Lawmakers Express Support to Cooperatives and Food Security

MANILA, Philippines. During their congratulatory speeches at the 13th Gawad Parangal Awards of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Rep. Nicanor Briones and Felimon Espares expressed their support for the cooperative sector through the new laws they were passing.  The Gawad Parangal Awards is a prestigious event that recognizes outstanding cooperatives and key partners in the sector.

Espares, the Cooperative-National Confederation of Cooperatives party-list representative, said it was his duty as the cooperative’s voice in the congress to stand in solemnity with the cooperative community through pursuing new policies.

One of his advocacies was to allocate a budget for CDA through House Bill 1329 or the Cooperative Banking Act. Having cooperative banks will make financial services more accessible to cooperatives, therefore encouraging self-reliance and economic development.

Espares said there are still three more bills related to the cooperative movement waiting for their counterparts in CDA. “With that, I will encourage the sector, our CDA to work with us to speed things up and uphold our mandate to aid cooperatives in the Philippines.”

“With this, let’s collaborate. We still have a lot of work in-house, especially the transport cooperative. Together, we will navigate the challenges, celebrate successes, and continue to champion the cooperative goals in the Philippines,” he said.

Briones, the Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines (Agap) Party-list representative, and chair of the House Committee on Cooperative Development, pledged that he and the other congressmen will continue to support cooperatives through new laws and amendments. This is their way of showing gratitude to the cooperatives for being one of their partners.

In response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call, the congressmen submitted proposals for the amendment of the Republic Act No. 9520, or the Cooperative Code of 2008, to better address the needs of cooperatives in modern times.

This call was made during the president’s State of the Nation Address. The President wanted to strengthen the sector’s productivity, lessen the effects of inflation, and address food security.

Other than that, Briones passed House Bill No. 6975, the anti-agricultural economic sabotage act or amendment to the anti-agricultural smuggling act. This is an effort of lawmakers to address the problem of agricultural smuggling by imposing lifetime imprisonment and a fine six times compared to the value of smuggled goods.

The law will also create the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council, a national task force comprised of law enforcement agency members who will be on the lookout for smuggled goods. This act is one of the president’s priority bills, Briones said.

Briones also passed House Bill no. 3139 or the Livestock, Poultry and Dairy Competitiveness and Enhancement Act. Under this Act, a portion of collected tariffs from the importation of agricultural products will be allocated to the Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

The money from this fund will be funneled to programs – such as African Swine Fever Prevention programs and Avian Influenza Protection and Prevention programs – and livestock-producing areas to increase the productivity of this sector.

Similarly, the Agap Party-list representative also filed the House bill no. 8783 or the Yellow Corn Industry Act of 2023. This Act created the Corn Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. Two billion and eight hundred pesos will be allocated to the fund during annual appropriation, and this will be sourced from tariff collections on imported corn, feeds, and other related products.

House Bill No. 7939 or the Animal Health and Veterinary Services Act pushed for making the Bureau of Animal Industry, the authority for veterinary products. This will enhance animal production safety, surveillance of diseases among animals, and promote veterinary practices. The act also aims to make veterinary services accessible to every local government unit.

Briones said that the amendments and laws are expected to be passed within the year. “We are hoping that these laws will be passed so that we can aid cooperatives in addressing food security in the country,” he said.

Other legislators who were recognized for their support of cooperatives are Christopher “Bong” Go and Francis Tolentino, as well as other members of the House Committee on Cooperative Development. These are Yevgeny Vicente Emano, Lordan Suan, Wilton Kho, and Sergio Dagooc.

Briones also congratulated the awardees and winners on the said event, recognizing them as an instrument of change for the Filipino people.

“All of you have shown your competence in helping cooperatives flourish. Not only that, you were keen on establishing programs for the Filipino people. Your role in the development of our country is indeed unassailable,” he said in Filipino.

“The awards are a recognition that goes beyond individual achievement and Cooperative spirit – the spirit that prioritizes community, inclusivity, and shared prosperity that defines the heart of the cooperative movement,” Espares said.

Espares reiterated the role of cooperatives as a powerful vehicle for change. “This celebration is not just a completion of our remarkable contribution to the cooperative community, but also underscores our vital role in participatory leadership and a testament to our unwavering commitment to society’s progress.”

“It is a reminder of the potential that lies within the cooperative sector to drive social change and contribute to a more equitable and prosperous future of our nation, recognizing the cooperative movement as a testament to the power of collective action,” he added.