BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) is taking over the investigation into the controversies surrounding the Iloilo City Government Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (ICGEMPC), including concerns related to its Western Visayas director, Nora Patron.
ICGEMPC has faced financial setbacks stemming from dubious loan transactions, which currently total over P31 million. This has led to the reduction of the capital share of its members.
CDA chairman Undersecretary Joseph Encabo said he had conferred with Mayor Jerry Treñas about the matter.
“We are initiating an independent investigation to ascertain the involvement, if any, of our employees. It’s crucial to ensure everyone is afforded due process,” said Encabo at a press conference held yesterday.
He also said he has directed the regional investigation team to halt their ongoing inquiry, as the central office of CDA will assume responsibility for the investigation starting Monday, Oct. 16.
“We’ll issue a special order for designated personnel at the head office to inspect and investigate this specific cooperative,” added the CDA chairman.
The CDA has committed to providing updates on their investigation by the end of this month.
Their investigation will employ a dual approach, collecting information from both ICGEMPC and CDA-6.
Director Mildred Esguerra from CDA’s Registration, Supervision, and Examination Services emphasized that their investigation would encompass every issue tied to the city hall coop controversy – from cooperative governance to financial aspects and other related issues that have raised questions.
Esguerra then advised other cooperatives to remain vigilant to avert similar controversies.
“Take this as a learning opportunity. We must remain vigilant, bearing in mind that these are our cooperatives. They represent the diligent investments of their members. Given the numerous cooperatives nationwide, the CDA cannot monitor everything by itself,” she added.
Encabo also expressed respect for Treñas’ decision to declare Patron a “persona non grata” in the city due to CDA Region 6’s lack of intervention in the ICGEMPC issues.
“Hence, our investigation will encompass not only the cooperative but also the CDA Region 6 office,” he said.
Mayor Treñas expressed appreciation for the CDA central office’s proactive stance.
“I recently met with the CDA chairman, who assured me that he will address the issues here in Iloilo City,” he said./PN
