As part of the celebration of Cooperative Month, the Provincial Cooperative and Entrepreneurship Development Office (PCEDO) hosted the 3rd Provincial Cooperative Congress in collaboration with Central Luzon State University (CLSU) through the University Extension Center (UEC).
The congress, the theme KooPinas: Nagkakaisang Lakas Para sa Makabuluhan at Sama-samang Pag-unlad, was held last October 27, 2022, at the Convention Center, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija. It was graced by Vice Governor Emmanuel Antonio M. Umali and Usec. Joseph B. Encabo, chairperson of Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).
In his inspirational message, Vice Gov. Umali mentioned that the great contribution of cooperatives to national development is astounding. He emphasized that cooperatives play an important role in uplifting the socio-condition of our countrymen.
Meanwhile, Usec. Encabo said that CDA will proactively continue its advocacy of helping the cooperatives to attain equity and balanced national progress. “Cooperative leaders should work together to be able to give the next generation a quality of life”, he noted.
After the opening program, Dir. Cristina H. Villamil, CDA regional director, presented the Policies, Rules, and Regulation, and Cooperative Assessment Information System. She shared that there are 847 cooperatives in Nueva Ecija. She then urged the participants to join cooperative unions to access more services like the Cooperative Education and Training Fund.
Representatives from DILG Nueva Ecija and Bureau of Internal Revenue also presented the Implementation of RA 11535, and the Regulatory Fees and Uniform Implementation of Laws, respectively.
Aside from the said congress, a Provincial Cooperative Transport Forum was conducted on October 28, 2022, at the same venue. The forum highlighted the road courtesy, and public utility vehicle modernization program.
Director Nasrudin U. Talipasan, regional director of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, one of the invited speakers of the forum, mentioned that the establishment of the transport cooperative was the first move of modernization, emphasizing that the route rationalization is already underway in Region 3 alone.
Ms. Bonita Rhed Elinoe S. Palad, Training Specialist IV from the Office of Transport Cooperative (OTC), also presented updates, issues, and concerns related to their office.
The forum concluded with a closing message delivered by Ms. Elvira H. Ronquillo, the Officer-in-Charge of PCEDO-Nueva Ecija. She said that PCEDO will continue to support and empower the cooperatives by providing financial and technical assistance.
The two-day event was attended by a total of 750 members and officers from the various cooperatives in the province.
