Ms. Rosalie Valencia is a dedicated leader, a working wife, and a mother of three who has made remarkable contributions to the cooperative sector. As the General Manager of VALDECO, a billion-peso multi-purpose cooperative in Valenzuela City, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation.
One of her most notable achievements is leading VALDECO to billionaire status, a testament to her strategic vision and management skills. Under her leadership, she developed a range of financial products designed to instill a habit of saving among members, ensuring their financial preparedness for the future. These products include the Emergency Fund Deposit, Future Savings, Power Savings, Retirement Savings, and Family Savings Deposit.
During the pandemic, Ms. Rosalie showed courage and initiative by spearheading critical programs that supported both VALDECO members and the community. Through a partnership with the local government, she implemented the Market on Wheels program, bringing market vendors and their products to different barangays, especially those under lockdown. She also introduced Oplan Isda in collaboration with BFAR, delivering one ton of Bangus and Tilapia twice a week for over a year—providing livelihood opportunities for members whose businesses were affected by the crisis.
Her leadership extends beyond financial programs. In 2016, she facilitated the purchase of an old wet and dry market and successfully transformed it into a two-story, 1,760-square-meter facility. Today, this building houses VALDECO’s main office while still maintaining a market on the ground floor, serving the needs of the community. Additionally, she positioned VALDECO as a pioneer in financial technology by making it the first cooperative in Valenzuela to own an ATM and the first to utilize a cloud-based core banking system.
Beyond VALDECO, Rosalie plays a significant role in cooperative federations. She currently serves as a Board Member of NATCCO and NAMVESCCO, the Chairperson of the Valenzuela Cooperative Development Council, and the BOT Treasurer of the National Pharmaceutical Foundation. She is also an active member of the Trinity Neighborhood Church.
Ms. Rosalie Valencia’s leadership is deeply rooted in her commitment to balancing family, work, and worship—an inspiring testament to her unwavering dedication to service, innovation, and community development
Women leaders have made significant contributions to society and are increasingly visible in a variety of fields, including politics and business. The rise of women to leadership positions challenges assumptions about gender and offers a range of perspectives that can enhance decision-making and foster innovation. One of the distinguished female leaders is Ms. Yolanda C. Del Castillo who has demonstrated vision, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to community development, making her an exceptional leader in the cooperative movement. Her notable contributions had a significant impact on the cooperative business environment in the City of Marikina and all other areas of the country.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Accounting from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in 1979 provided her with the essential skills for her future roles. She was prepared for her subsequent leadership positions by her early involvement with Concepcion Vendors Development Cooperative as part of the Audit Committee, from 1986-1987. She then became one of the Board of Directors & Education Committee from 1988 -1995. Her duties and responsibilities with CVDC along with her active participation with other Cooperatives in the country have shaped her leadership skills to be serving the Cooperative as a General Manager from 2013 up to the present. Having a thorough comprehension of cooperative principles, managerial skills, and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of the members are her advantages for this leadership role.
In addition to CVDC, Del Castillo has made significant contributions to national cooperative organizations. Her position as Chairperson of the National Cooperative Marketing Federation’s (NCMF) Audit Committee demonstrates her commitment to upholding financial integrity in the broader cooperative sector. Her duties as a member of the Board of Directors to the National Market Vendors Confederation Of Cooperative (NAMVESCCO), Philac Service Cooperative, and Cooperative Union of Marikina City (CUMC), and an authorized representative to several organizations, such as the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives (NSCC), One Cooperative Bank (OCB), and the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), demonstrate her influence across multiple cooperative networks. These positions illustrate a commitment to collaboration and networking within the cooperative movement.
By being a member of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – New Marikina, she displays an appreciation of the larger economy and the significance of collaboration between cooperatives and other business entities. From 2021 to 2023, she led consultations on the various issues affecting cooperatives in the cities of Marikina, Quezon City, Pasig, Mandaluyong, and San Juan as the East Sector’s representative to the Regional Clustered Organization-Finance Cluster.
As the former auditor of Marikina City Cooperative Development Council (MCCDC), she was tasked to assist in the transition of Marikina City Credit Surety Fund to Marikina Credit Surety Fund Cooperative by helping in the auditing of financial records and seeking assistance from the Local Government to donate the P3 million fund for the reorganized Marikina City Credit Surety Fund Cooperative.
Because of her extensive experience and commitment, leaders like Yolanda del Castillo play an important role in helping cooperatives deal with changes like globalization, technological advancements, and growing competition. She believes that the most beneficial contribution one can make to the cooperative sector is to share one’s time, skills, and treasures with others. This can be done by actively participating in union, federation, and local government activities, and especially with CDA’s programs. Collaboration and active participation demonstrate that the willingness to assist others, not the cooperative’s size, is what matters. She also acknowledges the efforts and contributions of her fellow leaders and the members of CVDC for reaching 44 years of service and operations. Her legacy is one of dedicated service, fostering the values of cooperation and furthering the growth and prosperity of the Philippine cooperative sector. Her work serves as an example of the huge effect that one individual can have on a community and a nation, inspiring women, and future generations of cooperative leaders.
