Fostering a generation of financially literate, responsible, and cooperative-minded young Bulakenyos, the Provincial Government of Bulacan, through the Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office (PCEDO), conducted GoLab KOOP Symposium – The Next Generation: Onboarding, Engaging, and Mainstreaming into the Cooperative Ecosystem at The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center, City of Malolos on October 30, 2026.
The conference gathered young members of laboratory cooperatives, along with cooperative representatives and guardians, to strengthen their understanding of cooperative principles, savings, financial literacy, and responsible money management.
Among the topics discussed were the State of Laboratory Cooperatives in the Province; Organization and Registration of Laboratory Cooperatives, presented by Vernilyn Fe C. Parentilla, Senior Cooperative Development Specialist of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region III, and The Power of Change: A Journey to Your Financial Literacy, delivered by Rudolf Gado, Satellite Operations Manager of San Jose del Monte Savings and Credit Cooperative.
The event also recognized the Little Flower Laboratory Cooperative, Kiddie and Teen Savers Laboratory Cooperative, and CARE Laboratory Cooperative for fostering a culture of thrift, savings, financial literacy, responsible financial management, and cooperative values among the youth.
Also, winners for the Provincial Coop Quiz Bee named Aira Janella C. Eugenio of Mahabang Parang Rural Waterworks MPC, who secured first place in the Youth in Cooperative Category, and Sophia Faith Santos of St. Michael Laboratory Cooperative, who topped the Laboratory Cooperative Category, will represent the region at the National Cooperative Quiz Bee in November 2026.
Both also emerged as champions in their respective categories during the Regional Cooperative Quiz Bee.
Meanwhile, complementing its initiatives for cooperative development, PCEDO also conducted a Province-wide Capability Development Training on October 27, 2026, at Francisco Balagtas Hall, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center, City of Malolos, to strengthen the capacities of local government representatives in developing local economic strategies and attracting investments.
The training covered the localization of the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Program, discussed by OTOP Program Head Maya Arcega, as well as the orientation on the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) for 2028 and the formulation of the Local Investment Incentives Code (LIIC), facilitated by Lubin R. De Vera, Jr., Chief of the Investment Assistance Center of the Philippine Board of Investments.
