LAGAWE, IFUGAO – – A good performance deserves to be rewarded!
Through all these times, members and officers of the Kalanguya Cultural Community Multi-purpose Cooperative (KCCMC) endeavored hard to achieve the cooperative’s goal of uplifting their living standards.
It is for this reason that KCCMC officers, led by manager Agustin Calya-en, went through a strategic planning and capacity-building workshop at Tam-an BMPC Resort in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.
The special, all-important undertaking provided them additional information and knowhow on the latest developments in the agriculture sector vis-à-vis initiatives taken by the officialdom as well as valuable pointers on improving the delivery of services to the public.
The five-day agenda-thrusting activity undoubtedly helped synthesize their strengths, so that officers may collectively accelerate towards a more competitive future,
Sponsored by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the workshop also seeks to assist the KCCMC in leading and facilitating the strategic planning and oversee the different functional areas of the cooperative.
“The KCCMC remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering timely, relevant and far-reaching services and programs, thereby enriching the quality of life of a great number of people,” Calya-en said.
“Constantly improving our services is so important. Upgrading the capacities of our officers, whose hearts and minds are open to numerous realities and members’ aspirations are crucial in the organizational reforms that we continue to pursue,” he added.
Calya-en, who has built his reputation as a crusader for clean and just government, agriculture and public education, has devoted his life to transforming the lives of the poor in remote villages. He also served as vice mayor of Tinoc. Calya-en went out of his way in helping improve the overall quality of life of farmers. He has been hailed as a public servant for doing positive for Tinoc, Ifugao and the country.
Although Calya-en’s works established his reputation as an outstanding public servant envied by some politicians, he did not earn the ire of the people and label of being a “trapo” or “traditional politician.”
At present, the KCCMC has more than 1,000 members. They are mostly from Tinoc, a fifth-class municipality.
The Kalanguya tribe originally settled in Benguet province. Some of them moved to parts of Ifugao. They are also engage chiefly in farming. The Kalanguya dialect contains a recorded literature consisting of historical narratives and myths.
Most folks in Tinoc depend on farming as a source of living. Majority are frustrated by the inadequate basic services and lack of jobs. Other major concerns common across the town are the lack of economic opportunity, deficit, deficiency and deterioration in the education system and poverty.
Untold hardships faced by the poor every day in Ifugao are hard to dispel. Thousands have little access to treatment and confinement in hospitals that lack basic equipment and supplies. The poor do not have the weapon to overcome the mischievous hands of Satan that is social inequity. Only the cooperative has the power to do so. As a result, cooperative projects really matter. These projects should be community-driven, with the people determining the projects to be implemented in their localities.
The KCCMC is one of the most active and best performing cooperatives in Ifugao. A number of cooperatives are presently facing difficulties brought about by the hard economic times. If properly managed and administered, a cooperative is a progressive tool of transforming the lives of the people in impoverished provinces like Ifugao.
“We are honored to be a part of the workshop and to interact with our DAR friends and excited as well to share insights with them, guests and lecturers the products and services that the cooperative offers to the public,” another officer pointed out.
Many others shared her sentiment. They are Joy Balangui, treasurer; Priscila Doltac, branch treasurer; Pilar Alhido, administrative aide I; Dipanio Mocati Jr., loan officer; Janet Hanggoy, loan cleark; Albert Bandao, loan collector; Jenette Tacio, teller; Mayriv Sabungan, bookkeeper; Mayjane Donato, branch bookkeeper; Eufemia Danullog, posting clerk; Marjoline Dario, sales clerk (main branch); Janet Pilley, sales clerk (also at the main branch at barangay Poblacion); Elizabeth Vallero, sales clerk (Tukucan); Leah Guyon, sales clerk (Mangoyosoy); Ela Punahing, clerk; and Pepe Casinto, security guard.
Finding out about the challenges they’ve faced, many others opted being a part of the KCCMC at various capacities and decided it was time for them to deal with them. What are the best and worst that can happen if the following individuals don’t or do it?
Decisions of board directors affect each one in the cooperative. Each year and throughout the year, they take part in mapping out moves to ensure the implementation of key programs, projects and activities of the KCCMC. Chaiperson is Joan Jovita Uybaan. Vice chairperson is Elena Canete. Members of the board are Juliet Guyon, Teddy Mariones, Jane Nampunan, Norma Nibaten and Arturo Pagdawan.
