By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
ANTIPOLO CITY –– Senator Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios “Imee” Marcos on Wednesday (Oct. 2) disclosed that she is seeking amendments to the Cooperatives Development Act in order to further strengthen the multi-billion pesos cooperatives all over the country.
Sen. Marcos graced the celebration of the 19th Southern Tagalog Cooperative Congress in Ynares Event Center here.
Vice Gov. Reynaldo San Juan welcomed Sen. Marcos, together with Rizal Gov. Nina Ynares and former governor and now Antipolo City Mayor Junjun Ynares.
In a press conference, Sen. Marcos said that among the amendments are the increase of tax exemption of cooperatives from P10 million to P100 million.
She added that foreign cooperatives should also be allowed to engage with Philippine cooperatives for a more dynamic cooperatives.
The lawmaker stressed that there should also be a regional cooperative not only in the Philippines but also outside of the country.
Marcos noted that cooperatives in Rizal provinces are one of the multi-billion peso cooperatives in the country today.
She pointed out that her brother, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is very supportive of the amendments to the Cooperatives Development Act.
Sen. Marcos earlier filed her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for Senator in the May 12, 2025 elections.
Marcos,, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Cooperatives, said that
It’s about time to enhance the Cooperatives Development Act with such amendments.
With the theme: “Kooperatibang Matatag at Malakas, Pundasyon sa Bagong Pilipinas”, in celebration of the “Cooperative Month” in October of each year, the Cooperative Congress is usually held every March each year, especially before the Covid-19 pandemic on March 15, 2020 until December 2022.
The five Mimaropa (Mindoro/Marinduque/Romblon/Palawan) provinces are not anymore included in Southern Tagalog Region and only the five Calabarzon (Cavite/Laguna/Batangas/Rizal/Quezon) provinces are included.
