The past two write-ups had been devoted to updates on status of large and medium cooperatives. In this issue, we shall focus our updates on status of micro and small cooperatives. Out of the 500 cooperatives with reports this year, 80% are classified as micro and small. About 271 belong to micro and 131 small cooperatives. Only 20% are classified as large and medium cooperatives.
Data show that Benguet Province had the highest number with 108 micro followed by Baguio City with 61; Kalinga 32; Abra 27; Mountain Province 19; Apayao 16 and Ifugao 8 micro cooperatives respectively.
In addition, Benguet leads the number with 53 small cooperatives followed by Baguio City with 29; Kalinga with 13; Ifugao with 12; Apayao and Mountain Province with 10 small cooperatives each; and Abra with 4 small cooperatives correspondingly.
It was noted that there were cooperatives that graduated from small to medium and micro to small cooperatives based on the list of compliant cooperatives last year.
However, there will be changes in the categorization of cooperatives given some parameters that need to be excluded from the total assets. This shall be reflected in our next publications as we complete the reports of all compliant cooperatives.
In line with the report requirements and compliance of cooperatives, series of activities are on the pipeline. Some of these include the changes on the report formats in the Social Audit; Performance Audit; Cooperative Annual Progress Report relating to cooperatives that will be cascaded to the cooperative sector and CDA Extension Offices upon finalization. Changes on the inspection report content and format to be used by inspectors from the Cooperative Development Authority is on the process on enhancement that will involve technological innovations.
Moreover, we look forward to knowing the maturity level of cooperatives based on the submitted various cooperatives reports submitted. This shall be through the conceptualized Cooperative Assessment Information System that will capture and consolidate all data from the different reports of cooperatives. Privileged to take part as member of the Technical Working Group, I am positive this will benefit the cooperatives when the system is completed and implemented.
As I am writing this, I happened to be part of the Business Continuity Management for Cooperative Master Class. This is another development that most cooperatives must undergo given the current vulnerabilities of cooperatives to hazards and risks attributed to natural and man-made calamities. Thank you for the kindness of Humanitarian Leadership Academy and CDA Central Office for considering me as a participant of this activity.
We shall be sharing details of these information given the right time and venue to expound more and allow feedbacks.
P.S.
I would like to express my profound gratitude to relatives, friends and acquaintances for the warm birthday greetings on my 50th birthday (especially family members; batch mates; CDA and YMCA family for the support extended).