Cooperative Development Authority Regional Director Cristina Villamil (upper left) said that cooperatives remain stable and continue their services to their members and the community amid the pandemic. (Jag Lyra D. Costamero/PIA 3)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Central Luzon cooperatives remain stable amid the pandemic.
Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Regional Director Cristina Villamil said the cooperatives have stayed afloat and continued their services to their members and the community despite the current health crisis.
“Cooperatives themselves are still remaining strong, giving all the assistance needed by their members, and responding to the call of the times,” she said.
Villamil noted that cooperatives even adapted to the new normal by shifting their business online, and transacting through social media platforms.
Also, the agency has strengthened its programs for empowering micro and small cooperatives struggling in business transactions.
CDA Senior Cooperative Development Specialist Raul Encarnacion said they launched the Online Handholding Program Services for Micro and Small Cooperatives where they provide technical assistance by answering inquiries, providing training, and mentoring micro cooperatives.
“Medium and large cooperatives can survive and adapt to the pandemic, and they are the ones who helped the members and communities during the pandemic,” he said.
Meanwhile, Villamil underscored that the celebration of the National Cooperative Month this October highlights the challenges the cooperatives are facing given the pandemic.
For the activities, they have provided credit management training for member cooperatives throughout the region on October 18 and 19.
CDA has also set a symposium for senior citizens and persons with disabilities on October 21.
The agency also organized the online edition of Kooplympics for various competitions including Kahoot Koop Online Quiz Bee, photo documentary contest, Koop music video contest, and Cooperative TikTok challenge. (MJSC/JLDC-PIA 3)
