Republic of the Philippines

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

EDWARDS COCONUT FARMERS ASSOCIATION
PREAMBLE

We, the Filipino working people and the EDWARDS COCONUT FARMERS
ASSOCIATION have this day voluntarily associated ourselves for the purpose of
forming a community-based association under the laws of the Philippines more
particularly Presidential Decree No. 1367 and Proclamation No. 1852.

ARTICLE 1 – NAME AND DOMICILE

Section 1. The name of this organization is EDWARDS COCONUT FARMERS

ASSOCIATION herein referred to as the ASSOCIATION.

Section 2. The permanent address of this organization shall be at Barangay

Edwards, Tboli, South Cotabato.

ARTICLE 11 – DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES

The organization has for its objectives the following:

1. To uplift the living condition and life of its members in accordance with the
conditions of the National Development plans;
2. To enhance and defend the interest of its members for their mutual aid and
protection;
3. To own and dispose property, real or personal for the use and benefit of the
entire membership and the club;
4. To design and undertake all activities for the benefits and welfare of its
members and the club, including housing and other projects not contrary to
laws;
5. To cooperate and collaborate with proper government agencies and other Rural
Workers Association for certain lawful undertakings.

ARTICLE 111 – PLACE OF OPERATION

Section 1. The area of the Association shall be at Barangay Edwards, Tboli,

South Cotabato.

Section 2. The Federation shall, through a resolution by the Officers and ratified
by a simple majority
Of its General Membership attending the meeting called for such purpose
do such act as
May be requisite, necessary and proper to carry out its purpose to attain its
goals.
 ARTICLE 111 - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Qualification of Members. Members shall be open only to any

person has resided at least one (1) year successively at Barangay Edwards, Tboli,
South Cotabato, of legal age, actual engagement in farming, are self -employed and
without clearcut employer-employee relationship. He may become a member of the
organization by filling an application for membership addressed to the President.

Section 2. The willing applicants. Applicant must make his application for
membership in writing on a form provided by the organization for the purpose. It shall
be the duties and responsibilities of the President to approve or disapprove the
application.

Section 3. Resignation. The member who would like to resign shall present
his resignation letter
to the President. The President shall in turn, present the letter of resignation to the
members for appropriate action for the officer or member who requested to resign
from his position or from the association. Tender the resignation ten (10) days before
the actual date of resignation.

Section 4. Expulsion. Any member who fails to pay his monthly dues, fees or
contribution for three (3) successive times and violated major policy of the
organization and membership agreement may after thorough investigation and after
hearing before the President, maybe pined suspended or terminated from
membership in the organization. His right and equity if any, shall be returned to him.

Section 5. Death. The death of a member shall automatically terminate his

membership in the organization. His accumulated equity will be given to legitimated
beneficiaries after deducting the outstanding accounts.

ARTICLE IV – STRUCTURE AND OFFICIALS

Section 1. Qualification of President. The entire affairs and business

of the association shall be admitted by a President who shall be elected by the
General Assembly of members.

The following are the qualifications of a President;

1. He must be respectable, have good moral character and reputation in
the community.
2. He must not be holding any position or a government employee.
3. He must be good leader with high sense of command.

Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The election for President, Vice
President Secretary, Treasurer/Cashier and other Officials and Committee
Chairman shall be held every two (2) years of service by secret ballot. Election
shall be held within thirty (30) days of the ensuing calendar year.

Section 3. Vacancies. Whenever a vacancy occurs in the position of

President, Vice President down to the lowest position, the vacancy shall be
filled-up through election by the General Assembly.
 Section 4. Committees. There shall be four (4) to be created namely,
Audit and Inventory Committee, Membership and Credit Screening Committee,
Education Committee, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee.

Each of this committees shall be composed of three (3) members

including the Chairman. The Chairman of its committee shall be elected by the
General Assembly and the two (2) members of each committee shall be
appointed by the elected Chairman.

ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS

Section 1. President.

a. Shall preside over all meetings of the General Membership;

b. Shall enforce the Constitution and By-Laws and other
resolutions and measures passed and approved by the General
Membership and/or Officers;
c. Sign all documents requiring his signature; approve all
vouchers, requisitions and all papers calling for payment and/or
expenditures from the fund of the association, and performs
such other duties and functions as may be assigned by the
association.
d. Schedules and presides regular, special and annual meetings.
e. Coordinate with Local Government Unit, funding institution and
other concerned agencies.

Section 2. Vice- President –

a. shall take over the duties and function of the President in the
event the latter’s absence, disability, resignation, or death;
b. serve unexpired term of his predecessor and perform such
other duties and functions delegated by the association as
necessary deemed by the Federation President.
c. Act as the Chairman of the Education Committee.

Section 3. Secretary
a. shall be the custodian of all records and minutes of all
meetings of the
association;
b. shall inform all concerned at least three (3) days before the
designated date of regular and special meetings; and shall
perform such other duties and functions may be assigned by
the association;
c. Furnish the DOLE copy of the minutes of regular meeting.

Section 4. Treasurer
a. shall be the custodian of all financial records, book of accounts,
cash and properties owned or held in trust by the association;
b. collect or cause to be collected all dues and payables to the
association and issue official receipt thereof;
c. shall render a complete report to the General Membership
during the meeting of the association’s cash position and
Financial standing and shall perform such other duties and
functions as May be assigned by the association.
 d. Turn over all money, documents of the organization upon
election of his successor.

Section 5. Project Manager

a. Supervise activities of the concern project beneficiaries;

b. Report regularly and directly to the President;
c. Conduct regular visit and follow up of the project site to
validate report of the monitoring committee;
d. Responsible in looking for business opportunities beneficial to
the association.

Section 6. Bookkeeper

a. Install adequate accounting/bookkeeping system;

b. Submit monthly reports to the President through the Project
Manager, on the Financial Condition and Operation of the
organization;
c. Records all business transaction of the organization.

Section 7. Audit and Inventory Committee

a. Provides adequate audit services, including inventory of assets

of the association;
b. Conduct monthly monitoring of the internal control system of
the association in operation.

Section 8. Membership/Credit Screening Committee

a. Screening body of applicants of the association;

b. Recommend approval/disapproval of application for
membership to the association;
c. Process loan application of members/recommend
approval/disapproval.

Section 9. Education Committee

a. Conduct pre-membership seminar;

b. Familiarize the General Public with aim purpose of the
association movement.

Section 10. Monitoring/Evaluation Committee

a. Visit project site and conduct regular meetings and

beneficiaries;
b. Submit monthly monitoring and evaluation reports to the
President/Project manager;
c. Recommend strategies to the Project Manager for more
effective project implementation.

Section 11. Members

a. Attend all meetings, conference prescribed by the President;

 b. Contribute personal services to the association when so
required in accordance with the decision of general
membership;
c. To obey and comply with the policies, constitution and by-laws
promulgated by the general membership and or competent
authority.

ARTICLE VII – MEETING OF THE ORGANIZATION

Section 1. Annual General Assembly. The General Assembly shall meet once a
year and shall take place at 1 o’clock in the afternoon on the fourth (4 th))
Sunday of May, in Brgy. Edwards Gymnasium, Barangay Edwards, Tboli,
South Cotabato. It shall be highly recommended that the P.I.O inform the
members before the schedule of the assembly.

Section 2. Special general Assembly. A Special General Assembly may be called by

the officers any time to discuss important matters.

Section 3. Regular Meetings of the Officers and Chairman of the

Committees. The regular meeting of the BOD members and the chairman of
committees takes place at 1 o’ clock in the afternoon every third (3 rd) Sunday
of the month at Barangay Edwards Gymnasium, Barangay Edwards, Tboli,
South Cotabato. It shall be the duty of the P.I.O to inform the members before
the day of the assembly.

