COOPS ‘ STORIES OF SUCCESS-HIGHLIGHTS COOP MONTH CELEBRATIONStory on P. 6 CDA Completes Board of Administrators; Welcomes Administrator for Visayas Prior to passing of Re- public Act No. 11364 known as an Act Reorganizing and Strengthening the Coopera- tive Development Authority, 710th SOW-PAF: Cooperatives, Strong Allies to End Insurgency, Repealing for the Purpose By: Marilyn D. Eso Republic Act No. 6939, Cre- 2019, BGEN EDWARD L LIBAGO AFP, ating The Cooperative De- Wing Commander, 710th Special Oper- velopment Authority, the CDA ations Wing of the Philippine Air Force, completed the six (6) Board recognized the significant contributions of Administrators for Luzon, and the support system of the cooper- Visayas, and Mindanao in the ative movement to end insurgency par- person Administrator Vidal ticularly on neutralizing the activities of Dumindin Villanueva III. the New People’s Army (NPA) and other Administrator Villan- leftist group in their area of responsibili- ueva was appointed as the ty. new CDA Administrator for BGEN LIBAGO acknowledged the Visayas by His Excellency President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Au- that the cooperative movement has gust 13, 2019. The CDA family warmly welcomed him with full of trust been of great help to the military in iden- and enthusiasm and assured him to support all his undertakings for the Nasugbo, Batangas – tifying the possible presence of the NPA growth and development of the authority and the cooperative sector. During the celebration of the 16th members in their area. All cooperative Adm. Villanueva is a 4th year Bachelor of Laws student at Gullas Batangas Industrial Security Alli- members have become allies of the School of Law of the University of the Visayas in Cebu City. He earned ance (BISA) on September 27, 730th Combat Group-PAF in maintain- his Bachelor of Science in Commerce Degree, major in Management, Continue to p. 10 Continue to p.9 CDA-MEO Marks Coop New CDA – Davao Extension Month’s Celebration Office Building Soon with Buy and Give to Rise Trade Fair By: CRITS, CDA-DEO By: Jezzelen Mae M. Cuevas In celebration of this year’s Cooperative Davao City – “A new office/building for Month, the Cooperative Development Authority Cooperative Development Authority-Davao – Manila Extension Office, Caritas Margins, Re- Extension Office (CDA-DEO) is expected to rise by June 2020, if everything goes well as planned’,” John Frances S. Fuentes, Acting PIO, Department of Public Works and High- ways said during the Ground Breaking Cer- emony for New CDA-DEO Office Building on August 22, 2019. As planned, the new office build- ing is a three (3) story building with around 593.88 square meter total floor area situated Continue to p. 10 Continue to p. 9 Climate Change Adapta- CDA and TESDA Ink Agreement to Empower Cooperative tion & Mitigation: KN- Members, IDPs, IPs, and Rebel Returnees By: Marilyn D. Eso MPC Best Practices in Taguig City – The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) under the Saving MOTHER EARTH leadership of Chairman ORLANDO R. By: Georgina Basco, Leonora Garcia, Mercy J. Gabasa, RAVANERA and Technical Education The song by Carol Johnson clearly highlights the and Skills Development Authority (TES- importance of the “Mother Earth” as sources of every- DA) under Director-General ISIDRO S. thing we need: the air we breathe, the food we eat, the LAPEÑA further strengthened the part- water we drink and peaceful place to dwell on. A place or nership by signing a Memorandum of planet that gives resources, serenity and sustainability in Agreement (MOA) that will empower deserving members, officers and staff enjoying the beauty and comfort of life. of cooperatives, including the Indig- However, the current condition of earth is in dam- Continue to p. 9 aged state and under threat from dangers: such as global Continue to p. 5 Philippines-China Partnership: Shaping Great Future for Agricultural Coops By: Marilyn D. Eso Experience in China different agriculture and agricul- within twenty-one (21) days with ture related cooperatives in the my twenty-three (23) co-dele- country. Collectively, we have gates in the Seminar on Farmers’ the same feelings – inspired by Cooperative for the Philippines is the learning and insights gained really awesome! during the seminar and sympo- We are eight (8) from siums attended; motivated by the Cooperative Development the field visits to China’s differ- Authority’s different offices and ent demonstration cooperatives; extensions and the sixteen (16) agitated by the contributions and others are keys officers from Continue to p. 8 A TRIBUTE TO OUR CHAMPION AND HERO: AQUILINO “NENE” PIMENTEL, JR.: The Father of Cooperativism Story on P. 12

CDA @phcoops PH Cooperatives From the Editor A Tribute to Director Paa By: Chairman Orlando R. Ravanera

gional Director, he had showcased a meaningful life based on the princi- ples that he had live by that he exempli- fied in his 28 years of service. Titles, social standing and financial wealth. These are what were described by King Solomon as meaningless, ut- terly meaningless because in the final analysis who we are is defined not by these trappings but the principles that we ardent- ly believe-in and are willing to die for. Yes, Dir. Paa’s compassion to ad- vance the mandate of CDA was based on the truism that where a few elite have much too much and the many who are poor have much too lit- tle, we may be fac- ing circumstances Life and death are not en- ing the poor and the vulnerable to 4th hardest hit country in the world horrible even to contemplate. emies but are entwined aspects of rectify social wrongs of poverty, where tens of thousands had died in One man had outstandingly one’s life. Such truism was beauti- gross inequity and social injustice just a decade due to climate change. exemplified in clear categorical term fully expressed by the great Bengali in a highly skewed societal pyrami- That leading edge convergence was that the essence of his life is to ad- poet, Rabindranath Tagore when he dal order. By working in an office to amazing as it paved the way to hold vance a set of principles, time-hon- wrote, “The night kissed the fad- frontline transformative cooperativ- more summits in different regions ored and universally-accepted, to ing day with a whisper, I am death ism somehow debunks the notion to enhance the awareness of some which he had given high adherence your mother, from me you will get that for those who have dreamt, 10 million cooperative members to. new birth.” Indeed, the opposite of struggled, advocated, sacrificed and through-out the country, giving a To all of us colleagues in CDA, he death is not life but birth because life even died for it, social change has strong message that climate is not was a kindred spirit – a brother to will continue even after one’s death been so elusive all these years de- crisis that will happen in the future us all and cooperators and a leader because death is one’s birthday to spite 14 years of martial law and two but is happening now and must be who fought for the cooperatives, in another life, a spiritual one, which is people powered revolutions. The countervailed upon. Yes, what he whose name and whose cause he far more beautiful than the mundane ingredients, systems and structures was thinking in his solitude is now had lived and died for. life. that are breeding poverty are still as echoed by the multitude! He had lived in our midst, With these poetic lines, it is formidable as ever. But not anymore Yes, working in an office to bringing a beacon of light in the my great honor to give tribute to a under the present dispensation. empower the poor and vulnerable darkness of social inequities and a fallen colleague CDA Regional Di- Cooperativism through peo- could be a very difficult one. In the transformational leader to democ- rector Armonio Paa who had leaped ple empowerment has gained head- course of being a director, he was ratize wealth and power in a high- to the Great Beyond on September ways to give meaning to the “biyaya re-assigned in another region, liv- ly skewed and elitist society. That 20, 2019. Dir Paa had been working ng pagbabago” and that was what ing far from his family but no big should be in our mindset as mem- in the Cooperative Development Au- the good director committed and deal. He worked with a “celes- bers of one CDA family, that as we thority since 1991, serving the least advocated. He even trail-blazed tial fire” of love and his long years promote principles-driven and val- of our brethren for 28 years, draw- together with Ph Haiyan Advoca- of service had given credence to ue-based DNA of cooperativism, ing the marginalized sectors into the cy cooperative and the Climate Khalil Gibran’s poetic line, to quote, it has come of age to effect trans- mainstream of development pro- Change Commission, the Visayas “when you work you are a flute thru formation in a world where there cesses, exemplifying to the highest Cooperative Conference on Climate whose heart the whispering of the is so much veneration of the profit degree that Constitutional mandate Change Adaption and Mitigation on hours turns to music. And what it is motive and denigration of spiritu- that “a public office is a public trust.” November 5-6, 2016. The 2-day to work with love? It is a weave the al values and principles, as human Beginning his career as a Coopera- convergence was the first of its kind cloth with threads drawn from your beings have been transformed into tive Development Specialist II, he in the country, which brought to the heart, even as if your beloved were self-gratification machines. rose from the ranks then took the fore the urgent call of the times to to wear that cloth. Yes, we can all My final meeting with Dir. cudgel as regional head of an office countervail against ecological tur- attest to that as his presence had Paa was a week or so ago and he that is in the forefront of empower- bulence, the Philippines being the always been inspiring, always ready was so much in pain brought about to share jokes, emitting positive en- by a 4th degree cancer. As his re- ergies amidst pressures. mains will soon be buried what Heading a regional office comes to my mind is the 12th stan- with hundreds of thousands cooper- za of a 17th century poem written by ative members to serve was not an Thomas Grey in a Country Church- easy task for an office with a very yard also known as a cemetery, to minimal budget but I salute him for quote: “Perhaps in this neglected his leadership in the construction of spot is laid, some heart once preg- an office, a 3-storey structure. As nant with celestial fire, hands that you all know, the office which was the rod of empire might have sway’d, created by no less than the highest or walked to ecstasy the living lyre.” law of the land to “promote the via- Dir. Armond, you had worked with us bility and growth of cooperatives as with that “celestial fire,” to advance instruments of social justice, equity cooperativism to make life better for and economic development,” has our people. Where ever you are, been a “wandering Jew” for the past now with us, then with the stars and 29 years. Of the 16 regional offices in the loving embrace of the Being, throughout the country, only six re- you must now walk to ecstasy the gions have CDA offices we can call living lyre, all for God’s greater glory our own. Don’t you know that the – with our warm embrace and firm Philippine Carabao Center has even salute! much bigger budget than CDA?! That building in Tacloban is one of his legacies. A firm but humble CDA Re- Page 2 CDA @phcoops PH Cooperatives From the Editor Rectifying Social Wrongs Harnessing Collective Power By: Chairman Orlando R. Ravanera

