Zubiri welcomes signing of ‘CDO Act’

On Apr 20, 2021

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, principal author of SB 2408, seeking to extend voters' registration by another month. The Comelec, however, said they can only offer a 1-week extension in return.

SENATE Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri has welcomed the signing by Pres. Duterte last April 13, 2021, of his proposal to further strengthen the cooperative movement in the country by creating ‘cooperative development officer’ positions in all local government units.

“This has been such a long-awaited bill by our cooperative sector, so I thank the President for signing it into law,” Zubiri said.

The solon is referring to RA 11535, or the Cooperative Development Officer Act (CDO Act). Zubiri is the principal sponsor of the measure and chair, Senate Committee on Cooperatives.

Under the law, the CDO position is now a mandatory plantilla position in all LGUs in order to provide on-the-ground government support to the cooperative sector.

Local governments will be given a choice between appointing a full-fledged CDO, or merging the responsibilities of a CDO with an existing position, if this is more feasible with respect to the size of the local cooperative sector, or the capability of the local government to provide the proper compensation from its budget.

“It’s timely for us to establish CDOs as we emerge from the pandemic.

“Our cooperatives will really need focused, particularized assistance during this crucial period of recovery,” Zubiri said, adding:

“Through our CDOs, we will really be able to reach out to every single cooperative in the nation, and we’ll be better positioned to help Filipinos help themselves.”