WHERE do you see a coop that when a member reaches the age of 65, he will be given an annual pay of not lower than P2,500?
Yesterday morning, I queued together with the members of the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post Multipurpose Cooperative (LTVTPMPC) to have a scoop of the coop’s recently concluded 27th Foundation Day and Thanksgiving Service. The members waiting their turn be served are mostly farmers who safe keep their daily revenues in the coop, the one seated next to me deposited a check worth 15 thousand pesos.
During the celebration, manager Manolito Armas disclosed the program of the cooperative in giving incentives and benefits to their elder members upon reaching the age of 65. He elaborated that the amount to be given will depend on the period of membership, which will start next year. The program aims to retain the capital shares of senior citizens in the coop. “Most elders who reach 65 years old tend to withdraw their shares and leave the coop” he added. The Board of Directors brought out the innovative idea of giving incentives to senior citizen members and was reinforced by the management staff.
Hundreds of members and non-members attended the foundation day with free medical, dental and eye check-up. In addition, the coop offered free services on manicure, pedicure, and massage as a way of giving recognition to the community that transformed the cooperative for the past 27 years. Mr. Armas said that the activities were conducted to emphasize the crucial role of the cooperative of giving back and serving the community where it operates.
In his message, Mayor Romeo Salda commended the efforts of the trading post cooperative for its continuous contribution to the implementation of various programs and projects of the capital town. LTVTPMPC took part in the successful conduct of activities in the municipality like environmental awareness, disaster resiliency, nutrition, tourism promotions, and cooperativism.
The Foundation day also highlighted the recognition of the 15 incorporators who started the operation of LTVTMPC with initial paid-up share capital of thirteen thousand five hundred pesos only and now, their assets beefed up to 484 million pesos. The previous and present chairpersons and managers of the cooperative were also given plaques of appreciation for their contribution to the coop’s profitable and rewarding journey.
During the thanksgiving service, Reverend Sam Galino pointed out the importance of paying back promptly the loans availed in the cooperative. Aside from its positive impact on the revenue collection, it will also give way to other members to enjoy the benefits of the service while using it to finance their needs.
LTVTPMPC aims to sustain and complement the delivery of services that respond to the needs of members and community. If you are interested to be a part of their growing family, you may join their Pre-Membership Education Seminar every second Saturday of the month at the Municipal Youth Center, 3rd Floor of Municipal Public Market, KM5 Pico, La Trinidad.