The CDA led by Officer-in-Charge and Administrator Dr. Eulogio T. Castillo, Administrators Nelon B. Alindogan, Mercedes D. Castillo and Pendatun B. Disimban welcomed delegates from Malaysia who were in the country for a three day working visit on January 25 to 27, 2015.
Dato’ Sri Hasan bin Malek, Malaysia’s Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism and Datu Nik Ali Bin Mat Yunus, Executive Chairman, Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission, led the group of Malaysian government officials and cooperative leaders. The delegation was accompanied by His Excellency Datu Mohd Zamri Bin Motto Kasim, Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines.
After a brief welcome ceremony, Executive Director Ray R. Elevazo presented the CDA’s mandate and plans and programs for the next six years. One of the delegates likewise made a presentation on the current state of cooperatives in Malaysia.
A common point of discussion during the presentations was the willingness of cooperatives to compete in the international market when the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) gets into full swing this year.
Ms. Editha Santiago, President of Kilus Foundation Multi-Purpose Cooperative, was invited by CDA to share the cooperative’s success stories. Kilus MPC, a cooperative based in Pasig City, is into production of innovative and recycled products out of tetra pack juices which are very in demand abroad for its quality and environmental and social impact. For better appreciation, Kilus MPC brought some samples of their products they showed to the delegates.
After CDA, the delegates proceeded to the ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative for yet another working visit.
The Malaysian delegates’ short visit was expected to trigger strategic collaborations and joint undertakings between the Philippines and Malaysia in terms of cooperative education and trade at the international level.
