It was a very good start for the province of Davao Oriental to stage its very first Cooperative Summit as a prelude to establish more ways to attain a highly sustainable growth, and introduce another way usher further the economic activity of the province.

The Summit recorded 50 cooperative attendees from all over the province, heeding to the call of the provincial government to organize themselves and make it easier for them to avail of whatever assistance from the government, aside from the fact that the activity gave them an opportunity to share their practices and learn from them.

Provincial Cooperative Officer Rotchie Ravelo hurled the challenge to the cooperatives to put their acts together, because with unified efforts they can showcase their ability to spell wonders and make a difference in their living.

Earlier, the Cooperative Officer revealed that Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang has been very keen in looking for ways to help the cooperatives, and entice more groups, associations, and organizations to organize themselves into a cooperative.

In his speech, Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang called for unity among the cooperatives, and continue helping each other.

“With my economic team, we are constantly looking for ways to pursue prosperity of the people and of the business community. We will prioritize job generation. So, in this way, development is more than within reach,” he said.

Guest speaker for the occasion, Sen. Cynthia Villar lauded the provincial government for conducting the 1st Davao Oriental Cooperative Summit which practically benefits farmers and fisherfolks alike, as such sectors usually composed the membership of cooperatives.

“I will continue to make ways to empower our farmers and fisherfolks. I had already initiated moves that directly and indirectly helped them. I also would like to eradicate barriers that hinders maximum production of our farmers and fishermen. Among them are financial constraints, lack of expertise, lack of access to cheap credit, and lack of mechanization,” she explained.

She urged the cooperatives to be cognizant of the assistance offered to them by the government, through the funding institutions and avail of the assistance.

It can be recalled that Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang disclosed his plan of putting up a cooperative academy to give focus on the cooperatives, and to really make them an enormous part of the endeavors for a comfortable life among the families, especially in the province of Davao Oriental.

“The province has a gold mine of opportunities, and everybody, including the cooperatives, should grasp the said opportunities. Let us ride to the optimism that we have set, with the gains that we have started in in the different aspects of our endeavors. Most importantly, let us continue to create and strengthen optimism,” he added.

Mr. Rotchie Ravelo furthered that he is very glad that the event finally came, and sounding, uttered, “hopefully, we will deliver results”.

Ravelo stressed that it is the vision now of the government that big cooperatives will help the small cooperatives to enhance and maximize their potentials. 

Gracing the culmination of the Cooperative Month was Cooperative Development Authority Regional Director Elma Oguis, provincial leaders, department heads, provincial employees, and other stakeholders.

It was held at the Provincial Capitol Covered Court on Oct. 31, 2018. Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan