It makes one really proud to report that cooperatives in region 9 continue to play a vital role in the healing of the nation. It makes us even prouder to know that even striving micro cooperatives took a great length of courage and determination despite meager resources to provide comfort to their members.
We are equally thankful to our partners on cooperative development in the different LGUs, provincial, city and municipality, as they constantly encourage the cooperative leaders in their jurisdiction to utilize available means to ensure proper care for their members and employees, and appropriate support to their community.
In this report, MCDO Marvin Calapiz and Mayor Josecor S. Gepolongca of the municipality of Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte, encouraged and supported the consumers and farmers’ cooperatives, located in the far-flung barangays, in their efforts to extend assistance to their members.
CCDO Elena Doris Sarande and Mayor Darel Dexter T. Uy of Dipolog City partnered with the cooperatives to ensure easy and convenient access to food supply and other essential commodities during the community quarantine, which was readily acceded to by the Bidlisiw sa Kalambuan MPC.
And, the Zamboanga City local government partnered with the Asia’s Latin City Transport Service Cooperative for the free use of 5 taxi units owned by the latter to transport patients with chronic diseases since April 3 to present.
These assistance, documented from May 13-18, 2020, which are shown below, may appear of less significance in the grander scale but for the coop members, employees, local residents and patients who received them, it could be life changing.
Ramon Magsaysay Employees Mpc located at Municipal Compound Ramon Magsaysay ZDS, extended cash assistance of Php5,000.00 each to 18 coop employee-member amounting to Php90,000.00 charged against the Optional Fund.
Datagan Consumers Cooperative (DACONCO) located at Datagan, Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte, distributed eggs and noodles to 107 cooperative members amounting to Php10,102.60 charged against the Optional Fund.
Diongan Consumers Cooperative (DICONCO) located at Diongan, Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte, distributed eggs and noodles to 184 cooperative members amounting to Php17,000.00 charged against the Optional Fund.
Polayo Consumers Cooperative located at brgy. Polayo, Siayan, Zamboanga del Sur, distributed eggs, noodles and soap to 72 cooperative members amounting to Php7,650.20 charged against the Optional Fund.
Gonayen Consumers Cooperative located at Gonayen, Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte, distributed soap, shampoo, sardines and pancit to 154 coop members under general community quarantine amounting to Php10,000.00 charged against the Optional Fund.
Bidlisiw sa Kalambuan MPC located at block 10, Lot 14, La Perla Village, Cogon, Dipolog City, supported the City government in ensuring easy access to food and basic commodities for the residents within the village, which is located approximately 9.2Km from the city proper, by displaying their products at the COVID19 free flea market.
Asia’s Latin City Transport Service Cooperative located at Mayor Jaldon St., Canelar, Zamboanga City, distributed rice and canned goods to 110 taxi drivers amounting to Php33,000.00 charged against the Community Development Fund. And, authorized the city government of Zamboanga the free use of 5 taxi units as free transport for patients with chronic diseases, serving approximately 720 patients from April 3 to present while the city is under Enhanced Community Quarantine.
By: Ellen M. Ando
