The Koop Kapatid Program endeavors to enhance cooperative management, governance, and business operations by offering technical, financial, and other forms of assistance to micro and small cooperatives. Participation in this initiative is voluntary, with the complete engagement of participating cooperatives accurately recorded and documented in accordance with their respective Memorandum of Agreement.
In Central Luzon, a total of 28 big brother cooperatives have been able to extend a helping hand to 33 small brother cooperatives since the inception of the Program in 2018. As of 2023, the Koop Kapatid Program has shown continuous progress, with 6 big brother cooperatives and 9 small brother cooperatives entering into Memorandum of Agreements.
Evidently, the Program has been exemplifying the Cooperative Principle of Cooperation among Cooperatives showing significant improvement on the operations, documentation, and work ethics of the small brother cooperatives.
Ms. Mary Ann C. Estacio, Chairperson of the Silangan Multipurpose Cooperative, shared her appreciation for the Koop Kapatid Program, highlighting the invaluable assistance provided by their big brother cooperative, Kapit Bisig Sa Pag-unlad Multipurpose Cooperative. She remarked, “Ang Koop Kapatid Program ay magandang programa na inilunsad ng CDA sapagkat nakatulong talaga sa amin ang aming big brother sa pamamagitan ng paggabay at pagtuturo” (The Koop Kapatid Program is a beneficial program since our big brother cooperative really helped our cooperative through guidance and mentoring/coaching”). On the other hand, Ms. Jocelyn P. Rivera, Manager of the Kapit Bisig Sa Pag-unlad Multipurpose Cooperative, offered insight into the Program’s objective from the perspective of a big brother cooperative. She stated, “Ang layunin naman natin bilang big brother cooperative ay maging agapay ng small brother dahil ang pangarap natin ay sa hinaharap, lumaki rin sila at maging big brother sa ibang micro at small coop. Kami po ang pinakamasaya kapag nangyari iyon” (Our goal as the big brother cooperative is to guide our small brother because we want to see them in the future becoming a big brother also to other micro and small cooperatives. We will be the happiest when that happens”).
The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) takes a great pride in the transformative impact of the Koop Kapatid Program on the cooperative landscape. This initiative epitomizes our commitment to fostering collaboration, solidarity, and sustainable growth within the cooperative sector. Through the Koop Kapatid Program, we have witnessed firsthand the power of cooperation in driving socio-economic progress, empowering communities, and embodiment of the Cooperative Principle of Cooperation among Cooperatives.
