The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), in partnership with the Philippine cooperative sector and the Quezon City Local Government, successfully launched the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) on January 31, 2025, at the Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC). The event marked a significant milestone, celebrating the enduring spirit of cooperativism with the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.”
Drawing close to 5,000 participants from various cooperatives nationwide, the launch kicked off with a vibrant parade around QMC. Participants, dressed in white and blue polo shirts and waving flaglets, gathered at Liwasang Aurora for a Catholic Mass officiated by the Union of Catholic Church Cooperatives (UCC). Rev. Fr. Anton CT. Pascual energized the crowd with the rallying cry, “Sigaw ng Kooperatiba, Kayang-kaya pag Sama-Sama,” reflecting the event’s spirit of unity.
Ms. Anabelle Espino, Chairperson of the QC Union of Cooperatives (QCUC), led the recitation of the Cooperative Pledge, followed by a message of support from Quezon City Mayor Ma. Josefina “Joy” Belmonte. “Nasa buod ng kooperatiba ang diwa ng bayanihan, at binibigyang diin nito ang mga bagay na nagbubuklod sa mga sektor at komunidad. Dito po sa Quezon City, madalas naming sabihing ‘Kasama ka sa Pag-unlad!’,” Mayor Belmonte stated, underscoring the city’s commitment to inclusive growth and social justice.
This event rekindled the city’s historical support for cooperatives, having hosted a similar celebration in 2012. The strong partnership between QC and the CDA highlights the vital role cooperatives play in driving local and national development.
Solidarity messages followed from CDA OIC-Chairperson Asec. Myrla B. Paradillo, National Alliance of Cooperatives (NAC) President MGen Gilbert S. Llanto, AGAP Partylist Representative and Committee on Cooperatives Development Chair Congressman Nicanor M. Briones, and NATCCO Partylist Representative Congressman Felimon M. Espares.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. extended his congratulations via a video message, urging the cooperative movement to continue its mission of fostering growth and empowerment, particularly for underserved communities. He emphasized that such dedication is key to building a more inclusive and progressive Philippines.
The event also featured the symbolic signing of a Solidarity Statement in support of the cooperative movement. Signatories included CDA officials, Mayor Belmonte, cooperative leaders, and representatives from key national government agencies such as the Office of the Transport Cooperatives (OTC), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Cooperative Enterprise Development (DA-ACED), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
CDA Administrator Santiago S. Lim concluded the event with heartfelt gratitude to all participants and supporters, emphasizing the significance of IYC 2025 in promoting cooperative contributions to social and economic development.
The celebration ended on a high note with a dazzling firework display and a lively cooperative concert, embodying the joy and solidarity that cooperatives bring to communities.
The United Nations General Assembly, through Resolution A/78/L.71 adopted on June 19, 2024, declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives. The global celebration aims to highlight the pivotal role of cooperatives in addressing global challenges, advancing sustainable development, and accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
