CDA Region VIII Extension Office

𝘾𝘿𝘼 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙑𝙄𝙄𝙄 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙚𝙨 𝙁𝘾𝙋𝘼𝙈𝙎 𝙊𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙀𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙑𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝙖𝙡𝙤, 𝙇𝙚𝙮𝙩𝙚

Following the successful conduct of the first batch of orientations at Hotel de Fides, Tacloban City, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region VIII Extension Office continued its advocacy on financial consumer protection through another batch of orientation sessions held at Tropics, Palo, Leyte yesterday, May 28, 2026.

The activity gathered another set of cooperatives from across Eastern Visayas that are engaged in providing financial products and services. The orientation focused on deepening the understanding of participants on CDA Memorandum Circular No. 2025-08, or the “Guidelines on the Establishment of the Financial Consumer Protection Assistance Management System (FCPAMS) by CDA Regulated Entities (CDAREs),” together with other related issuances and regulatory requirements.

Mr. Joselito O. Hallazgo, Director of the Credit Surety Fund Service of the Cooperative Development Authority, once again served as the resource speaker for the orientation. Through his discussions, participating cooperatives were guided on the importance of establishing an effective Financial Consumer Protection Assistance Management System to safeguard the rights and welfare of cooperative members and financial consumers.

The orientation emphasized the role of cooperatives in promoting transparency, accountability, and responsible financial service delivery. Participants were also provided practical guidance on compliance with Republic Act No. 11765 or the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act, ensuring that CDA Regulated Entities adopt mechanisms that address consumer concerns, complaints, and financial protection measures.

Through this continuing initiative, CDA Region VIII reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the cooperative sector by equipping cooperatives with the necessary knowledge and tools to uphold financial consumer protection standards and foster greater trust and confidence among their members and stakeholders.

Eastern Visayas Strengthens Cooperative leadership with New RCDC-8 officers Elected for 2026–2028

Tacloban City — The Regional Cooperative Development Council 8 (RCDC) held its 2nd Quarter Organizational Meeting and successfully elected a new set of officers for the 2026–2028 term, signifying an essential stride forward in the continued development of cooperatives across Eastern Visayas.

The meeting convened representatives from National Government Agencies with Cooperative programs, provincial and city cooperative development councils, academes, federation, and regional cooperatives cluster, to review regional progress, address challenges and priorities. Key agenda items included the Orientation on the Philippine Cooperative Development Plan 2025-2028, aligning regional efforts with national priorities.

A major highlight of the session was the formal election of officers. The newly elected officers under the chairmanship of Eastern Visayas State University headed by President, Dr. Dennis C. De Paz, duly represented by Dr. Felix Dexter O. Barrion, will steer the council’s programs, partnerships, and advocacy efforts over the next two years. Serving alongside the chairmanship are the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as Vice-Chairperson, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) as Secretary, Bureau of Internal Revenue Region No. 14 (BIR) as Treasurer, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as Auditor, with the CMPL Regional Cluster and Agriculture Regional Cluster serving as the Secretariat. The newly constituted leadership is expected to further strengthen inter-agency cooperation and foster innovative, inclusive, and sustainable initiatives that will benefit communities and stakeholders throughout Eastern Visayas.

𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙀𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙨: 𝘾𝘿𝘼-𝘾𝙁𝙄𝘿𝙋 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙨 𝙀𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙪𝙩 𝙁𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨

The Cooperative Development Authority – Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CDA-CFIDP) successfully conducted the Enterprise Development Training for Coconut Farmer Cooperatives – Batch 3 on May 26–28, 2026, at The Tropics at MacArthur Park Resort and Convention Center in Palo, Leyte.

The three-day training gathered 51 participants from 14 coconut farmer cooperatives in Northern Samar under the CFIDP program. The activity aimed to strengthen cooperative management, promote organizational sustainability, and enhance the knowledge and skills of cooperative leaders and members. On the first day, participants attended the Business Improvement Planning Workshop under the theme, “Building Sustainable Cooperative Enterprise for Coconut Farmer Cooperatives,” facilitated by Mr. Edmundo F. Gariando. The session emphasized the vital role of entrepreneurship in strengthening cooperatives and advancing sustainable development among coconut farmers.

Participants were reoriented on the significance of the cooperative movement in enterprise development and engaged in discussions and workshops on Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies (PECs), cooperative values, SWOT analysis, and industry situation assessment. The session also highlighted the preparation of a One-Page Business Improvement Plan (BIP), covering key areas such as marketing, operations, organization and management, and financial planning. Through the workshop, participants were able to identify operational gaps, generate business ideas, and formulate initial business improvement plans aimed at enhancing the sustainability, productivity, and growth of their respective cooperatives.
The second day featured resource speakers from the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office VIII (DA-RFO 8), who discussed Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and sustainable farming methods for coconut farmers.

