Today, Isabela State University (ISU) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region II formally entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the conduct of a Training of Trainers (TOT) program for Accredited Cooperative Training Providers (CTPROs) and prospective applicants under the CDA Accreditation Program.
The said agreement is in line with CDA’s mandate to promote and strengthen cooperatives nationwide, while recognizing the role of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) under RA 11364 to advance cooperative growth. It also relates with ISU’s mission to contribute in regional development through extension services, capacity-building, and applied research initiatives.
Through the MOA, both institutions commit to expanding access to TOT programs that equip trainers with the competencies and standards essential to elevate cooperative governance, management, and enterprise performance. Anchored in CBAPA’s KooPerAtbp Extension Program, the agreement further establishes a practical extension platform that channels these training engagements into tangible improvements in cooperative operations and community livelihoods.
Under this partnership, ISU will implement the standard TOT course outline, develop a pool of resource speakers, facilitate training activities, produce information and education materials, and award certificates of completion to qualified trainers. Complementing these efforts, ISU and CDA will jointly craft the standard curriculum, share responsibilities in monitoring and evaluation, and ensure that the program remains relevant, accountable, and sustainable.
Building on this framework, the initiative will also conduct customized workshops on cooperative governance, mentorship, the establishment of demonstration farms, and the development of training hub supports to translate capacity-building into measurable progress for cooperatives across the region.
In her message, Atty. Nita Doreen L. Maestre-Tabbu (Regional Director, CDA Region II) expressed confidence in the partnership, emphasizing the role of SUCs in delivering quality cooperative education.
“We need you, State Universities, and we chose Isabela State University to be our partner—and this would be our maiden voyage for the implementation of the TOT. We believe that if we want to implement education in its purest form, State Universities should be our partners,” Atty. Tabbu stated.
Dr. Boyet L. Batang (University President) likewise highlighted the impact of the collaboration. “It takes collaboration, trust, and a united commitment to nurturing sustainable livelihood and resilient progress…With this partnership, we are investing not only in skills but in people, not only in programs but in futures,” Dr. Batang affirmed.
The ISU-CDA TOT partnership is expected to strengthen the cooperative sector in the province and serve as a model for future capacity-building initiatives supported by SUCs nationwide.
