by: CRISTINE C. CAÑO, CDS II

Legazpi City – In celebration of the National Cooperative Month based on R.A No. 11502 -Albay initiated and strongly supports this through Coop Month Celebration and Trade Fair with a theme: Cooperatives: Stronger Together Today for a Brighter Tomorrow. The Provincial Government of Albay thru Albay Provincial Cooperative, Enterprise, Manpower and Development Office (APCEMDO) in collaboration with Cooperative Development Authority-Albay Contact Office spearheaded this activity in Albay Astrodome, Legazpi City, Albay on October 2, 2024. This momentous event has attended by 319 participants- 115 male and 204 females from 90 cooperatives and eight (8) city and municipal cooperative development officers (C/MCDOs) from Tabaco City, Legazpi City, Ligao City, Malinao, Tiwi, Manito, Camalig and Polangui and two (2) CCDO staff from Legazpi City. Aside from invited resource speakers, C/MCDOs, guests and cooperators, a total of 296 students from Bicol University-CBEM (98) and Tabaco Campus (105) as well as from Polangui Community College (93) have joined and attended the occasion.The program was hosted by Ms. Cherry Mae B. Dacoro, Technical Staff-Albay Public Information Office (PIO) and Ms. Cristine C. Cantes, CDS II-CDA, Albay which started with preliminaries which include an opening prayer through an audio-visual presentation, singing of the Philippine National Anthem and cooperative pledge followed by acknowledgement of participants through Ms. Regin M. Aycocho, CDS II. The event was also graced with the presence of our Regional Director, Atty. Emilio D. Escueta III who shared words of wisdom and message of support to the activities of cooperatives. The governor of Albay, Hon.  Atty. Edcel Greco A. B. Lagman also shared his warm message and expressed his care to programs and activities for cooperatives and acknowledges the effort of cooperatives participating and showcasing their products as well as the awe-inspiring attendance of cooperative officers and students. An intermission number from Ms. Mariel Rose T. Reyes and Mr. Carl Guim who sang together have set the mood and energy of participants. In addition to this, free porridge or “lugaw” and popcorn were also provided by PGA. There are 23 cooperatives who have showcased their products namely:

1. 360 Agriculture Cooperative
2. Albay Agriculture Cooperative
3. Albay Capitol Employees Multipurpose Cooperative
4. Albay Coconut Farmers and By-Products Processors Agriculture Cooperative
5. Bicol Entrepreneurs for Mushroom Agriculture Cooperative
6. Busac Ligao City Farmers Agriculture Cooperative
7. Camote Creations Farmers and Entrepreneurs Multipurpose Cooperative
8. Entrepreneurs Alumni Development Cooperative
9. Laudato Si Agriculture Cooperative
10. Malinao Albay Agriculture Cooperative
11. Men and Women of Albay Agriculture Cooperative
12. Mayon Pili Producers Cooperative
13. Overseas Filipino Workers Multi-Purpose Cooperative
14. Pioduran Animal Raisers Agriculture Cooperative
15. Quipia Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative
16. Sarigan Daraga ARC Multi-Purpose Cooperative
17. Socio-Economic Development Program Multipurpose Cooperative
18. Tinapian Farmers and Fisherfolks Multi-Purpose Cooperative
19. Tunay Tapat Lahing Pilipino Cooperative
20. Upland Cluster Farmers Agriculture Cooperative
21. Sarong Bikolnon Consumers Cooperative
22. Bicol Intercity Transport Cooperative
23. Triskelion Cares de Legazpi Consumers Cooperative

Aside from these coops, the students from BS in Agribusiness and BS in Entrepreneurship of Polangui Community College displayed their artworks and food products as well. This event also includes learnings and sharing of information for coops which was also attended by our Acting ARD, Engr. Zaldy G. Bermejo who discussed the Koop Kapatid Program and Mr. Jon Emmanuel Andrei Banday of Registration Section. Ms. Pearl Joy Barcelona, Head of ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative-Legazpi Branch was also invited to discuss their programs and services to the cooperatives as well as their plans as Big Brother Coop to identified micro coops in Albay in which three (3) coops were already visited last month. Upon the arrival of Hon. Atty. Sheina Marie C. Onrubia-Dela Cruz, Board Member and the Chairperson for Committee on Cooperatives, she was warmly welcomed by the participants and she cheerfully delivered a message for coops and motivate them to work together and grab opportunities for them to flourish.In the afternoon, Hon. Glenda O. Bongao, Vice-Governor of Albay also gave an encouraging message for the cooperatives. The next speaker was from Bicol University, Mr. Nolan G. Belaro, Head of Entrepreneurship Department form BU-CBEM with the topic Entrepreneurial Mindset: How to Start and Sustain a Business? He was awarded with certificate of appreciation and token by Ms. Lucille L. Arcilla, APCEMDO Head, Ms. Ma. Lucia Myrlin S. Botin, CDS-in-charge of CDA-Albay and other APCEMDO personnel.

The Provincial Government of Albay thru APCEMDO awarded certificates and cash incentives to the first 20 coop exhibitors identified by APCEMDO and CDA prior to this event. In addition to this, we have given certificate of participation to Bicol University- CBEM and Tabaco Campus as well as the Polangui Community College. In between the messages and discussion, there is a raffle for all attendees from our generous donors for prizes such as Gov. Edcel Greco A.B. Lagman, ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative, Pru-Life UK and Makati Country Bankers Insurance Group wherein winners were beaming with smiles. Apart from the meals provided by APCEMDO, Bicol Intercity Cooperative (BITCoop) has sponsored food packs (lunch) during the event as well as ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative for some snacks given that we have overwhelming number of participants. Estimated sales for the coop exhibitors have reached Php 76,687,00. Ms. Ma. Lucia Myrlin S. Botin, CDS-in-Charge of CDA -Albay expressed her gratitude to the active participation of cooperatives as well as the unwavering support from PGA, MCDOs, CCDOs, exhibitors and guests for the success of this coop month celebration. The activity ended with a closing remark delivered by Ms. Lucille L. Arcilla, APCEMDO Head.This remarkable occasion has exhibited the presence of working together with the purpose to help cooperatives, equipped them with knowledge and strengthen their capacity to showcase their products that may help open new opportunities for potential market. With the endless support from CDA together with the Provincial Government of Albay thru APCEMDO, unites all cooperative to be stronger and achieve success for a brighter future.

Photo Credits: APCEMDO Albay, Albay Provincial Information Office, Governor Grex Lagman and Vice-Gov. Glenda O. Bongao FB posts & CDA Personnel