The Pantawid Pamilya-Bayambang Municipal Operations Office, which oversees DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), organized a seminar to orient 4Ps members on cooperative pre-registration last August 10 at the Events Center.

For this purpose, two resource persons from the regional office of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) were invited, namely Cooperative Development Specialists Edilberto Yuzon and Sheryl Lou Fabia. Yuzon and Fabia took turns explaining the basic things to know about cooperatives, particularly the nature and purpose and the setting-up process, including registration with the CDA and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The participants included members of the Dress-Making/Doormat-Making Association, Broiler Chicken Meat Production Associations of Barangay San Gabriel and Pantol, Goat Raisers Association, and Hog Raisers Association.

Invited to give inspirational speech, Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao encouraged the 4Ps members, specifically the sewing association, to form their own cooperative as it is the only fast means to DTI and BIR registration and thereby to obtain business permits and issue official receipts. He also encouraged them to have shops in cluster barangays, so they would be able to manufacture their products en masse. Once they succeed in registering their own cooperative, Quiambao promised them an outlet and display center at the Royal Mall and also starter kits including sewing machines.

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This orientation seminar was organized by DSWD SLP Project Development Officers Arlene G. Sison, Angelica Bautista, Jeramel Jose, and Laarni Cabatbat, with the assistance of DSWD Municipal Link Dave Doctolero..

Newly appointed Municipal Cooperative Development Officer Mercedes Peralta and member Alberto Lapurga also attended in order to address further questions on organizing cooperatives. Peralta and her staff (including Fernando Quijalvo) are tasked with facilitating and supervising the work of local cooperatives.

PESO Action Desk Officer Gerenerio Q. Rosales was also present as a consultant.