LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Longstanding, fast growing and performing cooperatives in the region were recognized during the Solidarity Night cum Awarding Nights last October 27 at the Wangal Multipurpose Building here in celebration of the 20th Regional Cooperative Month.
For longstanding cooperatives that have existed for more than 50 years, the Cooperative Development Authority-CAR and the Regional Cooperative Development Council awarded the Baguio-Benguet Community Credit Cooperative, Inc. which has been serving the credit needs of the Baguio and Benguet community for 58 years now; the Acupan Mines Credit Cooperative for its 58 years of existence serving the credit needs of the mining households in Acupan, Itogon, Benguet, and the Lepanto Consumers Cooperative for 54 years of existence in serving the consumer needs of the mining industry of Lepanto and its outlying communities.
For its fast growing business, recognized was the Abra Diocesan Teachers and Employees Cooperatives (ADTEMPCO) with nine branches scattered in Baguio, Pangasinan and La Union with six satellite offices and with one laboratory.
Meanwhile, the provincial local government of Benguet and the Benguet Provincial Cooperative Development Council also recognized the performing cooperatives in the province based on performance audit rating by the Cooperative Development Authority –CAR.
Ranked excellent were Caliking Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) and SRT La Trinidad Coop of Benguet, both under small category, Bakun Government Employees MPC and Bolinaca Aagapay Farmers Coop under micro category.
Rated as very satisfactory were Thanksgiving MPC and Taba-ao Cuba MPC under medium category; Binga MPC and Government Employees of Sablan and Drivers Operators Employees and Other Sectors MPC under small category; and Bokod Sulphur Spring Credit Coop and Mankayan MPC under micro category.
List of awardees based on number of years of existence were Tomay Credit, 48 years; Lepanto Consumers and Philex Credit Coop and Philex Consumers Coop, both 41 years in existence; Caliking Proper MPC and Kapangan Central Credit, 40 years, and Kabayan MPC, 39 years.
More than 500 cooperative members across the Cordillera provinces attended the Regional Coop Month celebration on October 27-28. The yearly celebration gathers coop members to keep them updated on issues and concerns and to give recognition to cooperatives which are considered drivers of economy in the countryside.**By Susan C. Aro
