Cooperative Name Reservation Guidelines

The circular is issued pursuant to Article 9, paragraph 1 of Republic Act No. 9520 (Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008).
The circular is also issued pursuant to Section 3 (j) of Republic Act No. 6939.

The guidelines govern reservation of cooperative name prior to registration of new cooperatives.
The guidelines also govern reservation of cooperative name for amendment of name of existing cooperatives with the CDA.
The reservation process uses a Cooperative Name Reservation Request Form (CNRRF) submitted to CDA offices.

The CNRRF must be submitted either to CDA Central Office or to any CDA Extension Offices nationwide.
The CNRRF may be submitted through any of these modes:
- Personal submission.
- Postal Mail/Courier.
- Electronic Mail.
- Fax Transmission.
The request for cooperative name reservation is not processed unless payment is received by the CDA.
CDA Central Office or any Extension Office may accept and process the CNRRF.
The Senior CDS assigned in the Registration Division/Registration Unit in the Extension Office issues a computer-generated Cooperative Name Reservation Notice (CNRN) to the applicant regardless of the cooperative’s principal office.

The applicant selects the reservation period and pays the corresponding reservation fee:
- Thirty (30) calendar days — P100.00.
- Sixty (60) calendar days — P200.00.
- Ninety (90) calendar days — P300.00.
A thirty (30) day extension may be allowed only if the applicant pays P100 for every extension.
Total reservation time from the date of original reservation may not exceed ninety (90) days.
No extension is allowed for an approved ninety (90) days reservation.
An application for extension must be filed on or before the expiration of the valid reservation.

The applicant has the preferential right over the reserved name during the approved reservation period, including any extension.
If the preferential right period ends, the reserved name is made available to other applicants.
All reserved names remain valid in accordance with the period specified in the CNRN.

The CDA shall not allow a cooperative name that is:
- Identical to the name of an existing cooperative, or
- Deceptively or confusingly similar to that of an existing cooperative, or
- Contrary to public policy, moral, or existing laws.
A proposed cooperative name must incorporate the word “cooperative” and must specify the type in accordance with the cooperative’s economic activity.
The use of “development,” “integrated,” “incorporated,” or other similar connotation is not allowed.

The CDA shall develop and implement a computerized system to:
- Prevent duplication of cooperative names, and
- Facilitate an effective and efficient process of cooperative name reservation.