ICOPED–CEM UPLB, Lipa City Government, and ITCPH Formalize Partnership for Cooperative Development Academy

​On 24 February 2026, the Institute of Cooperatives and Bio-Enterprise Development (ICOPED) of the College of Economics and Management (CEM), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), the City Government of Lipa, and the International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ITCPH) formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) establishing the Development Academy for Cooperatives at the Bulwagan, Lipa City Mayor’s Office, Batangas. 

The signing ceremony was attended by Assoc. Prof. Karen Q. Custodio, PhD, Director of ICOPED; Hon. Eric B. Africa, City Mayor of Lipa; Mar. Ramelo M. Mendoza, City Cooperatives Officer of Lipa; Ms. Jackielyn Garlet, Planning Officer of ITCPH, who represented their respective institutions in formalizing the partnership. 

Also in attendance were Hon. Riofer Nicole H. Ronquillo; Dir. Salvador V. Valeroso of Cooperative Development Authority Region IV-A; Ms. Celia Atienza; Ms. Rosemarie D. Zapanta; Ms. Ivyrene Rose Q. Panaglima; Ms. Mylene M. Datingaling; Mr. Fernando Magpantay; Col. Romualdo M. Egle (Ret.); and Mr. Ruel Punzalan.

The MOA outlines the shared commitment of the three parties to establish and operationalize a structured and sustainable cooperative academy that will provide education, skills training, technical assistance, and organizational development programs for cooperative stakeholders in Lipa City and nearby areas. This initiative aligns with national policies promoting cooperative growth and local government support for cooperative development.

As part of the Academy’s initial offerings, the first cohort of the cooperative certificate program, Foundations of Cooperative Governance and Practice, is scheduled to commence in June 2026. This short course is designed for cooperative officers, managers, employees, and practitioners seeking foundational competencies in governance, finance, communication, and ethical leadership. The Academy also plans to offer a subsequent certificate program on Applied Business and Management for Cooperatives, which focuses on business continuity, strategic planning, operations, and performance management.

Through this partnership, ICOPED, the Lipa City Government, and ITCPH aim to strengthen the capacities of cooperative leaders and members, enhance local cooperative governance and enterprise performance, and contribute to inclusive and sustainable local development.

The establishment of the Development Academy for Cooperatives marks a significant milestone in advancing cooperative education and institutional collaboration between academia, local government, and an international training institute in Batangas.