Escalante City coop, 14 others cited for exemplary performance
A TEACHER’S cooperative in Escalante City, Negros Occidental was cited for its exemplary performance and contribution to improve the quality of life in the community, especially those from the countryside.
The Escalante Public and Private School Teachers, Employees Multi-purpose Cooperative received the citation from Senator Cynthia Villar and former Senate President Manuel Villar in a mixed virtual and face-to-face ceremony recently.
Also cited were Rimalipad Naba Multi-purpose Cooperative, Conner in Apayao; La Union Multi-purpose Cooperative in Agoo; Claveria Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative in Claveria, Cagayan; Maddela Integrated Farmers Savings and Development Cooperative in Quirino; Ligas Kooperatiba ng Bayan sa Pag-unlad in Bulacan and the Progressive Entrepreneurs on Agribusiness and Related Livelihood Services (Pearls) in Lucban Quezon.
Other cooperatives cited were Sibuguey Valley Multi-purpose Cooperative in Zamboanga Sibugay; Zamboanga del Norte Teachers Employees Cooperatives; Oro Integrated Multi-purpose Cooperative in Cagayan De Oro City; Santa Ana Multi-purpose Cooperative in Davao City; Farmers Alternative for Self-Reliance Multi-purpose Cooperative in Agusan del Sur.
Meanwhile, Caritas et Labora Human Resource Services Cooperative in Manila City and Unified Engineering Workers Multi-purpose Cooperative in South Cotabato were recognized for providing job opportunities and employment.
These cooperatives promote financial literacy by encouraging their members to save money; send or receive remittance, income, and benefits; and make day-to-day payments, secure micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) loans and insurance.
The incidence of borrowing in the country has been mostly from informal sources, a press release said.
The citation dubbed Villar Sipag: Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance of cooperatives coming from different parts of the country intends to serve as encouragement and inspiration for others to embark on social integration and job creation.
Each of the 15 awardees received P250,000 in cash, while the special awardees were given P150,000 each.
There were 247 entries this year and the number was shortlisted to 58 where 23 semi-finalists were chosen. (PR)
