The 2024 Provincial Cooperative Month celebration concluded today in Sara, Iloilo, bringing together cooperative leaders from Panay, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental under the theme, “Cooperatives: Stronger Together Today for a Brighter Tomorrow.”
Kicking off with a caravan that saw participation from cooperative officers across the region, the event underscored the strength of Iloilo’s cooperative movement and its crucial role in regional development.
Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. highlighted the essential role of cooperatives in the province’s agricultural and economic growth.
Addressing over 3,000 attendees, Defensor emphasized Northern Iloilo’s potential to become the “corn capital of the Visayas” and called on cooperatives to partner with the government in this endeavor.
“The strength of the Cooperative Movement depends on the strength of each cooperative,” he said, urging cooperatives to be active drivers of economic progress and agricultural resilience.
The governor also outlined Iloilo’s development strategy focused on expanding agricultural production, creating value chains, and promoting agritourism.
“We are an agricultural province, and we love it that way,” Defensor said, noting that strong cooperatives are critical to creating business opportunities and jobs that will keep the agricultural sector thriving.
He also recognized cooperatives as effective vehicles for delivering government support and assistance to communities.
This vision was reinforced by messages from key cooperative advocates, including Coop-Natcco Partylist Representative Felimon Espares, who expressed commitment to cooperative-driven economic initiatives.
CDA Assistant Secretary Virgilio Lazaga encouraged cooperatives to fully utilize resources provided by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), challenging CDA Region VI Director Antonio Escobar to focus on improving the quality of cooperatives to ensure sustainable growth.
“Take advantage of what we are doing in CDA,” Lazaga added, underscoring the importance of CDA support for strengthening the cooperative sector.
For his part, Escobar emphasized the need to have more quality of cooperatives than their quantity to give justice to the theme this year.
Local leaders also expressed their hopes for cooperative-led progress.
Iloilo Provincial Cooperative Development Council (IPCDC) Chairperson Nilo Bastiero and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Rolito Cajilig both emphasized the role of a united cooperative movement in supporting Iloilo’s economy and maximizing the impact of the year’s cooperative initiatives.
Sara Mayor Jon Aying, who welcomed the participants in his town, reminded cooperative leaders that the culmination only strengthens their daily operations, fostering resilience and success within their organizations.
“This culmination should strengthen us as we go back and continue our work,” Aying remarked, sharing his optimism that Iloilo’s cooperatives would become more progressive and sustainable in their mission to support community development.
This year’s Cooperative Month celebration is spearheaded by the municipality of Sara with support from Provincial Cooperatives Development Office Iloilo (PCDO).
The 2025 Cooperative Month celebration will be hosted by the municipality of Janiuay.
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