LGUs are tasks to formulate Local Cooperative Development Plan consistent with the

National Development Plan and the Philippine Cooperative Medium-term

Development Plan; to be incorporated in the Comprehensive Development Plan
(CDP) and Annual Investment Plan (AIP) of the Local Government Units (LGUs);
ensure the provision of technical guidance, financial assistance and other services to
develop cooperatives into viable and responsive economic; promote the organization
of cooperative and support their development within their areas of jurisdiction; appoint
the Local Cooperative Development Officer to take charge of the office for the
development of cooperatives; establish partnership and collaboration in the sharing of
cooperative information and implementation of cooperative development plans and
programs with the CDA being the lead government agency on cooperative promotion,
development and regulation; assist the cooperative in the preparation of registration
documents and mandatory report, in collaboration with the CDA; provide training for
the development of cooperative in accordance with guidelines prescribed by the
CDA; initiate and implement a localized program for cooperatives promotion and
development within their jurisdiction, in line with CDA policies on cooperatives; and
provide such information as required by the CDA in relation to its research projects.

Recommended Actions for LGUs are highlighted in the case study of Dr. Edna
Co entitled “Experiences in Cooperative – LGU Collaboration”. This includes the
LGUs need to officially recognize the cooperatives in local governance and to
institutionalize the presence of cooperatives in local government structure; laying
down policies which would further encourage the participation of cooperatives in the
CDCs; ensuring that CDCs are indeed functional and that these are regularly
consulted and involved in identifying local development policies and projects,
planning and implementing the same; allocating portion of the local budget to this
council; inclusion of a Cooperative Officer at the level of the LGU, as one who would
approximate the functions and responsibilities of a Planning and Development
Officer; providing incentives and meritorious appreciation for coops that involve
themselves in the CDC and similar structures of local governance; recognizing the
capability of coops through contracts and service agreements; and through
resolutions that promote and encourage coop activities specially when coops prove
their reliability and trustworthiness. The role of the LGU and the local chief executives
are crucial in the institutionalization of the partnership. More than the coops, the
LGUs are expected to take the lead in any policy to institutionalize the collaboration
and to carry out such policy.