Iloilo coops lauded
Representatives of various cooperatives in Iloilo province converged in Tubungan town last Friday for the culmination program of the Cooperative Month celebration.
Mayor Vicente Gargaritano Jr., host municipality of this year’s Cooperative Month celebration, welcomed the various cooperatives and lauded them for strengthening the spirit of cooperativism in the province.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr., who was among the guests, reiterated his commitment to the cooperatives, which he believes, promote growth and development in the countryside.
“I am here to show to you that my commitment to the cooperative movement does not falter, I have not lost faith in the cooperative movement,” Defensor said.
Part of the program was the recognition of successful cooperatives particularly the Dingle Government Workers Development Cooperative recently awarded the Gawad Pitak of the Land Bank of the Philippines.
Defensor also inducted the officers of the Western Visayas Alliance of Cooperatives led by its chairman Rene Ariola of the Dingle Government Workers Development Cooperative.
Also present were Vice Gov. Richard Garin, Aambis-OWWA partylist Rep. Sharon Garin and several municipal mayors.
Representatives from the Cooperative Development Authority also attended the event.
Various activities have been lined up relative to the Cooperative Month celebration to include Coop Day celebrations in selected municipalities and the week-long Coop Trade Fair at the Provincial Capitol lobby.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “One Coop Movement: Isang Pananaw Para sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso.”
Next year’s Cooperative Month will be hosted by New Lucena.*
