PH Coop Chamber urges reforms, corruption-free governance

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The Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives, Inc. (PH Coop Chamber) has called for a corruption-free society and stronger recognition of cooperatives’ role in nation-building during the celebration of National Cooperative Month this October.

As the country’s foremost cooperative advocacy center, the PH Coop Chamber highlighted how cooperatives contribute to economic development by creating jobs, providing livelihoods, and injecting capital into grassroots communities across the Philippines.

The group reiterated its call for amendments to Republic Act No. 9520 or the Cooperative Code of 2008 to strengthen legal protections and reduce regulatory burdens on cooperative organizations.

In line with this, the PH Coop Chamber emphasized that corruption severely undermines cooperative operations and adversely affects the lives of millions of cooperative members.

During the National Taxation Forum held on October 9, 2025, in Quezon City, more than 200 cooperative leaders expressed concern over stringent Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) requirements, especially the need for individual members to secure Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs) to obtain a Certificate of Tax Exemption.

“The PH Coop Chamber challenges the validity of these revenue memorandum circulars before the Supreme Court, arguing that these issuances unlawfully restrict the tax exemption privileges granted to cooperatives under the Cooperative Code,” said PH Coop Chamber Chairperson Noel Raboy.

The organization urged the government to uphold cooperative rights and avoid imposing administrative requirements that lead to penalties amounting to millions of pesos and even force closures of some cooperatives.

“It is the policy of the State to foster the growth and development of cooperatives, and its autonomy and independence must always be upheld as enshrined in our Constitution,” Raboy added.

The issue on the TIN requirement is already addressed in proposed revisions to the Cooperative Code, adopted under Senate Bill No. 1431, which consolidates various measures amending Republic Act No. 9520.

The PH Coop Chamber, a member of the Technical Working Group in both houses of Congress, is now awaiting the schedule of the House Committee Meeting to finalize its version of the amended Cooperative Code.

The organization underscored that any revisions must align with the cooperative movement’s core values, ensuring democratic governance and autonomy remain at the center of cooperative operations.

The PH Coop Chamber committed to continue advocating for policies that promote cooperative sustainability and protect the welfare of Filipino cooperators.