On October 1, 2025, the Cooperative Month celebration officially commenced with a coastal clean-up drive held at Barangay 32-B, La Paz West, Laoag City, bringing together various cooperatives from across Ilocos Norte. The activity was spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), in coordination with the different Local Government Units (LGUs) of the province.

The coastal clean-up served as a symbolic start to celebrate the Cooperative Month, reflecting the No. 7 of the seven cooperative principles, the “Concern for Community”. Members from different cooperatives actively participated, showcasing the spirit of bayanihan which is in reflection to the cooperative month theme, “United in Purpose and Action, Sharing Prosperity to Build a Better World,” which also highlights the vital role of cooperatives in fostering inclusive growth, sustainability, and collective progress.

Along with the clean-up drive, other kick-off activities were also conducted, including a Pre-Registration Seminar at the CDA Ilocos Norte Satellite Office in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. The seminar aims to guide prospective cooperative members and groups in understanding the processes, principles, and benefits of establishing cooperatives.

To further raise public awareness, simultaneous hanging of tarpaulins featuring the Cooperative Month theme were carried out in cooperative offices and LGU offices to expand public awareness of the cooperative movement.

The month-long celebration will feature a series of activities in the province and the culminating activity will be on October 24, 2025 to be held at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena. The celebration is designed to honor the contributions of cooperatives, enhance their capacities, and to inform more people on the importance of cooperativism. (R.R. Medina-CDS II)