Biñan CCDC Initiates Adopt-a-Community Programs

The Biñan City Cooperative Development Council (BCCDC) attended the thanksgiving mass and blessing of its Adopt-a-Community Program pilot project on March 07, 2024, at Sts. Perpetua and Felicity Chapel, Sitio Pag-Asa II, Brgy. Sto. Tomas, City of Biñan, Laguna.

(Congresswoman Marlyn Alonte-Naguiat, BCCDC Vice-Chairperson Rence Mediarito, and Board Member of Laguna Bong Bejasa, during the blessing of Sts. Perpetual and Felicity Chapel)

Article 6 of CDA Memorandum Circular 2021-01 states that the Community Development Fund (CDF) shall be used for programs, projects or activities with social impact that will benefit a community through an Adopt-a-Community Program, a program wherein the cooperative, in collaboration with its local government unit, will identify a community and determine what intervention the cooperative may provide for the said community using the allocated CDF.

With the assistance of the City Cooperatives Office (CCO) and the guidance of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), the BCCDC lead the way to gather Cooperatives in the city, to collaborate in planning and implementing programs, projects, and activities beneficial to the adopted community to have a greater and lasting social and economic impact, through Adopt-a-Community Program.

After series of meetings, the BCCDC Officers together with other Council members conducted an ocular visit last November 15, 2024, to three prospective adopted communities: Casile Child Development Center in Brgy. Casile, San Francisco Child Development Center in Brgy. San Francisco and Sitio Pag-Asa II in Brgy. Sto. Tomas.

(BCCDC Officers and Members with Hon. James M. Cerda [in gray polo shirt], Barangay Captain of Brgy. Casile)

(BCCDC Officers and Members with Hon. Geminiano B.Catalon [in brown polo], Barangay Captain of Brgy. San Francisco)

The BCCDC identified the chapel renovation for Sitio Pag-asa II as the priority project. Specifically, they requested for assistance in the construction of the fences and gate of their chapel. This chapel had not been operational for years, but through the initiative and leadership of Ms. Joyce Mance, Chairperson of Sitio Pag-Asa II Homeowner’s Association, the idea of restoring the chapel was created.

(BCCDC Officers and Members, City Cooperatives Office with Joyce Mance [in blue polo shirt], Chairperson of Sitio Pag-asa II Homeowners Association)

The renovation started on November and was already used for funeral/wake, and for Novena last December 2023. Ms. Mance said that they are hoping that more people in their community will be encouraged to attend the mass again now that they already have their own chapel.

On March 07, 2024, a thanksgiving mass was conducted by Fr. Rex Alday for the official opening and blessing of the chapel which was named Sts. Perpetua and Felicity Chapel. The event was attended by distinguished guests and sponsors such as Congresswoman Marlyn Alonte-Naguiat, Board Member Bong Bejasa, and the BCCDC.

The residents of Sitio Pag-Asa II are very grateful to BCCDC for choosing them to be the first beneficiary of the Adopt-a-Community Program and this projects also encouraged them to establish their own community-based cooperative.

This year, the BCCDC aims to continually promote and observe the Cooperative Principles especially Cooperation among Cooperatives and Concern for Community through the Adopt-a-Community Program. Next projects will be the requests from Brgy. Casile and Brgy. San Francisco, and if more donations from the CDF of the Cooperatives will come, more communities will benefit and be more aware of the Cooperative Movement in the city.