In an aim to unify and promote all the cooperatives across the province, the Provincial Government of Bulacan through its Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office (PCEDO) opened the month-long celebration of 2022 Cooperative and Enterprise Month through a Cooperative Parade Kickoff Ceremony and Kooplympics attended by 2,500 members and officers held at the Bulacan Sports Complex on Saturday, October 1, 2022.
In his message, Board Member Allen Dale Baluyut, Chairperson of Committee on Cooperatives, said that the celebration will be a great opportunity to empower the members of cooperatives.
“Dito sa ating minamahal na lalawigan, ito din po ay isa sa pagkakataon na iangat ang modelo ng negosyo ng kooperatiba bilang pinakamahusay na paraan upang bumuo ng ekonomiya na nagbibigay ng kapangyarihan sa lahat ng miyembro at indibidwal. Umaasa po ako na magiging matagumpay ang simula ng ating selebrasyon ng Buwan ng Kooperatiba ng ating lalawigan,” Baluyut said.
Governor Daniel R. Fernando also encouraged huge organizations to form their own cooperatives and promote online platforms as a medium for starting small businesses.
“Isa ito sa layunin ng ating People’s Agenda 10. Hinihikayat ko na po ngayon ang lahat ng malalaking organizations na maglagay ng kooperatiba sapagkat naniniwala po ako sa layunin ng ating former Governor Obet Pagdanganan na maiahon ang mga kalalawigan natin sa mga maliliit na pagnenegosyo. Lalo po ngayon mas kailangan ng coop; mas magagamit kasi po kahit dalawang libo o tatlong libo lang at mayroon kang puhunan ay makakapag o-online (selling) ka,” the people’s governor said.
Fernando also led the oathtaking of PCDC Officers along with former Governor Roberto “Obet” Pagdanganan.
The kickoff ceremony was also attended by Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro, Regional Director Cristina H. Villamil of Cooperative Development Authority R3, Former Governor Roberto M. Pagdanganan, and Chairperson Nicanor B. Briones of Committee on Cooperative (Congress).
With the theme “Koopinas: Nagkakaisang Lakas Para Sa Makabuluhan At Sama-Samang Pag Unlad”, the month-long celebration will showcase various activities including Cooperative Federations and Union’s Day on October 7; Cooperative and Enterprise Trade Fair on October 12-16; 9th Central Luzon Regional Kooplympics: Jungle Edition on October 20; Cooperative Manager’s Day “Raising the Bar Towards Excellence” on October 21; and 2022 Gawad Galing Kooperatiba Awarding Ceremony on October 28.
The celebration will also be extended until November with the two-week long celebration of 2nd Bulacan Transport Service Cooperative Congress and 2nd Central Luzon Regional Tripartite Conference for Cooperative Development “Enhancing Policy, Regulatory Environment and Partnership” on November 23 to 25.
The celebration of Cooperative Month every October started in 1989 through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution 449.
