The Cooperative Development Authority joined the global community in the annual celebration of the Global Money Week (GMW) with a kick-off ceremony held at its head office on March 16, 2026, attended by its officials and employees and at least 400-strong members of laboratory, youth, and guardian cooperatives and various primaries nationwide who joined virtually in the half-day event. This year’s theme, “Smart Money Talks” and official slogan, “Learn. Save. Earn.” emphasize the importance of open conversations about money to build confidence and financial resilience.
Running from March 16-22, 2026, the Global Money Week – since its inception in 2012 – has grown to be a worldwide advocacy campaign for financial literacy and awareness for the young generation, for them to cultivate good savings habits and responsible financial management so they can achieve a long-term, resilient future.
The event was marked by messages of support from officials led by CDA Chairman Undersecretary Alexander B. Raquepo and members of the Board of Directors, Assistant Secretaries Luz H. Yringco, Vergel M. Hilario, Abdulsalam A. Guinomla, and Administrator Dr. Emmanuel M. Santiaguel. A solidarity message was likewise conveyed by Commissioner Atty. Reynaldo A. Regalado of the Insurance Commission, expressing the Commission’s support “in advancing financial inclusion and strengthening financial education in the country” through partner institutions like the CDA.
Deputy Administrator for Institutional Development Services Ray R. Elevazo provided a rationale and back story on the early initiatives of the CDA in support of the GMW program which started in 2018 in Region III to present, leading to the institutionalization of the GMW celebration in all CDA regional extension offices with online financial literacy program for Laboratory Cooperatives, through a Board Resolution approved on March 14, 2024.
Chairperson Raquepo, in his message, emphasized the value of prudence in handling money and the need to learn how to invest at a young age as a means of growing one’s money to have a strong financial foundation in the event of unforeseen disasters, calamities, or emergencies that can negatively impact one’s financial well-being.
The blended activity was highlighted by the announcement of the top three winners for the Ipon Challenge, who got the highest increase in share capital contribution for the calendar year 2025 in Kapit Bisig Multipurpose Cooperative (KBMPC). The KBMPC is a cooperative whose members are composed of employees of the CDA head office. The contest was spearheaded by Asec. Yringco, Head, Finance Cooperatives Cluster, following the success of the first Ipon Challenge using coin banks that was launched in 2025.
To enjoin the active participation of youth co-op members in the GMW activities and deeply cultivate in them the values and ideals the program promotes, – importance of saving for the future, financial independence, money management – Tiktok and Poster Making competitions were conducted. Participated in by members of youth and laboratory cooperatives respectively nationwide, the contest gave them an opportunity to showcase their creativity on how they envision a secure future through good financial habits, disciplined spending, the right mindset, financial planning, and education, while strictly adhering to the GMW theme.
Hereunder are the winners and the corresponding prizes:
| TiktTok contest | ||
| Name | Prize | |
| 1st Place | Quennie Grace M. Rodriguez, Batu Farmers MPC Region IX |
P/10,000.00 |
| 2nd Place | Jessica C. Camaddu, Quezon High School MPC Region II |
P/6,000.00 |
| 3rd Place | Emmanuel Anthony B. Rosana, Parish of St. Francis of Assisi Meycauayan Credit and Development Cooperative Region III |
P/4,000.00 |
| Poster Making Contest | ||
| Name | Prize | |
| 1st Place | Prince Benedict O. Cortes , PCCMPC Laboratory Cooperative Region XI |
P/10,000.00 |
| 2nd Place | Joaquin Louis J. Areglo, Angelican School of Marilao, Inc. Laboratory Cooperative Region III |
P/6,000.00 |
| 3rd Place | Niesson Chris G. Moyano , SIDECO Laboratory Cooperative Region V |
P/4,000.00 |
Citations were likewise awarded to Abucay Laboratory Cooperative through its representative Ms. Eloisa Dela Cruz, General Manager, and Aurora Integrated Multipurpose Cooperative through its representative Ms. Rosela Bañuelos, General Manager, Imus Branch, for having the highest number of member-savers in a previous contest conducted for CDA’s GMW celebration.
Providing an online learning session is CDA’s staunch partner on financial inclusion initiatives, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas through its Resource Person Mr. Marlon A. Velarga who made a comprehensive discussion on Personal Financial Management. His lecture offered practical tips on how to take control of one’s finances with topics ranging from savings, budgeting, debt management, investment, retirement planning to different ways to protect oneself from scams.
CDA’s line up of week-long activities throughout its 17 regional extension offices to commemorate the annual GMW celebration was presented through a short audio- visual presentation providing an overview on where youth co-op members and cooperatives can participate in.
In her closing remarks, Deputy Administrator for Credit Surety Fund Service Atty. Elizabeth O. Batonan thanked all the attendees who actively participated in the activities to mark the opening of the Global Money Week in the country. She likewise expressed gratitude to the guardian cooperatives for their mentorship and guidance to their young members who will be the next generation’s future leaders and partners in economic growth and development.
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