TACLOBAN CITY (CIO) – To highlight the invaluable contribution of the cooperative movement in empowering the poor and marginalized sectors of society, the City Government of Tacloban through the City Cooperatives Development and Livelihood Assistance Office (CCDLAO) will spearhead activities in celebration of the Cooperative Month this October.  The celebration this year focuses on the theme: “Cooperatives: Empowering the Poor and the vulnerable towards job creation and Poverty reduction.”

Last, Friday October 6 the month-long observance was kicked-off with a motorcade,  a thanksgiving mass and a mini-coop product fair held at the Tacloban City Training Center (TCTC), Kanhuraw.

A coastal clean-up which covered the shorelines of Marcos Beach and Payapay, leading to Patio Victoria in San Jose District was also held last Saturday, which coincided with the Coop Sports Fest and Coop Got Talent participated by six local cooperatives.

On October 13 a public forum on Climate Change will be held at the TCTC.

To cap the month-long celebration, Outstanding Local Cooperatives in different categories will be recognized on October 27 during the Coop Night.   Three local cooperatives will also be given financial assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry on said event.

The CCDLAO is a multi-service office of the City Government under Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez, mandated to help local cooperatives comply with the requirements set by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), that includes assisting the cooperatives get the required training for its members.

Aside from assisting local cooperatives, the office also processes loans for micro-entrepreneurs ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 pesos, or depending on the capitalization requirement of the loan applicant.

The CCDLAO is a consistent Regional Awardee of the Cooperatives Development Authority (CDA) for Best Coop Office for spearheading successful programs on Cooperative development.

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 493, s. 2004, the Cooperative Month is celebrated every October to highlight the role of Cooperatives in Poverty Eradication and Social Transformation. – Henry James G. Roca