by Irene R. Petilla, Ivy Avestruz, Jonel Cerbito

The Northern Samar Credit Surety Fund Cooperative (NSCSFC) successfully conducted a Special General Assembly on May 4, 2026, at Amhores Resort in Victoria, Northern Samar. The assembly gathered member-cooperatives and partner institutions to undertake key organizational matters, including the election of new officers, formulation of the annual development plan, and discussion of operational priorities for the year. The event was graced by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region VIII Extension Office, led by Regional Director Ms. Venus Jornales, together with staff members Ms. Irene R. Petilla, Mr. Elihu Remegio, Ms. Ivy C. Avestruz, and Mr. Jonel B. Cerbito. It was likewise actively supported by the Provincial Cooperative and Community Affairs Office (PCCAO), represented by its Officer-in-Charge and Provincial Government Department Head, Mr. Jessie O. Ymata.

A key highlight of the assembly was the election of the new set of officers of NSCSFC, marking a significant step in strengthening the cooperative’s formal leadership structure. In her message, CDA Regional Director Ms. Venus Jornales extended her congratulations to the newly elected officers and emphasized the importance of strong, transparent, and accountable leadership in ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of the Credit Surety
Fund program. She also commended the Provincial Government of Northern Samar, under the leadership of Governor Harris Christopher M. Ongchuan, as well as all primary cooperative members, for their continued strong support of the CSF initiative. The General Assembly formulated its Development Plan, presented by the newly elected Chairperson Ymata, which outlined the cooperative’s strategic priorities for the coming years. Following a thorough discussion, the members unanimously approved the 2026– 2028 Development Plan.

The plan includes comprehensive capacity-building programs for both officers and members, targeted membership expansion initiatives across all local government units (LGUs) in the province, and the strengthening of operational systems. These efforts aim to enhance service delivery and ensure the cooperative effectively fulfills its mandate of improving members’ quality of life in accordance with cooperative principles. Partner institution Land Bank of the Philippines, through the Samar Lending Center, reaffirmed its strong support for NSCSFC. It expressed readiness to extend financial assistance to cooperatives and MSMEs, subject to the establishment of appropriate guarantees, systems, and policies.

Following the induction of officers, the Board of Directors convened and approved a resolution authorizing the opening of trust and savings accounts with the Landbank of the Philippines – Catarman Branch. The following day, Regional Director Venus Jornales, together with key officers of NSCSFC, paid a courtesy visit to the Branch Manager of LBP Catarman to discuss the cooperative’s intent to establish a trust account for the safekeeping of the surety fund. The discussion also explored potential areas of collaboration between LBP and CDA in further strengthening and sustaining the implementation of the Credit Surety Fund (CSF) Program in the province. Following this productive engagement, the account was successfully established, marking a significant milestone in the cooperative’s operational development.

Overall, the Special General Assembly represents a major step forward for NSCSFC in strengthening its leadership, systems, and institutional foundation. With the continued support of partner agencies and member-cooperatives, the organization is well-positioned to advance financial inclusion, support MSMEs, and promote sustainable cooperative development in Northern Samar.