In line with the celebration of the Philippine Cooperative Centennial YEAR, The Cooperative Development Authority – Region VI spearheaded the Western Visayas Regional Cooperative Centennial Summit last July 22-24, 2015 at La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel, Boracay Island, Caticlan, Malay, Aklan with the theme “Kooperatiba: Ika-100 Taong Pagpupugay Tulay sa Maunlad na Buhay” which was participated by different cooperators all across the region.
The three – day event was packed with activities. To name a few, there were sessions, solidarity messages from various agencies and keynote speakers, presentation of entrepreneurial opportunities for cooperatives, presentation of plans and programs of the cooperative sector, solidarity night and the awarding of winners of 2015 Gawad Parangal – Regional level which was one of the highlights of the assembly.
Gawad Parangal is an annual recognition of exemplary performances of the Cooperatives, Leaders, Cooperative Development Offices and Regional Cooperative Development Council that acknowledges their efforts and performance in bringing responsive services to its members as well as building consciousness on the vital role of cooperatives.
Meanwhile, Barbaza MPC was formally endorsed as a nominee for the 2015 Gawad Parangal – National Level in which the awarding will took place later this year.
On the other hand, during the awarding ceremony, it was also formally announce by the Western Visayas – Regional Cooperative Development Council (WV-RCDC) declaring the province of Antique as the Cooperative capital of Western Visayas.
Furthermore, Mr. Samie Billanes, Chairperson of RCDC and NCDC predented the salient feautures of the WV-RCDC Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations or the WV-RCDC 2020 Vision. Afterward, Ms. Vivian Canonero, Asst. Vice President of Land Bank of the Philippines in the Visayas had presented the programs of the instution.
Meanwhile, entrepreneurial opportunities for the cooperative were shared by Ms. Josephine Roxas, Country Manager of Organo Gold and Mr, Vic Daganas, Black Diamond Consultant of Organo Gold.
On the second day of the activity, Ms. Sylvia Paguraya, the CEO of National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) delivered and shared the impace of ASEAN INTEGRATION (AEC 2015) and success stories of Kabankalan Government Employees MPC of Negros Occidental, Buenavista Development Cooperative of Guimaras, and Caticlan-Boracay Transport MPC was shared to everyone.
10 delegates from the Barbaza Multi-Purpose Cooperative had represented BMPC for the said regional cooperative summit.