Antique coops mull registration benefits with CDA

By Pilar S. Mabaquiao

Saturday 16th of March 2013

SAN JOSE, Antique, March 16 (PIA6) -- The Antique Provincial Cooperative Development Council (APCDC) has organized a multi-sectoral committee to work on possibilities to register power/electric cooperative with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).

Felimon Espares, manager, Barbaza Multi-purpose Cooperative at the same time chairman of APCDC in a meeting with leaders of cooperatives, non-government organizations, media, students, government offices and other power stakeholders cited some advantages of having power/electric cooperatives registered with CDA.

He said if power cooperatives like Antique Electric Cooperative (ANTECO) will be registered with CDA, consumer members will at least be given a hand on major policies and directions of the cooperative.

Republic Act 9520 or the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008 serves as the basis in registration of cooperatives to the CDA.

Registration of ANTECO with CDA, according to Espares will be mutually advantageous to ANTECO management and the member consumers.

Of the 120 electric/power coops in the country, 12 so far have been registered with CDA.

CDA- registered coops have many gains to share, such as lower power rates, tax exemptions, patronage refund, members generating capital build up, support services to members, among others, the source stated.

"This, we also wish Antiqueno power consumers to gain, thus, we initiate the conversion of Antique Electric Cooperative (ANTECO) to CDA", Espares disclosed.

APCDC also appealed to the management and Board of Directors of ANTECO to join them in their move to conduct a referendum so that the general sentiments of the members or the power consumers can be heard.

Espares likewise assured that the move to register ANTECO with CDA does not mean to change the system, management and personnel of said coop but rather to strengthen the empowerment of its members who are the power consumers. (JCM//PSM/PIA6 Antique)