It is an established truism two-people powered revolutions. Sustainable Development Goals ity, Commerce and Navigation that our country is oozing with The structures and systems that – i.e., stop hunger, stop poverty, which allowed the highly comput- ecological wealth especially in perpetuate social injustice and stop gross inequities, stop social erized vessels to rake our seas. resource-rich Mindanao based poverty are still as formidable as injustices, protect the eco-sys- The final death blows to our seas on the study of Dr. Kent Carpen- ever. However, under the pres- tems, promote peace, etc. We were done by Canada, Austra- ter of the United Nations’ Food ent dispensation, change is now are happy to note that all of these lia and South Korea that treated & Agricultural Organization (UN- in the offing as it’s the mindset SDGs are lumped into one theme the Archipelago as their “wastes FAO). In that Study, the Philip- of the present leadership to em- which is “Transformative Cooper- pits” of highly hydrated and toxic pines is the richest with regards power the poor and the vulnera- atives for People, Planet, Pros- garbage. Not only our seas are to biodiversity. Don’t you know ble to rectify the dysfunctions of perity and Peace!” dumping grounds of highly can- that in the 5,000-hectare forest the present economic paradigm. From that of being a “par- cerous wastes but this is also ecosystem of Mt. Kitanglad, the Poverty is indeed rooted adise” on earth oozing with eco- true to our watersheds. Don’t you number of flora and fauna is far in the powerlessness of the peo- logical wealth a century ago as know that out of the 14 chemicals greater compared to those found ple and as our counter measure, 70% of the total land area was used by the 200 thousand planta- in the one billion-hectare conti- they must be empowered to the forested, the Philippines can now tions in Mindanao, 8 are already nent of North America? Mr. Lar- drawn into the mainstream of de- be described as the “Lost Eden!” banned in other countries? Don’t ry Heaney, an environmentalist velopment processes. Empow- Of the 17 million hectares of dip- you know that many of these cor- from California, USA, did con- ering the poor and the vulnerable terocarp forests that was home to porations are being sued in Puer- duct a study there sometime in makes it imperative to harness mega-diversity as one tree alone to Rico for causing cancer to the the 80’s and was so amazed to their collective power through co- could house then some 130 spe- workers and had been kicked out observe monkey-eating eagles operativism! This is true in the life cies of flora and fauna, only 7% from that country that is why they flying above while the smallest of the peasantry who has been of the natural forest remains. In- are here in Mindanao and are monkeys in the world called Tarsi- producing food but their dining deed, where have all our forest continue expanding? ers are jumping from one branch tables fall short of it as they are gone? Gone to powerful loggers Many of our babies now to another. There could be no tilling the land not their own, or everyone, many of whom have are being born without fingers wonderful sites on earth than the if they own the land, they do not been elected to high position and many are already suffering blooming of nature, manifesting control the mode of production (mayors, governors and even to from cancer, yet, none is being the magnificence of the invisible and marketing. The more than Congress and Senate) as one done to rectify these wrongs. Are and formless Supreme Force Be- 2,000 cooperatives of the agrar- shipment of logs alone would we really a nation of coward peo- ing called God! The urban cen- ian reform beneficiaries do own earn a logger 360 million pesos ple? In fact, based on studies, we ters are the opposites as such the land now as agrarian reform and through these heavy rakings, Filipinos are already transformed are the manifestation of egoic and cooperativism are two sides money were used to buy votes into “self-gratification machines,” and diabolic mind. of the same coin – both are so- or to pay those who should en- so enamored in self-promotion, But the wealth of the cial justice measures. Through force environmental laws. A log- trivialities, external looks and giv- country is not just confined above their respective cooperatives, ger was boasting in the 80s that ing high veneration to “dramas” the ground; beneath are some 72 the poor farmers have shifted some 90% of those in an office on television that have already kinds of minerals, i.e., gold, sil- from conventional to sustain- that should enforce the laws was captured our mind as perpetuat- ver, bronze, copper, iron, silicon able agriculture and are now into under his payroll including police- ed by the mainstream media that and so on including black sands. value-change operations, aptly men and judges! is just giving us imagery and il- No doubt, that “paradise” on claiming control over the mode of Would someone contest lusions. “Pasayawin mo lang ang earth doesn’t stop at the shore- production and marketing, unfet- such contention? That was in isang guapong kandidato, panalo lines. The Philippine Archipelago tered from usurers and compra- fact, “Res Ipsa Loquitor”! Almost na! Di ba nasa Probinsyano Yan, is even more amazing as it has dors. all of the logging activities then panalo na rin kahit walang alam.” been described by the UN-FAO To rectify the greatest so- were illegal as there are laws As the world is changing as “the center of the center of cial injustice committed against that prohibit logging in altitude profoundly knowing that phe- marine life on earth.” the eleven (11) million mem- with more than 1,000 meters nomena such as gross inequal- Amidst plenty lies so much pov- ber-consumer-owners of so- above sea level or in slope with ity, decline in social justice, cri- erty – a glaring paradox especial- called Electric Cooperatives, this more than 50% gradient. The sis in democracy, ecological ly in the “land of the brave and critical mass of some 55 million 300 thousand hectares “Kalatun- turbulence due to climate change the free” – Mindanao. Based on Filipinos are now being consci- gan Range” in upper Cagayan de and violent extremism are un- the Study of the United Nations enticized as no less than the Oro, Iligan and Bukidnon should fortunately becoming ordinary, Development Program (UNDP), Supreme Court had ruled in the have not been logged at all and we are now mandated to rectify of the 25 poorest provinces in 2003 that the ECs are not coop- these areas belong to those men- such dysfunctions brought by the the country, 14 are in Mindan- eratives even if they used “co- tioned prohibited categories. But contemporaneous development ao as the poor in Mindanao are operative” as a nomenclature, a six logging companies perpetuat- paradigm. This can only be done the poorest. While it is called criminal offense then as provid- ed their greed and their sins are by harnessing the people’s col- the “food basket” of the country, ed for in RA 6938 (Cooperative now visited upon the poor and lective power through cooperativ- yet according to Food and Nutri- Code of the Philippines). But the vulnerable settlers as 3,000 ism. tion Institute, it is where you find such was deleted in RA 9520. people died because of “Typhoon This was actually in the the high degree of malnutrition Even that provision that says that Sendong” on Dec. 17, 2011. mindset of the framers of the among the children (28% mal- the CDA is the sole registering Illegal mining activities 1987 Constitution right after the nourished, 27% underweight, agency of all types of coopera- had worsened the ecological EDSA Revolution, which was to and 30% stunted). tives is now nowhere to be found scenario as heavy equipments institutionalize “people power” by What a glaring paradox in in the law that is geared towards like bulldozers and backhoes had promoting the viability and growth a land showcasing some 200,000 strengthening CDA. Is the un- erased whatever was left of our of cooperatives as instruments hectares of plantations with high seen hand of the Cartel at play? ecological integrity. If indeed, Bo- of equity, social justice and eco- value crops that are supplying Are you an EC and you want to hol has “chocolate hills,” we have nomic development. This basi- the consumerist lifestyle of the cooperativize? Beware, the case chocolate rivers causing “death cally emanated from the highest people in the North while we can- of DANECO speaks well for itself blows” to Macajalar Bay due to law of the land basic declaration not even supply the country’s ba- as nine advocates had already massive siltation, worsened by that “in a republican and demo- sic staples such as rice and milk. been murdered as additional two “hydraulic mining” operations. cratic State, sovereignty lies with Development experts and have just been killed recently. This is not only true here the people and all government social scientists are puzzled no No problem as time heals in this part of the country but powers emanate from them.” end. It is their conclusion that the all wounds which will be recti- happening all over. Don’t you Indeed, the root cause root cause of poverty is not the fied by Cooperativism! This is a know that of the 13 major bays of poverty, gross iniquities and lack of resources but the POW- truism that is now reverberating in the country, 10 are already bi- social injustice is the POWER- ERLESSNESS of the people to not only in the Philippines but ologically dead? Of the 25 major LESSNESS OF THE PEOPLE have access and control over through-out the world. No less rivers, 14 are dead already! So and the only countervailing force these resources which as fast than the United Nations has seen many bridges, look below and is by harnessing their collective slipping through their fingers. the imperative of debunking the you’ll see dried rivers! power! That is the RAIZON D’ We must now reflect on these present economic paradigm that While the Philippine Ar- ETRE of the theme of the Co- painful realities by asking three is only successful in benefitting chipelago has been described operative Month Celebration, basic questions: OF THE COUN- only one percent of the world’s as the “center of the center of “Cooperativism a Countervailing TRIES WEALTH, WHO CON- population. In fact, the combined marine life on earth,” but that is Force Against Climate Change TROLS? WHO DECIDES? WHO wealth of eight richest families in not the case anymore. Fishery and Violent Extremism through BENEFITS? the United States totals the com- and marine resources had gone People Empowerment to Trail- Social transformation is bined assets of 3.6 billion people down the drain and the fishing blaze Shift in Paradigm Towards now the call of the times. Indeed, on earth. While 821 million peo- communities are becoming the Sustainability and Social Inclu- for those who have dreamt, strug- ple are hungry, the United States poorest of the poor. Why? What sion!” That is the essence of co- gled, sacrificed and even died has produced a kind of cake that really happened? Well, don’t operativism that has now come for it, social change has been is worth $72,000. you know that in the 70s, it was of age! Join us! so elusive all these years de- Amidst these paradox- Martial Law Year’s time and there spite 14 years of martial law and ical realities looms the UN 17 was this RP-Japan Treaty of Am-

CDA @phcoops PH Cooperatives Page 3 From the Editor Housing Debacle

ansya ng Mamamayan sa Valenzuela In fact, the Reform AMVA and chairperson Catayong might be at Caloocan Multi-Purpose Cooper- Movement (RAM), the courageous just the tip of the iceberg. However, ative came into being in 2013. This cooperative members who stand the CDA is assuring that it will not was amended to become AMVA, against chairperson Catayong have allow nor tolerate anyone to take ad- without Caloocan members because sent a letter to the President, Pres- vantage of the cooperative to be their the project site is Valenzuela. ident Rodrigo Roa Duterte (through tool in advancing their self-interest. My visit to the AMVA village Senator Bong Go) to inform him is- What happened to the recently to dialogue with the empow- sues and concerns on conflict of in- planned world class sanctuary for ered village was so shocking and terest committed by Ms. Catayong; the poor and the oppressed amidst unbelievable. I thought then that I gross violation of generally accepted the threats of ecological disasters? would meet happy former informal accounting rules and principles in the A teacher resident in the coopera- settlers who would report a joyful liv- management of cooperative funds tive housing project who was brave ing in multi-million village with decent and reports; mismanagement of the enough to ask then had already Chairman Orlan R. Ravanera homes. I thought of meeting an em- cooperative and lack of transparency leaped to the Great Beyond with all powered community as exemplified and democracy in the cooperative; the miseries she faced to lead in lib- by the 18,000 cooperatives with some amassment of questionable wealth erating the oppressed residents. Until

