Published on: May 7, 2026
By Ivonne A. Paredes
Cabarroguis, Quirino – – The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Quirino, successfully conducted a two-day Credit Surety Fund (CSF) Roadshow and Contributors’ Orientation Seminar (COS) on April 28–29, 2026 at the QLIFE Building in San Marcos, Cabarroguis, Quirino.
The activity aimed to strengthen financial inclusion and improve access to credit for cooperatives and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province through the Credit Surety Fund Program.
A total of 38 participants attended the seminar, representing seven large cooperatives, six medium cooperatives, two small cooperatives, and one micro cooperative.
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Ronald M. Abenoja, Executive Assistant II and Provincial Cooperative Development Officer, emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in expanding financial opportunities for cooperatives and MSMEs in Quirino.
Meanwhile, Ms. Elmira E. Reyes, Senior Cooperatives Development Specialist from the CSF Section of CDA Region II, presented the rationale of the activity and discussed cooperative profiles and statistics. She highlighted the role of the CSF Program in helping enterprises without sufficient hard collateral gain access to bank credit through partnerships among local government units (LGUs), cooperatives, and financial institutions.
Provincial and banking sector representatives also expressed strong support for the initiative. Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua, represented by Mr. Junie Jay E. Cua, Executive Assistant, and Mr. Richard Rifuerzo, Head of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) Quirino Lending Center, delivered solidarity messages emphasizing the CSF Program’s contribution to local economic development and cooperative resilience.
Former Congressman and cooperative advocate Mr. Junie Cua also graced the event and underscored the importance of strengthening cooperatives’ security funds to ensure sustainability, build members’ capacities, and promote long-term community resilience and growth.
A key highlight of the seminar was the presentation of the Credit Surety Fund Program by Mr. Homer Hiponan, Bank Officer IV of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). He explained the structure, benefits, eligibility requirements, and loan application process under the program, including the evaluation procedures and issuance of surety agreements by the CSF Board of Directors.
Mr. Hiponan noted that the program helps improve access to credit, enhances financial and credit management capabilities, and contributes to poverty alleviation and local economic growth.
The activity also featured discussions on CDA initiatives, programs, and statistics on registered CSF cooperatives nationwide led by Mr. Recto M. Transfiguracion, Chief of the Technical Assistance Division of the CSFS-CDA Head Office. He discussed the salient provisions of Republic Act No. 10744, otherwise known as the Credit Surety Fund Cooperative Act.
To further guide participants on the legal and organizational requirements, Ms. Mary Grace Jacquilmac, Senior Cooperatives Development Specialist, outlined the registration requirements for CSF cooperatives, while Ms. Rean Escandor, CDS II, discussed the step-by-step process for conducting organizational meetings.
An open forum followed the presentations, allowing participants to raise questions and clarify concerns directly with the resource speakers.
During the roadshow, participating cooperatives generated aggregate pledges amounting to P10 million. The pledges will be formally presented to the Provincial Government of Quirino together with a request for a matching counterpart contribution to support the sustainability of the CSF Program in the province.
Another major milestone of the event was the organization and election of interim officers, signaling a significant step toward the establishment of a Credit Surety Fund Cooperative in Quirino.
The activity concluded with closing remarks from Mr. Francisco M. Natividad, Board of Director of QUIRELCO, who expressed gratitude to all participants, speakers, and partner institutions for their active support and contribution to the success of the event.
The successful conduct of the CSF Roadshow and Contributors’ Orientation Seminar reflects the strong commitment of stakeholders in Quirino to advance cooperative development and financial inclusion through the Credit Surety Fund Program. (JCC/IAP/CDA Region II)
