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.