Agency empowers coops in Cordillera

THE Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)–Cordillera beefs up programs to empower cooperatives in the region.

Regional Director Franko Bawang said they aim to increase cooperative membership; train employees and managers; provide awards and incentives; branching; and merging to strengthen the operation of the cooperatives in the region.

He said branching is needed to expand the group of cooperative, while merging is a way to save a certain coop from bankruptcy.

Bawang said these are just few programs they are pushing to further the operation of the coops, adding these programs are in line with the celebration of coop month this October.

He said the national celebration will be held in Cagayan de Oro while the regional celebration will be in Sagada, Mt. Province. Each province will also conduct its respective celebrations.

Bawang also said that they will celebrate the international year of cooperatives ending on December with a fun run.

He said the year was declared by the United Nations to promote and advertise the benefits cooperatives.

“I believe it is a way to have a chance to prosper with this present economy. It is also a way of poverty alleviation,” he said, as he encouraged the public to be members of the cooperatives.