The Cooperative Month Celebration 2022
By: Janith B. Mirang, CDS II
The “Kick-off Event” of the 2022 Cooperative Month Celebration was officially conducted last Saturday, October 1, 2022 in Cabadbaran City. This was hosted by the Cabadbaran City Cooperative Development Office with the full support of the LGU-Cabadbaran City. CDA-Caraga joined in, being its first time to attend an opening ceremony of the Cooperative Month Celebration outside Butuan City. Butuan City and Agusan del Norte Cooperatives led by the Butuan City Coop Development Office (CCDO) were among the guest-participants. Big cooperatives with Caraga-wide networks were well represented in the said opening activity of the Cooperative Month.
The entire country and the cooperative sector celebrate the Cooperative Month 2022 with the theme, “KooPinas: Nagkakaisang Lakas Para sa Makabuluhan at Sama-samang Pag-unlad. The activity started with a thanksgiving mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Porfirio Colon held at the City Hall of Cabadbaran City. It was followed by a motorcade around the city. Then this group of merrymakers proceeded to Vinzada Beach Resort, Brgy. Caasinan, Cabadbaran City for the Fellowship Program and Luncheon feast.
Ms. Mila Colegado, the Cabadbaran City Cooperative Development Officer welcomed everyone by citing the purpose and meaning of the celebration The City Vice Mayor, Hon. Rey Jamboy gave an inspirational message by presenting the LGU’s program plans and commitment to support the growing no.of cooperatives in the area. The LGU trusts the operating cooperatives by providing financial fund to augment their capital. The LGU hopes the coops will boost their business thus, contribute to the development of the the economic life of the city. The series of trainings initiated by the CCDO for Cabadbaranon coops were also announced during the program.
The celebration was graced by the presence of the Cooperative Development Authority – Caraga regional personnel headed by the Regional Director Monatao Honeya R. Alawi who also gave a message to challenge cooperators to do more and be resilient in times of calamities. The program ended with the “salo-salo” of coops’ blessings via a potluck luncheon availed by everyone. The BYOP or “bring-your-own-provision” resulted to abundant food shared by all. The host, LGU of Cabadbaran saw to it that guests and participants were served. The fellowship through parlor games continued after the “salo-salo” facilitated by Mr. Armel Lozada of the Cabadbaran-CCDO and Mr. Niño Rosil C. Bantayan, CRITS Head.
The celebration brings hope. Most participants expressed their happiness because of the fellowship of the gathering. The festive mood was quite affecting—and the joy within the hearts of the cooperators shone through their faces because the fire of cooperativism is ever burning and alive. There is strength in unity! This is one good reason why we celebrate the Cooperative Month. Mabuhay ang Mga Kooperatiba!
