Co-op Development in La Trinidad, Benguet has shifted into high gear. Thanks for the massive expansion of the various co-ops in the locality especially the bigger ones. Co-ops from nearby places have likewise found their place here. And I bet more co-ops from far flung provinces will be setting up their trade here in the near future. I guess we can say that co-ops are booming in this booming town.
One thing that got me excited though, is that the Local Government of La Trinidad jumped in on the bandwagon. As a show of support, the LGU appointed a Co-op Development Officer in the person of Mr. Orlando Pacya who worked untiringly upon assuming the position. He immersed himself learning about co-ops and went on to profile all the co-ops within the towns jurisdiction. He was active in meeting the co-op leaders and out of that series of visits and meetings, there came a need to form a co-op council.
Mr. Pacya then lobbied at the Municipal Council for the organization of the Municipal Co-op Development Council. This co-op council will be at the forefront in leading co-op development through consultation, coordination and collaboration of all government programs in the municipality. The council is also an avenue for co-ops to be appraised and oriented on whatever assistance the La Trinidad LGU may provide. And I think the credit goes to Councilor Horacio Ramos Jr. who authored the ordinance.
In a matter of months, the Municipal Council again approved an ordinance creating the co-op development office. A co-op office will not only strengthen the co-op development efforts by the municipality but also expand it. This initiative is again through the efforts of Councilor Horacio Ramos Jr.
In one of our meetings with the mayor, Romeo K. Salda, I implored his support for a joint endeavor with CDA to transform La Trinidad, being the capital town, as a show window for co-op development in Benguet. He, of course, eagerly expressed his support without any hesitation.
In my visits to various LGU’s, I have observed that co-ops prosper and thrive in a locality where there is overwhelming support from the LGU. Here in La Trinidad lately, it suddenly became attractive for co-ops from all over to open their business. I wonder if my observation could be true after all.
