LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) — The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) continues to support and strengthen the cooperative sector in the Cordillera.
A total of 23 cooperatives in the region received P50,000 each in financial assistance under the CDA’s Special Assistance to Micro and Small Cooperatives through the “Malasakit sa Kooperatiba” initiative.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, CDA Chairperson Joseph Encabo, CDA-CAR representative Felicidad Cenon, La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda, and Benguet State University President Felipe Comila, awarded checks to ten of the cooperative beneficiaries during a program held at the BSU Gym in La Trinidad on Friday, May 17.
This assistance, through the initiative of Go in collaboration with the CDA, aims to provide financial support to micro and small cooperatives. Identified beneficiaries are cooperatives requiring support for business operations, both agricultural and non-agricultural production, additional capital, and other items related to their operations.
The senator advised the beneficiaries to use the assistance to improve their businesses.
“Palaguin po ninyo ang inyong negosyo. Mas masarap po ang pakiramdam ‘pag pinaghirapan po ninyo ang inyong pagnenegosyo. Dalhin ninyo sa pamilya ang kita ninyo, palaguin ninyo,” Go said.
[Grow your business. The greater you feel if you work hard on your business. Bring home your profits to the family, make it grow.]
The senator, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Cooperatives, assured his continuous support to the sector.
In the 2024 budget, Go advocated for additional funding for the CDA Human Capital Development Program for Cooperatives, which includes financial assistance to micro and small cooperatives under the Malasakit sa Kooperatiba Program.
Manuel Dollaga, president of one of the beneficiary cooperatives, expressed gratitude for the assistance, stating it is a significant help for the development of their enterprise.
“Dakkel nga tulong daytoy para kenyami nga small coop, dakkel ti tulong daytoy tapnu mapasayaat mi pay ti serbisyo mi,” Dollaga expressed.
[This is a big help for us, small coop, especially in improving our services.]
During the event, Go distributed basketballs, t-shirts, and wristwatches. He also held raffles and distributed shades for visually impaired coop members. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)
