It has been some time since Saranay Credit Cooperative opened its doors to assist other micro cooperatives in San Fernando, La Union. To formalize their unwavering support for these micro cooperatives, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed on May 28, 2024, at the San Fernando City Trade Center. The MOA signing was graced by CDA Region I Regional Director Atty. Frederick Joe N. Robles, along with Sr. CDS of CPDAS Jacqueline L. de Leon, and CDS II, Arlenne C. Espinoza.

During his speech, Atty. Robles encouraged these micro cooperatives to consider merging or consolidating to strengthen their operations. During the MOA signing, Manager Genaro S. Palabay of Saranay Credit Cooperative, referred to as “Big Brother,” assured the five “small brothers”—Farmers of Pao Norte Consumers Cooperative, Maris Ti Daya Multipurpose Cooperative, Cabarsican Agriculture Cooperative, Pao Sur Farmers Credit Cooperative, and MVMA LU Chapter Agriculture Cooperative—that they would continue to receive technical and other necessary support. In turn, these small cooperatives expressed their commitment to adhere strictly to the stipulations of the MOA.

Despite the Koop Kapatid program being a long process, Manager Genaro S. Palabay remains hopeful that these small cooperatives will eventually grow to become “Big Brothers” themselves, capable of not only supporting their own operations but also contributing to the wider community. (Connie De Guzman, PCDS/CDS II)