MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Nov. 4 (PIA) -- Close to 200 cooperative members in the province converged here, recently, to advance the cooperative movement in this part of the country.
Organized by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), in collaboration with the Provincial Cooperative Office, the 2nd Lanao del Sur Cooperative Congress aimed at raising public consciousness on the contributions of cooperatives on the socio-economic development of the country.
Anchored on the theme “Kazalimbutad A Kapamagogopa: Kambayorantang, Kapuromasay, Kaphiaphia, Kathigur Ago Kapanglimbabaan Para Ko Lalayon A Kalilintad Ago Kathagompia (Transformative Cooperative: Advancing People, Planet, Prosperity and Peace),” the congress also aimed to promote the spirit of cooperativism as a vehicle for social transformation for the people, planet, prosperity and peace.
“The theme is fittingly appropriate as this advocacy is never an affair of the government, alone, but also the concern of all stakeholders of the society, especially the people themselves,” expressed Lanao del Sur First District Representative Hussein Pacasum-Pangandaman.
He said the promotion of cooperatives is one of the major interventions of the government to minimize, if not totally eradicate, poverty.
By enhancing the capabilities of non-government organizations, livelihood associations, people’s organizations such as cooperatives, and self-help groupings dedicated to the people, the government is building-up the capacity of the masses, he added.
Pangandaman, who was the keynote speaker of the coop congress, also underscored that active participation and strong adherence to the spirit of cooperativism is the one of the necessary ingredients to achieve prosperity and peace.
He said what is admirable in the cooperative is that it will only decide in favor of the common good and not on a particular person’s vested interest.
Hence, he expressed the need for strong cooperatives that are guided by transparency and accountability to ensure that the cooperatives’ interest will prevail in the community.
Pangandaman also urged the participants to transform into cooperative efforts the admirable culture and tradition of Maranaos towards the concept of “kapamagogopa,” a Mranao term which means helping one another for prosperity and peace within the challenging environment.
Meanwhile, Mindanao State University (MSU) Director for Research and Extension Dr. Amer A. Comadug, has expressed commitment to support the CDA in its agenda of advancing human resource development.
He said MSU, through technical assistance, will assist CDA and the newly-organized Cooperative Union of Lanao del Sur in enhancing their skills and capabilities to make them effective in carrying out endeavors to advance cooperativism.
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