PCCCC Board Members attend Cooperative Leader Forum with Sec Andanar on Coop Issues and Concerns

The PCCCC Board members were invited by Congressman Sabiniano "Ben" Canama, Coop-NATCCO Party-list and Chairman Committee on Cooperatives Development for a dialogue with Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles and Secretary Martin Andanar nationwide last October 8, 2020. The activity was aimed at discussing issues and concerns concerning cooperatives' operation. The topic covered govt stimulus packages, release of funds and other public efforts that were still being worked on to provide the poorest of the poor members of cooperatives. Sec. Andanar spoke about the Philippine Information Agency, how it has been proactively raising awareness and drawing around 2M views per month to inspire and update the public on the administration's latest developments. Under his command Radio Philippines and other communication channels have been making waves and will be open to assisting Coops in delivering their message to the public. The creation of the govt. Communications Academy in Bukidnon, will be the first to train officers from across all barangays to give the entire govt a positive effect both local and national. Along with support of CHED, the final bill is due for signing by the President and hopes to be in action by January. Sec. Andanar pledged to give personal air time from his podcast to showcase the cooperative movement to the entire nation. He then reminded all coops to remain strong and united as the country weathers the storm. Sec. Nograles lectured on how coops have been a strong force in assisting the community and an inspiration for others to follow. However only 11% of coops have a business contingency plan to survive the pandemic or any other disaster. It is proposed that reviewing the contingency plan must result in introducing new reforms and changes for organizational change. The goal is to close the gap between intended and actual change. The coop must establish a leading role in the new normal by providing livelihood trainings, work opportunities and forging linkages with supply chains. Enhanced partnerships on behalf of the govt to intervene to eliminate poverty and hunger such as eliminating the middle man, enforcing urban agriculture to help feed healthy meals to malnourished children. Local govt have been allowed to directly purchase from farmers, fishermen, and agricultural cooperatives their fishery and farm products as a form of direct assistance. The Bayanihan act was created by the Duterte administration to combat covid and revive the economy to protect the Filipino people during the crisis. The goal is to continue to contribute to the socio-economic development by giving jobs, creating savings, fighting poverty and rebuilding lives through the spirit of cooperativism. The oldest cooperative the College Consumers Cooperative was created in Oct. 20, 1916 and has survived the second world war, economic crisis and many obstacles but continue to operate to this day. Their actions must continue to inspire others to never give up. In closing, due to time constraint, a technical working group will be organized with special reps from various coops to further engage the more deeper issues that needed to be addressed. Also, the air time given should be maximized by coops to make sure the message delivered would be effective. Around 780 leaders from different coops across the Philippines participated. In attendance from the PCCCC were the following: Mr. Jay Francis Nodado, President Mrs. Princess Marfil, Board Member Mrs. Annedel Punsalan, Board Secretary Mr. David Baron Lester, Board Member Mr. Joseph Jamora, Gen. Manager