President Bongbong Marcos calls the support of the Congress to amend the Cooperative Code in his Second State of the Nation Address

In his Second State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Bongbong Marcos made a resounding call to the Congress for their unwavering support in amending the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008. This bold step aims to accelerate the formation of cooperatives, a crucial pillar in the nation's economic and social development. The President's vision, articulated through this address, demonstrates his commitment to fostering sustainable growth, inclusive development, and community empowerment.

With this, the President said, “Our Fisheries Code must be revisited to incorporate and strengthen science-based analysis and determination of fishing areas.”

“This approach will protect both the interests of our fisherfolk and our fisheries and aquatic resources,” he said.

The Republic Act No. 8550 or The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 provides rules for the utilization, management, development, conservation, and allocation systems of fisheries and aquatic resources.

“To this end, we will seek the support of Congress to amend the Code to guarantee sustainable development of our fisheries sector in harmony with environmental balance,” Marcos said.

In his SONA, the President also emphasize the significance of fisheries clustering and livestock multiplier farms.

Composed of nearly 900 cooperatives with 200,000 hectares of farmland, he said that there are around 300 clusters identified.

“Upang mas mapabilis at mapadali ang pagbuo ng kooperatiba, kakailanganin natin ang suporta ng Kongreso na maamyendahan ang Cooperative Code,” Marcos said.

(In order to speed up and facilitate the formation of cooperatives, we will need the support of Congress to amend the Cooperative Code)

RA 9520 or The Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008 is the  law that provides the creation and growth of the cooperative in the country.  The sector is the a practical vehicle for promoting self-reliance and harnessing people's power towards the attainment of economic development and social justice.

By amending the Cooperative Code, cooperatives will have stronger production capacity and market force, he also added.