FICCO’S 66TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

THROUGH A REFERENDUM
A SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL GATHERING IN THE NEW NORMAL

F
irst Community Cooperative (FICCO) managed to conduct its
General Assembly in the new normal despite the challenges and
changes brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. This year’s assembly
was conducted from March 1 to 31 through a referendum with the theme:
“FICCO’s Resiliency Amidst Pandemic: Managing Covid-19 Setbacks
and Ready to Transform and Thrive,” duly approved by the Cooperative
Development Authority (CDA) with the condition that the protocols set
and mandated by the government are observed without jeopardizing the
safety of the members.
In order to provide relevant information and to update the members of
FICCO’s performance for the previous year, a creative and informative
way of conducting the assembly was initiated. A “Consultative Meeting
and Open Forum” with the chosen radio stations in various areas and
can be viewed via Facebook live was made possible. This served as an
avenue for the members to hear updates and express their concerns.

The assembly formally commenced with an Opening Salvo last March

1, 2021, aired live and shown simultaneously in all FICCO offices at
exactly 8:15 in the morning where members can actually watch while
waiting for the processing of their transaction. Dir. Susan P. Ybañez, the
Chairperson of the Board, officially opened the 66th General Assembly
through a referendum and call to order. Present in the opening of this
year’s assembly are the other members of the Board: Dir. Elmo C.
Bautista, Dir. Verona B. Tagayuna, Dir. Rosario B. Ferrer, Dir. Lelanie T.
Combate, Dir. Luis Antonio S. Yap and attended virtually by: Dir. Luis U.
Espino, Dir. Mary Jane A. Cacho, and Dir. James P. Longcob. The Chief FICCO Board of Directors (from left to right): Dir. Luis Antonio Yap, Dir. Rosario Ferrer,
Executive Officer, Mr. Edgardo A. Micayabas, BOD Secretary, Ms. Ester Dir. Susan Ybañez, Dir. Elmo Bautista, Dir. Verona Tagayuna, Dir. Lelanie Combate
D. Mambayas, BOD Treasurer, Ms. Jennifer T. Miole, and the Regional
Managers of FICCO are also present to grace the event. The unique way of conducting the forum had gathered positive
feedback from the members all over the world:
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (as of MARCH 2021)

Hearing positive feedback and applause from our valued members

encourages the FICCO Board of Directors, management and staff to
thrive hard and do their best in all their undertakings.

To formally close the General Assembly, last March 31, the adjournment
program was simultaneously aired live in all FICCO offices at exactly
4:00 in the afternoon with FICCO’s Board of Directors, Chief Executive
Officer and Regional Managers. During the program, all of the FICCO’s
Outgoing Officers and Employee Awardees were recognized for their
hard work, loyalty, and dedication during those years where they imparted
their knowledge and incomparable service to FICCO and its members.
Messages of gratitude were also given by the Board of Directors.

FICCO will continue to serve its members and will stay true to its mission:
to uplift the standard of living and quality of life of its members.
Mabuhay ang FICCO!

www.ficco.org 1 FICCO
FICCO

The STAR Program Goes Digital THE NEW MANOLO OFFICE

Providing a Better Place for its Valued Members

F
irst Community Cooperative (FICCO) in partnership with the
Coca-Cola Philippines and the Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have been empowering
women all over the country with its Sari-sari Store Training and Access
to Resources (STAR) Program. The program reached its target of
empowering 5,000 micro-retailer women all over the Philippines by
the end of the year 2020. The proud STAR program graduates are
now ready and equipped with the entrepreneurial skills to make their
business more viable.

In this new normal, and with the advent of the digital world, the digital
version of the STAR Program is viewed as a strategic means in
empowering more individual in the country. This paved the way for the
birth of iSTAR, a blended learning digital version of the STAR Program
Training Course. The approach is still the same only that it will be done
online. Amidst this changes especially in this pandemic, this version will
reach a wider audience who needs to improve their entrepreneurial-
management skills. This program will be for both men and women in the
micro retail business and those who still plan to put up a business, thus,
retaining its gender-sensitive in nature.