Our country is facing multi-di- mensional challenges that unless soon addressed will lead to a so- cio-economic-environmental de- bacle. Poverty continues to plague families and communities. Climate change threatens lives and liveli- hoods. Conflicts are raging especially in war-torn Mindanao where violent extremism looms horribly manifest- ed by the Marawi Siege by the ISIS and most recently, the first in history of a Filipino turned suicidal bomber. Inequalities are deepening. These phenomena are disturbingly becom- ing ordinary. Of these phenomena, the most glaring is Climate Change, the Philippines being the 3rd hardest hit country in the world where tens of thousands have died or rendered homeless in just a decade. It has become imperative to have a coun- tervailing force to save lives and live- lihoods, especially in the areas identi- fied as high risk and vulnerable. Thus, when Typhoon Ondoy hit Metro Manila in September 2009, how to save thousands of lives was the call of the times. Agencies of gov- ernment together with non-govern- 10.7 million members nation-wide and properties in the limited time that now, these question remains unan- ment organizations crafted plans to whose quality of life has greatly im- she became a coop officer and arro- swered. save thousands of people in the iden- proved through cooperativism as ver- gates her influence with government The pains of the residents tified vulnerable areas especially in ified by a recent study of the USAID, agencies and groups. must now be given the right reme- flood prone areas where thousands which even concluded that the Phil- She even brags about having dies. The Lord Himself has said that of informal settler families (ISFs) ippines is the cooperative leader in connection with the Duterte Adminis- “serve the least of your brethren and were living. Where to relocate? How Asia and the Pacific. tration; in front of the general public, you serve the Lord.” to raise funds? What are the strate- So an Order against the Ms. Catayong inflicted physical harm, The least of our brethren are gies and tactics? What government Board of Directors particularly against restriction of movements and verbal now begging us to end their agonies. offices will be involved? These ques- the Chairman of AMVA to refrain from abuse to members who raised valid When the Hon. Mayor of Valenzuela, tions begged for a comprehensive acting as such has been issued by issues and earned her ire. Mr. Rex Gatchalian, who took the ini- plan to be urgently put into motion. the Chairman of the Cooperative De- More than these complaints, tiatives to help, is now facing a case in To save the lives and livelihood of the velopment Authority (CDA). However, I feel the agony of the residents and the Ombudsman together with those most vulnerable, government like a she is defying the order and in fact, cooperative members upon hearing residents who are standing up for good father of the family took positive she has even filed their sentiments and experiences on their rights. We salute his Eminence action by using its fund, especially the a case against the Chairman to nullify their unlivable units that they are liv- and Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, for Philippine Development Assistance the order. ing. taking the cudgels for the oppressed Fund (PDAF), to give refuge to the The law is very clear on this. Their comfort room no longer residents. marginalized and the downtrodden by The CDA’s Regulatory Power over gave them comfort because when It has been our favorite slo- relocating thousands of families re- housing cooperatives under Sec- they flush it, the water will bounce gan, “Veritas Liberabit Vos,”(The siding in the danger zone of Valenzu- tion 12 of the Revised Implementing in their lavatory, or even in the toilet Truth Shall Set Us Free), may we ela and Caloocan City particularly in Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Re- bowls and lavatories of the adjacent know how that “People’s Plan” orig- the Tullahan Area, a non-government public Act 6939 states that the Au- units. Yes, when it rains, it pours... inally designed to show case how organization, i.e., Kilos Maralita and thority shall have the power to reg- but in their situation, the rain does not government gives refuge to informal the National Anti-Poverty Commis- ulate the internal affairs of Housing just pour, it enters in their units and settler families (ISF) threatened by sion crafted a People’s Plan for the Cooperatives including other matters runs through the electrical wirings. climate change only served to ex- relocation of some 1,440 families liv- relating to the internal affairs of Hous- Worse, in the afternoon of July 24, pose the ISFs to greater calamities? ing along the Tullahan River. ing Cooperatives. This other matters 2019, Steffi Rose Buising, a 6-year This bitter reality was sum- The “People’s Plan” amount- relating to the internal affairs of Hous- old child and daughter of a coopera- marized by a sobbing boy in one of ing to some 600 million pesos was ing Cooperatives includes but not tive member fell from the second floor the buildings telling his mother, “Alis then approved from the PDAF. Of limited to CDA imposing measures to of the broken fire exit. na po tayo Inay, balik na lang po tayo this, about 100 million pesos was be undertaken to ensure the cooper- The innocent child suffered sa Tullahan, kahit na wala tayong ba- used to buy the 5-ha. land in Valenzu- ative is able to monitor and manage/ head injury-Epidura Hematoma, hos- hay pero tayo po ay may kalayaan.”- ela where some 30 3-storey buildings supervise all its financial records and pitalized at Fatima University Medi- Freedom from fear, from poverty and were built at a cost of 468,487,500.00 transactions in which case collection cal Center and yet the contractor of from corruption is what really matters pesos. of dues, disbursement of cooperative the building whose responsible for to that boy. Wow! So amazing! Especial- funds and withdrawal of funds of the the weak construction of that fire exit Well, if in fact some hidden ly when the relocatees opted to be co- cooperative thru the present Board of would not to help pay the hospital bill hands have made some rakings, operativized based on their firm belief Directors and Officers from any of its that reached up to Php1.3M until the please remember the biblical lines, that harnessing their collective power depository banks shall be deemed as parents signed a waiver on its ac- “For what shall it profit a man, if he is the right approach to empower the prohibited acts. countability for the fall. shall gain the whole world, and lose poor and the homeless. This was also The Office of the Chair- How can these corrupt, abu- his own soul?” in consonance to what is provided for man, CDA has received numerous sive, and irresponsible people and in Chapter XV, Article XII of the 1987 complaints and sentiments from the even government officials soundly Constitution, “to promote the viability abused AMVA cooperative members sleep at the expense of the poor and and growth cooperatives as instru- ranging from massive corruption, vulnerable? ments of social justice, equity and gross mismanagement to abuse and This issue might be just one economic development.” So, the Aly- harassments. of the corrupt practices in the country Page 4 CDA @phcoops PH Cooperatives FEATURE Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation: KNMPC Best Practices in Saving MOTHER EARTH its environment. They This program aims to maintain and also conducted risk re- improve soil fertility, structure, bio- duction seminars and diversity, reduce erosion as well to earthquake drills to ed- achieved sustainability over long ucate the members and term period, and climate change the community on how mitigation. to manage certain situa- To address the improper tion; tree planting activ- waste disposal which cause seri- ities to raise awareness ous problems such as loss of bio- to the society in the im- diversity and disruption of natural portance of planting and balances of relationships between saving trees, express species, the KNMPC imposes a our concern to the en- project to protect our environment vironment, and diminish from any devastations caused by the unfavourable effects improper waste disposals. BASURA of climate change. MO I-BOTE MO project encouraged The KNMPC also members to put their plastic wastes materials inside a plas- warming, floods, greenhouse gas- tic bottle and segregate es, hunger, famine, HIVs, dengue, each garbage properly. malaria, etc. which are very alarm- This simple project can ing. If it continues or not properly make a bigger change address of, it can aggravate the not just in this coopera- damage of the earth….. livelihoods, tive, in this community plants, animals are affected…. and but to the whole world. a place not safe to settle on. For every single plastic Thus, measures of protect- you wrap is a life you ing and saving the earth, especial- save. ly addressing the climate change KNMPC also strong- through adaptation and mitigation ly advocates the coastal should be collectively and deliber- clean-up activities. In ac- ately undertaken. It should start cordance to Presidential at the individual level by observing Proclamation No. 470, this “Ten Simple Things You Can Do the KNMPC conducts to Help Protect the Earth” (National coastal clean-up drive Ocean Service; National Oceanic every year to support and Atmospheric Administration; US the campaign on saving Department of Commerce}. Mother Earth. They start- Knowing how the climate ed this activity last 2011 changes, the temperature rises as a and for 8 years they scheduled result of rampant pollution. The car- the coastal clean-up campaign bon dioxides, chlorofluorocarbons every third Sunday of Septem- and other pollutants that traps heat ber at Brgy. Buyu-an, Tigbau- radiating from Earth towards space an, Iloilo coastal areas together resulting to greenhouse effect. As with our volunteered members. temperature rises in this planet, the The KNMPC’s also estab- iceberg begun to melt which may lishes livelihood programs sink islands after 5 years. such as Sikad to Own Pro- The Kooperatiba Naton gram, Tricycle to Own Pogram, MPC (KNMPC), a multi-awarded Hog raising, Cattle fattening and pro-active cooperative having and Poultry programs, Dish- great love and concern with moth- washing Liquid Making Pro- er earth have various programs and gram, and Vitaplus Livelihood projects (PAPs) on said Climate Program with the components Change Adaptation and Mitigation. of environmental protection to As an environmental friendly the earth is facing. promotes organic farming. It is now save mother Earth. These further cooperative, the KNMPC conducts Since 2011, the coopera- producing healthy and safe products generate income and employment activities and educational semi- tive has been engaged to coastal and manufacturing their own organ- for the members, community, and nars for cooperative members to be clean up to reduce water pollution ic foliar fertilizer for crop produc- localities. aware about the serious matter that that may affect both the people and tion especially to perishable crops.

