by DEMELYNE B. GABALES, CDS II
CDA Caraga Regional Office launches/conducted the ceremonial turn-over of the SAGIP KOOP: “Pag-asa Para sa Kooperatiba” – Special Assistance for Recovery and Alleviation Programlast February 22-23, 2022. Usec. Joseph “Joy” Encabo, the CDA Chairman together with the Members of the Board: Asec “Sam” Guinomla, Asec. “Boy” Lazaga, and Asec “Penny” Pendatum graced the event conducted in Kapitol Nan Siargao, Dapa, Siargao Islands, Gateway Hotel in Surigao del Norte, and NEWS MPC Training Hall in San Jose, Dinagat Islands.
Figure 1. Chairman Encabo (at the center) poses letter C hand gesture together with the coop beneficiaries
The SAGIP KOOP-SARAP is an activity/program-response of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) that aims to provide financial support to the micro cooperatives that are severely affected by calamities and disasters for them recover and rebuild their systems and operations for the benefit of its members and the community where they operate. The legal basis of its implementation is mandated by Memorandum Circular No. 2022-05.
With the devastation wrought by Typhoon Odette last December 2021, cooperatives in Surigao del Norte- Siargao Islands and Mainland and in the Province of Dinagat Islands were severely affected by the said calamity. The validation result shows that most of their assets were either partially and totally damaged which resulted to temporary closure of their business operation. The sad thing is the stoppage of service to its members, especially to those who are in need.
As part of the recovery program of the agency, the SAGIP KOOP-SARAP will provide financial assistance to eligible micro cooperatives. Qualification includes: 1. Coop belonging to micro cooperative category, 2. Coop conducting business operation for at least three (3) years, 3. Compliant cooperative in CDA requirements, and 4. Coop has no unliquidated financial assistance with CDA.
Strictly, the purpose of the said financial assistance is to: 1. Restoration and repair of cooperative office of business establishment, 2. Replacement of damage office supplies, equipment and inventories, 3. Consumer inventories, 4. Replenishment of biological assets and inventory of agricultural produce, 5. Additional capital for relending purpose; and 6. Other purposes as approved by the CDA Board.
After series of validation, thirty (30) micro cooperatives were identified. Fifteen (15) cooperatives were from the Province of Dinagat Islands, distributed among the seven (7) municipalities. Cooperatives with totally damaged assessment will receive a financial assistance of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00) while partially damaged cooperatives will receive an amount of Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00). On the other hand, the other half (15 coops) were identified from Surigao del Norte – Five (5) cooperatives in Siargao Islands which are from the municipalities of San Benito, Sta. Monica and Socorro. There were also ten (10) cooperatives from mainland Surigao City, in Taganaan, Sison, Malimono, and Claver. Most of these cooperatives proposed for the rehabilitation of their coop offices which they believe is vital in the rebuilding/restart of their business operation.
The cooperative experience during calamities/disasters is a wakeup call to cooperatives to take disaster risk management concern as a serious matter. It is time to elevate learning from disaster consciousness into disaster preparedness. The call now is to be more responsive. . . on the requirement for Business Continuity Plan (BCP). With COVID-19 pandemic, people and business practiced the NEW NORMAL. Business is already not in its usual stage, nor, in its unusual phase – but must be on the point. . . . . .BEYOND THE USUAL!
