ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 232, February 15, 1957

CREATING A COMMITTEE TO PLAN, COORDINATE AND ACCELERATE THE ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONS TO ENABLE INDUSTRIAL WORKERS AND GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES TO PURCHASE PRIME COMMODITIES AT REASONABLE PRICES.

For the purpose of planning, coordinating and accelerating the organization of consumers cooperative associations and thus enable the industrial workers and the rank and file of government employees to procure commodities at reasonable prices and increase the participation of our people in the retail trade of the country, a committee is hereby created composed of the following:

The Secretary, Department of Labor

The Administrator, ACCFA

The Administrator, Cooperatives Administration Office

The General Manager, NAMARCO

The General Manager, Central Cooperative Exchange (CCE)

The committee shall elect a Chairman from among themselves.

The committee shall device ways and means of fostering the effective organization of consumers cooperatives. To prevent overlapping and duplication of activities, the Agricultural Credit and Cooperative Financing Administration (ACCFA) shall undertake the organization of consumers cooperative stores in rural areas as part of the expanded program of the FaCoMas. The Cooperatives Administration Office shall take charge of the organization of consumers cooperative associations in urban centers, cities, provincial capitals and industrial areas. The Department of Labor shall promote the organization of consumers cooperative associations in industrial centers, particularly among wage earners and labor union members, with the assistance of the Cooperative Administration Office.

In the meantime that a Cooperative Wholesale Society is not yet organized to serve these consumers cooperative associations, the NAMARCO and the CCE shall give priority in the distribution of commodities handled by them to consumers cooperatives stores in order that industrial workers and the rank and file of government employees may benefit from reduced prices.

The committee shall report periodically to the President of the Philippines on the progress of its activities and submit the necessary recommendations for the more effective organization, operation and coordination of consumers cooperative associations.

Done in the City of Manila, this 15th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty-seven, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the eleventh.

(Sgd.) RAMON MAGSAYSAY

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) FORTUNATO DE LEON

Executive Secretary