The Department of Economics of Pangasinan State University (PSU) Lingayen Campus thru The Cooperative Organizations and Stakeholders’ Training (COAST), in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bautista and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region I Extension Office, successfully conducted Policy Development Seminar and Workshop.

 

 

The seminar gathered more than thirty (30) officers and members of various associations and cooperatives in Bautista to enhance their knowledge and skills in policy development, promoting effective governance, transparency, accountability, and sustainable organizational management.

 

 

Bautista Mayor Hon. Rosemarie C. Gacutan welcomed the participants and expressed her gratitude to PSU for its continued commitment to delivering extension programs that empower local organizations. Meanwhile, Ms. Lea Sheraine A. Navarro highlighted that the Department of Economics has been conducting extension initiatives for associations and cooperatives in Bautista since 2023, with Phase 3 focusing on developing organizational policies to address operational concerns.

 

 

Dr. Abelardo S. Abalos Jr., Extension Coordinator of PSU Lingayen Campus, emphasized the University’s dedication to community extension and encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen their organizations and contribute to community development.

 

 

The training proper was facilitated by Dr. Arlenne Espinoza of the Cooperative Development Authority Region I Extension Office. She discussed the fundamentals of policy development, beginning with problem identification and agenda setting, and guided participants through workshops where they identified organizational challenges, prioritized issues, and drafted proposed policies for their respective cooperatives and associations.

 

 

The activity concluded with the awarding of Certificates of Recognition to Dr. Arlenne Espinoza, the LGU of Bautista, and Mr. Earl Keven Pascua, Municipal Cooperative Development Officer, for their invaluable support and contributions to the project. Certificates of Participation were also presented to all attendees.

 

 

In his closing remarks, Mr. Earl Keven Pascua thanked Pangasinan State University and the Cooperative Development Authority for their continued partnership in empowering cooperatives through capacity-building initiatives. The successful implementation of the COAST Project Phase 3 reflects the shared commitment of PSU and its partners to fostering resilient organizations and sustainable community development. (Arlenne C. Espinoza, CDS II)