Bulacan pushes for a more empowered cooperatives, launches GO KOOP Dashboard

CITY OF MALOLOS – The Province of Bulacan is truly living up to its reputation as the “Cooperative Capital of the Philippines” with the recent launch of its innovative GO KOOP Dashboard unveiled last October 5 at the Victory Coliseum in San Rafael, Bulacan during the Kick-Off Ceremony and Motorcade for the 2024 Cooperative Month celebration.

With the theme, “Empowering Cooperatives, Transforming Communities”, this project, in collaboration with the Provincial Cooperative Development Council (PCDC), aims to revolutionize data collection by creating a standardized system that will provide accurate and comprehensive information on cooperatives in Bulacan. This data will be invaluable for stakeholders in their policy, program, and project planning, as well as for making data-driven decisions.

As part of the program, participants signed the Wall of Commitment and took an oath to support the GO KOOP Dashboard. This commitment was made by the Cooperative Development Authority, officers of the Provincial Cooperative Development Council – Bulacan, Liga ng mga Cooperative Development Officer sa Pilipinas, Inc. – Bulacan Chapter, City/Municipal Cooperative Development Officers and Councils, and together, they pledged to enhance and maintain organized, up-to-date information on cooperatives in the province, which is crucial for cooperative development program planning and data-driven decision making.

While delivering her keynote address, former Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Chairperson and current City Development Officer Lecira V. Juarez of Taguig City commended the province for implementing a monitoring dashboard and emphasized the importance of such a tool by stating that it provides a solid platform for effectively tracking the growth and progress of cooperatives in the province.

“More than 300, 000 lives ay nakasandal po sa inyo, kaya when we speak of empowering cooperatives, ang sabi ‘nga po nila, how can we empower the structure kung tayo po na nakapaloob sa istruktura ay hindi po empowered? Nakuha po ninyo ako doon? So, when we speak of empowering cooperatives, let us start with ourselves, magsisimula po tayo sa ating mga sarili, bakit? Dahil sabi ‘nga po nila, we can never give what we don’t have, tama po ba? So dyan ko po sisimulan ang ating pagpupugay,” Juarez said.

Governor Daniel R. Fernando, Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro and Juarez inspired the guests at the celebration to take an active role in driving the country’s economic growth and enhancing the lives of marginalized communities.

The People’s Governor also proposed the establishment and expansion of cooperatives within different organizations as a practical means to assist those in need.

“Bakit hindi po natin gawing maging mayabong at palakasin natin ang grupo ninyo? Bago kayo tumulong sa iba, tulungan muna ang inyong mga members, ‘yung pamilya ng inyong mga members, bakit hindi kayo magtayo ng koop, ano po? Sa koop, may pag-asa ka, sa koop, may pag-unlad ka, sa koop, may kinabukasan ang pamilya mo, ‘yan po ‘yan,” Fernando added.

This year’s Cooperative Month is jam-packed with exciting activities that will surely keep everyone entertained and engaged including the League of Cooperative Development Officers of the Philippines (LCDOP) Bulacan Chapter Bowling Tournament in the City of Baliwag on October 11; 11th Regional Kooplympics in Baler, Aurora on October 18; and the prestigious Gawad Galing Kooperatiba at the Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center (HBCC) on October 30.

Further, the 3rd Central Luzon Tripartite Conference for Coop Development is set to take place at the Venus Parkview Hotel in Baguio City on November 20-22.

Before all the fun began, a Capacity Development Training on Investment Promotion and Facilitation was held on October 4 at the Balagtas Hall, HBCC.

Among the notable figures who graced the launching were Regional Director Marieta P. Hwang of CDA Region 3, represented by Acting Supervising CDS Carolina M. Miguel, along with Leilani N. Babista, Chairperson of PCDC-Bulacan, and Jon Louie P. Santiago, President of LCDOP-Bulacan.