Report on CDA certificate clarified

We write regarding the front-page article titled, “Financier used co-op’s import permit,” particularly the following paragraphs:
“The three cooperatives are registered and have been given Certificates of Good Standing for tax exemption privileges, said Evelyn Nuñez, the officer in charge of CDA (Cooperative Development Authority) registration in Pangasinan.

“But it is the CDA central office which gives the permit for importation purposes, Nuñez said.” (Inquirer, 5/19/11)

We strongly and categorically deny that Nuñez made those statements. On May 18, 2011, somebody talked to her on the phone asking about the matter.

Apparently, the unknown caller misquoted and misconstrued Nuñez’s statements. We wish to emphasize that we do not issue permits for rice importation, contrary to what was reported. The Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) issued at our level (regional) is a certification attesting to the cooperatives’ compliance with the requirements mandated by our memorandum circulars and issuances. It is given to allow cooperatives to avail themselves of the tax privileges granted under Republic Act 9520.

At this point and as per report of Nuñez, what she said on the phone was this:
“What we issue at the regional level is a Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) for the availment of the tax exemption privilege as granted by law. We do not issue CGS for rice importation at our level. It is our central office which validates the application for CGS of cooperatives which seek to engage in rice importation.”
—RAY R. ELEVAZO,
regional director,
Cooperative Development
Authority,
Dagupan Extension Office,
3/F Siapno Bldg.,
Perez Boulevard,
Dagupan City

I was the “unknown caller.” When I called up the CDA office, I properly introduced myself and said I was writing an article on rice importation by the NFA. Ray Elevazo, the office head, was out of his office and the phone was passed on to Evelyn Nuñez.
I summarized Nuñez’s statements based on my interview notes. It appears that Nuñez’s explanation on the issuance of Certificate of Good Standing and the Import Permit was not as clear as the explanation cited by Elevazo in his clarificatory letter.
—YOLANDA SOTELO,
correspondent,
Inquirer Northern Luzon