Cooperative key against poverty, says City Coop Head
With 22 cooperatives operating in the City of Koronadal, City Cooperative Officer Marilou O. Dimacaling underscored the important role of cooperatives in addressing poverty during the “Tingog sa Pagsanyog” FB live development program.
Cooperativism, according to Dimacaling, is an empowering path, tool, and key that will help add income, reduce poverty, and create jobs to aid in socioeconomic development.
Dimacaling said that part of their office goal is to help the burgeoning cooperatives get on its feet. They are also in charge of identifying groups, sectors and communities wanting to join the cooperative. In the meantime, the City Cooperative Office (CityCoop) ensures that the City Cooperative Plan, as mandated by the 1991 Local Government Code and amended by RA 11535, is properly implemented.
The CityCoop regularly conducts training and seminars for interested sectors as part of their priority program, and they also assist new cooperatives in preparing requirements for registration with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). On the other hand, they also assist existing cooperatives in submitting the cooperative’s mandatory report. The Office also serves as the CDA’s secretariat.
The CityCoop provides a cooperative loan assistance program as one of its services. “We provide financial assistance to cooperatives that have been in operation for two years and have a good track record,” Dimacaling explained.
According to Dimacaling, the cooperative, as an important part of the economy, serves as an important tool and vehicle to increase the income of the members and to help the community in which the cooperative exists and operates.
Currently, CityCoop registers a total of 22 cooperatives operating in the city, including credit, multi-purpose, consumer, agricultural, transport and many other cooperatives. “Between these cooperatives and those planning to start one, they can venture into cooperatives that can benefit directly the members to help the community in the long run”, Dimacaling said.
When asked how the pandemic’s onset had affected their operations, Dimacaling said that they needed to implement seminars using online platforms. “If there is an opportunity to gather while adhering to the protocols, we really take advantage of it,” Dimacaling said.
Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Food Committee, underscored the important contribution of cooperatives to poverty alleviation in the Philippines. She noted that cooperatives are true partners of government and the private sector in promoting agricultural growth and business development. (source: legacy.senate.gov.ph/press release)
Dimacaling stated that as part of the enthusiastic implementation of their programs, projects, and activities, they have already planned a series of mandatory trainings in collaboration with CDA. They will also continue to provide input on cooperatives in order to encourage more sectors to engage in cooperativism. “If there is a group of 30 who want to listen on the benefits that cooperatives can offer to its members and the community, they can visit the City Cooperatives Office at City Hall so that we can facilitate the conduct of such. Meanwhile, that your group can decide if they want to continue to listen about cooperativism, they can attend the CDA online pre-registration seminar…I personally thank Mayor Ogena for his significant support for the city’s cooperative movement.” Dimacaling stressed.
According to CDA, the cooperative movement in the Philippines is clearly demonstrating its capacity to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs in seven areas, namely: poverty and hunger eradication, decent work and economic growth, responsive production and consumption, reduced inequalities, climate action; peace, justice, and strong institutions; and gender equality. The total business volume generated by all cooperatives was PhP 322,697.5 million as of December 2015 employing 463,789 people directly which is a great testament to their contribution to the country. (Source: cda.gov.ph)