Guv urges cooperatives to boost livelihood prospects

Sunday, October 30, 2011

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Governor Lilia Pineda urged cooperatives in Pampanga to continue contributing to the province’s development as she commended their role in providing livelihood opportunities for people.

The governor recently feted the 28 top cooperatives in the province at the Benigno Aquino Jr. Memorial Hall in Capitol.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

“Nakakabilib ang nagawa ninyo, binabati ko kayo at sana ay patuloy kayong lumago at makatulong pa sa mas marami nating kababayan,” Pineda said.

The governor added she was impressed with the total assets of Pampanga cooperatives, which at P1.722 billion is even bigger than that of rural banks.

She noted that “while making profits is important, being able to help others and seeing that they make a positive difference in the lives of others is of greater importance, like helping those affected by the recent calamities, particularly farmers, so they could bounce back from their losses.”

“Mas madaling maisasagawa ng mga kooperatiba ang mga paper requirements dahil sanay na kayo at may maganda na kayong record na naipakita,” Pineda said, adding that next year, funds for livelihood will no longer be incorporated in the provincial budget and instead, “all collections, allocations for livelihood, including those from the national government, will be used solely for the programs of the Provincial Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Development Office.

Pineda told cooperative officials and members that “kahit mahirap, patuloy tayong magtulungan hangga’t meron tayong kakayahan upang maiangat ang kalagayan sa buhay ng ating mga kalalawigan.”

Among those recognized by the governor and Provincial Cooperative Development Council chairman Juanito Mercado, Provincial Board committee on trade chairperson Monina Laus, Board Members Fritzie David-Dizon, Trina Dizon, Ric Yabut, Nestor Tolentino, Salvador Dimson Jr. and Raul Macalino include the multi-purpose cooperatives of Dau in Mabalacat, Floridablanca Municipal Employees, San Fernando Elementary School, Sitio Caldo in Candaba, the Sta. Monica SRP Marketing Cooperative in Sta. Rita, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office 3 Consumer Cooperative, Romana Pangan District Hospital in Floridablanca, Calibutbut MPC in Bacolor, San Simon MPC, Calibutbut MPC,Minalin Poultry and Livestock MPC, Mabalacat Public Market Vendors MPC, St. James the Apostle MPC in, Guagua, Golden Group Gabay Puhunan Brotherhood MPC, ASCCOM MPC, Cruzian MPC in Magalang, Guagua Businessmen and Professional MPC, Pampanga High School, Apung Monica de Minalin MPC, and the Pampanga Capitol Employees MPC.