The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis that brings with it a lot of problems, especially for the poor and marginalized sectors of society including cooperative members of our community. This crisis is challenging us, the cooperatives, to bring about an increased sense of our humanity, community and compassion.

In the essence of cooperativism and compassion, the Calamba City Cooperative Development Council (CCCDC) in cooperation with Calambanga Federation of Multi-Purpose Cooperatives (CAFEDCO) conducted an activity dubbed “Fight Covid-19”.

Last April 18 – 20, 2020, CCCDC donated face masks and boxes of vitamins to frontliners and sectors who are experiencing the most difficulty. Beneficiaries were JPRizal Hospital Health Workers, City Public Safety and Order (POSO) employees, Officials and Health Workers of Barangay Halang, Bucal, Bagong Kalsada, Masili, and Sucol. Some food products were also distributed to security guards at the Pasalubong Center and City Plaza.

Financial assistance to the CCCDC’s secretariat and officers, and to CAFEDCO’s part- time assistants / runners were likewise given to augment their loss of income, limited mobility and other struggles.

Each member of cooperatives especially the large cooperatives, lent their own share of collective efforts to help their communities in this time of crisis. Continuous communication to primary cooperatives informing them of different memoranda, guidelines, and policies regarding fight against COVID-19 and assistance in their submission of required reports are one of the concerns of the council nowadays. (Written by: Ms. Carmen T. Malaque; Reviewed and Edited by: Calabarzon Regional Clearing House)