A
FICCO believes that this training is imperative especially in this time fter years of operating
where resources has become more insufficient and the economic status iiiin a rented commercial
of the country has become more unstable. To carry on with reaching sspace, FICCO MManolo
out more micro-retailers, FICCO signed a Memorandum of Agreement has finally transferred to its
(MOA) for the iSTAR Program on October 6, 2020, together with the newly owned building lllllocated
regional partners via zoom platform. The program advocates safe-store at Barangay Tankulan, Manolo
procedures and gender-sensitive training access even at this time of Fortich, Bukidnon beside the
global pandemic. With iSTAR Program, the access to resources training Manolo Fortich Police Station
will be on the tip of the hand of the trainees, anytime and anywhere. last March 18, 2021. Apart from
its spacious working place, the
ground provides a three (3)
commercial spaces at 42 sq.
meter per area in a long term
basis. This edifice will solidify
FICCO as one of the strongest
cooperative in the country.

FICCO Team during the virtual iSTAR MOA signing Its blessing and inauguration
started with a mass officiated
by Rev. Fr. Mel Alcala- 52nd
Engr. Brigade Chaplain. The
presence of no other than
FCOF and PAGRO Partnership Honorable Mayor Clive D. Quiño made the event even more special.
The FICCO Board of Directors headed by Dir. Susan P. Ybañez also

E
graced the event, together with its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Edgardo
ven before the intervention of the pandemic, our farmers
A. Micayabas; the Regional Manager-4, Mr. Johnson M. Tan III; FICCO
hhave been raising their concerns particularly with regards
Manolo Officers, Bukidnon Branch Managers, management and staff
ttto the lower pricing of their produce. To address the common
were also around to witness this remarkable milestone.
problem, FICCO Community Outreach Foundation, Inc. took an
initiative step on partnering with the Provincial Agriculture Office
In this regard, the FICCO management and staff would like to take
of Misamis Oriental (PAGRO).
this opportunity to thank the Local Government Unit of Manolo headed
by Mayor Clive D. Quiño and Vice-Mayor Miguel D. Demate; the
This new partnership enables FCOF to buy the produce of farmers
Sangguniang Bayan members; barangay officials of Barangay
at a reasonable price. FCOF then sells the produce to market
Tankulan, and to the PNP and BFP Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon for their
vendor members of FICCO in a price that they can also get a
untiring support.
profitable amount. Instead of middlemen dictating the prices to
farmers, the farmers now have a say on their prices. It started with
fruits and vegetables, but now, it has expanded catering fisheries
and other related products. The partnership with PAGRO and
FCOF for the last few months has been promising since it has
brought our farmers a new hope that their products are facilitated
and patronized by the members.

If you are a market vendor or a farmer member within Misamis

Oriental and you wish to connect with us, you may contact us at
856-2119(local 113) or at 09268793317 and look for Ms. Michie
Carreon.

Ribbon cutting with Rev. Fr. Mel Alcala; Dir. Susan P. Ybañez; CEO Edgardo Micayabas,
Board of Directors and the FICCO management and staff

