At 9:00 in the morning, on February 26, 2022, at  Southern Leyte State  University (SLSU), Sogod,  Southern Leyte, the  Cooperative Development  Authority headed by its  Officials Chairman USEC.  Joseph B. Encabo, ASEC  Vidal Villanueva III, Head  Finance Cluster, ASEC Virgilio  Lazaga, M.D., Head  Agriculture Cooperatives  Cluster together with the  CDA Region VIII personnel under the leadership of Regional Director Giovanni T. Platero conducted the Special Assistance for Recovery and Alleviation (SARA) Program for Micro  Cooperatives Affected by Typhoon Odette. For Region VIII, recognized for the program were ten (10) micro cooperatives experiencing business disruption by the weather disturbance that occurred last  December 16,  Eight (8)  cooperatives from  Southern Leyte, and two (2)  cooperatives in the  Province of Leyte.  The beneficiaries were identified based on the guidelines set by the Authority – duly registered cooperatives under RA 9520, accredited by the CDA per Memorandum Circular 2020-09,  belong to the micro cooperatives category, and with no unliquidated financial assistance with the CDA.

The Provincial Government of Southern Leyte supported the activity graced by the Board Members, Jonathan P. Maraon, Myra Rentusa, and Napoleon Regis. LGU Sogod represented by Vice Mayor Atty. Jose Ramil Golo warmly welcomed the guests and participants. 

During the activity, HELP beneficiary cooperatives of Capitol Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (CEMCO) of Catarman Northern Samar received their financial assistance. Also of CANDON Cooperative Council of Ilocos Sur. The HELP assistance is a local collaboration of CDA Regional Office VIII, the Tacloban City Cooperative Development and Assistance Office (TCCDLAO), Tacloban City Cooperative Development Council (TCCDC), and Tacloban City Cooperative Union (TCCU). These collaborative efforts of all cooperatives in extending assistance are in the spirit of Bayanihan.

Beneficiaries were thankful to CDA for the assistance provided to them. Twenty-one (21) cooperatives receive their financial grants. The goal of fund assistance is to revive their business operation damaged by Typhoon Odette. The program formally ended with a closing remark from RD. Giovanni T. Platero.

Prepared by: COOPERATIVE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ASSISTANCE                          SECTION (CPDAS)

ROWAN L. DELOS SANTOS, SR. CDS | IRISH JOY I. ADRALES, CDS II