On June 6, 2024, Senator Bong Go visited the province of Albay to personally lead the awarding of financial assistance to twenty-three (23) cooperative beneficiaries. The visit was part of his Malasakit sa Kooperatiba Program, aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of cooperatives through the provision of financial assistance of Fifty Thousand pesos (₱50,000.00) designed to improve the viability and growth of micro and small cooperatives in Bicol region.

Present during the event were CDA Chairman, Usec. Joseph B. Encabo, Governor Grex Lagman, Mrs. Ana Lagman, Mayor Carolyn Sy-Reyes, Councilor Carol Ziga, CDA Region V Regional Director Atty. Emilio D Escueta III, CDA Region V Acting Assistant Regional Director Engr. Zaldy Bermejo, Ms. Lucille Arcilla of APCEMDPO, and Sen. Bong Go’s friend, Mr. Philip Salvador. Also, part of the CDA Region V team who took part in the activity were: Mr. Jon Andrei Emmanuel Banday, Ms. Myrlin S. Botin, Ms. Cristine Cantes, Mr. Joshua Nayles, Mr. Julius Quimco, Mr. Roberto Buena and Mr. Darine L. Tupaz.

Senator Bong Go emphasized his commitment to public service, encouraging the cooperatives to efficiently utilize the funds to improve their livelihoods and business operations, reiterating that his office is always open and ready to assist those in need.

“Ang bisyo ako ay magserbisyo, dahil ang serbisyo sa Diyos ay serbisyo sa mga tao”, Sen. Bong Go expressed during his keynote message to a jampacked Albay Astrodome. “Nawa ay paunlarin ninyo ang inyong mga kabuhayan at kooperatiba dahil ang aking opisina ay palaging bukas at handang tumulong sa abot ng aking makakaya at kapasidad, dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo sa mga nangangailangang Pilipino, Sen. Go added.

With the provision of financial assistance, each beneficiary-cooperative is poised to improve its respective business operations, thereby contributing to the local development in the region.

“We would like to express our profound gratitude to Senator Bong Go for the grant, to the CDA and to all the people who are responsible in making this program possible. May you never get impatient nor get weary in helping those who are in need”, Mr. Lorenzo Monje, Chairman of Global Endeavors Agriculture Cooperative said.

Other beneficiaries have also expressed their gratitude to Senator Bong Go and to the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), hoping that such initiative would continue to support those micro and small cooperatives in need.

For the complete list of cooperative-beneficiaries, visit this link: https://bit.ly/CoopBeneficiaries