Bataan SP member pays tribute to cooperatives

ABUCAY, Bataan – Provincial Board Member Dante Manalaysay, chair of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Committee on Cooperatives paid tribute to the extraordinary performance rendered by the multi-purpose cooperatives in the socio-economic growth of the people in the countryside.

Speaking before some 2,000 members and officers of different cooperatives in the observance of the Bataan Cooperative Month Celebration the other day held at Villa Amanda Resort and Restaurant here, Manalaysay said the affair theme of “Kooperatiba: Ika 100 taong pagpupugay, tulay sa maunlad na buhay” is a recognition of the role of cooperativism which ignited the flame of greatness for the thousands of small and medium entrepreneurs in the country.

Manalaysay is optimistic about the positive results of statistics showing the operations of multi-purpose cooperatives which significantly contributed in the improvement of livelihood projects of Bataan Governor Albert Raymond S. Garcia and Rep. Enrique T. Garcia,Jr. of the second district.

In his personal assessment, Manalaysay stressed the sphere of economic influence of cooperative movement penetrating rural communities attributed to more job opportunities, income of the members and revenues on the part of the government.

The outspoken board member likewise openly opposed the proposed deletion of articles 60 and 61 of Republic Act 9520 known as Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008 removing tax exemption privileges to cooperatives.

Instead of removing the tax exemptions, the government should develop and upgrade the technology and market expansion scheme, production of quality exportable products to achieve sustainable competitive advantage, Manalaysay added.