CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan —Top cooperatives in this province were recognized Wednesday for their vital contribution to the growth and development of the local economy.
This year’s Gawad Galing Kooperatiba awardees include the Samahang Kapatirang Kababaihan ng Pulilan Multi-Purpose Cooperative as the Gawad Galing Kooperatiba medium scale category winner, and the Palayan sa Nayon Multi-Purpose Cooperative of the City of Malolos in the large scale category.
The two cooperatives took home a trophy and PHP80,000 each in cash incentives.
Enrile Germar, chairman of the Kapitbisig sa Pag-unlad Multi-Purpose Cooperative was hailed as Gawad Galing Coop Leader; while Jon Louie Santiago, Municipal Cooperative Development Officer of Marilao, was awarded as the Gawad Galing cooperative officer, who both received a trophy and PHP30,000 cash prize each.
The Municipal Cooperative Development Council of Marilao, on the other hand, was named as Gawad Galing Cooperative Council and took home a trophy and PHP50,000 in cash.
Meanwhile, the Bagong Barrio Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Pandi was hailed as Gawad Galing Kooperatiba Ginintuang Huwaran.
House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was the guest of honor during the Gawad Galing Kooperatiba 2018 awarding ceremony at The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in this city. The former president described the cooperatives in the province as the backbone of growth and development in the communities.
Arroyo said the 800 cooperatives in Bulacan, with the number of members equivalent to 20 percent of the province’s population, are continuously contributing to the development of the economy.
“Napakagaling talaga ng mga Bulakenyo, lalo na ng inyong mga kooperatiba, mahirap talaga kayong pantayan, mahirap pantayan ang record ninyo (The Bulakenyos are indeed very good, especially your cooperatives. It is very hard to be on a par with you. It is difficult to equalize your records),” she said.
Vice Governor Daniel R. Fernando said that Bulacan is fortunate to be home to many cooperatives as he encouraged them to continue being an inspiration to others.
“Salamat dahil may mga katulad nyong nagpupunyagi para matulungan ang ating mga kababayan, ang ating lalawigan (Thanks that there are like you who are trying hard to help our fellow citizens, our province),” Fernando said.
Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) chairperson Orlando Ravanera, on the other hand, said that cooperatives help the country fight its number one enemy, which is poverty. (Manny Balbin/PNA)
