The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region IV-A Extension Office held consecutive events last April 1 and 20, 2022 for the awarding of the grants under the Integrated Sustainable Assistance Recovery and Advancement Program (ISARAP).  These were conducted at the Sta. Rosa Multipurpose Complex, City of Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and Brgy. Bagong Nayon Covered Court, Antipolo City, Rizal, respectively.

The purpose of this program is to showcase the projects accomplished under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and ensure their sustained implementation. It uses a “whole-of-government” approach to unite the government agencies for fast and direct delivery of services to the Filipinos. It is a convergence program, led by the CDA, aiming to provide financial assistance to cooperatives and allow them to recover and alleviate their status.

Guest speakers from different agencies were present during the event. DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, CDA – Chairperson Joseph U. Encabo, and Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) Regional Director Atty. Jann Roby R. Otero were present last April 1, 2022. On the other hand, Secretary Leoncio “Jun” B. Evasco Jr., Presidential Adviser on Streamlining of Government Processes and Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) Regional Director Atty. Jann Roby R. Otero graced the ceremony last April 20, 2022.

During the activities, there were booths from various National Government Agencies (NGAs) that showcased the programs and services for existing and prospective clients. Agencies distributed freebies and IEC materials, including free lamination of the COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (VaXCertPH) from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and vegetable seeds from the Department of Agriculture.  An audio-video presentation of the overview of the Integrated Sustainable Assistance Recovery and Advancement Program (ISARAP) were presented during the separate activities.

 The awarding of grants to various beneficiaries came from different National Government Agencies (NGAs) such as the Cooperative Development Authority R4A-Calamba Extension Office (CDA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA CALABARZON), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources RIV-A (BFAR), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Housing Authority R4 (NHA), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), and National Irrigation Administration R4A (NIA R4A).

On April 1, 2022, CDA awarded the grants to eight (8) micro and small cooperatives which were affected by calamities and pandemic. The grant amounted to FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 50,000.00) for each cooperative. The following are the beneficiaries: three (3) cooperatives in Laguna, 1) Cabuyao Fisherfolks Producers Cooperative, 2) Samahang Sakahan para sa Kalikasan (SASAKAKA COOP) both micro cooperatives and 3) Calamba Rice Growers MPC a small category cooperative; two (2) cooperatives in Batangas, 1) Kasama Halal Producers Cooperative, and 2) Samahang Damayan ng Matabungkay Multipurpose Cooperative both micro cooperatives; and three (3) cooperatives in Quezon province: 1) Patnubay Savings and Credit Cooperative, 2) Agdangan Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative, and 3) Samahang Nagbubuklod sa Pag-unlad Multipurpose Cooperative which are all micro cooperatives.

Also, on April 20, 2022, the CDA awarded grant to two (2) beneficiaries in Rizal province. The said beneficiaries were PWD Antipolo Consumers Cooperative from Antipolo City and Sipsipin Multipurpose Cooperative from Jala-Jala. Transportation drivers and operators also received assistance under the Pantawid Pasada Program of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. One of the beneficiaries is the Binangonan Transport Cooperative from Binangonan, Rizal.