CDA MEDIA BUREAUS Pampanga Extension Pagadian Extension Office PUBLISHER Region IX Central Office Office/Region III Cooperative Development Authority Karen C. Sandique Elynor M. Tolosa Inocencio M. Malapit (CDA) Cheyanne L. Evangelista Ellyn M. Ando Cleng Salonga Calamba Extension Cherryl Marders Cagayan de Oro EO Office/Region IV Rosemarie J. Beltran Lorelie R. Papa Region X

Monatao Honeya R. Alawi Jerah B. Valdez Analiza C. Sulpot Sally S. Triñanes Naga Extension Edwin B. Pelosas Atty. Monalisa A. Juarez Office/Region V Davao Extension Office Michael C. Cabulay Othello Privaldos Region XI Raul Z. Bacillano Marlyn D. Eso Maria Theresa B. Dave Iloilo Extension Office Manila Extension Office NCR Region VI Kidapawan Extension Office Sherwin Keith D. Salazar Region XII Mimai R. Parangue Mercy J. Gabasa Cassy S. Jimeno Jezza Lhor Villarin-Utlang Jeane Mary B. Fullero Dagupan Extension Cebu Extension Office Office/Region 1 Region VII Caraga Extension Office Van F. Enriquez Ramon P. Buenavista EDITORIAL STAFF Faye D. Carino Caraga Region Mariefel A. Taghoy Sally Joy R. Bungabong Orlando R. Ravanera Editor-In-Chief Tuguegarao Extension Tacloban Extension Office- Niño Rosil C. Bantayan Managing Editors Lyn D. Eso Office/Region II Region VIII Jurela V. Cruz CAR-Baguio Ext. Office Gloria V. Barrido Leann R. Fontanilla Marissa L. Cala Loraine M. Yu Martin B. Manodon.

CDA @phcoops PH Cooperatives Page 5 FEATURE Cooperative Month Highlights – Some Cooperatives’ Inspiring Stories October - Celebrating co- seedlings regular loans (provident tive Development Authority on April says that “Cooperative will always operative month has always been and production loans) savings, 1, 1991. be the game changer and Agricul- inspiring. The Cooperative Devel- merchandising, trading of Pepsi Initially the cooperative has ture is definitely the Solution!” opment Authority (CDA) in coordi- Products, bakeries were opened 16 farmer members and gathered *** nation with the different cooperative to members. Different community a total capital of P25,000 that used Another story from a group unions, cooperative development involvement were also rendered to as fund for the lending business. of 33 or so parishioners of the councils, cooperatives, provincial members and non-members such Today, the cooperative has 632 Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in and local government units, partner as KOOPdukasyon (Brigada, giv- strong memberships and a total Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur in 2014 government agencies, non-govern- ing of school supplies), KOOPlu- of 74,071,803.25 as equity. It also took the initiative to organize the ment agencies and stakeholders sugan (feeding, medical and dental has 10 managed businesses such Galimuyod Credit Union in order to are conducting different activities, mission), KOOPlikasan (a Sagip as Savings and Deposit, Palay respond to their needs in their eco- programs, fora, trainings, exhibits, Kalikasan, Balik Paraiso program Trading, Rice Trading, Farm Inputs nomic life. The church leaders be- recognitions and gatherings that of the cooperative which includes Trading, Farm Machinery Rentals, lieved that the church does not only primarily promote the culture of co- the tree planting), KOOPlinisan (in- Trucking, Truck Scale Services, promote the spiritual upliftment of operativism. cludes clean up drive, waste segre- LPG Trading, Point-of-Sale (P.O.S.) the parishioners but must also im- As of writing, there are more gation), KOOPisports (this includes and Lending with total volume of prove their economic status. Hence, than 18,000 active cooperatives sports development program, Liga 274,822,356.6. Rev. Fr. Edmundo Abaya, then Par- nationwide with some 11 million ac- Kontra Droga) and other Commu- Bantug Agricultural MPC ish Priest, gave his full support to tive members. These cooperatives nity Social Responsibility that helps has diversified business operations the movement—thus giving birth to have generated more than 580,800 every individuals. that caters all the needs of Palay what is now the “Sacred Heart Sav- direct employments and more than As of writing, the HTAPC and Vegetable Farmers in the prov- ings Cooperative” (SHSC). 1.9M indirect employments. These has 670 members covering the 2 ince of Nueva Ecija. Starting from After more than 4 decades cooperatives also produced billions cities and 2 municipalities of the land preparation until harvesting of providing service to the mem- of Pesos worth of goods and ser- Province of Isabela such as the City the cooperative is there to assist bers and having established 21 vices and have contributed 3.9B of Ilagan, Cauayan City, Municipal- the farmers. In the recent years the branches all over Northern Luzon pesos of indirect taxes. They may ity of Benito Soliven and the Mu- cooperative tried and successful- and various business units includ- be tax exempt but they are tax mak- nicipality of Reina Mercedes with ly integrated the Processing of the ing the famed Ban-Aw Resort, the ers. almost 1,500,000 of share capital. harvest so that the farmers will not Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative The cooperatives are able There are seven (7) existing ven- have a hard time in finding market has grown to be the largest prima- to help the national government tures that caters the needs of the for their Palay at the same time the ry cooperative in Region I with total in delivering basic services to the members namely, (1) Lending and price of the harvests will be more assets of more than Three (3) Bil- community and are indeed exem- Savings, (2) Trading, (3) Merchan- competitive since the cooperative lion Pesos and total membership of plifying the essence of being trans- dising (4) Seedling Production (5) can give millers price to the farm- 60,000 being served by 700-strong formative cooperatives, for people, Selling of Seedlings (6) Consumer ers. employees. planet, prosperity and peace. Being (Bakery) (7) Stall Rentals. The complete and mod- The SHSC bests not only transformative cooperative means *** ern approach of Value Chain was in bringing about economic growth adherence to the universally ac- The Batangas Egg Produc- adopted by the cooperative; the among its members but also in car- cepted principles of cooperativism ers Cooperative (BEPCO) is the by-products of palay like Rice bran rying out eleemosynary endeav- and holistically advancing the pro- first to establishment the Liquid Egg and Rice Hull were given addition- ors and philanthropic programs in tection of the environment, advanc- Processing Plant and has been a al value. The rice hull was used as which the community at large is ing the people’s basic rights, eco- successful Public-Private-Partner- fuel for Mechanical Dryer and pow- experiencing and being thankful nomic upliftment and peace. ship with the Department of Agri- er generator for Electric Company, for. The coop realizes its role in In line with this year’s co- culture (DA) on research, product the burned rice hull was used as or- the community to deliver positive operative month theme: “Coop- ganic fertilizers to add nutrients at changes with the people and the erativism: A Countervailing Force the Farm Land while the rice bran community. Against Climate Change and Vi- was used as feeds for pigs. With The SHSC is now engaged olent Extremism Through People this kind of operations, the cooper- with lending operations; diagnostic, Empowerment to Trailblaze Shift ative sees this as big opportunity to laboratory and medical clinic; large in Paradigm Towards Sustainability help the country in achieving food scale printing businesses; grocery and Social Inclusion”, the CDA and security. However, the coopera- store-and-appliance center in one; the cooperative members are now tive needs more facilities on a crusade for environmental pro- to cater more farmers tection against the dark forces that like Warehouses, bigger have exploited our resources with Post-Harvest Facilities utter disregard for nature and the and more Farm Machin- future of the coming generations. eries. To further inspire your read- The major threat ings, we are sharing some good that the cooperative sees stories of the cooperatives: is the implementation of In 2014, the Holy Trinity Agro-For- Rice Liberalization and estry Producers Cooperative development and marketing of the Tariffication Law which (HTAPC), whose primary goal is to pasteurized liquid egg products allow Open and Unre- help the reforestation program of such as whole, yolk, and whites. stricted Importation of the government on global warm- The cooperative serves Rice. Since the cost of ing, air and water pollution aside as an open channel between the production of palay in the from uplifting the living condition of government and Batangas poultry Philippines is significantly higher 300-sow level piggery farm; biogas members through continues Capi- stakeholders especially during the than other neighboring countries digester/methane recovery system; tal Build Up and the habit of thrift challenging time of the occurrence like Thailand and Vietnam the lo- seedling and crop production; and and savings, was awarded with 100 of Avian Influenza (AI). Being cog- cally produce rice is not yet globally farmers’ skills development and en- hectares of land under the National nizant of the challenge and its ma- competitive. The implementation of trepreneurship program. Greening Program of the Depart- terial impact to the farmers and the law will result to lower buying price *** ment of Environment and Natural community. The BEPCO is taking a of palay, this will hurt the local farm- In mid-60s a small number Resources (DENR) to develop. The pro-active role to keep Batangas AI ers and cooperative as well. But of empathetic individuals aimed members of the HTAPC wasted no free and deliver an “Eggcosystem” the BAMC strongly believe that the to promote Christian values and time in showcasing their commit- to a sustainable agricultural frame- liberate a group ment to their advocacy and goal. work which will keep Batangas of parents from The area was then planted with fruit province as the supplier of around the clutches of bearing trees with (21) different spe- 25% of the egg requirements of the loan sharks es- cies. In 2015, the DENR-CENRO Philippines. tablished the DC- Naguilian acknowledged the coop- As a leader in food innova- CCO Multipur- erative the efforts and accomplish- tion, BEPCO enjoins stakeholders pose Cooperative ment of the cooperative hence, in to be their partners of Eggs Inno- - embedded with 2015 they were given another 150 vation Towards Sustainability and the philosophy hectares and another 300 hectares Food Security Program, this initia- and core values in 2016. Currently, they have 870 tive is a continuous program of the of Dynamism, hectares planted with fruit-bearing cooperative. Christ-centered- trees, timber and Bamboo which *** ness, Compas- are very advantage on the refor- The Bantug Agricultur- sion, Commitment estation and on the effect of climate al Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Oneness. change and on the protection of the (BAMC). It is an argi-based coop- Filipino farmers are resilient and They apply holistic ap- Watershed. erative that was established on the the cooperative refused to give up proach to guarantee long lasting The HTAPC was then up- year 1988 as Samahang Nayon in local farming. The cooperative impact and instigate number of ini- graded to Holy Trinity Agro-For- (Rural Organization) of Brgy. Ban- sees this as opportunity to strive tiatives to fight hunger and pover- estry Multi-Purpose Cooperative tug, Talavera, Nueva Ecija and was more and make the farmers glob- ty through its marching orders on where in aside from producing of officially registered on the Coopera- ally competitive, the BAMC always Continue to p. 6

