THE Angeles City Cooperative Development Office (ACCDO), in partnership with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), staged the 5th Angeles City Cooperative Summit on October 12 at the Asean Convention Center in Clark Freeport Zone.
The summit, attended by more than 200 cooperative leaders, was highlighted with the recognition of outstanding cooperatives dubbed Gawad Para sa Katangi-tanging Kooperatiba ng Angeles.
ACCDO Chief Ferdinand Calma said the event aims to consolidate, strengthen, and expand the services of the City Government to the current 61 registered cooperatives operating within Angeles and in some areas in Clark.
In his speech, Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno encouraged and emphasized the importance of the cooperatives in promoting decent work and lives for all. He also congratulated and recognized the efforts of the ACCDO expended to bring strength and solidarity among cooperatives.
"There is strength in numbers and all found possibilities for social and economic participation and advancement through cooperative action and enterprise. Rest assured that the cooperatives will be backed by the government's support in all their endeavors in the coming years," Nepomuceno said.
Meanwhile, Nepomuceno, together with ACCDO Chief Ferdinand Calma and CDA Regional Director Marieta Hwang, spearheaded the awarding of special and major awards to the nominated cooperatives.
This year's winners for the following categories include for Highest in Return on Investment (ROI): Governor Rafael Lazatin Integrated School Consumer Cooperative (Micro Scale Category), Counter Pain MPC (Small Scale Category), Pamavenda MPC (Medium Scale Category), and AUF MPC (Large Scale Category).
Best in Governance: Governor Rafael Lazatin Integrated School Consumer Cooperative (Micro Scale Category), Spirit of Love MPC (Small Scale Category), Yokohoma Tire Phils Inc. EMPC (Medium Scale Category), and AUF MPC (Large Scale Category).
Top Movers: Counter Pain MPC (Small to Medium Category), Motech Credit Cooperative (Micro to Small Category).
The Angeles City Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (ACEMPC) bagged the Best in Gender and Development Program.
Meanwhile, the Most Outstanding Cooperatives include: ACPUMSO MPC for Micro Scale Category, Mining Primary MPC for Medium Scale Category, AUFMPC for the Large Scale Category.
Marietta N. Tuazon of Mining Primary MPC was named this year's Most Outstanding Manager.
By virtue of Presidential Proclamation 493, S. 2003, October of every year is declared Cooperative Month in the Philippines. This year's celebration is themed "Cooperatives: Partners for Building Resilient and Empowered Communities towards a Better and Stronger Philippines." (PR)