TAGAYTAY CITY, Cavite (PIA) — Around 100 cooperatives from across the Calabarzon region gathered last Monday, November 25, 2024, at the Center for Community Development in Tagaytay City to exchange insights and strategies for enhancing the cooperative sector.
The event, which served as a platform for collaboration and innovation, brought together cooperative leaders, key officials, and stakeholders to discuss the evolving role of cooperatives as drivers of social enterprise development.
By integrating economic objectives with social impact, cooperatives play a vital role in fostering sustainable progress.
Senator Imee Marcos, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Cooperatives, commended the significant contributions of cooperatives to economic empowerment and community building.
“Your advocacy is vital, as you provide essential support to coop members and help them succeed. What makes your work unique is your social purpose. I am particularly impressed with the CCTFED, which, despite being relatively new, has already achieved remarkable progress in organizing and mobilizing cooperatives,”
Senator Marcos also emphasized the need for stronger collaboration and institutional support to overcome challenges faced by the sector.
“Collaboration is key—bringing together people with shared goals and principles. However, a major challenge is how to institutionalize the Cooperative Development Council and Cooperative Development Officers at all levels of government. Establishing these roles is essential to ensure our cooperatives’ long-term success and accomplishments.”
She further underscored the importance of creating sustainable frameworks to bolster the resilience of cooperatives nationwide. During a media interview, Senator Marcos stressed the need to amend the “Coop Act” to better serve the current social and economic needs of cooperatives.
She also noted that the current tax exemption, set at Php 10 million in the 1990s, is no longer appropriate given the present economic conditions.
The event highlighted the collective strength of cooperatives in advancing their shared goals while addressing social and economic challenges.
It encouraged cooperative leaders and stakeholders to build on their successes by fostering dialogue and innovation, ensuring these organizations continue to thrive and deliver meaningful benefits to their communities. (RBF/with a full report from Reyland Lopez)