The Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) Institute has recognized 22 cooperatives for their contribution in improving the quality of life of Filipinos, especially from the countryside.
Former Senate President Manny Villar and Senator Cynthia Villar led the virtual handover ceremony to the cooperatives hailing from different parts of the country. The event capped the birthday celebration of former Senate President Villar, the founding chairman of Villar SIPAG.
The awardees each received Php250,000 in cash from Villar SIPAG. Three cooperatives, which received special citations, were granted Php100,000 each.
“Cooperatives play a significant role toward realizing the aspirations of our countrymen, especially those from the rural areas. They are the true epitome of Sipag at Tiyaga, values that have helped me succeed in my career as a businessman and a public servant,” former Senate President Villar said.
“Through this recognition, we hope to inspire and encourage cooperatives to continue with their work to uplift the lives of their communities,” added Senator Cynthia Villar, director of Villar SIPAG.
One of the awardees is the Golden Group Gabay Puhunan Brotherhood MPC from San Fernando City, Pampanga. The credit cooperative started in 1990 when a group of 15 market vendors pooled their resources to help each other improve their livelihoods through savings or “paluwagan” with low interest rates and cross patronage of their products and services.
It has now grown to more than 5,000 members composed of market vendors, farmers and fishermen, service providers and micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, with total assets amounting to P796 million. The cooperative has expanded to include real estate and solar power generation in its business.
Another awardee, the CAMSUR Multipurpose Cooperative from Pili, Camarines Sur, has been supporting its farmer and MSME members, who have grown to nearly 2,500 since its establishment in 2000. With assets amounting to P195 million, the cooperative is helping create jobs, promote business opportunities and sustain the farm production of its members. The group has taught its members entrepreneurial skills and financial literacy while advancing the production of organic fertilizers to improve soil condition.
The 2020 winners of the Villar SIPAG awards on poverty reduction were Mandaluyong Traders Development Cooperative, Mandaluyong City; Segunda Mana, Mahila; Lamut Grassroots Savings & Development Co-op, Ifugao; 4Piddig Bassi Multipurpose Co-op, Ilocos Norte; Golden Group, Pampanga; Caniogan Credit and Dev. Co-op., Bulacan; Taytay Dev. Co-op., Taytay, Rizal; Tayabas Community Multipurpose Co-op, Quezon; Yakap at Halol Multipurpose Co-op.; Padre Burgos, Quezon; CAMSUR MULTIPURPOSE Co-op., Camarines Sur; BADECO, Sorsogon; Lezo Multipurpose CO-OP., Aklan; First Consolidated Co-op, Cebu; Palompon Community Multipurpose Co-op, Leyte; ASEMCO, Biliran; Cassava Growers Processor Association or CAGAPA, Zamboanga Del Norte; Panabo Multi-Purpose Co-op., Davao Del Norte; Kapalong Cooperative, Kapalong, Davao Del Norte; San Francisco Growth Enhancement Multipurpose Cooperative (San Francisco, Agusan Del Sur and now has branches in Caraga, Compostela Valley and in Misamis Oriental).
The recipients of the Villar SIPAG Special Awards are Nagbacalan Loom Weavers Multipurpose Cooperative in Paoay, Ilocos Norte; Samahang Magpapatubig ng Mansalay Inc. in Barangay Roma, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, and Ig-Abai Small Farmers Coconut and Agricultural Organization in Balabagan, Lanao Del Sur.