It’s evident: ASKI cares.
The ASKI Multipurpose Cooperative (ASKIMPC), a highly progressive cooperative in Talavera, Nueva Ecija, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under the Koop Kapatid Program for the second time. This MOA-signing is facilitated by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region III Extension Office. The Koop Kapatid Program is a flagship program of the CDA, which aims to support cooperatives in transitioning from Micro-to-Small and Small-to-Medium categories.
This time, ASKIMPC took the initiative to sign with not just one but three beneficiary cooperatives, to wit:
– St. Isidore Agriculture Cooperative
– Kababaihan ng Tabacao Primary Multipurpose Cooperative; and
– Men at Work Consumers Cooperative
These cooperatives are in need of technical guidance to further develop their management, governance and business operation capabilities.
The signing of the MOA took place on May 23, 2025 at the Robotics Lab, ASKI-SKI Compound, Sampaloc, Talavera, Nueva Ecija. As the programme commenced, Ms. Margarita U. Gulapa, Acting Head of the Cooperative Project Development and Assistance Section (CPDAS), acknowledged the guests and participants present and discussed key elements of the MOA. These included the project’s duration and scope, as well as the responsibilities of both the partner and beneficiary cooperatives.
Afterwards, Mr. Arturo Ilagan from the Municipal Cooperative and Entrepreneurship Development Office (MCEDO) of Talavera gave words of inspiration and assured the cooperatives present that his office is always open to provide assistance.
When it was his turn to speak, Mr. Rolando B. Victoria, ASKIMPC Founder & Chairman Emeritus, highlighted the importance of the sixth cooperative principle—Cooperation Among Cooperatives, which encouraged cooperatives to work together, share resources and expertise, and collaborate on joint initiatives to strengthen the overall cooperative movement.
Regional Director Marieta P. Hwang then delivered words of encouragement and expressed her gratitude to ASKIMPC for their untiring support to fellow cooperatives in their community. Assistant Secretary Santiago S. Lim, CDA Administrator, was also present to witness this remarkable event between the Partner Cooperative and the Beneficiary Cooperatives.
Before the actual signing, the Chairpersons of the three beneficiary Cooperatives shared tidbits on the sacrifices and challenges they have faced over the years and expressed their heartfelt thanks to ASKIMPC for choosing them as beneficiaries.
The signing was witnessed by Mr. Jasper D. Santos, General Manager of ASKIMPC, Asec. Lim, RD Hwang, Mr. Ilagan, and officers of the three Beneficiary Cooperatives.
This beautiful occasion is proof that the cooperative movement does not only uplift the economic stature of cooperatives and their members, rather, it empowers communities by building harmonious relationships.
Prepared by: MARGARITA U. GULAPA (ACTING SENIOR CDS)
