Guv to coops: Keep coop movement alive

ILOILO Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. urged the different cooperatives in the province to keep the cooperative movement alive as he lauded the successful holding of the Cooperative Month celebration on Wednesday.

Speaking before the 4,000-strong cooperative members from all over the province at the Pototan Coliseum on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, Defensor assured he will continue to support the programs for cooperatives as long as he is in public service.

Defensor cited that, when he first became governor in 1992, he created the Provincial Cooperative Development Office (PCDO) in recognition of the importance of cooperatives in countryside development.

Defensor said at present the Provincial Government’s livelihood fund for cooperatives reach P40 million.

He said the amount is available for loan by interested cooperatives at lower interest rate.

Invited as keynote speaker during the culminating activity of the Cooperative Month celebration was Cynthia Villar, former Las Piñas City representative and director of the Villar Foundation Inc.

Villar, who engages in micro-entrepreneurship programs, also assured the cooperative members to help the cooperatives.

The activity was highlighted by the giving of recognition to several outstanding cooperatives in the province, such as, the Dingle Government Workers Development Cooperative (DGWDP) and Leon Small Coconut Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative which gained national awards recently.

PCDO chief lawyer Arturo Cangrejo thanked all the cooperatives and the local government of Pototan for the successful holding of the event.

He said next year’s Cooperative Month celebration will be hosted by the Municipality of Lambunao. (PR)