In our previous column we shared that the number of large cooperatives increased by 27%. This scenario contributed to a slight reduction in the number of medium cooperatives from 75 in 2017 to 72 this year. This can be attributed to the change of status from medium to large cooperatives. Another contributing factor is the non-compliance of some medium cooperatives leading to non-submission of required reports like AFS that serve as source documents in the categorization of cooperatives.
Based on consolidated data, Benguet still top the list with the highest number of medium cooperatives. Out of 72 medium cooperatives in CAR about 29 cooperatives or 40% are based in Benguet. An additional 2 cooperatives graduated from small that changed status to medium.
This was followed by Baguio City with eleven (11) medium cooperatives as compared to 15 medium cooperatives last year and Ifugao that has 11 medium cooperatives as compared to 10 last year. The decrease in the number of medium cooperatives in the City can be attributed to the increase in assets of medium cooperatives that turned into large cooperatives. In the case of Ifugao, 1 small cooperative increased in asset that was added to the list of medium cooperatives last year.
Moreover, Kalinga Province maintained 10 medium cooperatives. However, one small turned into medium cooperative that replaced another medium cooperative last year that turned into large cooperative.
In addition, Mountain Province has six (6) primary medium cooperatives as compared to 10 last year. The decrease can be attributed to the change in status of some medium cooperative that reached more than P100 million assets that enabled them to join the large category.
Abra maintained its 4 primary medium cooperatives since last year. No small cooperatives were able to reach the range of medium cooperatives.
Apayao on the other hand has 1 medium cooperative as compared to 2 last year. One medium cooperative failed to submit the required documents that affected the number of medium cooperatives in the Province.
In general, only Benguet and Ifugao had an increase in the number of medium cooperatives in CAR. (To be continued)
P.S. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all relatives and friends for the financial and non-financial support extended to our family during the time of the accident; funeral services; wake and burial of our brother Benjamin P. Lab-oyan. We pray that God will repay the kindness you have shown and shared to us.