LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Outstanding cooperatives in this municipality were recognized during the first Gawad Parangal for cooperatives last August 9 at the La Trinidad Municipal Gymnasium, here.
The awards comprise Outstanding Cooperative Leaders & Special awards, Outstanding Primary Cooperatives for Micro and Small Categories and Outstanding Primary Cooperatives for Medium and Large Categories.
In the Most Outstanding Cooperative Large Category, Benguet State University and Community Multipurpose Cooperative garnered the first place. BATJODA MPC and La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post MPC were second and third respectively.
In the Medium Category Of Most Outstanding Cooperative, Universal MPC bagged first place, followed by BSU Orchidarium and Ornamental Plant Growers MPC, and the Tomay Credit Cooperative.
In the small category, Barangay Alapang MPC was adjudged the most outstanding coop, followed by Benguet Rural People’s MPC, Balancio MPC and Beckel Neighborhood Service Cooperative.
The most Outstanding Cooperative-Micro Category went to Tebteb Balili MPC; GULPI Consumers Cooperative, second and Cordillera Brotherhood Service Cooperative, third.
Barangay Lubas was also awarded as the Best Performing Barangay Cooperative Development Council and the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post MPC as the Outstanding Community Involvement And Development Program.
Benguet State University and Community MPC got the award of Excellence in Membership Growth and Expansion Program.
The remarkable Cooperative Solidarity and Partnership Program Award was received by barangay Alapang MPC.
Excellence in providing financial products and services to the community award was given to Universal MPC.
Barangay Alapang Multi-purpose Cooperative Manager Felina Mercoles was awarded as the most outstanding leader of the year. Remedios Bisquera was second placer and Engr. James Gadgad, Sr. was third. The leaders were judged on their performance and contribution to co-op development, longevity of service to cooperatives, and awards and citations received.
Cooperative Development Authority –Cordillera Regional Director Franco Bawang Jr. stressed that cooperatives play a vital role in supporting other sectors of development for the people’s benefit and in promoting the locality. He urged the coops to venture on tourism citing the practices of other successful co-ops outside the municipality.
The La Trinidad Gawad Parangal for Cooperatives aims to recognize cooperatives, coop development councils and leaders for their exemplary performance in bringing responsive services to their members, affiliates and the community; to distinguish best practices of cooperatives; to build socio-civic consciousness on the important contributions of cooperatives as partners in the attainment of sustainable economic development and social justice; to foster strong partnership between the coop stakeholders for a progressive municipality.
By: PIA CAR ( RMC / Deborah Aquino- PIA CAR/ UC Intern)
