Iloilo recently hosted the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region VI’s Credit Surety Fund (CSF) Program Roadshow and Contributors’ Orientation Seminar at Casa Real de Iloilo on November 5, 2024.
The event gathered representatives from cooperatives, local government units, and stakeholders across Region VI to discuss and promote the CSF program’s objectives of enhancing credit access for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The seminar was organized with the support of the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Provincial Cooperatives Development Office Iloilo (PCDO), and the Iloilo Provincial Employees & Community Multipurpose Cooperative (IPECMPC).
PCDO head Atty. Arturo Cangrejo acknowledged the participants, underscoring the event’s role in fostering local partnerships for credit empowerment.
Meanwhile, CDA Region VI Regional Director Antonio Escobar emphasized the need for active implementation of the CSF program throughout Region VI.
“We are looking forward that the blessings of this Republic Act 10744 or the Credit Surety Fund Cooperative Act of 2015 will materialize in all provinces in Region 6,” Escobar stated.
Enacted to empower cooperatives, NGOs, and MSMEs that lack sufficient collateral or credit history, the CSF Program was launched in 2008 by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and later institutionalized through RA 10744, which mandates CDA to oversee CSF cooperatives nationwide.
The roadshow featured messages of support from Iloilo City Acting Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, Antique Vice Governor Edgar Denosta, and BSP Deputy Director Cesar Augusto Villanueva.
CDA officials Asec. Santiago Lim, Asec. Luz Yringco, and CDA Chairperson Usec. Joseph Encabo also underscored the CSF program’s role in promoting financial inclusion and supporting underserved communities.
The orientation included an overview of the CSF Program’s history, the operational guidelines under RA 10744, and contributor roles essential for implementation.
Topics covered ranged from compliance, fund management, and loan guarantee procedures to technical discussions on cooperative capacity-building and stakeholder awareness.
The event highlighted the importance of support from local government units, whose participation is crucial for establishing successful CSF cooperatives in each province.
ASec. Santiago Lim encouraged participants to make full use of the program’s potential.
“Let us explore the program’s potential to expand opportunities and reach the most underserved sector in our region,” said ASec Lim.
IPECMPC’s active participation underscored its commitment to advancing cooperative access to credit across Iloilo and the region.
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