CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Securities and Exchange Commission-Cagayan de Oro Extension Office (SEC-CDOEO) sealed a partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-10, which aims to assist the registered People’s Organizations (POs) in northern Mindanao, June 5, at the DENR Regional Office, here.

Present during the signing ceremony were SEC-CDOEO Director, Lawyer Frederick A. Enopia; DENR-10 Regional Executive Director, Dr. Henry A. Adornado; SEC Supervising Administrative Officer, Jesher M. Radaza; and DENR-10 Conservation and Development Division OIC Chief, Fidel P. Gamos, Jr.

The signing ceremony started with a rationale that was presented by SEC Information Officer Neil Maynard C. Conde, who discussed the salient provisions of the MOA and the obligations of the parties.

Primarily, the partnership intends to mobilize and capacitate the Community-Based Forest Management-People’s Organizations (CBFM-POs) all over Northern Mindanao.

The SEC, which serves as the corporate registrar, keeps an eye on corporations, including those associations and organizations that the DENR itself is in charge of. It is presumed that a corporation registered with the Commission must submit the annual reportorial requirements, such as the general information sheet and financial statement; otherwise, it will incur a penalty for non-compliance.

The non-compliance of non-stock corporations has become a challenge for the Commission to overcome; hence, strategizing this networking agreement through establishing partnerships with public and private agencies.

"It is aligned with the message of our DENR Secretary to have partnerships with the government sectors. It is important that the general public have access to our services, and as government workers, we are very happy with this initiative," said Adoranado.

He sees the partnership as very helpful, particularly to those sectors that have limited knowledge of utilizing the advancement of technologies and the challenges in the digitalization efforts of the SEC.

Enopia, in his response, expressed his gratitude towards DENR-10 for supporting the SEC’s endeavor in monitoring non-stock corporations as the sector that needs extra assistance in complying with their annual reports with the Commission.

"This partnership will surely be beneficial to the CBFM-POs under the jurisdiction of DENR-10. We look forward to assisting them so that their corporation or association will not be suspended or, worse, revoked, where, in such a case, it will be hard for them to avail the services and grants of the DENR," he said.

The parties are anticipating several future activities, primarily aimed at mobilizing the organizations and associations monitored by DENR-10. (SEC CDOEO/PIA-10)