A Study-visit in Singapore and Malaysia on August 26-30, 2019 participated by 54 women and men leaders, officers, GAD committees, staff from various cooperatives in the Philippines including from Barbaza Multi-Purpose Cooperative and participated by Directors Nicolas Valentin, Alexander Amantillo and Feliza Necesario.
August 26, 2019 – The group visited the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO). The SCWO was established in 1980 as the national coordinating body of women’s organizations in Singapore, with more than 50 member organizations, which represent over 500,000 women in Singapore. It serves to unite them to work toward ideals of ‘Equal Space, Equal Voice and Equal Worth’ for women in Singapore. SCWO is represented in various government and inter-ministry committees, as well as regional and international bodies where it contributes views in the areas of family, women, and gender equality in Singapore.
August 26, 2019 – A visit to TCC in Singapore “The Credit Cooperative with a heart”
TCC was established in 1928 to serve the employees of the Oriental Telephone Company (it was known as the Oriental Telephone Company Thrift and Loan Society).
A family-oriented Credit Co-operative. A not-for-profit financial institution, TCC provides members with a safe repository for savings and access to credit at affordable interest rates.
“We care for the well-being of our members and their families. TCC provides attractive rates of interest on savings, investments and loans. You will notice the difference from the first time you step into our office or call us. Our staff are caring and considerate, they treat you like family. You will find us willing to listen and flexible in our approach. We exist for one reason – to serve our members.”
August 29, 2019 (PART 1) – The group visited the Koperasi Kredit Pekerja-Pekerja Bhd (KKP) or Workers Co-operative Credit Society Ltd., a primary credit cooperative in Malaysia with 48,000 individual members all over Malaysia. The majority members are from the plantation workers, paddy farmers, fisher folks, factory workers, government employees, professional, small and medium entrepreneurs. Main services are Savings and Loans, insurance coverage for members, funds (education, welfare, retirement, volunteer) and other services that address needs and concerns of the individual members and their family.
The strength of KKP lies on its tradition of volunteerism, something that has constantly been regarded as a very good practice in the credit union movement in Malaysia.
August 29, 2019: “Forum on Women Empowerment and Gender Equality in Malaysia” with the following topics and invited Resource Persons
• Advancement of Women and Gender Equality in Malaysia by Prof Dr. Aruna Gopinath, Professor, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
• Women Empowerment through Entrepreneurship by Dr. Maria Rufina, Chairperson, MIWEPS
