Who is ATING-KOOP Party List #35? A Brief History and Introduction

Cooperation among Cooperatives is one of the things that led to the birth of the Adhikaing Tinataguyod ng Kooperatiba (ATING-KOOP) Party List. With the desire to have a voice in the House of Representatives who will further the advancement of the cooperative movement in the Philippines, people from various cooperatives all over the country, together with Council Members from the Philippine Federation of Credit Cooperatives (PFCCO), convened and established the party list as a national sectoral organization on December 9, 2007 at the Baguio Benguet Community Credit Cooperative. This was spearheaded by the following cooperative leaders:

• Fr. Mar DJ Arenas,
• Atty. Proculo Sarmen;
• Jesus Cendana;
• Amparo T. Rimas;
• Cristina Salvosa;
• Rito V. Fabella;
• Eduardo C. Bato;
• Roberto C. Mascarina;
• Joel Canuel;
• Reynaldo Golo;
• Dra. Sylvia Flores;
• Emma dela Cerna;
• Leticia Tarroza;
• Rosario Canadido;
• Antonio Amandy;
• Ma. Veronica Chongco;
• Betty Gendeve;
• Amelito Revuelta;
• Norma Castillo;
• Eliza Aquino; and
• Atty. Romeo Candazo 

On December 12, 2008, the Ating-Koop Party List was thereafter duly registered as a non-stock profit organization with the Securities and Exchange Commission and approved the following people as the Incorporators/Trustees:

1. Fr. Mar DJ Arenas;
2. Reynaldo Golo;
3. Rito V. Fabella;
4. Eliza Aquino;
5. Leticia C. Tarroza;
6. Rosario D. Canadido;
7. Eduardo C. Bato;
8. Atty. Romeo Candazo;
9.  Anabella Soriano;
10.  Araceli Gonzales;
11.  Erlinda Duque;
12.  Roberto C. Mascarina;
13.  Joel Canuel;
14.  Eulogia Enriquez; and
15.  Dra. Elizabeth Dumapig

The application for the registration of the ATING-KOOP Party List to become one of the party lists vying for a congressional seat in the Party List System of Representation of the 15^th Congress by The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) was approved. In the 12-page Resolution SPP No. 09-030 (PL) of the First Division of the COMELEC, dated November 13, 2009, the ATING-KOOP Party list was unanimously granted the petition and approved the Adhikaing Tinataguyod ng Kooperatiba as a national sectoral organization that shall represent the cooperative sector, majority of whom are part of the marginalized and underrepresented sectors of the society in the country.

The petition for the registration of the ATING-KOOP Party List encountered stumbling blocks along the way as there was a strong opposition that came from another party list that also represents the cooperative sector, but with the number of evidence and documents submitted by the ATING-KOOP Party List, the COMELEC was convinced of its positive track record in the advancement and empowerment of the cooperative movement. The Verification Reports submitted by the COMELEC’s Field Officials has proven that the party list is indeed present in the majority of regions in the country, lending credence to its ability to wage a legitimate campaign. This led to the COMELEC finding no reason why the party list should not be able to contribute to the formulation and enactment of laws and appropriate legislation that will benefit the entire nation.

ATING-KOOP is a national sectoral organization composed of citizens and other organizations with the common goal of strengthening the Philippine Cooperative sector whose core ideology is the advocacy and promotion of the interest of the cooperative movement. That being said, ATING-KOOP is the flag-bearer and a true representation of all Cooperatives who believe that cooperatives must be self-regulated, autonomous, tax-free, and ought to be recognized as amongst the most viable financial and social institution or development and progress in the country.

The ATING-KOOP Party List continues to fight for its advocacies:

1.  Creation of a large middle class through cooperatives and social entrepreneurship;

2.  Sustainable development aimed at eradicating poverty and unjust social structures;

3.  Preserving the environment and equitable distribution of wealth through people empowerment;

4.  Democratic participation by the grassroots under principle of subsidiarity and mutual interdependence;

5.  Respect for our diverse culture and religions; and

6.  Peace and harmony as the foundation of development

                        

It was proclaimed as a winning party list representative on December 8, 2010 with total votes cast at 175, 770. Once again, the ATING-KOOP Party List continues the battle it has started by finally being accredited by the COMELEC after all the cuts made on the party lists in the country, and seeking a re-election in the House of Representatives this coming 2013 National Elections.

An Introduction to Cooperatives and its Principles

What is a Cooperative?

A Cooperative is a democratic and autonomous association or organization of people that are united and brought together on a voluntary basis by their common social, cultural, economic needs, and aspirations through a democratically-controlled and jointly-owned enterprise. 

Cooperative Principles

These principles serve as a guide and standard cooperatives adhere to, not just in the Philippines but all over the world.

1.       Voluntary and Open Membership

Membership to cooperatives is open to everybody who wishes to be part of the group without prejudice to anyone’s gender, race, social, political, and religious orientation.

2.       Democratic Member Control

As democratic organizations, members own and control the cooperatives and the principle “One Member, One Vote” applies. Everything is organized in a democratic manner.

3.       Member Economic Participation

Members are expected to contribute equitably to, and democratically control the cooperative’s capital and receive limited compensation for voluntary work done as a condition of membership.

4.       Autonomy and Independence

Being self-help and independent organizations, cooperative only enter into arrangements and/or agreements with the government and other organizations provided that the terms will ensure that democratic control will be maintained.

5.       Education, Training, and Information

Members, employees, and officers are sent to different training programs that will further enhance and sharpen their skills and knowledge in effectively running the cooperative for its continuous growth and development.

6.       Cooperation among Cooperatives

Sharing the same cause and advocacies, cooperatives work together and help each other to strengthen the cooperative movement on both national and international levels.

7.       Concern for Community

Communities play an integral role in the existence of cooperatives. That is the reason why cooperatives support programs and activities that will results to a sustainable development among its communities.