Page 6 CDA @phcoops PH Cooperatives FEATURE Cooperative Month Highlights – Some Cooperatives’ Inspiring Stories rainforest development, organic Their situation then was okay as far peace and quiet area and their co- gon Marawi, the Cooperative De- farming, mangrove reforestation, as life sustenance was concerned. operative, as they envisioned it to velopment Authority was allocated and tree growing. Currently, they But it was after they were organized be a model community, together as with 76.15 Million to fund the “Ban- are venturing into hotel industry to into a cooperative that the lives of one in health and progress and at gon Marawi Through Cooperativ- accommodate the region’s growing the members were change. the same time living the vision of ism Program.” The program provid- tourism industry. Each members of the global environmental restoration. ed the 103 cooperatives with some Aside from being a source board can attest that their situa- In a so-called sacred place 4,500 members with enough capital of financial assistance during times tion now can be attributed to their in Misamis Oriental situated in Mt. to start up their business such as of need, the DCCCO is fostering cooperative. It is because of their Balatukan, Mt. Sumagaya and Mt. grocery store, pharmacy, agricultur- the advocacies on education, fi- cooperative that they were able to Lumot where hundreds of lives al and fisheries venture and the like, nancial inclusion, financial literacy send their children to college, build were buried over an air mishaps to help them recover financially. program, peace and order, health, their decent homes, stable income of the Cebu pacific Air Flight 387 *** ecology, and integration with the and provide stable livelihood in the in 1998, and the so-called “killing The wounded soldiers are national, Asian, and international community. fields” of lawless elements during committed to continue their fight but movements of cooperatives. Be- Most of all, when they received the a 10-year insurgency period in the this time their fight is not anymore ing partner with the DSWD for the Hand-holding Program from the 80’s to the early 90’s, there existed through arms but is against pov- implementation of the 4Ps. All 4Ps CDA, SJSLMPC had leapfrogged the Doalnara Restoration Society erty through cooperativism. Now members are currently gaining suc- significantly and have set a clear- Philippines Multi-Purpose Cooper- that they are organized as Wound- cess in managing their financial er path and direction towards in- ative. ed Soldiers Agricultural Cooper- resources through DCCCO’s finan- clusive growth, economic freedom The cooperative is engaged ative, they will run a five-hectare cial literacy instruction and skills and sustainability. in planting yacon – a kind of medici- agri-tourism farm that will showcase training sessions. Collectively, they When the founding mem- nal tuber that produces by-products sustainable integrated farming and now have millions in savings de- ber started in 2001, their paid-up such as syrup, juice, and tea that to put-up a Training Center to en- posits in the cooperative. capital was only Php14,050.00. In cures diabetes. They are now ex- hance the technical capabilities of With the continued patron- 2013, they were able to raised their porting yacon to Japan and other their members and would-be mem- age of its members, sustained col- membership to 45 and with paid-up neighboring countries. They have bers to become more productive. an average production of 10 tons These courageous soldiers have a week with average export sales shown that there is no greater love of 300 kilos per month. Out of the than one who has sacrificed and 1,000 hectares, 300 are now being even faced death to fight for free- prepared for yacon production. dom in our land against violent ex- Aside from yacon, the cooperative tremism. It therefore behooves for is into vegetables production such all of us to salute them and give as celery and Korean vegetables; our utmost support. This time, they and foreign cacti propagation. Up- have scaled up the war to a higher holding the global campaign for en- level – to fight and defeat the num- vironmental restoration and given ber one enemy which is poverty the stewardship of the land for 25 rooted in social injustice and ineq- years, they continue to venture into uities. organic farming. *** *** Likewise, in its quest to ef- Former rebels headed by fect the dream of advancing total Mr. Diolito Sonido to lay down their human development to the poor arms in then war-torn Zamboanga people of Initao, Misamis Oriental, to dedicate their lives to liberate the the Servus Multi-Purpose Cooper- poor from the clutches of ignorance ative has established a strong links laboration of its partners, DCCCO’s capital of Php84,600. and poverty through cooperative with other cooperatives and gov- success can be viewed thru its With CDA’s intervention, education. ernment agencies like DSWD. more than P5.0 billion total assets SJSLMPC in 2017 was able to ac- In 2001, they established It facilitates the 4Ps PAY- and the 117,000 strong and com- cumulate a total asset of Php7.8 the Western Mindanao Cooperative OUT PROGRAM that provides easy mitted members from 8 branches million and paid-up capital of College in Zamboanga City with access for the 4Ps beneficiaries. and 5 satellite offices in Negros Php3.478 million. From the original only 49 students to begin with en- The coop also involved the Senior Oriental, Negros Occidental, and 18 members, the coop has now 348 rolled in technical courses. After 6 Citizens as one of the beneficiaries Siquijor provinces. regular members and 80 associate years of sheer hard work and with in entertainment services. It also From a small communi- members, all are enjoying the year- single-minded adherence to coop- involves on bloodletting activity to ty-based cooperative, it has con- ly dividend of 20% and patronage erative quality education, the col- support the Red Cross. Every year, tinued to make a difference in the refund of about 18-20%. lege has now more than a thousand the coop conducted mangrove lives of thousands of individuals. Not only that. The then as- enrollees in both professional and planting activity to support the gov- Now, it’s already a multi-billion, sociation of ordinary people who technical fields of education. ernment’s efforts on environmental world-class cooperative driven were in unstable job, are now em- The Cooperative College protection by excellence and caring service; ploying 20 people from the com- has served its mission very well To date, the coop opened implementing diversified ways to munity with minimum salaries. The in providing quality education to its business on automotive shop serve all its stakeholders’ inter- coop now boasts its different busi- thousands of poor but deserving catering to car owners-members ests, survive competition, and carry nesses that cater the needs of its students and whose graduates are for affordable labor and parts repair out additional benefits for all con- members, to include; scrap buying now front-lining the cause of uplift- services. cerned. and trading, lending, consumer ing the plight of the marginalized *** *** store, rice trading, hollow blocks sectors in combating poverty in the These are just some inter- The Northern Mindanao making, vermi-composting, hauling war-torn region of Mindanao. esting and inspiring stories of our Holistic Therapeutic Blind Mas- of garbage from private companies While cooperative education has cooperatives. Each cooperative seurs Service Cooperative is a pool using their four trucks and hog rais- found its mark to make life better for member definitely has their own of blind members who believe that ing. our poor but struggling people, the inspiring stories to tell, of how they having less of the senses is not *** quest for peace is pursued in more have been involved in the main- senseless. Before they were con- ways than one as violence comes stream of development processes sidered as liabilities as members in many forms. and how they have been liberated of persons with disabilities (PWDs) *** from the quagmire of poverty to but now they are considered as as- In Northern Mindanao re- now peacefully working for social sets to the community when they gion, the 1,577 cooperatives with justice and equity through Cooper- organized themselves into cooper- some 700,000 members are en- ativism. ative. Today, they have three (3) gaged in micro, small and medium USEC. ORLANDO R. RAV- massage clinics in Cagayan de enterprises that when consolidated ANERA, Chairman, CDA commits Oro that they can call their own will reach more than 11 billion pe- that the CDA will continue to deliver business. sos or more than 10 per cent of the strong resolve to give voice to the *** total gross regional domestic prod- cooperative sector by providing a Another story from ordinary uct of 60 billion pesos. model of services and social en- people who are waste pickers and In the case of Marawi, re- terprise that adhere to the univer- waste sorters in Batangas tell a sto- covery is not only limited to housing sally accepted principles of Coop- ry of economic freedom while ad- program and the rehabilitation of erativism. “We will lead the way in vancing environmental protection. the ruined community, it also con- cascading the countervailing force The San Jose Sico Land- siders the recovery of confidence of against climate change and violent fill Multi-Purpose Cooperative Peace-loving the victims to start business anew, extremism through people empow- (SJSLMPC) was originally an asso- people in Misamis Oriental have to gain back what they have lost erment to trailblaze shift in para- ciation of waste pickers and waste bonded together to protect the en- and cooperativism have significant- digm toward sustainability and so- sorters of landfill, situated in Brgy. vironment by establishing a com- ly bring back their lives to normal. cial inclusion,” he said. San Jose Sico, Batangas City. munity and living together in their Being part of the Task Force Ban-

