This 2025, the Credit Surety Fund (CSF) Section of the CDA Region III conducted a series of initiatives to promote the CSF Program across various provinces, cities, and municipalities, with a particular focus on the province of Bulacan. Among the cities that responded quickly and enthusiastically was Baliwag, whose City Cooperative Development Council (CCDC) expressed keen interest in gaining deeper knowledge about the CSF Program and becoming part of its growing community.
As a result of continued coordination efforts, a successful CSF Roadshow was held on June 13, 2025, at the City Conference Room, 2nd Floor, City Hall of Baliwag, Bulacan. The event brought together over 80 participants, including local government officials, cooperative leaders, and representatives from the CDA Region III Extension Office and Head Office, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP).
The roadshow was graced by the presence of Councilor Lowell Tagle of Baliwag City, along with the resource speakers from the Cooperative Development Authority- Head Office (CDA-HO), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP).
Also in attendance were six (6) staff members from the CDA Region III Extension Office, along with representatives from twelve (12) cooperatives based in Baliwag, to wit:
– Augustinian Cavaliers Multipurpose Cooperative
– Baliuag Star Multipurpose Cooperative
– Bulacan Seed Growers Multipurpose Cooperative
– Baliwag City Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (BCEMPCO)
– Calantipay Farmers Marketing Cooperative
– Catholic Servants of Christ Community Multipurpose Cooperative (CASECHCOM MPC)
– DRI-CON Multipurpose Cooperative
– Greater Bulacan Livelihood Development Cooperative (GBLDC)
– Milflora Credit Cooperative
– Rabbit Raisers and Meat Producers Cooperative
– UV Express Transport Service Cooperative
– United Networkers Alliance Marketing Cooperative (UNACOOP)
The program was facilitated by Ms. Dianne Marie B. Balleza, CDS-II, CSF Section, CDA-R3 and Ms. Lovely T. Regala, CDS-I, CSF Section, CDA-R3. The event commenced with the usual preliminaries and was energized by an enthusiastic roll call of guests and participants. This was followed by a warm welcome message from Mr. Alfredo Martin, the City Cooperative Development Officer (CCDO) of Baliwag. Councilor Lowell Tagle then delivered an inspirational message, highlighting the vital role of the CSF Program in promoting local economic resilience by improving access to credit.
The roadshow featured a series of informative presentations on key topics relevant to the CSF Program:
Cooperative Statistics in Bulacan and the Status of CSF in Region III – Ms. Jeline Reyes, Senior CDS of the CSF Section, CDA Region III, presented the current state of cooperatives in Region III, with a special emphasis on Bulacan and Baliwag City. She highlighted the total number of registered cooperatives in the region and discussed recent updates on the implementation and progress of the CSF Program, helping participants gain a clearer understanding of the program’s significance and growth potential in their area.
Credit Surety Fund: Sustaining Economic Growth Through Increased Credit Flows – Presented by Mr. Homer Hipona and Ms. Jashzeel Baldonado of the BSP, the session highlighted the CSF Program as a vital tool for enhancing access to credit for cooperatives and MSMEs. They discussed the program’s inception in 2008 by the BSP to help borrowers without sufficient collateral and its institutionalization through Republic Act No. 10744, the Credit Surety Fund Cooperative Act of 2015, which designated the CDA as the registering authority. The presentation underscored the CSF’s role in supporting economic growth and financial inclusion by empowering cooperatives through improved creditworthiness.
Land Bank Programs for CSF Cooperatives – Presented by Ms. Ismaila Fabila of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), who discussed the various financial products and services available to CSF cooperatives to support their growth and development.
CDA Initiatives and Partnerships – Presented by Ms. Mary Grace Cinco, Supervising CDS of the CSF- Technical Assistance Division- Head Office She discussed the various initiatives undertaken by the Cooperative Development Authority to strengthen the Credit Surety Fund Program nationwide. Her presentation highlighted strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, such as government financial institutions, local government units, and other support agencies, aimed at enhancing cooperative access to credit and promoting inclusive economic development.
Requirements for CSF Cooperative (CSFC) Registration – Delivered by Ms. Mary Grace Jaquilmac, Senior CDS, CSF-Technical Assistance Division- Head Office. She provided a detailed explanation of the documentary and procedural requirements for registering a CSF Cooperative. Her session aimed to guide interested cooperatives and stakeholders through the legal, technical, and operational prerequisites necessary to formally establish and operationalize a CSF Cooperative, ensuring full compliance with CDA regulations.
The participants remained highly engaged throughout the event, and they expressed strong interest in the topics discussed. This was particularly evident during the open forum, where attendees actively raised insightful questions. Key concerns included the documentary requirements and membership limitations for forming a CSF Cooperative, the scope and coverage of the surety cover, the stringency of membership qualifications, and the extent of LGU’s participation, among others.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Ms. Jeline Reyes, who expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the active participation and enthusiasm shown by the cooperatives and stakeholders. She reaffirmed the Cooperative Development Authority’s unwavering commitment to advancing inclusive financing through the Credit Surety Fund program.
Overall, the roadshow proved to be a vital platform for strengthening partnerships, expanding financial access for cooperatives, and fostering economic growth in the region through collaborative efforts.
Following the success of the activity, the CSF Section of CDA Region III, in coordination with the Baliwag City Cooperative Development Council (BCCDC), has made an arrangement to conduct a series of follow-up activities aimed at formally establishing a CSF Cooperative in Baliwag City. These include an official courtesy call on the city’s newly elected mayor once she assumes office, as well as the conduct of an initial organizational meeting.
Notably, at least ten (10) cooperatives in Baliwag City have already expressed their commitment to join the soon-to-be-established Baliwag City CSF Cooperative, driven by a shared vision of furthering the development of their respective organizations and uplifting the welfare of their members.
Prepared by: DIANNE MARIE B. BALLEZA (CDS II)
