With the new administration of presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte, re-elected Coop-NATCCO Partylist (CNPL) and the homegrown multibillionaire Tagum Cooperative looked forward for coop empowerment in the country.
In the courtesy visit of CNPL congressman, Anthony Bravo on May 16 at Tagum Coop Main Office, the honorable congressman along with Mr. Ben Togonon and Mr. Edgar Caballeda exchanged ideas with Tagum Coop execs on how coops can be empowered now that a Mindanaon is set to assume the highest position in the land.
Representing Tagum Cooperative are Board of Directors Chairperson Monica L. Salido, Vice-chairperson Fe J. Adlawan, Director Evelia R. Sator, Director Nenita R. Malbas, Director Miriam R. Baloyo, General Manager Juris D. Perez along with other key officers and immediate past chairperson Norma R. Pereyras.
During their casual discussion, Salido asked Cong. Bravo where the cooperative sector is heading now that a supposed Federalism, another form of government, is bannered.
Cong. Bravo assured that the partylist will, as always, be the voice of the cooperative sector in the Congress and will cooperate with the administration in deliberating Federalism through the Con-Con (Constitutional Convention) or Con-As (Constitutional Assembly).
The congressman opened up that Tagum Cooperative and other coops can pass a resolution to be endorsed to Coop-NATCCO partylist supporting the platforms of the government and these coops can educate its members on what federalism is.
It can be noted that, during the first leg of Presidential Debate in Cagayan de Oro City, Presumptive President Duterte sidelined discussing about organizing cooperatives to farmers, hinting his support to the sector.
In 2015, Duterte was also the keynote speaker of Tagum Cooperative during its 48th Annual General Assembly on March 28, the Mayor’s birthdate. It was a rare privilege honored by Tagum Coop according to Pereyras.
When Cong. Bravo and his company was about to leave to eventually meet the Mayor in Davao, Tagum Cooperative asked the group to hand to the Mayor his collaged photos with the Coop congratulating him for winning the presidency.
Though the visit is aimed to basically thank Tagum Coop for the support to Coop-NATCCO, an exchange of ideas fruitfully hovered. (Tagum Cooperative)