Butuan City, June 17, 2025— A total of Fifteen (15) Micro and Small Consumers, Marketing, Producers & Logistics (CMPL) Cluster cooperatives received a Start-up Livelihood Capital Assistance during the Financial Assistance Turned Over at the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Conference Hall, 3rd floor, Balebria Building, Pili Drive, Butuan City. Each cooperative was granted ₱400,000.00 amounting to a total distribution of ₱6 million.
The gathering was attended by key officials, the CDA Regional Director Monatao Honeya R. Alawi, DPA, RCO-CMPL President Mr. Jernie A. Cabusog, the City Cooperative Development Officer (CCDO) of the Local Government Unit of Tandag Ms. Lorna L. Novo, and the Municipal Cooperative Development Officer (MCDO) of San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands Mr. Loejun Y. Patual. Their presence underscored the importance of this initiative in strengthening the cooperative sector.
Regional Director Monatao Honeya R. Alawi, DPA expressed her notable message to all recipients and emphasized the importance of always being compliant with the CDA in order to help the cooperative grow, support its members, and uplift the community. She highlighted that strengthening the cooperative was essential, as it had long served as a pillar of unity.
The main event of the program is the check turn-over that was formally received by Cooperative Chairperson along with their Treasurer, Manager and/or Secretary.
ASEC. DATU PENDATUN “PENNY” B. DISIMBAN, CMPL Cluster Head and CDA Board Director III, delivered his heartwarming message through an audio-visual presentation. In his message, he emphasized that the Start-up Livelihood Capital Assistance Project was realized because of the efforts made by the CMPL Cluster and Senator Robinhood C. Padilla. He expressed hope that the financial assistance would be a great help to cooperative members and the entire community they served. He added that he would ensure the CMPL Cluster would always be heard through Senator Padilla, especially the Small and Micro CMPL Cooperatives in the Caraga Region.
The Start-up Livelihood Capital Assistance Project aims to support the growth and sustainability of cooperatives, empowering them to enhance their business activities and contribute to economic development within their communities. Representatives from the recipient cooperatives expressed their gratitude, emphasizing the importance of financial backing in fostering cooperative success. The recipient cooperatives are, to wit:
- Happy Ladies Multipurpose Cooperative (HLMPC)
- Doña Helene Basilisa Riverside Agriculture Cooperative (DHBRAC)
- Self Reliance Agra Multi-purpose Cooperative
- Panikian Multipurpose Cooeprative (PAMULCO)
- Tandag First Macro Agriculture Cooperative (TAFIMACO)
- Cebulan Anolingan Bentahon Guadalupe Sta. Inis Oromeca Multipurpose Cooperative (CABEGSOMPC)
- Kooperatibang Producers sa mga Mag-uuma sa Olave (KAMAO)
- Agusan del Norte Electricians Multi-purpose Cooperative (AEMPC)
- Kalihukan sa Panaad Marketing Cooperative (KSPMACO)
- Dinagatnon Multipurpose Cooperative (DiMPCO)
- Pandanon Coconut Farmers Marketing Cooperative
- Mabua Fisherfolks Consumers Cooperative (MAFCCO)
- Agila Agriculture Cooperative (AGILACoop)
- Barangay Ima Women’s Producers Cooperative
- San Francisco Farmers Producers Cooperative
Cooperative officials present at the event shared their positive impression and reiterated their commitment to strengthening the cooperative sector through continued support and development programs. The start-up livelihood capital assistance underscores efforts to uplift small and micro CMPL cooperatives and reinforce their role in local economic progress.
The CPDAS Head, Senior CDS Demelyne B. Gabales, emphasized the crucial responsibility of utilizing the financial assistance solely for its intended purpose, as detailed in the proposals. She urged all recipients to manage the funds prudently and ensure that every peso contributes to the envisioned growth of their cooperative. Furthermore, she highlighted the importance of accountability, calling on beneficiaries to prepare and submit their liquidation reports at the soonest possible time to maintain transparency and uphold the integrity of the program. She presented the MC 2024-20, Section 7 – Liquidation of Financial Assistance / Grant.
The turnover event not only strengthened the ties between cooperatives and financial support institutions but also reinforced the principle of responsible stewardship. As these Micro and Small CMPL Cooperatives embark on their journey toward sustainability, the proper use and liquidation of funds will serve as a foundation for future assistance programs, ensuring a continuous cycle of growth and development within the cooperative sector.
For the closing message, Ms. ANECITA O. UNSON, Supervising CDS/CMPL Focal Person, expressed her excitement about the implementation of the cooperatives. She stated that it was not merely a form of support, but a gesture of trust, hope, and challenge. She also looked forward to receiving the succeeding liquidation reports.
