The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Negros Island Region
Extension Office marked this year’s International Day of Cooperatives with a virtual
forum that brought together 85 cooperatives from across the region for a shared
conversation on cooperative action, caring for the environment, and building peace in
our communities. Held under the local theme “Together We Build: Cooperative Action for a Peaceful Negros Island Region,” the forum echoed the International Cooperative Alliance’s global theme this year, Cooperatives for a Peaceful World.” At its heart, the
event was about one thing: showing how cooperatives and local government units,
working hand in hand, can help build communities that are peaceful, sustainable, and
strong enough to weather whatever comes next.
Salvador P. Balles, CESE, Acting Regional Director of CDA NIR, before moving into
three talks that anchored the day. Dr. Edmund Chris S. Acosido, Acting Supervising
Cooperative Development Specialist of CDA NIR, opened the discussion with Green
by Principle: How Cooperatives Champion Sound Environmental Management for
a Sustainable Future," making the case for environmental responsibility as a
cooperative value, not just a policy.
Mr. Ruel Inojaldo Perez, RPP, MSc (Ag.), CEO of Baslay Highland Agriculture
Cooperative (BASHACO), followed by Rooted in Peace: Environmental
Stewardship as a Cooperative Path to a Peaceful NIR, drawing from BASHACOs
own experience of what it means to protect the land while protecting the community.
“Building Peace Together: The Bacolod City LGU-Cooperative Partnership as a
Model for Community-Driven Peacebuilding,” offering a real, working example of
what LGU-cooperative partnership can look like on the ground.
The forum wrapped up with a call for everyone to keep building together, and closing
remarks from Jona J. Gepilga, CRITS In-Charge for CDA NIR. To the 85 cooperatives
who joined us, to our speakers, and to everyone who believes cooperatives have a role
to play in peacebuilding, madamo gid nga salamat! Together, let us build a peaceful NIR
through cooperativism.