CDA @phcoops PH Cooperatives Page 7 FEATURE ISABELA YOUTH: STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATION Philippines-China Partnership: A Success story of Framil G. Valenzuela, Chairperson, Isabela Provincial Youth Cooperatives Development Council (IPYCDC). Shaping Great Future for Agricultural Coops

influences of China’s agriculture future in agriculture development cooperatives towards China’s food particularly on rapid development security and economic and social of cooperatives. It divulged us with development; amazed with the Chi- so many learnings and insights. It nese culture and patriotism; stunned opened many doors of opportunities by the China’s policies on coopera- on how can we and the coopera- One of the speakers during Philippines conducted by the Ad- tives and government’s support be- tives be of help to improve agricul- the Y4GG (Youth for Global Goals) ministration and Ministry Institute ing extended to their cooperatives tural development in our country to COOPERATIVE YOUTH CON- of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural and cooperative members; enjoyed ensure food security without preju- GRESS said “Isabela Youth, imag- Affairs, People’s Republic of Chi- ine with all your mind. Believe with na last August 9-30, 2019. Undeni- with the beautiful cultural sceneries; dicing the ecosystem and the envi- all your heart. Achieve with all your ably, this program helped me a lot pampered by the hospitality of the ronment. might. Words that ponders me to in my journey in understanding the host; thankful to the CDA and to the From August 9-30, we ‘Keep pushing through and never path that I have chosen. I was pre- stop!” It is indeed true that through cast and guided with different pol- perseverance, one can be able to icies, programs and activities that reach for his/her heart’s desire. are worth emulating. My seminar At my young age, I was in China is a lifelong learning to able to organize a cooperative and be cherished because I was able be part of it though the support of to have plenty of knowledge that my friends and neighborhood. It are very relevant to our coopera- was a big challenge for me and tive. The importance of policies, our team because we have a lit- the culture and a good leadership tle knowledge about cooperative would uplift the life of the cooper- and the hows to start it. It was ative. It was also a very memora- then Mr. Richard M. Agcaoili, our ble experience mingling with my manager and Mr. Ruben T. Dela co-delegates while we share the Cruz, our chairperson became my best practices of our own coopera- partners to organize the Holy Trin- tives. ity Agro-forestry Producers Coop- Indeed, my exposure to erative (HTAFPC) now the Holy cooperative became extraordinary Trinity Agro-forestry Multi-Purpose which transformed me to become Cooperative (HTAFMPC). We are the person that I am now. I was one of the thirty (30) members elected as the Chairperson of the who started the said cooperative. Isabela Provincial Youth Cooper- cooperative that served as the link stayed at AMI-MARA campus’ ho- After registering the cooperative, atives Development Council (IP- to be included in the lists of partici- tel in Beijing for almost two weeks our team planned for a business YCDC) which was established on pants; and grateful for the one of a and spent the rest of the schedule in venture that would help not just 2015 and was given recognition by kind opportunity. the Jinan City, Shandong Province the cooperative to grow, but also the Cooperative Development this its members and its community. year and the first Youth Council in All travel related expenses and Fuzhou City in Fujian Province. The team communicated with the our country. In the first year of my such as roundtrip economy class Staying together got us more closer Department of Environment and term, I can confidently say, togeth- airfare from Manila to Beijing and like family. Everytime we took pic- Natural Resources (DENR) to er with my co-officers through the vice versa, meals and accommo- tures for documentations, we just have a partnership for their Na- guidance of the Provincial Coop- dation, as well as local transporta- uttered the word “family!” then ev- tional Greening Program (NGP) erative Development Officer under which is one of the advocacies the leadership of the hardworking tion and field and cultural visits and eryone will come close to pose, in- and programs of the cooperative mother of all cooperatives in Isa- insurance coverage while in China cluding the Chinese hosts or even on environmental conservation. bela, Ms. Lilia Castillo, that I am are sponsored by the Agriculture the resource speaker. During cul- In the first two years of the coop- very blessed that she is my great- Management Institute (AMI)-Minis- tural visits, it was not hard for us to erative, I was a volunteer staff. est mentor on cooperatives. Because of my will and eagerness We have accomplished three (3) try of Agriculture and Rural Affairs come into complete quorum – one to help and my love for the coop- big events for this year, such as (MARA). will just shout the word “family” and erative, I was able to surpass and the SALUN-AT Program: Medical The seminar is in line with the everyone will eventually come help the cooperative to be one of and Dental Mission, Project TNK the Memorandum of Understanding together for a pose. Well, it was re- the fastest growing cooperatives (Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan) (MOU) between the Cooperative ally fun… not just in the province of Isabela and the Y4GG (Youth for Global but in the region without financial Goals) COOPERATIVE YOUTH Development Authority (CDA) and Of course, it was not all in return of the services and deeds CONGRESS which happened the AMI-MARA of the People’s Re- about having fun. While we enjoy that I have rendered. Truly, the on this year’s Cooperative Month public of China signed last Novem- the moment, we took advantage success of a person is not seen Celebration. During the Y4GG, ber 20, 2018 during the State Visit of the chance to know each other. on the diplomas that he/she has Hon. Lecira ‘Bing’ Suarez, former of Chinese President, XI Jingping We exchanged thoughts, ideas and received but the ability to help oth- undersecretary of the Cooperative ers to alleviate poverty. The salary Development Authority gave us in the Philippines and will last until best practices. We shared common did not stop me to serve but it be- very challenging words that could 2021. vissions. Being inspired by the rapid came a challenge for me to strive be valued, and I quote “Coop work The seminar is composed of lec- development of China’s Agricultural harder because helping others by is God’s work. God’s work done, tures, symposiums, field visits to cooperatives which is now consid- giving their needs made me to be God’s way will never lack God’s China’s agriculture demonstration ered as China’s main market play- rewarded of happiness and life- supply.” I was impressed by not long achievements. just his words but also his pas- cooperatives and cultural visits. ers in agricultural products and val- Moreover, the cooperative be- sion and love to cooperative and It aims to promote capacity build- ue chain, we have asked ourselves, came my training ground to be his advocacy to do more and to do ing, exchange of information, and “why can’t we do it in our coopera- more knowledgeable, equipped great things. strengthen agricultural technolo- tives?” Hence, we were motivated and to be more passionate. The Because of my dedication gies, agricultural trade and partner- to design our own developmental Cooperative Development Author- and passion, I was recognized and ity, the Provincial Government of awarded by the Provincial Govern- ship between the CDA and MARA plan and incorporate the China-way Isabela through the Provincial Co- ment of Isabela through the Gov- and among agriculture cooperatives to attain self-sufficiency, sustainable operatives Development Office, ernor, Hon. Rodolfo T. Albano III and business enterprises of P.R.C. and inclusive growth in our respec- the Northeast Luzon Credit Coop- and Vice Governor, Hon. Fausti- and the Philippines. Hence, it dis- tive cooperatives. erative league PFCCO, and other no ‘Bojie’ G. Dy, III as the ‘Coop training providers molded me and Youth Leadership Excellence cussed significant topics, issues “Everything we had been helped me better understand and Award” during the 2019 Coopera- and updates and imparted us with through during the 21-day seminar broaden my knowledge with re- tive Month celebration. better understanding of the geogra- is an experience worth to remem- gard to cooperative. T h r o u g h Truly, working in a coop- phy of China, its history, its people ber and learnings worth to rever- the cooperatives, I was sent as erative is very rewarding. It also and culture; its agricultural situation; berate. We are looking forward to a participant to different activities gave me lots of opportunities not such as Cooperative Summit, Na- just in the Philippines but also the challenges; and the strategies continuing friendship, partnership, tional Tripartite and other activi- abroad. And as a Licensed Pro- and policies on agricultural and co- and collaboration for sustainable ties. I was also lucky to be chosen fessional Teacher, I still choose to operative development. development,”-Engr. Doreen Anche- as the representative of Region 2 serve and work in our cooperative The three (3)-weeks journey ta, RD-CDA Ilo-ilo Extension office, during the 21-day 2019 Seminar because I believe that it is where gave us a good ride on the past, the stated. on Farmer’s Cooperative for the my heart belongs. present, and a glimpse of China’s Page 8 CDA @phcoops PH Cooperatives NEWS CDA-MEO Marks Coop Month’s Celebration with Buy and Give Trade Fair Age of Digitalization, Co-op En- along with their products were giv- terprise Development and Gov- en the opportunity to be recognized ernment Policies, CDA in Coop and showcased in the said event. Enterprise Development, and “Okay naman ang naging event, Financing & Insurance opportu- naging smooth ang flow ng activi- nities for Co-op Enterprises. ty… maganda ang sales ng coop The event also allowed our fel- namen, madami ang nag-inquire low cooperators, coming from at may nag-place na din ng order different cluster of Metro Manila, samin… nag-enjoy din ako manood to showcase their talents in sing- ng singing contest, talented! Look- ing. Elimination Round for the ing forward ako na mapabilang ulit Tagisan ng Tinig Singing Contest sa ganitong trade fair… sana ay took place as part of the coop- marami pang mga kooperatiba na gional Development Cooperative Trade Fair marks the beginning erative month celebration. The magparticipate sa susunod na trade Council – National Capital Region ‘kick-off’ celebration of this year’s winners per cluster will compete for