Discover how cooperatives are transforming lives in local communities

Need emergency financial assistance but can’t go to a bank? Join a cooperative. It is the residents’ allies in maintaining livelihood and ensuring subsistence in times of emergencies. In the Philippines where the majority are in the rural areas, cooperatives give dependable assistance to members in need.

Formed by a group of individuals with the common goal of serving the needs and uplifting the lives of its members, a cooperative bridges the economic gap especially in deprived areas. It allows lower-income and less privileged groups access cooperative services towards productivity and enhanced living conditions.  Read on to find out how cooperatives have proven to be effective vehicles in improving the lives of Filipinos.

Providing capital and raw materials

The Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative in Pinamungajan, Cebu, understands that weather is beyond human control and highly affects farmers. This is why when an earthquake struck and destroyed Bernadeth Cabusog’s harvest for a season, the cooperative granted a loan in the form of seedlings and fertilizer to help her get back on her feet. This is a noble move that not only ensures that the daily needs of the farmer are met but also those of end consumers. “Nagfa-farm kami para mabuhay, nagfa-farm kami para meron pong mabuhay. Parang give and take lang din,” Cabusog proudly declares in the video below.

Supporting education for all

The importance of education is a fact that is recognized by the Barbaza Multipurpose Cooperative, in Barbaza, Antique. With their Adopt-A-School program, the cooperative distributed bags and school supplies to 11-year old Joel Claro and his very eager elementary school classmates. The cooperative is not only committed to serving its hometown, but also the whole Panay Island and its neighboring provinces, Iloilo, Capiz, and Aklan with its satellite offices. See how Joel lit up knowing that he does not have to borrow school supplies from his classmates anymore.

Promoting alternative livelihood

San Jose Sico is one of the 105 barangays of Batangas and the efforts of the San Jose Sico Landfill Multipurpose Cooperative certainly do not go to waste. It has turned a landfill into an income-generating mechanism by employing sorters like Bernadette Fajutagana and Rodel Fababier. Both of them earn by sorting through the landfill and segregating recyclables like plastic bottles and paper products, which are then exchanged for cash. “Malaki ang naitulong sa akin ng coop…kung dati, kinakapos kami sa pagkain, ngayon po, pag kumakain ay yung sinasabing may dessert pa,” Bernadette beams as she describes how the cooperative has improved her family’s quality of life in the video below.

Upgrading skills through training

“Kung hindi ako sumasali ng mga training na ginagawa ng MAGSIGE MPC, hindi talaga ako mag-improve,” This is the testimony of Danny Bangkas, Operations Head of the Manuel Guianga and Sirib Growers and Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (MAGSIGE MPC) Banana Plantation in Davao City. Before being a member of the cooperative, Bangkas had no permanent occupation. Through his dedication and MAGSIGE MPC’s training program for its members, he was able to acquire the skills needed to move up from merely planting banana seedlings to overseeing the whole plantation. You can see his inspiring story, along with other members’, in the video below.

All these cooperatives are registered under the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), a government agency mandated to promote the viability and growth of cooperatives as instruments of equity, social justice, and sustainable economic development.

To date, there are close to 20,000 operating cooperatives in the country. These can be found all over the Philippines and serve the needs of various sectors. The CDA has recently partnered with GMA to produce documentaries of four featured cooperatives, all of which are Gawad Parangal 2018 winners.

For more information on the different cooperatives in the Philippines, and to know more about the featured cooperatives’ success stories, visit https://www.cda.gov.ph.