There are many good reasons why these programs, projects and activities are highly-successful. You don’t have to watch from the outside, just begin your venture into serving members through steering a committee, as many as 15 dedicated individuals did. All of them took turns in handling vital tasks of the KCCMC’s five committees. They are Mary Guisiman, chairperson of the education committee, Clarita Luciap, secretary and Jacquiline Jose, member; Victor Bandao, chairman of the audit and inventory committee, Myrasol Cabautan and Yulie Cuyasen, member; Epifania Binwihan, chairperson of the credit committee, Tersesita Alilao, secretary and Elma Binlingan, member; Rolando Guinsiman, chairman of the conciliation committee, Jose Innad and Domingo Nalibhan, member; Anita Gaspili, chairperson of the ethics committee, Diana Nehyeban, secretary and Jeritz Dapunan, member.
All of them are serving a term of two years. Within this period, the more you give time in serving the KMCCM dutifully and faithfully well, the more confident you’ll be, and the more confident you are the more challenges you’ll overcome. It is guaranteed to work better in upgrading the KCCMC’s officer’s capabilities.
There are many good reasons why members are afraid to take chances of becoming officers, of course. Talk to Mr. Calya-en and the other officers if there are indeed apprehensions or questions. Unfounded fears are likely to be allayed.
Remember to listen and reflect on the words and advices of Mr. Calya-en, an experienced leader of the cooperative movement in this part of the region. You don’t have to dread the thought of a day of not knowing the greatness of being an officer of a cooperative because Mr. Calya-en has taken out the stress of being called an officer.
Formed 26 years ago, the KCCMC has wide and varied concerns. It seeks to provide loans (such production, provident, salary, emergency and micro-finance), deposit services as well as rentals of chairs and crates. Agri-input supplies are also readily available to the public.
“Maybe, there’s time now to engage in long-term planning,” the KCCMC head said.
The KCCMC also needs to push for cooperation with others in the public and private sectors. It should take cognizance of the fact that there is a growing interest on cooperatives in the province. Thus, there is an indispensable need for members and officers to work in one direction to meet the challenges of the times.
Over the years, the KCCMC is remarkably adept at handling its financial management. The undeniable fact, still, is that good management performance of the KCCMC officers gave members peace of mind because they knew they were well taken care by Mr. Calya-en and the others.
Members and officers of the KCCMC as well as the public are no ordinary partners. Theirs is a partnership forged by a vision and mission anchored on good faith and aimed for a better future.
The KCCMC, which has built a progressive track record of successful projects, has contributed to Ifugao’s economy. These developments has produced a dramatic a dramatic rise of economic growth in the private sector.
For the KCCMC to fully attain its noteworthy objectives, officers should remain steadfast in ensuring that maintenance of a dignified life for all members is a top priority. This means recognizing their rights, entitlements and all other benefits, all of which must be clearly translated to effective and sustainable programs.
Calya-en noted the KCCMC was able to achieve its projections of increasing the cooperative’s assets. He said the KCCMC has an extensive experience in capital raising, investments and asset management. The cooperative’s asset strength is projected to increase in 2019 through strategic plans.
Armed with and guided by their core values of integrity, service and leadership, the KCCMC is expected to be able to increase its net earnings this year. It is relying on its efficient office workforce to attain this goal.
“Attaining concrete results in various fields shall allow the Kalanguya Cultural Community Multi-purpose Cooperative to take a leap towards satisfaction of needs of our members on one hand, and sustaining and encouraging human development at the other hand,” Calya-en told the ZigZag Weekly.
Back at Tinoc, folks are assured that the KCCMC is always there to help them. It is always there to achieve sustainability, equitable and inclusive growth. Five months into December cool aura, residents in Tinoc- an upland town in Ifugao, also take a deep breath and chill out for the message is clear and telling: the development strategies of the KCCMC address the growth potential for hardworking people like them.
“Tinoc cooperative to continue anti-poverty thrust” five-day activity was an innovative and fulfilling activity. **By Anthony A. Araos
