CDA rules on apex cooperative organizations

Apex Organization: Federation or union composed of registered secondary, tertiary, or higher-level cooperative organizations. Initially requires five registered secondary/higher cooperatives, to be increased to fifteen within three years.
Federation: A duly registered cooperative whose members include primary and higher category cooperatives engaged in single-line or multi-purpose business activities.
Union: A duly registered cooperative whose members are primary, secondary, or tertiary cooperatives (including federations or unions), focusing on non-business functions.
Tertiary Cooperative: A duly registered cooperative whose members are secondary cooperatives.

Membership shall consist exclusively of duly registered secondary, tertiary, or higher cooperative organizations.
Members may be federations or unions.

Submission to the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) of the following:
- Four copies each of the Articles of Cooperation and By-laws.
- Bonds of accountable officers.
- Treasurer’s sworn statement confirming compliance with subscription and paid-up share capital requirements.
- Economic survey including projected financial statements for three years.
- General Assembly resolutions from all member organizations affiliating with the apex organization.
Payment of registration fee equal to one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of paid-up share capital, but not less than Php 2,000.

Share capital contributions by member secondary, tertiary, or higher cooperatives shall correspond to the nature and extent of their business and service activities.

Upon registration with the CDA, the apex organization shall perform functions as defined in its Articles of Cooperation and By-laws.
Must comply with the provisions of the Cooperative Code of the Philippines and relevant CDA policy issuances.

This circular was adopted on February 18, 1993, by the Chairman of the Board of Administrators, Edna E. Aberilla, signifying official promulgation and effectivity.