Welcome Remarks: Chairman Ravanera, Dr. Gary Leonardo, Cong Ben Canama
Chairman Ravanera of the Cooperative Development Authority, provided the opening statement in lieu of Congressman Sabiniano "Ben" Canama not being available.
The message was directed at the resiliency of the COOP that continues to endure the pandemic to celebrate its birth month. The gratitude of the nation falls on coops that look out for both its members and non members in their respective communities. Development must be for everyone not for the few but everyone. The main themes for the strategy to work were
Dr. Gary Leonardo, the second speaker also applauded the continued support of coops in realizing the strategies of the ICA and the pursuance of its goals into the next decade.
Cong. Ben Canama apologized for being away late due to an extended meeting. As the authorized representative of coops in congress, he spoke about how coops should not be stuck in the box but must connect with other coops worldwide and international agencies if we are to succeed. Main Speakers 1: Mr. Ariel Guarco
Via recorded message. Mr. Ariel Guarco, the Argentinian born President of the International Cooperative Alliance joined the celebration of the National Coop Month Meeting as its fourth speaker.
He centered his topic on the strategy of the international cooperative alliance that it should act as a guide during the pandemic to survive and build a way out of the crisis. Working hand in hand with all cooperatives by embracing our identity we ensure peace, justice this is thanks to the one billion members and 300 million cooperatives across the world. The coops have a role in changing the future for climate change and gender equality. He proceeded to give a short explanation on the purpose of each of the five pillars as blueprints to success; participation, sustainability, identity, legal framework and capital. After which he signed off. Main Speakers 2: Mr. Balasubramanian Iyer
Mr. Balasubramanian Iyer, Reginal Director of the Asia Pacific for the ICA acted as the 5th speaker and asked if there was a new t-shirt for this year's celebration. He cited the use of technology as a new way of conversing and connecting, while no longer physical continues the mission to ensure everything is still operational. Advancing people centered enterprises was the main theme of his discussion. He started with the 1895 establishment of Advancing the Cooperative Enterprise Model that celebrates 125 years across 314 coops across 111 countries with over 1.0 billion members. Global turnover of 2.1 trillion USD according to the world cooperative monitor. Despite this success, there is still much that needs to be done. The goals of unite promote and develop are its main drive. He shared that 11 members are from the Philippines from 109 members from 32 countries joining the ICA asia Pacific council. He shared a graph on the impact of covid-19 on cooperatives, its impact on the ICA-AP and ICA members as well, yet gave emphasis on the opportunities and strengths.
He gave excerpts from the blueprint for cooperatives in the next decade by reminding everyone that the actions of all contribute to promote cooperativism.
As the coops grow we need to increase and retain members, develop an ecosystem, provide opportunities to the youth, deepen coordination and economic role, kickstart entrepreneurship, sustainable development and increase engagement.
The four areas where coops should serve as resource for knowledge, expertise and action are supporting knowledge products, constant collaboration, empowering human capacity and sustain resources through growth. He ended it by citing the World Cooperative Congress on 2021 to further deepen the cooperative identity and invited everyone to participate and support.
5 Discussants were selected to showcase main sections (5 Pillars) of the presentation, that participants needed to elaborate on. Discussant 1: Participation
Dr. Gary Leonardo, spoke about uniting, promoting and developing cooperation among cooperatives. This entails engagement, governance, co-ownership, democratic member control, member economic participation and cooperation among cooperatives. This would only be possible if everyone embraces change. Discussant 2: Sustainability
Pres. Loreto Ramiro of the Kasibig Coop focused on sustainability by citing so many models as a resource framework in agriculture for others to emulate. Maintaining, developing and sharing it as referential basis for continuity is the goal while providing and delivering as a main challenge if sustainability is aimed.
Discussant 3: Identity
Fr. Anton Pascual, started by quoting Mark twain on the embodiment of one's purpose by reflecting on our identity. He sees coops as 2 entities, the first as social enterprise, profitable in order to survive, environmentally friendly and impact on the poor. The second as Ideology based on values and principles. Discussant 4: Social Capital
Engr. Sylvia Paraguya. Our aim is to secure reliable cooperative capital and funding while guaranteeing member control. Recognition of financial security of cooperative financial security and the contribution of cooperatives made to global security. Capital comes from sharing capital, deposit (savings) and loans but new federations have to be realized to infuse new capital. That all coops have to bounce back in order to survive the pandemic.
Discussant 5: Legal Framework
Mr Ray Elevazo. The coop is very much aware that constitution is there to promote and protect the coops via legalities. The seven foundations must be guarded by the legal framework to ensure members interest against those with sinister agendas. Yet must continue to create dialogue and develop new policies to further the cause of coops.
The meeting was closed by 12 noon, due to lack of time the question and answer portion was limited to just one question. The hosts promised to share the slides to all participants. Prof. Romulo Martin, only asked how they could help graduates. Dr. Gary stated that everyone must work to find ways to provide them work as there is no current answer for now as unemployment is really hard in this time. Fr. Pascual said there is a resource center that has job placement with employments so that those who need work. Sir Ray also shared that there was a program prior that held jobs for job fair but its a tricky scenario for now.
Ms. Tetay Plantilla closed the meeting by inspiring everyone to play a better role and deepening engagement to make a difference.
Special thanks to the hosts and Sec Andanar provided the live coverage and more than 400 participants joined the meeting from across all corners of the country.
Representing the PCCCC were the following:
Mr. Jay Francis Nodado, President
Mrs. Princess Marfil, Board Member
Mrs. Annedel Punsalan, Board Secretary
Mr. Joseph Jamora, Gen Manager