Bislig City is formalizing its working relationship with the national agency that registers and regulates cooperatives.

At its 66th regular session on October 20, 2026, the Sangguniang Panlungsod adopted Resolution No. 2026-822. It authorizes Mayor Florencio C. Garay "to enter into and sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) – Caraga Region, represented by its Regional Director, Monatao Honeya R. Alawi, to strengthen partnership and coordination in the promotion, development and sustainability in cooperatives in the City of Bislig."

The resolution was sponsored by Councilors Winston Y. Sia, Apolio C. Alvar, Jonas A. Cacayan and Pedrito R. Sulapas, and Vice Mayor Conrad C. Cejoco.

What the agreement is for

According to the resolution, the MOA "aims to establish a framework for partnership and coordination" between the city and CDA-Caraga "in implementing programs, projects, and activities that will enhance cooperative development, provide appropriate technical assistance, and strengthen the capacities of cooperatives."

It also says the agreement "will facilitate the delivery of relevant services, capability-building activities, and other support mechanisms intended to improve cooperative governance, management, and long-term sustainability" in Bislig.

In plain terms, the city and the CDA are agreeing to coordinate their help to co-ops instead of working separately. The CDA is the agency that registers cooperatives, requires their annual reports and audited statements, and runs seminars on governance and bookkeeping. The city, through its City Cooperative Development Office, deals with co-ops on the local side, including business permits.

The posted resolution does not include the MOA itself. Specific programs, schedules and any funding commitments under the agreement have not been made public.

Part of a bigger push on cooperatives

The MOA is the latest of several city moves this year that favor the cooperative model:

  • Lower local taxes. City Ordinance No. 2026-15, approved in July, lets CDA-registered cooperatives based in Bislig with reserves and undivided net savings of P10 million or less pay only a P1,000 business permit fee and a P500 community tax certificate instead of regular business taxes. Bislig Today explained how to claim that exemption.
  • Tricycle co-ops. At the same October 20 session, the council adopted resolutions to help tricycle operators and drivers' associations convert into transport cooperatives, and asked the mayor to set aside yearly livelihood funding for small and medium enterprises, including newly registered co-ops.

Converting or registering a cooperative involves CDA seminars and paperwork, so closer coordination between the agency and City Hall could make that process easier to navigate for local groups.

What co-op members can do now

Officers of existing Bislig cooperatives, and groups thinking of forming one, can ask the City Cooperative Development Office at City Hall about trainings or assistance planned under the new agreement. The CDA-Caraga regional office handles registration and compliance questions.

Bislig Today will report on the MOA's specific programs once the city or the CDA releases them.

Sources: City of Bislig, Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 2026-822, adopted October 20, 2026; City Ordinance No. 2026-15; list of 2026 resolutions on bislig.gov.ph.