This 2021, our whole nation has come into grips that the pandemic is not going anywhere YET. And with this in mind, there is no other way but to move on and adapt to changes. For the ever-exploring cooperatives, our situation nowadays is also an opportunity. The sector also knew that the difficulty that we are facing today might turn out to be a training ground to face a far more difficult future, thus, they should all continue to grow and be more. And so that was what they did. This cooperative month celebration, the Movement worked together, maintaining the best practices and also introducing new ones.

Committed to the provision of various assistance to members and community, the Antipolo City Cooperative Federation (ACCFED) continued its practices to uphold the 6th and 7th principles of cooperative; Cooperation among Cooperatives and Concern for Community, respectively.

The federation always celebrates cooperative month by giving back from all the blessings it has received. In October 1-2, the federation shared their blessings through gift giving to its most affected primary co-op members and benefiting almost 300 families, they also conducted a feeding activity to 200 kids on October 10. In partnership with MCGI, they also opened a free market on October 18, in Sitio PCUP Ville, Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City, wherein they gave free rice and groceries to the villagers who are also members of PCUP RPG Ville MPC and on the same day, the federation donated bond paper in Abuyod Elem School, Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City for elementary school module.

On the other hand, the primary cooperatives of Antipolo City also slated collective undertakings to celebrate the cooperative month. The Masinag MPC provided alcohol and facemasks to hospitals andhealth care centers on October 21 in Brgy. San Jose, Mambugan, and Dela Paz while Tagbac MPC established a Kusina Kooperatiba on October 30, inBrgy Calawis, Antipolo City with100 Indigenous People (IP’s) as beneficiaries. The Anawin Diocesan Credit Cooperative conducted an outreach activity at Sapinit Elementary School, Antipolo City wherein they distributed school supplies to 100 indigent pre-school children.

With the whole Province of Rizal giving emphasis on environment conservation and protection, the cooperatives in Antipolo City, supported and coordinated by the Antipolo City LGU, headed by Hon. Mayor Andrea B. Ynares; Antipolo City Cooperative Federation (ACCFED)  headed by Chairperson Rowena F. Zapanta; and City Cooperative and Livelihood Office (CCLO), headed by Ms. Amalia A. Engalla; and the Antipolo City Cooperative Development Council, headed by Chairperson Dennis C. Federizo, conducted a  simultaneous clean-up drive which was participated by 17 cooperatives and tree growing activity participated by 22 cooperatives which broughtalmost80 members and non-members to cooperate in the environmental cause.

The partnership and collaboration even became wider because the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and the Rizal Provincial Cooperative Development Council (RPCDC) were added in the mix in capacity building activities on topics – Community Development and Transformation: COVID-19 Response towards Sustainability on October 15, 2021, Basic Business English Writing (Part I) and Public Health: A COVID-19 Response to Basic Health Support and First Aid (Part II) on October 22, 2021 which were both sponsored by the Taytay MCDC, headed by Chairperson Melvin Olicia, GAD Mainstreaming Seminar on October 27, 2021 and lastly the city’s hosting of the Rizal PCDC’s Culminating Activity on October 29, 2021 which also included a webinar on Environment Conservation and Protection, having Ms. Ma. Melissa B. Aguila of Rizal PENRO as the Resource Speaker.

The celebration of the cooperatives in Antipolo City became even more meaningful when the ACCFED was recognized by the CDA Region IV-A as an Outstanding Federation and its Chairperson Ms. Rowena F. Zapanta as an Outstanding Cooperative Leader in CALABARZON during its closing ceremony on October 30, 2021. Their hard work and dedication for the furtherance of the sector were gems in the Movement that noticeably shone upon the cooperatives.

In this modern time, we are being called for creation and innovation. We can all extend our already stretched imaginations to see more images of hope for the future. The pandemic certainly impacted the whole nation negatively, but it is also an opportunity for the cooperatives and they have already started to rediscover their strengths and opportunities. The cooperatives in Antipolo City were able to successfully return to their old ways with the addition of the new normal strategies. In conclusion, there are no high walls, nor difficult paths to those who take their journey seriously. And the Cooperative Movement is the real deal. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! (By: Ms. Jeramel B. Valdez)