Β Β Β By virtue of the mandate of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) specifically found in Section 15, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution and pursuant to CDA Memo Circular No. 2025-07, which is the βGuidelines for Empowering Micro and Small Cooperatives Through Strategic Partnership with Medium and Large Cooperatives and Cooperative Banks for Increased Participation in the Credit Surety Fund (CSF) Programβ, also known as theβ Expanded Koop Kapatid Programβ, the CDA intensify collaboration and promotion to foster significant impact and to strengthen the base of cooperatives especially Micro and Small. This initiative creates a sustainable framework to help and assist the Micro and Small Cooperatives to participate in the CSF program. It has been viewed as creating a more realistic and sustainable outcome for our beneficiaries who have been facing more financial challenges in accessing financing for business start-up, growth, viability and sustainability.
Β Β Β To maximize time and resources and to intensify collaboration for the promotion of the CSF Program, the CDA Region 7, through the CSF Section make initiatives to partner and make better collaboration with LGUs such as the Provincial Government of Bohol for the said purpose. Looking into the vast participation among cooperatives and the potential stakeholders of the program during the Culmination of the 2025 Cooperative Month Celebration, it was a fitting and significant event and grand provincewide cooperative celebration; an opportunity worth having of presenting the CSF Program and the CDAβs issuances relative therein. The theme for the celebration is: United in Purpose and Action, Sharing Prosperity to Build a Better Worldβ and in commemoration of the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives. The Provincial Government of Bohol, with the leadership of Hon. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, through the Provincial Cooperative Development Office (PCDO-Bohol) headed by Ms. Ma. Conrada Fuentes, in collaboration with the Office of Board Member Lucille Y. Lagunay, Chair, Committee on Cooperatives, successfully concluded the Culmination Program in celebrating the month-long activity of October as the Cooperative Month.
Β Β Β The CSF Program in Region 7 has been backed by an approved Regional Development Council Resolution (RDC Res.) under the leadership of Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado as the RDC Chairperson, stating among others, that RDC 7 is in full support for the establishment and registration of CSF Cooperatives in all Cities and Provinces within Region VII to strengthen and promote our MSMEs, NGOs and Cooperatives as drivers of our econom
y to become a potent force to fight poverty and to address the social and economic challenges we have been currently facing to have more inclusive growth, resilience and sustainability.
Β Β Β During the program, CDA 7, Sr. CDS for CSF, Ms. Gina F. Repunte, discussed RA 10744, otherwise known as the Credit Surety Fund Cooperative Act of 2015, where MSMEs, cooperatives, and NGOs can be provided with assistance by making them more creditworthy so they can have easier access to the credit and other facilities from the lending banks. This is by way of issuing a surety agreement and surety cover in lieu of hard collateral when obtaining loans from banks. The goal is to help MSMEs, cooperatives, and NGOs to become more successful entrepreneurs. Aside from the Credit Surety Fund (CSF), membership expansion was also discussed through strategic partnerships between medium and large cooperatives and cooperative banks to empower the micro and small cooperatives. It underscored the role of mediumΒ and large cooperatives to become donors in favor of the micro and small cooperatives as beneficiaries so that more micro and small cooperatives could avail of the CSF program for inclusive growth, viability, and sustainability.
From 2025 onward, Boholβs cooperatives will strengthen their shared commitment to thrive as engines of changeβuplifting the economy, fostering prosperity, and improving the lives of Boholanos, with the able support of the LGU, the CDA, Β and other agencies with cooperative programs. (gfr)
