On a warm and sunny afternoon in Tacloban City, the 2nd Floor of Robinsons North Abucay became the stage for a momentous event. The occasion in the spotlight was the ‘2023 Adlaw Han Pagkilala Cum Gawad Parangal,’ a grand culmination of the month-long celebration, orchestrated by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region Office VIII.
At precisely noon, the spotlight shifted to primary cooperatives, aiming to showcase their extraordinary achievements, best practices, and unwavering commitment to good governance. This was more than just an awards ceremony; it was a platform for shared purpose.
The program unfolded methodically, each segment contributing to the narrative:
The Opening Ceremony introduced Ms. Irish Joy I. Adrales and Mr. Walter Marc C. Cantero as the poised hosts, setting the stage for this symphony.
In her Welcome Remarks, Regional Director Venus M. Jornales conveyed profound appreciation for the relentless dedication of cooperatives in the region, underlining their importance. Her words resonated with optimism and hope. She spoke passionately about the boundless potential of the cooperative sector to foster development and sustainability, setting the stage for an inspiring afternoon.
ASEC. Luz H. Yringco, a distinguished Board of Director of the Cooperative Development Authority, delivered an Inspirational Message rich with optimism, emphasizing the cooperative sector’s potential to drive progress.
The event proceeded to the Awarding of Special Recognitions, recognizing key partners and cooperatives that had gone above and beyond in their pursuit of excellence. Among the Special Recognitions awarded were Cooperative Partners 2022 Award, Prompt Cooperative Compliance Award, Community Impact and Involvement Award, and Cooperative Collaboration Award.
An Intermission Number added an artistic dimension to the story as ACDI took to the stage, captivating the audience with their performance.
The Showcase of Cooperative Best Practice Audio Visual Presentation, featuring the Pope Francis Community Consumers Cooperative (PoFraCoCo), offered a poignant moment for reflection, allowing the audience to witness the remarkable work carried out by PoFraCoCo in driving positive change.
Returning to the story, ASEC. Luz H. Yringco and Regional Director Venus M. Jornales awarded Eastern Visayas Top Performing Cooperatives, acknowledging their remarkable achievements.
In a chapter filled with honor, CDA Region VIII recognized the Province of Northern Samar and City of Calbayog for being recognized and awarded during the Gawad Parangal 2023 held at PICC. These LGUs were recognized for their invaluable contributions to the cooperative movement.
The event was honored to have the presence of Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla. She received the Cooperative Collaboration Award for Palo LGU. Her message emphasized on the cooperative journey of Palo Leyte. Also present to receive the same award is the City Administrator of Calbayog City representing Mayor Raymund C. Uy. He conveyed the message of the Honorable Mayor with emphasis on continued collaborative efforts for the betterment of cooperatives in their LGU.
Assistant Regional Director Maripaz M. Del Pilar of CDA Region VIII Office brought the narrative to a grand conclusion with her Closing Remarks.
The ‘2023 Adlaw Han Pagkilala Cum Gawad Parangal’ was more than an awards event; it was a captivating story of cooperation, dedication, and shared dreams. It celebrated the achievements of cooperatives while reinforcing the belief that, together, a brighter and more prosperous future can be achieved. Mabuhay ang Kooperatiba – long live cooperation!
Click this link to access the list of Awardees: LIST OF AWARDEES
More picture here: CDA REGION VIII FB Page
