San Jose, Dinagat Islands – The Province of Dinagat Islands recently became the epicenter of cooperative synergy, hosting the 7th Cooperative Congress under the compelling theme: “Empowering Cooperatives towards resilient and sustainable development.” The event gathered cooperative leaders, government officials, and stakeholders committed to fostering a strong, sustainable, and adaptive cooperative sector.
Part I: Setting the Stage for Resilience
The Congress commenced with engaging Preliminaries featuring an audiovisual presentation that highlighted the achievements and potential of local cooperatives. A dynamic Opening Salvo from the Cuarenta NHS Laboratory Cooperative and PLGU Talents set an energetic tone for the day.
The event was officially launched by Rico B. Galinato, MPA, the esteemed Chairperson of the PCDC, who delivered the Opening Address. Mr. Galinato framed the Congress as a critical moment for strategic collaboration. He underscored that in the face of modern challenges—from economic volatility to climate change—cooperatives are not just businesses but essential social enterprises. He challenged the participants to use the forum to forge stronger ties and adopt innovative, resilient strategies to ensure their long-term stability and consistent value delivery to members.
Following the opening, Hon. Errol Condrad B. Dela Cruz, SP Member and Chairperson of the Committee on Cooperatives and CSOs, who emphasized the crucial role of cooperatives in local development. This was followed by the Acknowledgement of Participants by Alyn G. Salavedra, PCDC Secretary, recognizing the guest and diverse representation from across the province.
A highlight of the morning was the presence of the regional and national leadership. Dir. Monatao Honeya R. Alawi, PhD, Regional Director of CDA Region XIII, delivered a message and formally introduced the esteemed Keynote Speaker, USEC Alexander B. Raquepo, Chairperson of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).
In his powerful Keynote Address, USEC Raquepo rallied the attendees, underscoring the CDA’s commitment to supporting cooperatives in building resilience against economic and environmental challenges, ensuring their long-term sustainability.
Further solidifying provincial support, a message from Hon. Nilo P. Demerey Jr. MPM, Governor of the Province of Dinagat Islands, was delivered by Edionel Isidor, the PDI Administrator, assuring the full backing of the provincial government for cooperative initiatives.
Recognizing Excellence: Ruben E. Ecleo Sr. Bayanihan Cooperative Special Awards
A moment of great pride was the Recognition of Ruben E. Ecleo Sr. Bayanihan Cooperative Special Awards, celebrating the outstanding performance of local cooperatives across different asset categories:
- Micro Category:
- 3rd Place: SRAMC
- 2nd Place: PDIECCO
- 1st Place: SMCCO
- Small Category:
- 3rd Place: LEMCCO
- 2nd Place: DIMPCO
- 1st Place: Cortes MPC
- Medium Category:
- 2nd Place: DICE MPC
- 1st Place: MAMCO
The morning session concluded with the Closing Remarks delivered by Alvin B. Dela Cruz, PCDO, expressing gratitude to all participants and partners for their dedication to the cooperative movement.
Part II: Forum for Growth and Development
The afternoon was dedicated to the Forum Proper, a platform for knowledge-sharing and strategic discussion on critical areas affecting cooperatives and the province.
- Sharing of Best Practices of Successful Cooperatives: Rolando P. Aquinon, Chairperson of BAUG CARP MPC, shared invaluable insights and concrete strategies that propelled their cooperative to success, offering a practical blueprint for other organizations seeking to improve their operations and member benefits.
- Tourism Industry Road Map in PDI: Benlen D. Navas, MPA, Provincial Tourism and Culture Officer, presented the Tourism Industry Road Map in PDI. This session highlighted potential avenues for cooperatives to engage in the burgeoning tourism sector, creating new economic opportunities for members and communities while supporting the province’s development goals.
- Coop and CDA Updates, Issues and Concerns: The final segment provided essential regulatory and technical updates. Cooperatives Development Specialist II Azur D. Atos Jr., RSW, MPA, tackled current CDA Updates with regards to programs and services, issues, and concerns, fostering an open dialogue with participants to address pressing operational challenges and clarify regulatory guidelines.
The 7th Cooperative Congress successfully served as a vital mechanism for education, inspiration, and strategic alignment, ensuring that Dinagat Islands’ cooperatives are well-equipped to drive resilient and sustainable development in their communities.
The Congress’s collaborative atmosphere was further enhanced by the lively Raffles and Prizes segment, generously sponsored by the First Community Cooperative (FICCO) and Baug CARP Beneficiaries MPC, fostering camaraderie and goodwill among the participants.
The 7th Cooperative Congress successfully fulfilled its mandate, leaving attendees equipped with renewed strategies and a strengthened network necessary to ensure that the cooperatives of Dinagat Islands remain powerful drivers of resilient and sustainable development.
