Econ dev’t highlights ‘Coop Month’ celebration

The annual celebration is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 493, series of 2003, which declares October of every year as “Cooperative Month”. (Photo: Rowena Siano-Fruto/Facebook)

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite — More than 2,000 delegates from Cavite’s multi-sector cooperatives gathered here to mark the celebration of “Cooperative Month”, highlighting the role of cooperatives in economic development.

Provincial Cooperative, Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development Office (PCLEDO) chief Alvin S. Mojica presented the current status of the cooperatives.

Mojica said the cooperatives could spur economic development by turning their sector into “coopreneurs” that run micro, small, and medium enterprises, given the support of the provincial government and partner agencies in providing them shared service facilities and helping them establish mobile “pasalubong” shops.

The annual celebration is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 493, series of 2003, which declares October of every year as “Cooperative Month”.

Spearheading Cavite’s cooperative celebration was the Provincial Cooperative Development Council (PCDC), which adopted “Cooperatives: Empowering the Poor and the Vulnerable Towards Job Creation and Poverty Eradication” as this year’s theme.

Cooperatives here discussed their accomplishments, future plans and recognized outstanding individuals in the cooperative movement to broaden awareness on the movement’s role in job creation, poverty alleviation, capacity building and empowerment among members.

Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) – Calabarzon Region Legal Officer, lawyer Owen P. Magdato, said the festivity demonstrates the strength of the cooperative movement and brings economic growth to members in a modern “bayanihan” style.

Magdato also underscored that the country’s 26,000 cooperatives have been helping Filipinos secure income sources and create about 500,000 jobs.

Cavite Governor Jesus Crispin Remulla, who relayed his message through General Mariano Alvarez (GMA) Vice Mayor Rolando Alvaran, expressed the provincial government’s solidarity with the cooperatives and commended fellow Caviteños for their active participation and exemplary performance in the coop movement.

Engr. Ric Pallesco, who represented Senator Cynthia Villar in the event, extended the solon’s continued support for cooperatives nationwide through the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG) Foundation.

Recipients of special awards and recognitions included Dr. Emmanuel Santiaguel as Most Active Cooperative Leader; Imus CCDC – Outstanding Cooperative Development Council including an award for the biggest council delegation clad in their uniform; City Government of Imus – Most Supportive LGU;
Sister Marinela Narvaez of Dasmariñas City – Outstanding Cooperative Leader; EMI Employees Development Cooperative of Imus City – Outstanding Large-Scale Cooperative; Gardenia Kapit-Bisig Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Bacoor City) – Best in Membership and Outstanding Medium-Scale Cooperative;
Harmony Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Dasmariñas) – Outstanding Small-Scale Cooperative; and the Platinum Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Dasmariñas) as Outstanding Micro-Scale Cooperative and Best in Capital; Carmona OSPI Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative – Most Diversified Cooperative and Best in Assets awards; and Carmona MCDC for its Coop Day Celebration (CDC).

Coop leader, Ka Rodring Camia, also lauded members and associations for their active participation and contribution to the success of the Cavite Cooperative Month 2017 celebration.

The Cavite coop activities were spiced up with a colorful parade of national costumes of member nations of the United Nations; cultural performances; trade fair and exhibit; and a blood-letting activity organized by the Cooperative Union of Cavite and the Philippine Red Cross.