On April 28, 2023, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) through its Regional Offices launched the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) simultaneously with fifty-eight (58) cooperative beneficiaries of CDA Internet Connectivity Project, via zoom.
The CDA Internet Connectivity Project will provide satellite internet connection to micro and small cooperatives located in the unserved and underserved areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. This Project seeks to bridge the digital gap among cooperatives and provides cooperatives, particularly micro and small, an access to opportunities, information and the ability to participate in the digital economy.
CDA Chairman Usec. Joseph Encabo emphasized the need to implement project that will boost the capabilities of the micro and small cooperatives in the country so they could reach wider markets. Referring to the Project, the CDA Chairman mentioned that other countries prioritize internet connectivity because it gives access [to communicating] to loved ones and in the context of cooperativism, through the CDA as its first [in this field], will be providing deserving cooperatives [in the country] to uplift the quality of their business engagements [and] enhance its capacity to help the community.
“Gusto namin kayong bigyan ng kaukulang suporta upang makahabol tayo sa makabagong] teknolohiya upang maabot ang inyong produkto hindi lang sa inyong lugar kundi sa buong bansa at sa buong mundo,” (In English translation: We [in CDA] want to give you relevant support so we could be at par with the latest technology and so your products could reach not just in your community but in the entire country and around the world) CDA Usec. Encabo as heard during the virtual activity directly speaking to the cooperative beneficiaries.
Below is the distribution of cooperative beneficiaries in identified regions where the Internet Service Provider (ISP) shall install equipment and satellite internet services in their location:
| REGION | NO. OF COOPERATIVES |
| CAR | 6 |
| REGION II | 4 |
| REGION V | 11 |
| REGION VIII | 10 |
| REGION IX | 03 |
| REGION XI | 10 |
| CARAGA | 12 |
| BARMM | 2 |
| Total | 58 |
During the ceremony, three (3) representatives from cooperatives in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were given the opportunity to respond to the challenge of being the beneficiaries of the Project. They are Mr. Bertito M. Lagonson, Chairperson of the Bantonan Community Development Cooperative in Bantonan, Camalig, Albay; Ms. Rosalinda A. Justiniana, General Manager of the Hibubullao Multipurpose Co-operative in San Jose, Catubig, Northern Samar; and Mr. Jimmy Dongiapon, Chairperson of the Agro-forestry Farmers Producers Cooperative in Banganga, Davao Oriental.
CDA Asec. Virgilio R. Lazaga formally ended the virtual activity. He stressed the importance of the internet access for the cooperatives and compared it to a passport as a tool to accessing to modern information and communications relevant to the operation of cooperatives worldwide. He also added that “the most reliable way to anticipate the future is to understand the present.” Asec. Lazaga then challenged all present to harness and to share the knowledge and benefits of internet connectivity.
Also present during the ceremony were Deputy Administrator Ray R. Elevazo of Institutional Development Service; CDA Regional Directors: Atty. Franco G. Bawang, Jr. of CAR, Atty. Jovilyn Gaffud-Marquez of Region II, Atty. Emilio Escueta of Region V, Ms. Venus M. Jornales of Region VIII, Mr. Ruben L. Cunanan of Region IX and Mr. Glenn S. Garcia of Region XI; and staff.
—Lester John B. Molina