Ms. Marilyn T. Ritaga, Senior Agriculturist of the Organic Agriculture Program, discussed the importance of organic agriculture and the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices to improve farm productivity, ensure food safety, and promote environmental sustainability. She also presented government programs and support services available to farmers and cooperatives engaged in organic and sustainable agriculture. Meanwhile, Mr. Aaron Contridas, Agriculturist I, further discussed Good Agricultural Practices, emphasizing proper farm management, sustainable agricultural techniques, and the importance of quality production standards in increasing the productivity and income of coconut farmers.

The training served as an important venue for cooperative members to gain valuable knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and improve both enterprise management and agricultural practices. Through initiatives such as this, CDA-CFIDP continues to empower coconut farmer cooperatives toward building resilient organizations and achieving sustainable livelihoods.
Participants expressed their appreciation for the learning opportunity and reaffirmed their commitment to applying the knowledge and skills gained from the training within their respective cooperatives and farming communities.

To our CDA Administrator, Doc Mannie!

HAPPENING NOW!

The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region VIII Extension Office is currently gathering cooperatives across Eastern Visayas that offer financial products and services at Hotel de Fides, Tacloban City for the Orientation on CDA Memorandum Circular No. 2025-08, entitled “Guidelines on the Establishment of the Financial Consumer Protection Assistance Management System (FCPAMS) by CDA Regulated Entities (CDAREs),” along with other related issuances.

The orientation is honored by the presence of Mr. Joselito O. Hallazgo, Director of the Credit Surety Fund Service of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), who serves as the resource speaker and shares valuable insights on strengthening financial consumer protection within the cooperative sector.

This activity aims to enhance the capacity of cooperatives in Region VIII in establishing and effectively implementing the Financial Consumer Protection Assistance Management System (FCPAMS). It further guides CDA Regulated Entities (CDAREs) in ensuring compliance with CDA MC No. 2025-08 and Republic Act No. 11765, also known as the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act, promoting fair, transparent, and responsible delivery of financial services to cooperative members and stakeholders.

𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙘 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙥𝘽𝙞𝙯 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙨

https://cda.gov.ph/updates/notice-to-the-public-regarding-coopbiz-status/

𝗖𝗗𝗔 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗜𝗜𝗜 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟯 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗼, 𝗟𝗲𝘆𝘁𝗲

Today, May 15, 2026, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region VIII Extension Office, through Regional Director Venus together with staff Mr. Rowan delos Santos and Jonel Baldoza Cerbito, joined the Ceremonial Turnover of Rice Processing Center 3 of the CUTA Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative held at Brgy. Pikas, Barugo, Leyte. The project, funded under the Department of Agriculture – National Rice Program through the GAA 2023, highlights the government’s continued support for strengthening the agriculture and cooperative sectors. In her message, RD Venus highlighted the importance of unity, strong partnership, and responsible cooperative management in ensuring the sustainability of the facility. She also emphasized value-adding through proper branding and packaging to enhance market competitiveness. The rice processing center is expected to improve farmers’ income, reduce post-harvest losses, generate local employment, and
strengthen food security—contributing to more resilient and inclusive rural development in the community.

𝙏𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙏𝙤𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙖 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧: 𝘿𝘼𝙍 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝘿𝘼 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙑𝙄𝙄𝙄 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙍𝘽𝙊 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙛𝙪𝙡 2026 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙣

DAR and CDA Region VIII Empower ARBO Cooperatives Through the Successful 2026 Compliance Caravan Following the successful Preparatory and Coordination Meeting held last February 19, 2026, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region VIII, headed by the Regional Director Venus M. Jornales, and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Region VIII, led by Regional Director Atty. Robert Anthony Yu, successfully conducted the 2026 DAR-CDA Compliance Caravan on March 17, 2026, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthen Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organization (ARBO) cooperatives across the region. The activity served as the concrete implementation of the plans and strategies discussed during the earlier coordination meeting, where both agencies committed to ensuring that cooperatives begin the year strong, compliant, and fully guided on their regulatory responsibilities. Through the active support of DAR Region VIII, a total of 33 DAR-assisted cooperatives participated in the caravan and received direct technical assistance from both the CDA and DAR personnel.

Read more: https://cda.gov.ph/region-8/together-towards…mpliance-caravan/

ANNOUCEMENT!

📢 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 | 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – 𝗣𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 (𝗖𝗦𝗘-𝗣𝗣𝗧)

The Civil Service Commission Regional Office VIII announces the conduct of the Career Service Examination – Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT) on 09 August 2026 (Sunday).

🗓 Application Period: May 14, 2026 – June 10, 2026
💻 Mode of Filing: Online via https://services.csc.gov.ph/

💰 Examination Fee: PHP 500.00

📌 Apply early—slots are first-come, first-served!

TESTING CENTERS:
Tacloban City
Naval, Biliran
Maasin City, Southern Leyte
Catbalogan City, Samar
Borongan City, Eastern Samar
Catarman, Northern Samar

READ THE COMPLETE ADVISORY HERE: bit.ly/August2026CSEPPT