MANILA, PHILIPPINES – December 10, 2025 – The Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives, Inc. (Coop Chamber), coinciding with the International Human Rights Day, has convened a high-level Forum of Chief Executive Officers and General Managers from the country’s largest cooperatives at the Belmont Hotel Manila in Pasay City.
“As the world concludes the International Year of Cooperatives, this strategic assembly serves as a command center to address the existential threats confronting the sector and to finalize a powerful agenda for national development. The Coop Chamber asserts that the time for mere recognition is over; the time for action and defense is now.” as emphasized by Mr. Noel D. Raboy, Chairperson of the Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives, Inc.
Mobilizing Against Immediate Threats
The 13 million members of the cooperative movement are currently hampered by policies that undermine their legal mandate for social justice. The leaders gathered today are mobilizing forces against:
- Undue Regulatory Overreach: The Chamber is engaged in a battle against restrictive policies, specifically the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) demand for the submission of Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs) for every member in the application and renewal of CTE, and annual reporting. This requirement is viewed not as regulation, but as a bureaucratic obstruction that threatens to illegally strip away tax privileges guaranteed by the Cooperative Code (RA 9520) for marginalized farmers, laborers, and other sectors.
- The Corporate Assault on Democracy: The Coop Chamber stands resolute against legislative amendments proposing share-based voting. This proposal is a direct violation of the international principle of “One Member, One Vote”. Tying voting power to capital would compromise the sector’s core identity, handing democratic control to the few and turning cooperatives into corporations.
- The Erosion of Trust: Leaders are finalizing strategies to safeguard the sector against government corruption and inconsistency, demanding an administration that honors the autonomy and independence required for ethical operation.
Coop Chamber’s Unified National Agenda for 2026
This forum is a strategic planning session where the collective power of the cooperative sector is coalescing around a unified forward agenda:
- Eradicate Poverty and Democratize the Economy: The Chamber is pushing for a policy environment that allows cooperatives to innovate and provide unhindered access to credit and capital, thereby generating jobs and eradicating poverty from the grassroots up.
- Ensure Climate Resilience: The movement is committed to leading the fight against climate change, promoting policies that incentivize mitigation and adaptation to secure food sustainability.
- Uphold Autonomy and Governance: The CEOs and GMs are committing to the highest standards of good governance and transparency while pursuing the full enforcement of the Cooperative Code to remove unnecessary administrative burdens.
A Final Call to the Nation
The Coop Chamber urges the State and the public to recognize the cooperative sector not as a recipient of aid, but as the most powerful partner in building a truly equitable and resilient Philippines.
The leaders involved are prepared to commit their substantial resources and influence to this cause. The movement is organized, the agenda is set, and the time for change is now.
For the Cooperative Movement, For the Filipino People.
Our Coop, Our Voice!
Media Contact:
Edwin Bustillos
Secretary General, Coop Chamber
Mobile: 09178017309 22
