In support of the Farm and Fishery Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA)—which seeks to transform farmers’ and fisherfolk associations into viable cooperatives to enhance access to resources, strengthen collective bargaining power, and ensure long-term sustainability—the Cooperative Development Authority – Cordillera Administrative Region Extension Office (CDA-CAR EO), in collaboration with the DA Regional Field Office–CAR (DA-RFO CAR), the Local Government Unit of San Juan, Abra, and other partner agencies, successfully conducted a two-day training on Cooperative Governance and Management on August 13–14, 2025, at the ADTEMPCO Main Conference Hall, Zone 4, Bangued, Abra.
This initiative is part of the Training and Education for Advancing Cooperative Health in Agriculture Cooperatives (TEACH-AC) Program — a capacity-building program designed to equip agriculture cooperatives with comprehensive knowledge, practical skills, and the right mindset to effectively manage their cooperative operations and business affairs.
The training was participated in by 36 individuals representing five (5) pre-identified Farmers and Fisherfolk Associations, namely:
- Arana AR Farmers Association
- CBBLDG Farmers and Fisherfolks Association
- Ganagan Farmers and Fisherfolks Association
- Ganagan Tobacco Farmers Association
- Pakiling Agriculture Association
Additionally, 12 agriculture cooperatives were represented:
- Abra United Farmers Credit Cooperative
- Banagan Service Cooperative
- Ba-ug Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative
- Bucay ARB Agriculture Cooperative
- Hillside Agriculture Cooperative
- Pidigan Agriculture Cooperative
- Rural Improvement Club Agriculture Cooperative
- Saccaang Abas Agriculture Cooperative
- San Marcial Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative
- Tamac Multipurpose Cooperative
- Tangbao-Tinguian Agriculture Cooperative
- Villa Banat Agriculture Cooperative
The sessions were facilitated by the following resource persons from the CDA and DA:
- Mr. Julio B. Decaleng, Senior CDS, CRITS
- Ms. Marisol V. Sofranes, CDS II, CRITS
- Mr. Greg B. Balangiao, AA IV
- Mr. Marvin B. Bisares, CDS II, CDA–Abra Field Office
Support was also provided by the DA-RFO-CAR team led by Ms. Rosemarie B. Tesoro, Supervising Agriculturist, and Ms. Gladys T. Aligo, SRS II.
The Local Government Unit of San Juan, Abra, through Ms. Reia Sherifa Benabese, CDS II/MCDO designate, demonstrated its commitment by providing transportation for participants from the San Juan-based farmer associations.
This training marks a significant step forward in building stronger, well-governed, and more sustainable agriculture cooperatives in the region.
