PUERTO GALERA, ORIENTAL MINDORO – Marking a historic milestone for the youth cooperative movement in the region, the first-ever MIMARO COCO COOP Youth Camp 2026 successfully convened young cooperative leaders from across the MIMARO Provinces from June 1 to 4, 2026 in the scenic municipality of Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.

With the empowering theme, “KoopKabataan: Tanim ng Pag-asa, Ani ng Kaunlaran,” the pioneering four-day youth camp served as a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening youth engagement in cooperatives, developing leadership capacities, and promoting financial literacy and cooperative values among the next generation of leaders.

The historic gathering formally began on June 1, 2026, as participants arrived at 3:00 PM, warmly welcomed by the Secretariat. The evening program opened at 7:00 PM with a welcome message from Regional Director Alberto A. Sabarias of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region IV-B, setting the tone for a meaningful and transformative experience.

A highlight of the first night was the Bonfire Welcome Ceremony, which symbolized unity, hope, and shared purpose among the participants. Activities such as the introduction of participants per province, presentation of selected youth leaders, friendship bracelet exchange, and the symbolic “Pass the Flame” activity reflected the spirit of cooperation and leadership being passed on to the youth. The evening concluded with group sharing of expectations and a unity song, officially marking the beginning of a shared journey.

On the second day, June 2, participants engaged in a full day of leadership and cooperative education sessions. The day opened with preliminaries and acknowledgments, followed by messages of support from key officials including Alberto A. Sabarias, Atty. Richard E. Ilagan, and program coordinators from the four provinces.

The Leadership Seminar, facilitated by Hon. Primo Pamintuan, Board Member of Marinduque, inspired participants to embrace servant leadership and become active contributors to community development.

In the afternoon, Eva Loraine R. Cataje, Senior Cooperative Development Specialist of the Cooperative Research, Information and Training Section (CRITS), led the Financial Literacy Seminar, equipping the youth with essential knowledge on budgeting, saving, and responsible financial decision-making.

This was followed by an Introduction to Cooperatives conducted by Helen S. Servanez, deepening participants’ understanding of cooperative principles and their role in nation-building. The day ended with reflection sessions where participants shared key learnings and insights.

The third day, June 3, focused on experiential learning through Team Building and Talent Showcase activities. From early morning team-building exercises to banner-making, group presentations, and creative challenges, participants demonstrated teamwork, creativity, and leadership in action. The evening fellowship featured performances, group presentations, and an awarding ceremony recognizing outstanding teams and individuals, further strengthening bonds among participants.

The camp officially concluded on June 4, 2026, as participants departed with renewed inspiration, strengthened leadership skills, and a deeper commitment to advancing the cooperative movement in their respective provinces.

As the first-ever conduct of the MIMARO COCO COOP Youth Camp, the event stands as a significant step in empowering the youth sector within the cooperative movement. It successfully created a platform for learning, collaboration, and leadership formation, ensuring that the values of cooperation continue to flourish in the next generation.

The 2026 Youth Camp truly embodied its theme—“KoopKabataan: Tanim ng Pag-asa, Ani ng Kaunlaran”—planting seeds of hope and harvesting future leaders committed to inclusive and sustainable development through cooperatives.