The Cooperative of Aviation Industry Resource or CAIR for short was conceptualized and organized only in late 2008 by Philippine Airlines (PAL) Cabin Crews. With initial twenty five (25) members who contributed P2,000.00 each and were able to complete the target initial paid up capital of P50,000.00.

            The motivation that had led pioneers to seek strength from cooperation was the idea to set up enterprise that will serve as a financial fall back in case of economic reversal such as redundancy, retrenchment, retirement, and other forms of sudden joblessness which is a common plight for ordinary employees. With these possibilities CAIR is motivated to help employees related to aviation not to bother their company too much about their plight as Self reliance is one of the values of cooperatives.

.            The cooperative membership was initially open to all PAL flight and ground crew and the basic cooperative orientation seminar was held tapping resource speaker from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). Completing the documentary requirements for registration of new cooperative under Republic Act 6938 otherwise known as the Cooperative Code of the Philippines, the CAIR was officially registered on December 16, 2008 with Certificate of Registration No. H-614-6627. Mr. Jesuslino DL. Serranilla served as interim chairperson and was duly elected as its first chairperson during its first general assembly held on December 23, 2008 immediately after its registration. Ms. Elizabeth DG. Punzalan was chosen as the vice-chairperson, while Mr. Bernard D. Buenaventura, Ms. Jacquiline A. Burgos, and Ms. Janett V. Valasote were voted members of the Board of Directors.

Following the passage of Republic Act 9520, also known as the New Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008, signed in February 17, 2009, Article 144 of the said law required all registered cooperatives under the old laws to secure new certificate of registration. Through the leadership of the board members, documentary requirements were submitted anew to the CDA to comply with the requirements of the new law and on November 16, 2009, the new certificate of registration of CAIR was issued with Certificate of Registration No. 9520-16002599.

CAIR also secured Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) with the CDA and complete also all the necessary documentary requirements under the Joint CDA and BIR Regulation for the issuance of Certificate of Tax Exemption (CTE) granted by RA9520. The request and all the requirements were submitted already with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). 

            The cooperative’s official corporate name is Cooperative of Aviation Industry Resource (CAIR). It is a primary multi-purpose cooperative and is categorized as an occupational cooperative consistent with the type and nature of its common bond and field of membership. 

            Articles II of the Cooperative’s Articles of Cooperation enumerates the following objectives for which the cooperative is formed:

a.)    To encourage thrift and savings;

b.)    To engage in trading, merchandizing, lending, marketing, production, agri-business, wholesaler/retailing business, franchisee, job generation and manpower services (janitorial, messengerial , massage therapist); and

c.)    To engage in socio-economic development, micro-finance, and other financial services.   

Furthermore, the same legal document added other corporate powers and capacities in the furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the general powers conferred by the Philippine laws, including other established rights which every juridical entity can exercise towards the full attainment of the cooperative’s stated goals and objectives. 

As a duly registered cooperative, the cooperative’s mandates maybe pursued for a fifty (50) year term of existence from and after its incorporation date (Article V, Articles of Cooperation). 

In upholding mandated provisions of the CAIR’s fundamental documents, the cooperative leadership however is tasked to periodically provide guidance on the organizational life of the cooperative as well as formulate developmental plans and programs in its business operation. To this end, the cooperative leadership is currently working on its strategic plan to meet the demands of the cooperative programs. 

The cooperative’s long-term development trajectory is articulated in its Vision-Mission Statement.

Vision – A profitable cooperative enterprise serving the needs of the members, their families and the wider community.

            Mission:

a)      Establish/engage in businesses that cater to the members’ needs;

b)      Provide services that educate and empower members; and

c)      Promote activities and undertakings related to tourisms, travel, and hospitality industry.

Currently, in pursuit of this Vision and Mission and after being in operation for more than two years only,  CAIR operates a Snack Bar within the PAL In Flight Center (IFC) and provide SM Cards to members for credit purchases to SM establishments. The cooperative leadership continues to seek additional businesses and services for the members.

Through these current businesses, as well as the entry of other undertakings such as provision of credit facility, gasoline discount in partnership with Shell, promotion and selling of members’ products among others that are in the process of negotiations and finalization of plans, policies, and systems, the leadership are responding to the needs of the members towards an improved social and economic way of life.

                    The cooperative is ultimately governed by the membership in a General Assembly that convenes at least once a year within ninety (90) days after the close of its fiscal year, composed of members in good standing or entitled to vote, and elects the Board of Directors and members of the Election and Audit Committees to administer the organizational affairs and programmatic operations of the cooperative.    
        
              The general control of the cooperative affairs and the business as well as on the concerns and welfare of the members, appointment/election of other needed functional committees and management staff is exercised by the Board of Directors. While supervision and control on defined aspects of program implementation is given to the elective and appointive committees such as the audit, election, ethics, conciliation, education, and credit among others. 

            Just like any other organization, cooperative administration continuously calls on the cooperative leadership to further define its government/management requirements. It is empowered to form other committees to meet any emerging concerns pertinent to its organizational operation as a cooperative. This is aside from the regular actions to define/oversee functions of management staff and in sustaining office management.

            In taking up roles for the leadership bodies, the cooperative observed and followed the provisions of its by-laws, RA9520, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.