First of all, I would like to say “thank you, Almighty God”, for this wonderful blessing. As the year is about to come to an end, this ISO Certification is the most invigorating gift an institution could ever have. A fitting reward for all our “pains” and “hard labors” for this year. Nothing is sweeter than letting all the doubters know that indeed CDA is “doing the right thing” and “doing it the right way”. We anticipate the coming year full of hope and energy for more good things to come to CDA.
Second, thank you Development Academy of the Philippines through the headship of its DAP President, Mr. Antonio D. Kalaw, now represented by Dir Monica Saliendres (a round of applause for him please). You know, without the patient mentoring of DAP, we may not still be ISO Certified up to this time. DAP continued to monitor our progress despite the fact that our contract has expired more than ago. Nevertheless, they were always available, ready to extend their hand to us in times of our need.
Third, thank you Department of Budget and Management, through the representation of Dir. Clotilde L. Drapete, (let’s give her a very warm round of applause,) for making it possible for us to join the Government-wide Quality Management Program (GQMP). I could emphatically say, that without DBM’s sponsorship there will be no “CDA ISO certification” this day.
Kung budget lamang po ng CDA ang aasahan, baka po up to this time, nakatingala pa rin kami sa langit at nangangarap pa lang. DBM’s full financial support enabled us to comply with all the requirements, procedures and in capacitating our very own personnel to be at par with the international standard.
But may I take this opportunity, para humirit ng isa pa. After this, we will begin to work for the ISO certification of all our extension offices so that we can extend one and uniform standard in rendering services to the coop sector nationwide. In this regard, we are knocking at the door of the dynamic leadership of DBM to help us again in pursuing this vision. (Merry Christmas po, hehe).
Fourth, thank you TUV Rheinland Philippines, Inc., with its COO Mr. Tristan Arwen G. Loveres, and Manager of Sales and Marketing Ms. Pinky Zamora-Villacrusis for accentuating what we have initially learned and gained from DAP, and helping us polish and improve our weaknesses. Thank you for the guidance and appreciation which inspire us more to reach this far.
Fifth, thank you to all our partner agencies, who have been our strong allies in all our cooperative endeavors. The Cooperative Block in congress, represented by our strongest supporter Cong. Cresente C. Paez, of Coop Natcco Party List (the only Congressman who supported the CDA in its financial needs to train our CDS front-liners), former Sen. Agapito “Butz” Aquino of the NCDC and Philippine Cooperatives Center, and so many more. To all of you, thank you for believing the cause of CDA as well as to my leadership.
And lastly, thank you to the hardworking CDA QMS team. Salamat po ng napakarami. (Please stand up in order to be recognized.) They are the ones who laboriously toil to make this certification a realized dream. As I understand, this was almost three (3) years in the making. But, their collaborative efforts make it possible for us. Thank you CDA Central and MEO employees for your cooperation. I know this is just the beginning of a more challenging role as an ISO Certified Agency. So, let us accept the challenge, join the journey and let’s work together to maintain the title and standards.
In behalf of all the Board of Administrators, and the whole CDA workforce I accept this honor with pride and gratefulness. We share this distinction with the cooperative sector who will be the direct beneficiary of our success.
For the sake of merry wishing and the season’s tidings, I hope DoF and Malacanang will take notice of our achievement and deem us eligible for the Performance Based Bonus as Incentive.
Mabuhay ang Kilusang Kooperatiba sa Pilipinas!
Mabuhay po tayong lahat… Maraming salamat po sa inyong pagdalo sa pagdiriwang na ito.
EMMANUEL M. SANTIAGUEL, Ph.D.
Chairman
Cooperative Development Authority
