Reconnecting Mindanao and the Global Pinoy
The PhilSouth Angle
Posted on Monday, January 18th, 2010
JOLO, SULU, Philippines/18 January 2010—-The Sulu Provincial Cooperative Union (SPCU) has formulated and approved recently a 2010 Provincial Cooperative Development Plan designed to sustain productivity and promotion of the coop movement in the Province of Sulu.
“In 2009, technical and loan assistance by the Sulu Provincial Government assisted by the SPCU to the cooperative movement brought economic gains to the lives of members and community at large. Governor Tan channels Capital Augmentation Fund in the amount of 3.6 million annually thru the SPCU. The SPCU is responsible for the management of funds. Tractor services extended in terms of land preparation is estimated to be around one thousand hectares in different municipalities. Substantial increase in the supply of Cassava, vegetables, coffee and other seasonal crops boost the local market and minimize importation from other provinces. Today, Agri-farmers have enough for their daily food consumption” according to Sahirun Amirul, Sulu Provincial Cooperative Officer, in his summary report.
“In this last quarter alone, additional Five (5) cooperative organizations were recipients of loan assistance from Poverty Alleviation Program of the Sulu Provincial Government in the total amount of P 400,000.00. The SPCU in total has released P 4.2 million to coop beneficiaries who have complied with the basic requirements as set forth by the SPCU” added PCO Amirul.
This 2010, to sustain and carry out Gov. Tan’s Flagship Program, the SPCU plans to add infrastructure support, increase local capacity and intensify promotion and advocacy, and most importantly institutionalize the cooperatives for sustainability. Aside from the annual provincial cooperative summit scheduled this February, post production facilities for coffee is expected to be completed and turned – over to cooperative members by March, enhancing coffee production in Sulu. A proposed Kahawa sug and fruits festival is slated in April, to market and showcase local products in the province.
The SPCU will also be sponsoring Seminar on bookkeeping, Board of Directors Competency course, and the continuous training and technical assistance to farmers is also included in the plan. In the last quarter of 2010, a proposed Provincial Cooperative Council shall be created to further strengthen cooperativism and widen its influence and assistance to local agri-farmers. A five 5 year Strategic Coop Development is also being seriously considered to provide the next step for the cooperative movement in the province. The SPCU has a total of 0f 46 primary cooperative members. Applicants for membership are increasing, membership is subject to Registration and approval by Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).
“Cooperative is for livelihood and human development. It will enhance participation and awareness of people in the community towards self-reliance, empowerment, productivity and good governance. The increase in productivity by our farmers is just a start of good things in the horizon for Sulu”, stated Governor Abdusakur M. Tan. (Sulu PIO)
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