Section 4. Special Meetings. The President may call for a special meeting
whenever necessary. A written notice signed by the person/s making the
same shall specify the time, agenda and place of the meeting.

Section 5. Notice of the General Assembly Meeting. Written notice of all

meetings shall be serve by the Secretary to individual members or by posting the
notice at the bulletin board, such notice shall be accompanied by stating the purpose,
agenda.

Section 6. Quorum. Before the meeting starts, at least more than 50% of the active
members shall be present.
 ARTICLE VIII – ELECTORAL PROCEDURES

Section 1. Election Committees. The election committee shall be formed fifteen (15)
days before the Election Day. There shall be three (3) members of the election committee to be
elected by the general membership which shall perform its duties in accordance with the
established election practices, canvass and certify in writing election results, then submit the
same to the Presiding Officer.

ARTICLE IX – ASSOCIATION FEES, DUES AND OTHERS

Section 1. Membership Fee. Every member of the organization must pay a membership
fee of One Hundred (Pho 100.00) pesos upon his admission to the association.

Section 2. Annual Dues. Annual dues of Fifty (Php 50.00) pesos are required for every
member to be paid during or before the Annual General Assembly meeting.

Section 3. Monthly Dues. A monthly due of Fifty (Php 50.00) pesos are required of every
member to be paid on the last Sunday of the month.

Section 4. Contribution. The organization may raise funds for its activities through
contribution or donation from each member or non-members either in cash or labor or in-kind
and through benefit programs considered appropriate and legal.

Section 5. Savings Fund and Operation. The association shall establish a member
savings account scheme for the members of the association. The accumulated funds shall be
deposited in their chosen depository bank. A table equity shall be issued for this purpose.

ARTICLE VIII – DISPOSITION OF ORGANIZATIONAL FUNDS

Section 1. Depository. The President and the Treasurer must establish a joint account in
the depository bank – there shall be two (2) accounts to be maintained, one for the savings fund
and another for the membership fees, monthly dues, annual dues. Contribution and donation.
Other sources of funds like the loan proceeds shall be deposited in this account.

Section 2. Purpose of the Generated By the Association.

a. To be used as expenses in processing the documents and registration of the

association with the Department of Labor and Employment, DOLE XII, Koronadal
City,
b. To purchase office supplies and other needed materials to sustain the
operational function of the association.
c. Mortuary assistance to the needy members and;
d. Any other reasonable expenses which are essential for the interest of the
association and general membership.

ARTICLE IX – RULES OF ORDERS

Section 1. The following shall be the order of business in every meeting of the
organization:
a. Prayer
b. Call to order (roll call)
c. Reading of the Minutes of the previous meeting and approval
d. Reporting
e. New Business
f. Other Matters
 g. Adjournment

Section 2. Quorum of the Officers meeting. At Least 50% plus 1 of the total number of
the Officers shall constitute a quorum.

Section 3. Amendments. This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a Special

General Assembly meeting called for the purpose by the majority vote of the members subject to
the approval of the Department of Labor and Employment.

ARTICLE X – EFFECTIVITY

Section 1. The Constitution and By-Laws shall take effect immediately upon ratification by
the General Membership in the plebiscite called for such purpose by the incumbent Officer and
the Board of Directors and shall supplement all other existing laws and regulations adopted by
this association.

Unanimously adopted this 2nd day of February, 2025 at Barangay Edwards, Tboli, South
Cotabato in a regular meeting called for such purpose.

Prepared by:

LEODELIN B. SOMODIO
Association Secretary

Attested by:

JOHNNA PAZ G. ISRAEL

Association President

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)

Surallah, South Cotabato )S.S
X---------------------------------------)

BEFORE ME, this ____________day of ________________, personally appeared, the named,

known to me known to be the same persons who executed to foregoing instrument consisting
___________
(_____) pages, signed by them and their witnesses on each and every page thereof and
acknowledged to me that the same are their true and voluntary act and deed.

WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL on the date and at the place first written.

Doc. No.____________
Page No. ___________
Book No.____________
Series of 2025________