fair.” --John Joshua Cayosa, one (RCDC-NCR), Metro Manila Devel- cooperative month. the final round on the 17th of Octo- of the exhibitors from Koop King opment Officer (MEMACDO), and Aside from promoting the ber 2019 during the First Metro Ma- Multi-Purpose Cooperative. Union of Metro Manila Cooperatives products of cooperatives, the activ- nila Cooperative Union Congress at Buy and Give Trade Fair will (UMMC) are working together to ity served as an avenue to promote Winford Manila Resort and Casino, also be held on October 17 to 19, highlight various products from the the cooperative movement through Manila City. 2019 at Market Maket Activity Cen- cooperative through the “Buy and learning sessions in line with Co- The 3-day event was a suc- ter, Taguig City, and on November Give Trade Fair”. The said trade operative Enterprise Development. cess; crowd from different sectors 04 to 07, 2019 at Glorietta Activity fair was held last September 25-27, During this three-day activity, topics filled the venue and participated in Center, Makati City. 2019 at the Trinoma Mall Activity were discussed here: Developing the Kick-Off celebration. Coopera- Center, Quezon City. Buy and Give and Mainstreaming of Cooperative tives who participated in the activity Products, Co-op Enterprises in the CDA and TESDA Ink Agreement to Empower Cooperative Members, IDPs, IPs, and Rebel Returnees and availability of funds; and issue a National Certificate (NC) or Certifi- cate of Competency (COC) to those selected scholars who passed the competency assessment. While the CDA is tasked to promote the pro- grams of TESDA; and Identify and submit the list of beneficiaries taking into consideration the requirements of the TESDA. Ravanera expressed his gratitude to TESDA. He is confident that the agreement is indeed very significant in scaling the heights of the capac- ity and productivity of every benefi- ciaries and will eventually transform the IDPs to PRDs or Parents Re- ceiving Dollars. Meanwhile, Lapeña recognized the significance of the cooperatives as enous People (IPs) and Internally TESDA Central Office. enterprise development and others; one of the partners of the govern- Displaced Person (IDPs) of Marawi, As stipulated in the agreement, the Provide scholarship annually to de- ment in economic development, and Maguindanao and its nearby munic- TESDA will facilitate the access to serving members, officers and staff as source of intelligence. “Providing ipalities and rebel returnees as part technical vocational education and of cooperatives, especially IPs and good and appropriate livelihood and of the CDA’s mandate and develop- training (TVET) programs of the IDPs of Marawi, Maguindanao and skills training will definitely empower mental functions cooperative members, officers and its nearby municipalities including the lower strata of the Philippine so- The MOA was signed in the pres- staff, to include among others tech- rebel returnees subject to compli- ciety - making them more productive ence of key officials of CDA and nology-based, community-based ance with the guidelines prescribed and responsible citizens,” Lapeña TESDA on October 22, 2019 at training programs, scholarships, by TESDA on scholarship programs stated. CDA Completes Board of Administrators; Welcomes Administrator for Visayas which he drew policy recommenda- nated with different cooperative tions that were submitted for con- organizations in order to surface is- sideration by the CFI Management sues and concerns that the Deputy and Board of Directors. He also act- Speaker reported to the Joint Con- ed as the coordinative link of Cebu gressional Oversight Committee on CFI with Cebu City government and Cooperatives (JCOCC) with which provided financial consultancy and he was a member. He also served assessments for Cebu CFI mem- as a Supervising Legislative Staff ciples bers employed with the local gov- Officer at the Legal Department o f ernment unit. of the House of Representatives coop- Preceding to his post to during the 16th Congress and at the era- CDA, he served as the Chief Polit- Office of Deputy Speaker Gwendo- tivism ical Affairs Officer of two (2) Depu- lyn F. Garcia of the Third District of start- ties Speaker of the House of Rep- Cebu during the 17th Congress. e d resentatives: Rep. Pablo P. Garcia However, his legislative assistance with of the Second District of Cebu from to Deputy Speaker Pablo John F. 2010 to 2013 and Rep. Pablo John Garcia for the 19th Congress was from the San Isidro College School his F. Garcia of the Third District of short-lived with his appointment to of Business, Malaybalay City. involvement with Cebu CFI Com- Cebu. During his incumbency as the CDA. He is the founder and Chair- munity Cooperative (Cebu CFI) Deputy Speaker of the 14th Con- Adm. Villanueva brings man of Ako Bisaya partylist, the for- through its Chairperson Ret. Judge gress.* Adm. Villanueva provided with him to the CDA his youthful vi- mer National Youth Parliamentarian Esperanza F. Garcia in 2003. He relevant research studies to Rep. brancy, compassionate leadership, which started as a non-stock and eventually became a bonafide Pablo P. Garcia in support of the experiential knowledge acquired non-profit organization. Ako Bisaya, member of Cebu CFI and served latter’s advocacy of amending Re- through the years, dynamic and Inc. is a cause-oriented group that as its Branch Cashier for Cebu City public Act No. (RA) 6939. This re- excellent interpersonal relationship represent the interests of marginal- and Spokesperson from 2003 until sulted to the enactment of RA 9520, skills – attributes necessary to rally ized Filipinos from Central Visaya. 2007. He conducted series of Basic or the Philippine Cooperative Code forward his commitment of promot- It was eventually converted into a Membership Trainings and Sem- of 2008, which strengthened the ing people empowerment through partylist, participated in May 2019 inars for prospective cooperative powers, duties and functions of the cooperatives movement. National and Local Elections and members and facilitated the hold- CDA. won a seat in the 18th Congress. ing of bi-annual ownership meet- Adm. Villanueva likewise His passion and love for the prin- ings with all members of Cebu CFI actively and competently coordi- CDA @phcoops PH Cooperatives Page 9 NEWS TCCSFC - The First Registered Credit Koop Serbisyo Caravan Brings Surety Fund Cooperative in the Phil- CDA and Coops Closer Together ippines, Ready to Serve By: CRITS, CDA-DEO and June 28, 2019 in Calinan, Ba- ployees Multi-Pur- pose Cooperative (PAGEMPC) , Re- gional and Central COMELEC Employ- ees Multipurpose Cooperative (RE- CEMPCO), Taclo- ban Persons With Disabilities Multi- purpose Coopera- July 9, 2019 – The Tacloban City tive (TAPDICO), and Credit Surety Fund Cooperative UP Tacloban Employees Multipur- (TCCSFC) was finally registered pose Cooperative (UPTEMPC) to- as Credit Surety Fund Cooperative gether with the GFIs Land Bank making it to be the first registered of the Philippines, Development CSF from among the other 54 Bank of the Philippines and the CSFs in the country. The TCCSFC City Government of Tacloban. is the 47th CSF cooperative es- Honorable Elvira Gal- tablished nationwide, but the first apon-Casal, MD, Committee to register. Now they are ready to Chairperson of Finance and Ap- take off its operations of adminis- propriations of the Tacloban City The Cooperative Develop- guio and Tugbok Districts. tering the CSF by issuing surety Council expressed support to the cover to its qualified member-bor- TCCSFC by giving another grant ment Authority (CDA)-Davao Exten- Following the success and positive rowers. assistance from the City Govern- sion Office and the Davao City Co- result of the program, now, the Koop The Certificate of Recog- ment of Tacloban, “just lobby for nition was awarded on August 7, it”, she emphasized. The Tacloban operative Development Office have Serbisyo Caravan is implemented in 2019 during the One-Day Educa- City Credit Surety Fund Coopera- joint efforts to bring the coopera- the whole region of Davao. CDA- tion Seminar on R.A.10744 (CSF tive was a grantee of a Ᵽ3.8 million Act) and its Implementing Rules grant from the City Government of tives’ services closer to the people Davao EO under the supervision of and Regulations (IRR) held at the Tacloban under the CSF Program through “Koop Serbisyo Caravan”. Ms. Elma R. Oguis, Regional Direc- NIA Conference Hall, Marasbaras, released last February 7, 2019. The program aims to im- tor, envisioned this program to be a Tacloban City hosted by NIA Em- The CSF is a credit en- ployees Multipurpose Cooperative. hancement scheme developed by prove the quality of services of the nationwide undertaking. Atty. Mona Liza P. Arriba-Juarez, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas CDA-DEO to the coop sector as well Relatedly, Ms. Oguis ex- CDA Director of the CSF Depart- that aims to increase the credit ment, together with Ms. Eleanor worthiness of micro, small and me- as understand the issues and con- pressed gratitude to the Local Gov- D. Ramos, Acting Deputy Direc- dium enterprises (MSMEs) that are cerns of all cooperatives within their ernment Units of Davao City for the tor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pili- experiencing difficulty in obtaining pinas (BSP)- Center for Learning loans from banks due to lack of ac- areas of responsibility. support and cooperation of the par- and Inclusion Advocacy (CLIA) ceptable collaterals, credit knowl- Respective cooperative ticularly for sponsoring hearty meals and CDA-Tacloban ARD Venus M. edge and credit track records. Jornales, handed the COR to the Meanwhile, the CDA is the leaders were provided with assis- for the clients all throughout the ac- Tacloban City Credit Surety Fund implementing arm of the CSF ACT tance on registration of documents, tivity. She also acknowledged that Cooperative thru its Chairperson and is responsible for the regula- legal consultations, trainings, man- the partnership with the involved Atty. Ma Corazon S. Montallana, tion, monitoring and supervision of Chairperson of RECEMPCO. the CSF Program. Atty. Juarez em- datory reports and other related agencies has been a successful The member-coopera- phasized that the CSF Coopera- concerns. Those cooperatives who endeavor - bringing the necessary tors of the TCCSFC are Alliance tive is an LGU partnered coopera- for Social Empowerment Network tive. No CSF Cooperative shall be were not able to submit the manda- services to the cooperative sector Savings Opportunity Credit Coop- established without the LGU. The tory requirements for the year 2018 closer and accessible to every polit- erative (ASENSOCO), Bestfriends LGU under RA 10744 is autho- Multipurpose Cooperative, Divine rized to contribute to the CSF es- were also given the chance to sub- ical districts of Davao City. Mercy Multipurpose Cooperative tablished by the CSF Cooperative mit their