The Cooperative Development Authority Region 1 Extension Office (CDA R1 EO) reach out to the young people through the conduct of the virtual Youth Forum dubbed as KPOP: Kooperatiba para sa Kabataan: Programa at Oportunidad na Pangkabuhayan on August 27, 2021. The activity was conducted in collaboration with partners from the National Government Agencies (NGAs), Local Government Units (LGUs), Private Organizations (POs), and Cooperatives. The goals of the forum are the following: To stir the interest of youth participants to become entrepreneurs; To provide the youth access to scholarship programs of TESDA and other NGAs offering similar scholarship programs; and To encourage the youth entrepreneurs to organize themselves into cooperatives
The Keynote Speaker was Mr. John Ernesto D.Sagum, one of the Board of Directors of Mangabul Seed Growers Marketing Cooperative shared his experience in the ENACTUS organization and how it changed him to be better. He also shared authentic stories with the youth, and he emphasized the value of listening and the value of learning.
The CDA Chairman, USEC. Joseph B. Encabo graced this virtual activity and expressed his gratitude, appreciation, and full support to the CDA Region 1 family to gather the youth sector and conduct this forum in a timely manner. Likewise, he expressed appreciation to our partner agencies and cooperatives for sharing the various programs and services that the youth could avail, which leads to empowering and engaging the youth sector.
The event’s highlights are the dissemination of different youth programs and services of DTI, TESDA, DOLE, ACPC, CDA, and Cooperatives. Invited cooperatives, namely the Sta. Cruz Savings and Development Cooperative, Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives, both from Ilocos Sur and La Union Multi-Purpose Cooperative of the province of La Union, to showcase also their programs and services for the youth. Gathered virtually and joined in this activity via zoom channel and Facebook live-streamed CDA Regional Office 1 was around 600 participants from different schools/universities, cooperatives, partners from NGAs, LGUs, and CDA personnel.
Josef Eugene D. Ruedas, a grade 3 student, and a member of two laboratory cooperatives, led the opening prayer during the opening program. At the same time, Director Josefina B. Bitonio delivered her Opening Message and the rationale of the KPOP program.
In the event, the organizers initiated the game portion wherein the participants will answer the questions related to the activity and the topics presented. The reward is a cellphone load. There were ten winners of One Hundred Pesos worth of cellphone load.
Before the program ends, the CDA R1 EO awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to the Resource speakers for their full support and active involvement in implementing the K-POP activity.
Finally, Acting Assistant Regional Director Edilberto G. Unson delivered his closing message, and the activity was very fruitful and productive. (by Jacqueline L. De Leon, Sr. CDS).
