In a unified effort to expand the membership base of Credit Surety Fund Cooperatives (CSFCs) across Baguio, Benguet, and Ifugao, the Cooperative Development Authority – Cordillera Administrative Region (CDA-CAR), in partnership with the CDA Credit Surety Fund Service (CSFS), the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP),Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of the City of Baguio, Inc. ,convened a one-day Credit Surety Fund (CSF) Membership Expansion Seminar (MEP). This was hosted by the YMCA OF THE City of Baguio and was held at the YMCA Auditorium, Baguio City.
The activity brought together representatives from the Baguio City LGU, various cooperatives from Baguio, Benguet, and Ifugao, representatives from the 3 registered CSF Cooperatives in CAR, Department Managers of Nueva Vizcaya Lending Center, and Benguet Lending Center of the Land Bak of the Philippines. The mission was clear with the aim to deepen understanding and encourage participation in Credit Surety Fund Cooperatives, a proven mechanism for expanding access to affordable financing—especially for micro, small, and emerging cooperatives.
Lotes P. Lab-oyan, PhD., Senior Cooperative Development Specialist of the CDA-CAR CSF Section, formally opened the program with a message of gratitude and purpose. He underscored the CSF’s vital role in enabling smaller cooperatives to access financing—a lifeline especially critical for those facing barriers in the traditional lending environment.
Dr. Lab-oyan emphasized that by joining a CSF, cooperatives gain not just financial leverage but also security, stability, and a stronger foundation for growth.
Representing the CDA Head Office Credit Surety Fund Service, Mr. Recto Transfiguracion, Chief of the Technical Assistance Division, clarified a common misconception: that the CSF is an alternative, not a competitor, to existing federations and GFIs. He highlighted the indispensable role of LGUs in sustaining CSF operations, noting that their support ensures long-term viability and community impact.
He also shared the 2024–2028 CSF Roadmap, designed to guide all CSFCs toward a unified vision. Citing successes such as the Nueva Vizcaya and Davao del Norte CSFCs—both Gawad Parangal awardees—he emphasized how a strong CSFC can uplift entire communities. His message clearly emphasized that CSFCs change lives when stakeholders unite and partner for communit development.
A series of presentations from existing CSFCs across CAR showcased real experiences and best practices. Among the most compelling testimonies was that of the Lower Gomok Multipurpose Cooperative, a proud member of the Benguet CSFC. Through the CSF Program, the cooperative secured financing to construct a gasoline station—a project that later became their financial backbone during Typhoon Ompong and during the pandemic.
Amid widespread job loss, the gasoline station not only sustained the cooperative’s operations but also generated livelihood for its members and the community. This powerful example demonstrated the CSFC’s potential to transform challenges into opportunities—a persuasive call for more cooperatives to join.
Representing Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, Mr. Adam Bert Lacay extended his congratulations to existing CSFCs and affirmed the LGU’s recognition of the program’s value. Inspired by Lower Gomok MPC’s story, he stressed that CSFs could provide MSMEs in Baguio with a safer and more reliable financing alternative.
He also invited cooperatives to participate in the upcoming Cooperative Summit on December 17, 2025, led by the LGU with Councilor Edison Bilog, to discuss the role of cooperatives in the city’s economy and to voice their concerns and recommendations.
CDA-CAR Acting Regional Director, Dr. Felicidad R. Cenon, assured attendees that contributions made to a CSFC do not remain idle—they are invested in trustee banks and earn annual income. She highlighted that cooperatives with ready projects but limited funds can leverage the CSF to bring their plans to life.
She further emphasized that even individuals, endorsed by their member cooperatives, can have their loans guaranteed by a CSFC. Her message called on cooperatives already benefiting from the program to encourage micro and small cooperatives to join, amplifying the program’s reach and impact.
Ms. Charito M. Barit, Department Manager of the LBP Nueva Vizcaya Lending Center shared insights from their award-winning operations of the Nueva Vizcaya Credit Surety Fund Cooperative. She credited the unwavering support of the LGU—through contributions and free logistics—as a major factor behind their success. Her testimony reinforced the crucial synergy between LGUs and CSFCs.
Following her, Mr. Julio Pagat, Department Manager of the LBP Benguet Lending Center, presented the status of loans guaranteed through the CSF Program. Nearly all loans have already been settled, reaffirming that CSF-supported cooperatives are responsible borrowers who apply their funding purposefully and effectively.
In a strong vote of confidence, three cooperatives, one NGO, and one LGU committed a combined ₱1.4 million contribution to support and expand their respective CSFCs. This commitment signals the beginning of a broader membership expansion—one that is expected to encourage more cooperatives to seek Board approval to join a CSF, thereby widening financial access and stimulating local enterprise development.
On a final note, Ms. Angelita “Angie” Gayados motivated the participants with a resonant message: “One Coop, One CSF, One Heartbeat, One Family.”
Reverend Robert B. Sison, General Secretary of the YMCA of the City of Baguio, Inc. highlighted the significance of partnerships among NGOs and government instrumentalities. He pointed out that the event was more than a seminar—it was a rallying call for cooperatives, MSMEs, and government units to unite under the Credit Surety Fund movement. By joining a CSFC, cooperatives not only strengthen their financial capability but also contribute to building a more resilient, inclusive, and economically empowered Cordillera. He urged the participants to sustain the partnerships and offered the different facilities of the YMCA Baguio with corresponding discounts especially for activities involving cooperatives and government agencies.
