Senator Cynthia Villar’s SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) has given almost P6 million cash to 22 cooperatives in recognizing their role in improving the quality of life of its members, especially in the countryside.
Villar, also SIPAG director, said the indispensable role of cooperatives in the realization of the people’s common aspiration especially in the rural areas should be recognized.
"Through this award that we give out yearly, we hope to be able to encourage them and provide support to their projects,” she said.
The awardees each received P250,000 in cash from the Villar SIPAG. Two cooperatives which received special citations were granted P150,000 each.
The Villar family, composed of former Senate President Manny Villar, Senator Cynthia Villar, Vista Land chief executive officer Paolo Villar, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar handed the awards to representatives of the cooperatives coming from different parts of the country.