Polytechnic University of the Philippines National Center for Cooperative Development Act

Senate @line of the tecretary REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REPEL OF THE PREPARE S First Regular Session DEC 18 40,08 SENATE 1647 RECEIVED DY: S. No. Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT IN THE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE EXPLANATORY NOTE Cooperatives have long been recognized as vital instruments for inclusive economic growth, social equity, and democratic participation. Rooted in the principles of self-help, mutual aid, and collective ownership, cooperatives provide Filipinos- particularly those in marginalized and underserved sectors-with opportunities for sustainable livelihoods, access to essential services, and community-based economic empowerment. Despite their proven contribution to poverty reduction and local development, many cooperatives continue to face persistent challenges in various areas such as governance, management, and research. The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), as one of the country's premier state universities with mandate to serve the working class and disadvantaged sectors, is strategically positioned to lead a national initiative for cooperative education, research, and capacity-building. The establishment of a dedicated institution within PUP will establish a comprehensive, values-driven, and academically grounded approach to strengthening the cooperative sector and developing competent cooperative leaders and practitioners. This bill seeks to establish the National Center for Cooperative Development in the PUP System (Center) to serve as a hub for cooperative studies, training, applied

research, and extension services. The Center shall offer degree and certificate programs, undertake field-based and community-oriented training, generate policy- relevant research, and provide technical and consultancy support to cooperatives nationwide. It shall likewise function as an integrative platform for collaboration among government agencies, academic institutions, cooperative federations, and regional and international partners, particularly within Southeast Asia. Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, the Philippine Development Plan, and Ambisyon Natin 2040, the proposed Center aims to contribute to economic recovery, social innovation, and long-term national development by professionalizing cooperative practice and strengthening the institutional foundations of the cooperative movement. By investing in education, research, and human capital formation, the State affirms its commitment to empowering cooperatives as resilient and transformative agents of inclusive growth. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID Senator

Senate cottise of the necretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) Firt Regular Sessip LINES, First Regular Session 25 DEC 18 N0:08 SENATE RECEIVED EY S. No. 1647 Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT IN THE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Polytechnic University

2 of the Philippines National Center for Cooperative Development Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

4 promote the viability, growth, and sustainability of cooperatives as vital instruments 5 of economic development, social equity, and democratic participation. The State 6 recognizes these institutions as transformative vehicles that embody the principles of 7 self-help, mutual aid, and collective empowerment that contribute to advancing 8 inclusive growth, addressing structural poverty, and fostering community resilience. Pursuant to this policy, the State shall institutionalize mechanisms for cooperative education, research, and capacity-building to ensure the continuing development of competent, values-driven, and socially committed cooperative leaders and practitioners. The State likewise affirms the importance of providing an enabling environment where cooperatives may thrive free from external interference, while enjoying the benefits of technical, academic, and policy support from public institutions.

In recognition of the indispensable role of knowledge production and human 2 capital in the cooperative movement, the State shall support the establishment of a 3 dedicated national center that will advance cooperative studies, strengthen academic and research linkages, and provide integrated services for the benefit of cooperatives 5 and cooperative development stakeholders.

SEC. 3. Establishment of the National Center for Cooperative Development. -

7 There is hereby established in the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) the 8 National Center for Cooperative Development, hereinafter referred to as the "Center." 9 The Center shall establish and expand program offerings focused on training poor but deserving Filipino youth to become the next generation of cooperative leaders and managers, thereby enhancing the resilience and sustainability of registered cooperatives in the country and contributing to economic recovery and national development. It shall likewise serve as an integrative and holistic center that will cater to the needs of the entire cooperative sector, where their activities can be centralized in order to fulfill a much greater responsibility to address the needs of the cooperative sector in the Philippines and the Southeast Asian (SEA) region. The program trajectory of the Center shall be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), International Cooperative Development Agenda, the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), and Ambisyon Natin 2040, as it endeavors to address poverty, pursue economic development, promote empowerment, resiliency, and social innovation through cooperative social enterprise.

SEC. 4. Functions of the Center. - The Center shall have the following functions:

1. Offer a Bachelor of Science in Cooperatives degree program, which shall be a four-year course with specializations in Cooperative Social Enterprise Management and Cooperative Education and Community Development, designed to produce globally competitive graduates equipped with values- based managerial competence in cooperative organizing, leadership, and technopreneurship;

2. Implement field deployment programs through on-the-job training (OJT) that assign students and staff to micro, small, and medium cooperatives to provide support as research enumerators, marketing personnel, and administrative assistants; 3. Provide modular certificate programs and continuing education services for cooperative directors, officers, managers, and support staff through regional partnerships nationwide to enhance professional competencies; 4. Conduct applied research addressing gaps in cooperative literature and supporting legislative development, policy formulation, and evidence- based cooperative advancement through a dedicated cooperative research group; 5. Develop instructional modules, audio-visual materials, and popular education tools for elementary, junior high school, senior high school, higher education covering cooperative enterprise, social economy, and social entrepreneurship; 6. Operate a student laboratory cooperative facility where participants access cooperative products/services and earn internship credits through documented volunteer work; 7. Host annual cooperative congresses, international conferences, and training workshops in collaboration with government agencies, industry partners, and SEA cooperative alliances; 8. Deliver consultancy services assisting cooperatives in strategic planning, performance auditing, and organizational development by leveraging faculty expertise; 9. Establish partnerships facilitating local-to-international knowledge exchange on best practices, pandemic resilience strategies, and community development initiatives in accordance with cooperative principles; and 10. Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the purpose and objectives of the Center.

SEC. 5. Delegation of Authority to the Board of Regents. - The Board of Regents

2 of the PUP is hereby authorized to establish the Center under the direct supervision 3 of the Office of the President of the University. The Center shall have cooperative 4 specialists with a high degree of competence and expertise in the disciplines of 5 business management, financial management, and community development, who 6 may be drawn within or outside the University.

SEC. 6. - Implementing Authority. - The Board of Regents of the University is

8 hereby mandated to formulate implementing guidelines to carry out the provisions of 9 this Act and to take appropriate steps to ensure that the establishment of the Center 10 shall aim at the speedy realization and execution of its functions and objectives as stated above. Towards this end, the Board shall determine the structure, composition, 12 and size of the Center's faculty and staff.

SEC. 7. - Appropriations. - The initial amount of One Hundred Million Pesos

(P100,000,000.00) from any amount available in the Treasury of the Philippines shall be added to the annual budget of PUP for the purpose of carrying out the initial implementation of this Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8. - Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared

19 unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. - Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, implementing

rules and regulations, issuances, or any part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are deemed repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. - Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,