LAOAG CITY — Recognizing the important role of cooperatives in promoting inclusive growth, the Provincial Agriculture Office here led the opening of the celebration of Cooperative Month at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena on Wednesday.
About 1,600 cooperatives and other stakeholders from the 21 towns and two cities of the province attended the event, graced by Dr. Josefina Bitonio, regional director of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), and other provincial officials led by Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo Marcos Barba.
In her speech, Bitonio urged cooperatives in Ilocos Norte to become “catalysts for change” by increasing their “shared assets, shared capital, and shared income” for “a better and stronger community.”
Presidential Proclamation No. 493, series of 2003, has declared the month of October of every year as “Cooperative Month” to raise awareness of the important role of cooperatives as “partners for change.”
A motorcade was held around Laoag’s major thoroughfares early Wednesday, followed by a simple program at the Centennial Arena.
Cooperative members also had fun in the program, as they joined the “X-Factor singing contest”.
During the open forum, the CDA said the number of cooperatives in Ilocos Norte has grown.
“The cooperative movement has waned in the past, but it has been rekindled under the present leadership of Governor (Imee) Marcos,” the vice governor said.
Provincial Agriculturist Norma Lagmay said through the activities lined up for the month-long celebration, she hopes cooperative members “would further strengthen their unity and sharing of resources for sustainable development.” ( Leilanie Adriano/PNA)
