poverty alleviation.
As of the latest data from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), there are 30, 606 registered cooperatives in the country with more than 19 million individual members.
With millions of Filipinos taking part in cooperatives, speakers at the congress emphasized the potential of the sector to serve as a bridge between government programs down to the grassroots level.
“May this congress result in a clear direction and stronger partnership and complete steps toward fiscal equity, adequate housing, poverty reduction and inclusive development,” said Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives, Inc. Chairperson Noel Raboy in a video message.
BIR discussed issues and concerns affecting cooperatives, particularly those relating to tax exemptions and incentives, relevant to the agency’s recently concluded national taxation forum. The discussion provided cooperatives with an opportunity to better understand their tax-related obligations and responsibilities.
Housing then emerged as another key area where stronger cooperation between the government and cooperatives can make a difference.
Coop Chamber Secretary-General Edwin Bustillos cited data from the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), showing a six-million housing projects backlog that cooperatives may take advantage of.
“Paano makakatulong ang Pag-IBIG housing para matuldukan ang backlog na ito. Ano ang magagawa ng cooperative para sa kanilang mga pamilya at members. Let's take the opportunity today,” Bustillos said.
“Maging bukas sa lahat ng talakayan at maging mapanuri sa mga programa na ipaparating sa atin. Kailangan natin iangat ang antas ng pamumuhay at dignidad ng ating mga kasapi,” he added.
“Iniimbitahan na po namin kayo para makipag-ugnayan po sa amin para makita po natin kung makakatulong po ang programang ito na kung mayroon po kayong housing project na gustong itayo para sa inyong mga miyembro,” he said.
Programs like the Rental Housing Construction Loan and Group Land Acquisition and Development Plus are some of the services of Pag-IBIG Fund that the cooperatives may take advantage of for the welfare and growth of their members, he noted.
With more than 19 million individual members, the cooperatives sector is definitely a strong pillar in nation-building, bridging the gap between its constituents and government, as well as delivering relevant programs, projects, and services to families and communities they serve. (JVD/PIA-NCR)
0 Comments