Victorias City hosts 44th Provincial Co-op Day

The 44th Provincial Collaboration Day was held at the City Coliseum on October 19, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and strengthening collaboration efforts across the province.

The event brought together 3,349 participants, including cooperative leaders and stakeholders, from 243 cooperatives from different cities in Negros Occidental to celebrate their collective achievements and pave the way for a brighter future.

The gathering, with the theme “Abante Negrosanon, Kooperatiba Aton Pasanyugon Para sa Masanag nga Palaabuton,” highlighted the key role of cooperatives in driving local development and empowering communities.

Negros Occidental Provincial Cooperative Development Council (NOPCDC) Chairman Raymund Gepitulan opened the event by leading the pledge of cooperation.

Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez delivered a welcoming speech, highlighting the significant contribution of cooperatives in promoting inclusivity and contributing to socio-economic growth throughout the province.

Negros Occidental board member and Cooperatives and Livelihood Committee Chairman Jeffrey Tubola, along with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, expressed their support, emphasizing the critical role of cooperatives in enhancing livelihood opportunities.

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, Ph.D., further inspired the audience through a video message, reiterating the cooperatives’ commitment to community upliftment and skill development.

ASEC Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Administrator Santiago Lim emphasized the need for continued sustainability and innovation in the cooperative sector.

He encouraged participants to collaborate and explore new opportunities to ensure long-term growth of their cooperatives.

One of the key developments was the P500,000 financial assistance to the Kabankalan City United Farmers’ Agricultural Cooperative (COKCFAC) received by Chairman Marvin Mabuyog.

The event also featured a handover ceremony and video presentation of Himamaylan City, which was presented by SPM Ali Tongson Jr., who will host the next provincial Cooperation Day.

The letter of gratitude on behalf of Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III was presented by the Chairman of the SP Committee on Cooperatives and Livelihoods, Dino Jose Maria Acuña.

Performances by Tingog Sang Kadalag-an singers, CPSU Balangau dance group, and contemporary and hip-hop dancers added cultural flavor to the event.

Governor Lacson and Mayor Benitez each contributed P100,000 as prizes. Benitez also added mobile phones and smart TVs to the prizes. Lacson, Tubola, former board member Juvy Pepello and COOP-NATTCO also donated rice for the event, while board member Jose Maria Dino Acuña contributed Php 2,000 cash prizes. Barangay XX Kagawad Jappy Kuaykong provided extra rice and Smart Communications donated a mobile phone as prizes.

A Chairman’s Forum was held at the Victorias Evacuation Command Center in the afternoon where cooperative leaders held discussions with representatives from various government agencies to discuss their concerns and issues.

NOPCDC awarded the Town of Victories a Certificate of Merit in recognition of the efforts of the town’s cooperative management, co-organizers and retired members in making the celebration a success.

The event was initiated through the joint efforts of the City Cooperative Department, City Hall, Engineering Department, City Economic and Enterprise Development (CEED), Information Technology (IT), Victorias City Police Station, Traffic, General Services Office (GSO). ), Victoria City Information Office (VCIO), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (LEDIPO).*