TACLOBAN CITY-Implying that Tacloban City has a vibrant climate for Cooperatives, the Tacloban City Cooperative Development and Livelihood Assistance Office (CCDLAO) has reported that as of the second quarter of this year, there are already 72 cooperatives in the city.
With a combined asset of almost 3 Billion pesos as of 2021, the number includes 3 Large Category cooperatives, 20 multimillion peso coops, 14 transport cooperatives, and the rest are microcoops.
CCDLAO Chief Ruena Mate said that this is good for the local economy, as they not only help their members but also “stimulate” the local economy through their various ventures.
As a specialized office providing support services to cooperatives, the CCDLAO has already conducted 20 Basic Cooperative Courses (BCC) for officers of local cooperatives for the first half of this year so far.
The BCC is a mandated training program of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) for local cooperatives to develop their human resource capabilities. It is likewise part of the three-point agenda of the CDA on Human Resource Management.
CCDLAO also spearheads a number of livelihood initiatives involving the vulnerable sector of the City.
For the second quarter of this year, the office has already conducted nine Livelihood trainings in the northern Barangays and will soon be fully operating a shared service facility for carpentry and welding at Brgy. Sto. Niño.
For microenterprises and cooperatives engaged in manufacturing souvenirs, novelty goods, and food items, among others, the office has spearheaded four marketing activities to promote and sell their products during the past six months.
Meanwhile, the CCDLAO also provides micro-loans via its F4 Fund program. Individuals with approved proposals can borrow from P5,000 to P30,000 at 6 percent per annum, based on diminishing balance.
For groups that want to organize themselves into a cooperative or those interested in availing of entrepreneurial assistance, the CCDLAO is open for walk-ins at their temporary office on the second floor of the DMCC Building in Kanhuraw Hill, a few steps away from City Hall.
(TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
