MANILA, Philippines — The Senate passed 12 key legislative measures on third and final reading on Monday, highlighting major overhauls to the nation’s cooperative framework alongside approval for four regional hospital initiatives and seven utility and broadcasting franchises.
Leading the approved legislation is Senate Bill No. 1431, also known as the Revised Cooperative Code of the Philippines, which aims to modernize and streamline regulation in line with evolving technological, operational, and financial landscapes.
The proposal maintains the foundational “one member, one vote” rule while broadening the classification and scope of cooperative operations. Key additions allow overseas Filipino workers, indigenous cultural communities, and Islamic groups to register primary cooperatives tailored to their specific needs, cultural traditions, or Sharia principles.
The updated code expands eligible sectors to encompass technology services and digital payments, joining existing frameworks in agriculture, fisheries, credit, housing, health, education, and public utilities. Furthermore, general assembly meetings may now be hosted virtually through videoconferencing tools.
Under SB 1431, the Cooperative Development Authority is mandated to process complete registration filings within 15 working days. Approved compliance certificates will carry a five-year validity period, subject to revocation only through due process.
The measure seeks to replace Republic Act No. 9520, the current cooperative law enacted in 2009. Senate sponsors emphasized the need to enhance governance, increase operational transparency, and simplify bureaucratic hurdles.
The House of Representatives previously passed its counterpart, House Bill No. 9584, on August 5 before sending it to the Senate on August 11.
In healthcare, lawmakers granted final approval to four bills aimed at upgrading or creating hospitals outside Metro Manila:
- House Bill No. 7979: Establishes the Level III Subic General Hospital in Subic, Zambales.
- House Bill No. 8471: Establishes the Zamboanga Sibugay Medical Center in Ipil.
- House Bill No. 8472: Upgrades the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Maramag into the Bukidnon General Hospital.
- House Bill No. 8621: Converts the Kalinga Provincial Hospital in Tabuk into the Northern Cordillera Regional Medical Center.
Additionally, seven franchise measures cleared their final reading. This includes House Bill No. 7647, which modifies the electricity distribution franchise for More Electric and Power Corp. in Iloilo City.
The remaining six measures grant or renew radio and television broadcasting franchises for Exodus Broadcasting Company Inc., Katigbak Enterprises (San Pablo City) Inc., Times Broadcasting Network Corporation, Cagayan de Oro Media Corporation, Central Mindanao University, and Benguet Broadcasting Corporation.
The franchises awarded to Central Mindanao University and Benguet Broadcasting Corporation grant an additional 25 years of operational authority.