In a significant move toward strengthening the local cooperative sector, the recently activated Municipal Cooperative Development Council (MCDC) made its formal debut during the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Regular Session held at the Legislative Building, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur on May 5, 2026.

The appearance served as a formal introduction of the council’s new leadership and its strategic vision for the municipality’s cooperative movement.

The session was highlighted by the presence of Mr. Ronnie C. Barrera, the Municipal Cooperative Development Officer (MCDO) Designate, who facilitated the introduction. The activation of the MCDC is seen as a vital step in aligning the goals of local cooperatives with the developmental agenda of the municipal government.

During the presentation, the council introduced its newly elected officers—a group of dedicated leaders chosen from various cooperative sectors within Tagbina. Their primary mandate is to serve as a consultative and coordinating body for all cooperative-related programs and policies in the municipality.

” The activation of this council is not just a formality; it is a commitment to fostering an environment where our cooperatives can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the progress of Tagbina,” Mr. Barrera noted during the session.   

The assigned Cooperative Development Specialist II and the MCDC Chairman, Mr. Vicente B. Potenciando are also given privileged to discuss the legal bases of the creation of the council and the designation of cooperative development officer and to express gratitude of the opportunity to appear in the session.

The members of the Sangguniang Bayan with the leadership of Honorable Vice Mayor Janito Lumakin, expressed their warm welcome to the MCDC officers, acknowledging the indispensable role that cooperatives play in grassroots development. The legislative body signaled its readiness to collaborate on future initiatives that would empower the cooperative sector.

By establishing a direct line of communication with the SB, the MCDC aims to ensure that the “voice of the cooperatives” is heard in the halls of local governance, paving the way for a more inclusive and resilient local economy.