Poverty reduction? Count on the co-ops
A representative of the Libacao Development Cooperative based in Libacao, Aklan, receives an award from former Senator Manny Villar.
From technical and vocational training to abandoned abused and neglected youth to technical training for farmers, self-employment programs to financial literary training, 21 outstanding cooperatives from all over the country stood out with their anti-poverty strategies that paved the way for better lives in their communities.
These outstanding cooperatives were recognized recently by the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Sipag) of Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, former Senate President Manny Villar and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, each group receiving P250,000 as seed money to start a new business or expand their existing projects and customized Villar Sipag bamboo trophy specially made by the Samahan ng mga Mang-uukit ng Paete.
More than 220 cooperatives joined the search for the 2017 Villar SIPAG Awards, of which 21 cooperatives were selected based on their projects’ effectiveness, significance, financial viability, sustainability and adaptability.
“We take our hats off to these cooperatives for the wonderful jobs that they do and for all their efforts in helping reduce poverty in our country, particularly in the countryside,” Sen. Villar said.
The 21 cooperatives that made the cut are the following:
NCR
Don Bosco Technical Vocational Education and Training Center, Tondo, Manila
Mapag-ampon Parish Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Putatan, Muntinlupa City
North and Central Luzon
Treasure Link Cooperative Society, Sagada, Mountain Province
Tabuk Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Tabuk City, Kalinga
Sto. Domingo Development Cooperative, Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur
Wesley Savings and Multi-Purpose Cooperative, San Isidro, Isabela
Mother Rita Multi-Purpose Governance Structure, Candelaria, Zambales
South Luzon and Bicol Region
Padre Garcia Development Cooperative, Pansol, Padre Garcia, Batangas
Tuy and Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative, TMPC Village, Brgy. Luna, Tuy, Batangas
Mindoro Progressive Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro
Pecuaria Development Cooperative, Bula, Camarines Sur
Pinoy Lingap-Damayan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Virac, Catanduanes
Visayas
Libacao Development Cooperative, Libacao, Aklan
Buenavista Development Cooperative, Buenavista, Guimaras
Fairchild Cebu Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Sts. Peter & Paul Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Southern Leyte
Mindanao
Goodyear Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Zamboanga Sibugay
Agdao Multi-Purpose Cooperative, BO. Obrero, Davao City
Adventurers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Polomolok, South Cotabato
Agusan Del Norte Teachers, Retirees, Employees and Community Cooperative, Butuan City
Alrahman Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Mamasapano, Maguindanao
The Villar Sipag Awards for Poverty Reduction began in August 2013 in recognition of the exemplary achievements of community enterprises to help local economic development af lives of the members of their community.
