BATANGAS CITY- The Coop Chamber, the Cooperative Union of Batangas (CUB), and the Batangas Provincial Livelihood, Enterprise and Cooperative Development Office (PLCEDO) held a meeting yesterday, January 22, 2026, at the CUB office to discuss possible collaboration and partnership in promoting and advancing the cooperative agenda and advocacy at both the local and national levels.
The discussion focused on the promotion of education, training, and information, as well as the accreditation issue, which stakeholders noted is not enabling enough given the apparent contradictions between relevant policy instruments of the CDA and the LGU. The Coop Chamber emphasized that the LCDO’s mandate to conduct trainings and seminars is inherent to the office’s functions, and that the accreditation issue should be addressed accordingly.
Moreover, the regional agenda—particularly in Batangas Province—was highlighted as a potential source of best practices in partnership-building, as the relationship between cooperatives and the LGU is strong and harmonious, especially in implementing programs, activities, and projects that promote cooperative enterprises in the province.
Furthermore, the PLCEDO and CUB will assist the Coop Chamber in strenghtening the Coop Chamber in the province. In this context, the Coop Chamber proposed a partnership between the PLCEDO and the CUB. This was warmly welcomed by the parties, subject to further discussions on specific areas of collaboration and complementation.
The Coop Chamber will submit a draft document related to this proposed partnership. The meeting was attended by Ms. Celia Atienza, Department Head of the Batangas PLCEDO; Ms. Myra Ebora, CEO of the Cooperative Union of Batangas; Mr. Ruel Punzalan, CALABARZON Coop Chamber Governor; Mr. Edwin Bustillos, Coop Chamber Secretary-General; and Ms. Dhang Pinzon, R4A Coordinator.
