Hontiveros backs coop reforms amid economic strain

Citing cooperatives as key drivers of inclusive growth, Sen. Risa Hontiveros on March 18 renewed her call for stronger policy and funding support for the sector amid economic pressures.

Speaking at the 33rd Annual General Assembly of the Iloilo Provincial Employees and Community Multipurpose Cooperative, Hontiveros emphasized the need to institutionalize mechanisms that will sustain and expand cooperative development.

Among the measures she is pushing is the proposed Local Cooperatives Development Fund, which seeks to establish dedicated funding in every province, city and municipality.

The initiative aims to formalize the allocation of local resources to cooperatives and strengthen their capacity to deliver services and livelihood opportunities.

She is also advocating for the Revised Cooperative Code, which introduces reforms to support the expansion, resilience and long-term sustainability of cooperatives across the country.

In addition, Hontiveros is backing the proposed Agricultural Cooperatives Act of 2025, a bill designed to strengthen agricultural cooperatives as key institutional partners in achieving national food security and inclusive rural development.

“Sa panahong naghihikahos ang ekonomiya, napakahalaga na mabigyan pa ng lakas ang ating magsasaka at mangingisda,” Hontiveros said.

She said these legislative efforts form part of the broader agenda of the 20th Congress to empower cooperatives during a period marked by rising oil prices and economic strain.

“Ngayon, sa panahon ng matinding krisis sa langis at ekonomiya, mas lalo nating kailangang mapalawak at mapatatag ang suporta sa isa’t isa,” she added.

Hontiveros, who described herself as a “proud Ilongga,” also expressed appreciation for Iloilo’s strong cooperative movement and community spirit.

“Time and again, cooperatives are among the first to step forward when people are in need, including our fellow workers in government. Sa bawat serbisyong ibinibigay ninyo, ang itinatayo ninyo ay higit pa sa samahan — kundi kabuhayan, tiwala, dangal, at pag-asa,” she said.

During a press briefing on the sidelines of the event, the senator said her participation in the Iloilo cooperative assembly was “meaningful,” citing her long-standing work on cooperative legislation since her time in Congress as Akbayan Party-list representative.

She also disclosed ongoing efforts in the Senate to pass urgent economic relief measures, including a proposed PHP 52.8-billion supplemental budget.

The package includes a PHP 12-billion transport subsidy for public utility drivers over the next three months amid expected increases in global oil prices.

For the agriculture sector, she is proposing PHP 2.8 billion in subsidies for farmers and fisherfolk, including price support for fertilizers such as urea to help ease rising food costs.

The proposed budget also includes additional funding for the repatriation and reintegration of overseas Filipino workers, many of whom are members of cooperatives.

Hontiveros underscored that cooperatives can play a crucial role in amplifying the impact of government assistance, particularly for transport workers, farmers, fisherfolk and OFW families.