Cooperative Organization and Practical Applications (COOP 20073)

Colarte, Erianne Khrisha Prof. Bienvenido Nito

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REBUILDING TOGETHER FOR THE BETTERMENT OF COOPERATIVE:
KWENTONG KOOP
(July 3, 2021)
In celebration of the international day of cooperatives, we are once again invited
by the Philippine Cooperative Center to join them on the cooperative talk with three
different speakers. This webinar is a great way for me to have a glimpse of how
cooperatives are able to cope up with the trouble that the pandemic brought. It also let
me see the resiliency of the sector and their commitment to help the community and its
people.

Dr. Leticia Gorospe was the first one to share the story of coping up of Q-KIBBAL
NCR Credit Cooperative. What I like about the things she shared is the quote
“Challenges often comes to our life. No one is exempted.” The pandemic really had a
great impact, and no one is exempted to it. It only means that challenges are open to
anybody. Problems and troubles can hit you even though you are the richest man in the
world. But these struggles can be defeated and surpassed. Just like how this
cooperative who also had its lost but found ways to cope up and help its member.
Currently, they were extending help through giving their members an opportunity to
possess and become a beneficiary of the Livelihood Vending Stall.

The next one to present is Mr. Garibaldi Leonardo. He presented the experience
of San Dionisio Credit Cooperative during the pandemic. Just like the first speaker, he
mentioned that the pandemic caused them a lot. Some lost their job, had a decrease of
income from their business, had depression, closed their business and some had a
disease. But some gain an alternative job, able to increase their income through online
selling and build a new business. As a course of action, they provided a precautionary
measure to their offices, sustaining their member’s demand, beefing up the supply of
funds, provided innovations that will help their members and created partnerships to
that will enhance the capabilities of their members. He also presented the course of
actions performed by the Philippine Cooperative Center in their different clusters.

The last speaker is Ma’am Rosalina Argent from Tagum Cooperatives who also
experience the cruelty of the pandemic. but they did not let the pandemic ruin the
successful journey of their cooperative. Building their reserve funds was their main
prevention to the huge effects of the unexpected situations like the pandemic. They also
had digital transformation that really help them easily reach out their members and cope
up with the new normal where technology is really important to connect to everyone in
different areas.

The effects of the pandemic to the cooperatives are really seen. These
cooperatives did not expect this kind of situation that will bring losses to them. I am glad
that they were able to find ways on how to cope up and be resilient enough to face the
pandemic head on. I admire the way they help their members in times of need. The
losses might really have a great impact but a heart who knows how to help, will always
help. With this, I conclude that cooperatives are really designed to help the community
and transform the lives of people into something good.