41
The right to social security of the workers in the informal economy/ sector
Ms. Soliven also reported on LTO’s On-the-Road and Community Programs and
Activities, which includes Social Distancing Operations, Libreng Sakay Operations for Health
Workers, “Bayaning Tsuper” - which the LTO gives relief goods to tricycle and jeepney
operators, “Hapag Damayan” - a community pantry set-up by the LTO in Region IV-A and
Region VI, “Libreng Helmet” - which the LTO provides helmets to violators on the road. Ms.
Soliven also highlighted that over 2,500 people have graduated from LTO 7’s Malasakit
Driver’s Education Course as of May 2021.108
Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)
Ms. Cherry Reyes discussed the services and programs of the Cooperative
Development Authority (CDA) that would benefit the informal sectors. First is the
“Registration of Cooperatives and Related Services” or the ease in the COOP registration
program. This includes the registration of cooperatives wherein they can avail the services of
the DTI right after, registration of amendments of by-laws and articles of cooperation, issuance
of authority to operate cooperative branches, and issuance of letter of authority to operate
cooperatives satellite offices.109
Cooperatives are given technical assistance by CDA once they are registered. Ms.
Reyes added that to date, they have a total of 1, 319 registered transport cooperatives, which
includes members from jeepney operators, jeepney drivers, and bus operators. Aside from this,
they also assist cooperatives with members from the informal sectors such as pedicab drivers,
massage therapists, and other ambulant vendors, as well as members from the Market Vendors
Cooperatives.110 In her presentation, Ms. Reyes shared the following technical assistance given
to the cooperatives:
1. Cooperative Organization Assistance- promotes the organization of cooperatives;
2. Cooperative Trainings or the Hand Holding and Capacity Building Program;
3. Facilitation for the Readiness and Linkage of Cooperatives in the Supply and Value
Chains Whether Government, private, or cooperative - initiated or led (Supply and
Value Chain Program for Cooperative). According to Ms. Reyes, they were able to
Id.
Id.
110 Id.
108
109