documents. She also acknowledged - Eastern Visayas State University in their locality either in the form of Multipurpose Cooperative (EV- investment or grant, in an amount The program was success- Mr. Antonio C. Escobar, Assistant SU-MPC), EV-DENREU Multi- at least equal to the total contribu- fully implemented and conducted for RD, CDA-Davao EO, the brain be- purpose Cooperative , LEYECO tion of the member cooperatives/ the coop sector of Davao City last hind this Program, from his cap- II Employees Credit Cooperative NGOs. (LECCo), LEYTE NATIONAL HIGH On the other hand, Ms. Ra- May 22, 2019 in Buhangin Cluster; stone project in his Development SCHOOL MULTI-PURPOSE CO- mos of the BSP shared the roles May 31, 2019 in Poblacion and Ag- Management Course, under the OPERATIVE (LNHS-MPC), NIA of the BSP in the CSF, especially Employees Multipurpose Cooper- in its capacity building on financial dao Chapter; June 6, 2019 in Toril Management Development Pro- ative, PEERLESS Multi-Purpose management operations of the and Talomo Districts; June 14, 2019 gram of the Development Acade- Cooperative (PEERLESS COOP) , CSF cooperative. While Ms. Josie Perpetual Help Multi-Purpose Co- Lee Villaver of the CDA-CSF Tech- in Marilog District; June 21, 2019 in my of the Philippines for the Middle operative (PHCCI-MPC Tacloban), nical Assistance Division, stressed Bunawan and Paquibato Districts; Managers Class. Professional Regulation Commis- on the financial aspect of the IRR sion R8 Employees Multi-Purpose of RA 10744. Cooperative (PREMPC), Provin- 710th SOW-PAF: Cooperatives, Strong Al- cial Association of Government Em- lies to End Insurgency, New CDA – Davao Extension ing peace and order and in destroy- business, agriculture, handicrafts Office Building Soon to Rise ing the group of NPA. Everyone and the like. Pondered by the spir- became a look out against any pos- it of cooperativism, coop members sible entry of NPA members in their become more united, empowered community. and most importantly resilient According to LTC ENGEL- against possible NPA recruitment. BERTO A NIODA JR PAF, Group Along with the celebration Commander, 730th Combat Group, of the 16th Anniversary of BISA, the these people who are now into co- cooperatives’ officers and members operative movement were the ones were also gathered at the Head- being recruited and asked for a rev- quarters of the 730th Combat Group olutionary tax by the NPA. When the for thanks giving. USEC. ORLAN- military intensified their campaign DO R. RAVANERA, Chairman, Co- against the NPA that killed, arrest- operative Development Authority, ed and the led the enemies to flee, with Mr. Roberto Rosales, Consul- at SPMC Compound, in Dumanlas al and local government for their these people were left in the area tant, CDA and BGEN LIBAGO com- Road, Bajada. This will further pro- continuous trust and support to the and continue their living. Hence, mitted to provide assistance them vide convenience and accessibility CDA and to the cooperative sector. BGEN LIBAGO who believes in the assistance in one way or another to for the public. He further commits that the CDA will power cooperativism, helped them help them achieve self-sufficiency Ms. Elma R. Oguis, Region- always lead the way in helping the establish a cooperative – to be their and inclusive growth. al Director, CDA-DEO is very much government achieve sustainable source of livelihood and economic USEC. RAVANERA ex- delighted on the realization of the and inclusive growth through coop- freedom. pressed his gratitude to 710th project. “Finally, after 29 years, we erativism and transformative coop- With the support and assis- SOW-PAF and 730th Combat will be having a new office. Having erative. tance of the 710th SOW-PAF and Group under the leadership of this will surely provide us a comfort- Also attended the ceremo- 730th Combat Group, more than BGEN LIBAGO for all the trust able and spacious environment for ny were: City Cooperative Devel- ten (10) micro cooperatives such and support given to the coopera- our clients. A comfortable and qual- opment Office OIC Luzminda C. as Pangkabuhayan Para sa Kina- tives as well as the CDA. “This is ity office will eventually convert to Eblamo, DPWH Acting PIO John bukasan Cooperative, Samahan just a beginning… together, we will well-motivated, productive and hap- Frances S. Fuentes, Manuel Guian- ng mga Magsasaka sa Mahabang be jointly doing more programs to py to serve employees,” she said. ga and Sirib Growers and Employ- Dahilig Cooperative, Putol at Calo- propagate transformative coopera- USEC. ORLANDO R. RAVANE- ees Multipurpose Cooperative CEO ocan Cooperative, Balibago-Lian tives for people, planet, prosperity RA, Chairman, CDA, who graced Agripino “Ping” Torres and CDA- Coop and more were established and peace,” Ravanera said. the ground breaking ceremony ex- DEO Staff. and are now actively engaged into pressed his gratitude to the nation- Page 10 CDA @phcoops PH Cooperatives CDA @phcoops PH Cooperatives Page 11 A TRIBUTE TO OUR CHAMPION AND HERO: AQUILINO “NENE” PIMENTEL, JR.: The Father of Cooperativism By: Chairman Orlan R. Ravanera Oro. He was one of the cho- doing registration especially the sen few who framed the 1987 National Electrification Authority Constitution that amazingly (NEA) must turn-over the regis- captured the essence of coop- tering power to CDA but it never erativism in Chapter XV, Article happened manifesting how pow- XII, “to promote the viability erful the electric cartel is. and growth of cooperatives as Let us make the “Father instruments of social justice, of Cooperativism” our model in equity and economic devel- advancing “Transformative Co- opment,” to pave the way to operatives for People, Planet, institutionalize “people power” Prosperity and Peace,” so that through cooperatives to trans- the cooperatives can become form a highly skewed pyrami- a countervailing force against dal societal order not through poverty, gross inequities, social armed struggle but through injustices, ecological turbulence cooperativism by harnessing due to climate change and vi- peacefully the collective power olent extremism which is so of the people. alarming as manifested recently Sen. Nene had seen co- by a Filipino suicidal bomber. operativism as the one to de- Sen. Nene was not only mocratize wealth and power the father of the cooperatives, which is under the strangle he was a cooperative hero and hold of the oligarchs in a coun- champion, bringing a beacon try where 73% of the economy of light during those martial law is controlled by just 200 fami- years and a beacon of hope lies. amidst poverty and social ineq- Through that empower- uities. In a world with so much ment constitutional provision, veneration to the profit motive then Senator Nene who later “that has captured the mindset of became the Senate President all governments, institutions, uni- co-authored the twin laws: RA versities and religious group and 6938 (the Cooperative Code of denigration of spiritual values, the Philippines) and RA 6939 Sen. Nene had indeed crafted (The Creation of the Cooper- cooperativism as the countervail- ative Development Authority). ing force to effect social transfor- Sen. Nene also shepherded mation which is the real essence the enactment of the crucial of cooperativism in a world beset Local Government Code which with so much consumerism and included the LGU’s mandate to materialism. advance cooperativism in their As Sen. Nene’s remains respective territorial jurisdic- will soon be buried, what comes tion. to my mind is the 12th stanza of The amazing mindset of the 17th century poem written “From time to time, there appear runs after me because I am a a transformative leader has in- by Thomas Grey in a Country on the face of the earth men precious possession. But to the deed been manifested in the said Churchyard, to quote: “Perhaps with rare and consummate ex- rule of a dictator, I am a threat, laws especially in debunking in this neglected spot is laid, cellence who dazzle us by their so I have to be imprisoned. But gross social inequities and social some heart once pregnant with virtue, and whose outstanding there will always be lovers who injustices which have been loom- celestial fire, hands that the rod qualities shed a stupendous light. will search for me because they ing in so many ways. These are of empire might have sway’d, or Like those extraordinary stars of cannot live without my pres- evident in the life of the farmers walked to ecstasy the living lyre.” whose origins we are ignorant ence. Dictators do not know tilling land that they do not own To our dearly-beloved and whose fate once they have that in the silence of the prison or if they do, they do not con- hero, father and champion, you vanished, we know even less, cell, I am gaining strength. One trol the mode of production and had lived with us with that “celes- such men have neither forebears day, when the Filipino people are marketing. That’s the reason tial fire” to advance cooperativ- nor descendants: they are the awakened, I will burst out in the why everyone is profiting from ism as a liberating force to make whole of their race.” open and through a people pow- farming except those who strug- life better for the poor and the Indeed, no greater love ered revolution, I will unfetter the gled to make the land productive oppressed. Where ever you are, there is than a fearless man who people from oppression. Indeed, – the poor farmers. In a land now with us, then with the stars is willing to give his life so that Veritas Liberabit Vos!” (The controlled by Cartel, our beloved and in the loving embrace of the others may be free. Sen. Nene Truth shall set us fee!) Nene wanted to rectify a social Being, you must now walk to ec- did what was probably the most After Martial Law, it was wrong especially in the life of the stasy the living lyre, all for God’s difficult task in the restoration of so amazing how he dismantled eleven (11) million member-con- greater glory – with our firm sa- democracy in the Philippines. A the entire martial law apparatus sumer-owners (MCOs) of the lute and warm embrace. All the freedom-fighter, Sen. Nene was by replacing en masse incum- so-called Electric Cooperatives. more than 10 million members imprisoned four times during the bent officials with handpicked -of Sen. Nene’s counter measure of the cooperatives all over the 14-year Martial Law Rule. During ficers-in-charge. then was the provision in the law country are now shouting: WE those painful years, a poem, Ver- A brilliant lawyer, he had been creating CDA that it is “the “sole LOVE YOU SEN. NENE! Marami itas Liberabit Vos” loomed: the Dean of the College of Law of registering office” of all types of pong salamat! “My name is Veritas. So Xavier University, then becoming cooperatives” and that all agen- simple is my language. Mankind the City Mayor of Cagayan de cies of government which are

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