COVID-19 is far from over. But thanks GOD everyone’s initial reaction of fear and shock is gone. Yes fear and shock! What with the initial information that COVID-19 virus is airborne, the speed of transfer or contamination from a COVID-19 patient person takes only a few seconds? Of course the government with the health authorities were quick to respond by instituting health/safety protocols. There was a sort of travel ban from one municipality to another with a few exceptions. Senior citizens and those aging below 21 years old were not to be seen around thus limiting their mobility. Malls and stores were closed. No more 4 and 3 wheeled vehicles. No holding of meetings, groupings and even church going. Observance of social distancing. Everyone to wear masks and lately face shields. The sound of the name COVID-19 alone creates fear. But the reaction and prohibitions of the governments were something that created fear too. But the fear and shock felt by everyone was nothing in comparison to what was experiences by the Zamboanga Del Norte Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ZaNorTE-MPC) manager who received calls threatening her life and that of her family should she refuse to give in to their demand for cash. What should one do in such predicament aside from crying? Of course the incident was reported to the police while the BOD installed two additional guards in addition to the original two. Until now the identities of those evil persons are not knownbut thanks to Gods’ intervention nothing feared happened.

With the ban/prohibition of public and private transport and closure of malls and store what could one do? And how could establishments like the coop go on extending their services. Also how could they help alleviate the sad situation? Fortunately the prohibition of travelling from one municipality to another had nor hardly affected the services of Zamboanga Del Norte Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ZaNorTE-MPC)  because it had already adopted/practiced online payments and loan applications via phone calls or SMS way back 2016 yet. So even members from the far municipalities of Siocon, Sirawai, Sibuco and Baliguian were served without let up. Proceeds of loans were sent thru money remittances or bank deposits and vice versa. In other words “Tuloy pa rin ang KALINGA at serbisyo para sa mga myembro!” Only a few aspects were enhanced to cater to the needs of everyone not being able to transact business personally in the office as affected by the prohibition.

And how did Zamboanga Del Norte Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ZaNorTE-MPC) help those wanting to go to the grocery store yet unable todo it due to the protocols installed? Being multi-purpose coop it augmented the commodities and other basin goods in its mini convenient store thus residents nearby availed of their needs from there.

As of now, the Board of Directors and management of the Zamboanga Del Norte Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ZaNorTE-MPC) are on the process to upgrade its digital platform thru the effort of the Philippine Federation of Credit Cooperative (PFCCO) with its software COOP BUSINESS SOLUTIONS in which our cooperative uses the services of.

Since Zamboanga del Norte specially Dipolog City wherein our office is located, having zero case of Covid-19, Thank God! The Board of Directors conducted regular board meeting on face to face basis but still they undergo safe and health protocols utilize in the Zamboanga Del Norte Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ZaNorTE-MPC)  office and of course ORATIO IMPERATA for COVID-19 was added to our Preliminaries. Lastly…., if BDO says, WE FIND WAYS; Metro Bank said, YOUR IN GOOD HANDS with Metrobank; Land Bank also promised and said, WE HELP YOU GROW; those assured taglines were merge by the Zamboanga Del Norte Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ZaNorTE-MPC)  simply because, Zamboanga Del Norte Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ZaNorTE-MPC)  truly CARES.