CDA XII pays courtesy visit and consultative talk to Mayor Salarda in Alabel, Sarangani
Alabel, Sarangani Province – A courtesy visit and consultative talk was conducted on July 21, 2025, at the Conference Room of the Mayor’s Office, New Municipal Building in Alabel, led by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) XII together with officials of the Municipal Cooperative Development Council (MCDC) and cooperative representatives. The delegation was headed by CDA XII Acting Regional Director, Juriski B. Mangelen, accompanied by Senior CDS, Ruth N. Alendajao and CDS II, Yvonne Templonuevo, with attendance from Senior CDS Paul Allen B. Villamora from the Provincial Cooperative Development Office, DTI Representative Daniel Acido, DAR Representative Serapian Bueno, and 15 primary cooperative representatives in Alabel led by MCDC Vice-Chairman Antonio Belinario, Members of the 15th Sangguniang Bayan of Alabel, including Municipal Councilor Enriquito A. Daguplo, MAEd and Municipal Councilor Hermie C. Galzote, MPA, also showed their support by attending the meeting.
The activity aimed to share updates on the status of cooperatives in the municipality and express gratitude to the Local Government of Alabel for their continued support of the cooperative development program. In her message, ARD Mangelen expressed great recognition of Alabel as a model for cooperatives not only in Sarangani but throughout Region XII, noting that many LGUs in Sarangani look to Alabel as an example of effective strategies and approaches in promoting cooperatives, which has led to institutionalized support from the local government. She also highlighted the importance of LGU leadership in the program’s success, citing the foundation laid by former Mayor and current Municipal Administrator Vic Paul M. Salarda, and now continued by Mayor Lilibeth J. Salarda, MPA.
In response, Mayor Ybing Salarda assured the CDA XII and MCDC that LGU Alabel will continue its support for the cooperative sector, thanking them for their visit and support of Alabel’s achievements while expressing her determination to continue serving the municipality’s cooperatives with the support of the 15th Sangguniang Bayan led by Vice Mayor Lente L. Salway Jr. through the crafting of ordinances and initiatives that will help streamline and accelerate the sector’s development. During the occasion, Mayor Salarda also commended the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAG) headed by Ms. Giselle C. Gestupa, MPA and its MCDO designate Ms. Shierly H. Palawan, MPA, for their effective implementation of cooperative programs and their efforts in lobbying these to national agencies.
During the event, CDA XII also awarded a certificate of recognition to MCDC Alabel in appreciation of their outstanding contributions to cooperative development. Additionally, Ms. Shierly Palawan was recognized as a regional nominee for the CDA Gawad Parangal, highlighting her exceptional work in the cooperative sector. Meanwhile, activity served as an inspiring meeting between national and local agencies, demonstrating strong cooperation for the sustainable development of cooperatives in Alabel, reinforcing the municipality’s position as one of the leading examples in cooperative development and serving as a benchmark for other local government units across Region XII.
