Senator Christopher ‘’Bong’’ Go today said he supports a bill directing local government units (LGUs) to appoint cooperatives development officers as he reiterated his call for cooperatives to help promote bayanihan efforts in their communities.
(OFFICE OF SEN. BONG GO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
During a regular Senate session held yesterday, Go expressed his support for a measure that would mandate every municipality, city and province to appoint their respective cooperatives development officers.
The bill will also encourage the formation of cooperatives for employees and strengthen local government units.
Go said that the passage of Senate Bill 1855 would serve as an opportunity for all government officials and individual stakeholders with low- and average-income earners status to engage and increase productivity that would contribute to their economic upliftment.
“For these reasons, Mr. President, I manifest my intent to be a co-author of this measure,” Go said in his manifestation.
The bill, filed by Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Senators Risa Hontiveros, Ramon Revilla Jr., and Francis Tolentino, will amend Republic Act 7160, also known as the Local Government Code of 1991.
Earlier, at the virtual forum with cooperative leaders held on September 17, Go called for continued cooperation and bayanihan (community spirit) among the country's cooperatives as he recognized their role in development and nation-building.
He encouraged them to help their communities during these trying times.
“Cooperatives have become an important force in countryside development and nation-building. Not only have they contributed to the development of the sectors they represent but they have also encouraged the empowerment of their respective stakeholders and communities,” he said.
The Senator reiterated his earlier call for cooperatives to utilize the Community Development Fund and implement projects that would mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on their stakeholders.
The Philippine Cooperative Center released a statement last April heeding Go’s initial call. It detailed the many forms of assistance the Center had extended to their communities in support of the government’s efforts during the pandemic.