By Jerome Alangui-Muguet Polonio, Ph.D.
“If you want to grow, make it intentional because growth is never accidental.”
With this powerful reminder from leadership expert John Maxwell, the Cooperative Union of Baguio City and Luzon (CUBCL)—together with its network of primary cooperatives—embarked on a transformative two-day Strategic Development Planning Workshop for 2026–2031 last November 28 & 29, 2025.
Held with the full participation of cooperative leaders, managers, board officers, and key stakeholders, the activity marked a major milestone for the cooperative movement in CUBCL’s coverage areas in the Cordillera and Northern Luzon. The workshop was made even more remarkable with the presence of Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Chairperson Undersecretary Alexander B. Raquepo, who personally served as the main resource speaker and facilitator.
Strategic Planning: What, How, and Why
Usec. Raquepo provided a deep, practical, and inspiring walk-through on the essence and significance of strategic planning. He simplified the process into three fundamental questions that every cooperative must answer clearly:
1. What is Strategic Planning?
Strategic planning, he explained, is a disciplined, participatory, and future-oriented process that allows cooperatives to define their long-term direction—vision, mission, core values, strategic priorities, and organizational direction.
He stressed that strategic planning is not a one-time activity but a commitment to future-proofing the cooperative.
2. How Do Cooperatives Conduct Strategic Planning?
The CDA Chairperson emphasized a structured and inclusive planning process:
· Conducting PESTLE and SWOT analyses
· Reviewing the cooperative’s vision, mission, core values, and brand identity
· Defining strategic pillars and key result areas
· Formulating goals, objectives, and priority programs
· Aligning annual plans with long-term direction
· Establishing mechanisms for monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management
He stressed repeatedly:
“A strategic plan should not be a display document—it must be a living roadmap guiding daily decisions.”
3. Why is Strategic Planning Essential?
Usec. Raquepo emphasized that cooperatives operate in an environment shaped by rapid changes—digitalization, competition, inflation, political dynamics, climate risks, and shifting member needs.
Strategic planning allows cooperatives to:
· anticipate threats
· identify opportunities
· remain relevant
· thrive in uncertainty
· sustain operations and services
“Cooperatives that plan survive; those that do not, decline,” he asserted.
CDA Memorandum Circulars: Compliance as a Strategic Imperative
One of the most important sessions delivered by Usec. Raquepo’s CDA-CAR staff was his orientation on key CDA Memorandum Circulars, reminding all participating cooperatives of their mandatory duties, responsibilities, and compliance obligations.
He highlighted crucial circulars relating to:
· Mandatory Reporting Requirements (CAPR, SAFR/CAIS, GAD Report, Financial Statements, Social Audit, etc.)
· Good Governance Standards including proper composition of BOD, duties of committees, and required trainings
· Regulatory Compliance on Membership and Capitalization
· Credit and Lending Regulations documentation, credit risk management standards, and interest policies
· Risk Management and Internal Control Requirements
· Implementation of the Cooperative Annual Performance Audit
He encouraged all cooperatives to institutionalize these circulars, not as mere paperwork obligations but as tools to strengthen cooperative governance and operations.
SDGs, Climate Risks, and Local Development:
Insights from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office**
Adding depth to the workshop, the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (LDRRMO) of Baguio City delivered a compelling presentation on:
• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) affecting the cooperative sector
Specifically:
· SDG 1 (No Poverty) – cooperatives’ role in livelihood and economic inclusion
· SDG 5 (Gender Equality) – GAD programs and women’s empowerment
· SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) – fair employment and entrepreneurship
· SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) – coop participation in community resilience
· SDG 13 (Climate Action) – climate-resilient business continuity
• Climate and Disaster Risks Impacting Cooperatives
The presentation emphasized that climate change affects:
· agricultural production
· loan repayment behavior
· supply chain stability
· cooperative infrastructures
· member welfare and safety
· and others
The LDRRMO encouraged cooperatives to strengthen their Business Continuity Plans (BCP) and integrate risk reduction strategies within their 2026–2031 development plans.
• City Development Thrusts and Opportunities for Cooperatives
The officer also highlighted several development pathways where cooperatives can actively partner with the LGU Baguio, including:
· community-based livelihood initiatives
· disaster-resilient microenterprises
· market linkage and local trade
· sustainable tourism support programs
· green and environmental projects
· youth and women economic empowerment programs
These alignments open new opportunities for cooperatives to become major players in local socio-economic development.
Day 1 & Day 2: Deepening Cooperative Transformation
The two-day workshop enabled participants to fully engage in:
· Visioning and re-visioning exercises
· PESTLE and SWOT analyses
· Problem-tree and objective-tree exercises
· Assessment of cooperative sector trends
· Identification of gaps, risks, and emerging opportunities
· Drafting of each cooperative’s 2026–2031 Strategic Development Plan
Delivering the Synthesis: A Call to Intentional Growth
In the closing of day one program, I delivered the Synthesis Message, summarizing the collective insights, commitments, and realizations from the sessions.
The synthesis emphasized:
· The central role of leadership in cooperative transformation
· The importance of data-driven and evidence-based planning
· The need for stronger collaboration among cooperatives under CUBCL
· Alignment of coop strategies with community development and SDGs
· Intentional growth as the guiding theme for the next five years
I stressed that strategic planning is not the end—it is the beginning of a renewed journey toward innovation, sustainability, and excellence.
A Stronger Cooperative Movement Ahead
The 2026–2031 Strategic Development Planning Workshop reaffirmed CUBCL’s position as a unifying force and capacity-builder for primary cooperatives in Baguio City and Luzon.
With the expert guidance of CDA Chairperson Usec. Alexander Raquepo, and the valuable insights from the City LDRRMO, cooperatives now stand more prepared to chart their future—armed with clarity, compliance, strategic direction, and a renewed purpose.
Indeed, growth is never accidental.
For CUBCL and its affiliates, growth will be intentional, strategic, sustainable, and shared anchored on cooperation, integrity, and service to communities.
MABUHAY ANG KOOPERATIBA!**
