The first-ever Cooperative Summit in Bayambang took place at the Balon Bayambang Events Center on November 8, 2018 through the collaborative efforts of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) with the help of Sherylou Fabia, Municipal Cooperative Development Office (MCDO) under Mercedes Peralta, and the Bayambang Poverty Reduction Action Team (BPRAT).

The successful affair was attended by no less than CDA’s national Chairman Orlando Ravanera.

The summit, which was aimed at educating the participants about the benefits of joining or creating cooperatives, is part of the projects outlined in the Bayambang Poverty Reduction Plan, the 10-year action plan created for the municipality’s Revolution against Poverty.

“One of the best ways, the best strategies to fight poverty is through cooperatives,” Municipal Administrator Rodelynn Rajini A. Sagarino-Vidad said, as she welcomed the participants from all over the third district of Pangasinan, including the City of San Carlos and the municipalities of Malasiqui, Calasiao, Mapandan, Sta. Barbara and Bayambang. “It is one of the keys in solving, reducing, alleviating, totally eradicating poverty, hindi lang dito sa bayan ng Bayambang, kundi pati sa buong distrito at sa buong lalawigan ng Pangasinan,” the BPRAT head continued.

“I salute the Quiambao-Sabangan administration for fighting poverty… You are the new revolutionaries, and we will win!” claimed Chairman Ravanera in his message.

Ravanera shared that cooperatives have directly employed 580,000 people and indirectly employed more than two million personnel, making the “collective power of the people through cooperativism” an important aspect in uplifting the quality of lives of the people.

Proving his belief in cooperatives, Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao has promised a P100M investment to a registered and qualified cooperative in Bayambang. In line with this, Mayor Quiambao recalled how he was able to convince the Rural Bank of Angeles to implement agri-lending which will offer a 1.5% interest rate to Bayambangueño farmers.

“Ang ideal na kooperatiba para sa akin, lalo na sa agrikultura, ay lumaki ang kanyang agricultural lending, lumaki ang post-harvest facilities,” Mayor Quiambao stated. He commended the Mangabul Seed Growers Cooperative headed by Rhodora Sagum for spearheading the construction of the community warehouse, a post-harvest storage facility in Brgy. Pantol which will help farmers reduce their debts and increase their income. The local chief executive also expressed his pride for the LGU Consumers Cooperative which obtained a net income of three million pesos in less than one year.

Among the speakers who shared the success stories of their respective cooperatives were Bayambang LGU Employees Cooperative Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson Luz Bohol-Cayabyab and Princesita Sabangan, Hardinero Cooperative Chairman James T. Ocampo, and Sta. Cruz Savings and Development Cooperative (SACDECO)-Youth Marketing Associate Harold Ping-ay Cortez.

CDA Dagupan Regional Director Dr. Josefina B. Bitonio was also present to discuss the basics of cooperatives. LGU Bayambang and the CDA, according to Bitonio, have the same objective, and that is to “help improve the quality of lives of the marginalized.” She lauded Bayambang for being one of the nine LGUs that have a Municipal Cooperative Development Office, out of the 92 LGUs of Pangasinan.

Alexander Raquepo, the Chairman of SACDECO, a 34-year old cooperative with almost P2 billion in total assets, stated that “the rise and fall of cooperatives is highly dependent on its leadership.” Ocampo further explained that the key factors in the success of cooperatives are good foundation, effective system, and driven people.

Also present during the event were Councilors Martin Terrado II, Amory Junio, Benjamin de Vera. Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Gabriel Fernandez led the pledge of commitment to the Revolution against Poverty, and Councilor Philip Dumalanta thanked the participants for their eagerness in being a part of the revolution.

The Cooperative Summit will be an annual event that shall continue to encourage members of the different sectors to join cooperatives and educate them regarding the importance of their role in the fight against poverty.