Cooperative Month Celebration in the Province of Batangas

October marks the annual celebration of Cooperative Month throughout the nation. By Presidential declaration in Proclamation No. 493, Series of 2004, the entire cooperative movement annually celebrates Cooperative Month to encourage wider participation of all sectors of society in nation-building through cooperativism. The spirit of cooperativism is rekindled through the holding of national and local activities where participation of cooperative members and leaders is discernible during this month. This month-long celebration is traditionally recognized and participated in by cooperatives and their members, the government sector, the non-government organizations and the entire cooperative movement by way of conducting and joining the activities that promote cooperativism, and its impact to social and economic development.

The Province of Batangas through the Provincial Cooperative, Livelihood and Enterprise Development Office spearheads month-long activities since October of 2004 in order to boost strong and continuous campaign for a vibrant cooperative movement. On its 12th year cooperative month celebration with the theme of “The Catalyst of Change Through Poverty Eradication and Social Transformation”, PCLEDO organized a number of activities including the cooperative quiz which was on its 8th year coined as “KOOP QUIZ 8th BLAST”. This annual academic competition aims to instill the concepts of cooperative among students as part of PCLEDO’s continuous cooperative program advocacy and education. As had been established, this activity was conducted in partnership with the LGU and the Department of Education (DepEd). A simultaneous elimination round in the 3 cities and 31 municipalities was held on October 12, 2016 where first level champions are designated as official representatives for provincial competition. The provincial championship round took place on October 28, 2016 at the Provincial Cooperative Development Center, participated by the 34 student-representatives of the municipalities and cities together with their coaches and local cooperative development officers. Panel of judges were also invited for their knowledge and expertise consisted of representatives from the Cooperative Union of Batangas (CUB), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and Department of Education (DepEd). Mrs. Celia L. Atienza, the provincial government department head of PCLEDO, together with Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas and BM Rowena Sobrano-Africa bestowed the awards to participants. Ms. Iris B. Mendoza from the municipality of San Juan was hailed as the second runner up and awarded with Php4,000.00, a scholarship and a trophy; the first runner up is Ms. Cora J. Javier of Batangas City awarded with Php6,000.00, a scholarship and a trophy; and the Koop Quiz 8th Blaster Champion that garnered a total of 147 points is Ms. Patricia Gwen Manzanilla of the municipality of Sto. Tomas who was awarded with Php7,000.00, a scholarship and trophy. Part of the incentives to the top three winners is a scholarship slot in the senior high school level for 4 to 5 years at Php 10,000 per semester. The rest of the participants were awarded certificates of recognition and Php 2,000 cash incentive as the first level competition winners. Board Member Rowena Sombrano-Africa, SP Chair of Cooperative, also presented the champion with an additional livelihood assistance package for her coach and parents.

Similarly, a Koopreneur Forum was conducted last October 27, 2016 at the Provincial Cooperative Development Center to provide an proper venue for the government, the industry players and the cooperative stakeholders to present and discuss the prospects of entrepreneurial development through cooperatives.

PCLEDO as part of its celebration of the cooperative month 2016, launched the search for outstanding cooperatives and cooperative leaders in Batangas Province dubbed as “GAWAD KOOPERATIBA PARA SA MGA NATATANGING KOOPERATIBA AT PINUNO NG KOOPERATIBA”. This award is originated in recognition of the cooperatives’ exemplary performance and encourage cooperatives to continually improve and sustain excellent performances in their operations. PCLEDO invited National Government Agencies for a creation of a Search Committee composed of duly authorized representatives from the Cooperative Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), LandBank of the Philippines (LBP), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) with a representative from the PCLEDO. The Committee came up with its final decision on the winners for outstanding cooperative managers and chairpersons, and outstanding cooperatives in the micro/small scale category and medium scale category. Special citations were also awarded to cooperatives and cooperative leaders that exemplified remarkable service to their members and the community.

The Gawad Kooperatiba winners were awarded certificates of recognition, balisong trophies and cash prizes that will serve as their incentives for their exemplary performance. The awarding ceremony was held during the Cooperative Month Culminating Activity held at the Provincial Auditorium last November 15, 2016. This event is also considered as the Provincial General Assembly of cooperatives, a major activity of PCLEDO that is held annually where participation and attendance of the cooperatives from the first up to the sixth district of Batangas, CDA and government agencies and private organizations with cooperative programs and projects, are expected.

The annual assembly was graced by the presence of CDA Board of Administrator member Eulogio T. Castillo, Ph.D., Regional Director Salvador V. Valeroso, Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas, Vice Governor Sofronio Ona and the Board Member Rowena Sombrano-Africa. All of them expressed their strong support to the cooperative movement and the initiative in bringing cooperatives in the mainstream of society.

The annual gathering served as a mechanism for sharing updates and information about important matters confronting the cooperative movement such as the tax exemption issue. Aside from the recognition of exemplary cooperatives and officers, it also provided opportunity for the discussion of upcoming cooperative events and activities.

With the culmination program, PCLEDO, one of the partners of CDA in fulfilling its mandate of promoting the growth and viability of cooperatives as instrument of social justice, equity and economic development, exemplified the significance of celebrating the cooperative month. It served as an inspiration and encouragement for the community to participate with the cooperative sector in promoting the cooperative movement for the growth of the nation.