FICCO2 www.ficco.org

APPROVED GENERAL ASSEMBLY
RESOLUTIONS 2021
1. GA RESOLUTION NO. 2021-01
TO STOP THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GA RESOLUTION # 2010-
02 THAT FICCO MEMBERS LIVING WITHIN THE 50 KILOMETER
RADIUS WILL NO LONGER BE OBLIGED TO AVAIL THE FUNERAL
SERVICES OF MSCF AND THEY WILL BE ENTITLED TO 100% OF
THE MAF BENEFITS.
2. GA RESOLUTION NO. 2021-02
CONSOLIDATE AND UPDATE THE QUALIFICATIONS AND
DISQUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS. the disqualifications set forth in
Article 3 Section 13 be amended to read as follows:
ARTICLE 3 SECTION 13: DISQUALIFICATIONS
Any member who is under any of the following circumstances shall
be disqualified to be elected or appointed as Member of the Board of
Directors or any Committee or to continue as such:
Holding any elective position in the Government;
Management staff or officers (elected or appointed) who is a
candidate of any elective Government office, or who ran and won
or lost in his/her bid for election in a government office, shall not be
allowed to hold any elected or appointed position in the Cooperative
within a period of three (3) years from the date of filing of his/her
certificate of candidacy or end of his/her term;
Holding any judicial, quasi-judicial, or prosecutory office in the
Government;
Holding any post, appointive or elective, in another primary
cooperative;
Having served as Director of the Cooperative for two (2) consecutive
terms immediately prior to the election;
Having served as an officer of the Cooperative for four (4)
consecutive years immediately prior to the election
Members of the Board of Directors shall not hold any other position
directly involved in the day-to-day operation and management of
the Cooperative;
Who is absent in the Board Meeting, whether regular or special, for
three (3) consecutive Board meetings, unexcused absences, shall
be considered automatically terminated as member of the Board;
Who is absent in the Board meeting, whether regular or special,
for five (5) Board Meetings, excused or unexcused, even if not
consecutive, during his/her term shall be considered automatically
terminated as member of the Board;
Candidates whose loan accounts with other Cooperatives, Banks,
or Financial Institutions, if any, are delinquent shall be disqualified
to run in any elective positions with FICCO;
Any existing BOD/ Committee officer whose account with other
Cooperatives, Banks, or Financial Institutions, if any, are delinquent
shall be suspended until such time that their accounts are updated;
Any active military or police official shall be disqualified from being
elected as an officer of FICCO;
Any official or employee of the Cooperative Development Authority;
Having been convicted with finality, in an administrative proceeding,
civil or criminal suits involving financial and/or property
accountability; or
Having been disqualified by law.
3. GA RESOLUTION NO. 2021-03
TO INVEST IN DIGICOOP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES FEDERATION
(DTSF) TO HELP IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SERVICES OF ITS
AFFILIATE COOPERATIVES AND TO ENJOY IN FULL THE
ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND SERVICE BENEFITS OF DIGITAL
TRANSFORMATION AMOUNTING TO FIFTY MILLION PESOS
(Php 50,000,000.00).
4. GA RESOLUTION NO. 2021-04
TO CONFIRM THE INVESTMENT OF FICCO TO DAVAO CITY
CREDIT SURETY FUND (DCCSF) INCLUDING ITS DESIGNATED
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE AND ALTERNATE
REPRESENTATIVE.
FICCO
APPROVED BOARD RESOLUTION
1. RESOLUTION NO. 01-10-2021. Approval of the proposed Lending
Guidelines on KAYA & ANYO Loan Program under DA-ACPC, as follows:
AGRINEGOSYO (ANYO) – Micro and small business agribusiness
loan program for marginalized, small farmers and fisherfolk (MSFF)
as defined in Section 4, RA8435, and further defined in Section 4d.,
Presidential AO No. 21 of 2011, Revised IRR of RA8435.
1. ANYO LOAN – INDIVIDUAL SFF
PARAMETER DESCRIPTION
Loan a) Marginalized, small farmers and fisher folk (MSFF) as
Beneficiaries defined in Section 4, RA 8435, and further defined in
Section 4d., Presidential AO No. 21 of 2011, Revised
IRR of RA 8425;
b) Must be a hands-on Farmer Producer engaged in the
production of agri-fishery products;
c) With proposed or existing agri project either owned
or leased;
d) Insurable age – 18 to 65 yrs (exit age);
e) FICCO member either a Common or Preferred share
holder with at least minimum share and savings
deposit.
f) Permanent residence within the areas of operation
of FICCO.
g) With good credit standing;
h) With no pending civil or criminal case;
i) Displayed good reputation and character;
j) Registered with RSBSA
2. ANYO – MSE (Sole Proprietor)
PARAMETER DESCRIPTION
Loan a) those engaging in a combination of agricultural produc-
Beneficiaries tion, processing, buy and sell, and related services
within the value- chain of the said crop/ livestocks being
financed, and whose business is registered with the
DTI, Barangay or LGU (Mayor’s Permit) and with total
assets not exceeding P15.0 million;
b) Insurable age – 18 to 65 yrs (exit age);
c) Permanent residence within the areas of operation
of FICCO;
d) With good credit standing;
e) With no pending civil or criminal case;
f) Displayed good reputation and character;
KAPITAL ACCESS FOR YOUNG AGRIPRENUERS (KAYA) – is a loan
facility for qualified young agripreneurs at zero (0%) interest to finance
the capital requirements of their start-up or existing farm/fishery business.
KAYA aims to attract the younger generation of Filipinos to be key players
in attaining a food-secure Philippines with prosperous farmers and fishers.
KAYA LOAN
PARAMETER DESCRIPTION
Loan a) Young agriculture/fishery entrepreneurs (agri preneurs)
Beneficiaries who are of legal age (18 yrs old) up to 30 yrs old (as
defined under Section 2 of RA 8044 (Youth Nation-
Building Act);
b) Agriculture and fishery graduates either formal or non-
formal schooling, including but not limited to graduates
of agriculture and fishery related degrees from higher
education institutions, DA, and ATI-accredited TESDA
programs, farm schools, and secondary schools with
agri culture and fishery- related courses, as defined
under Section 2 (d) of RA 11321 (Sagip-Saka Act) – IRR.
c) Age bracket – from 18 to 30 old;
d) Permanent residence within the areas of operation
of FICCO;
e) With good credit standing;
f) With no pending civil or criminal case;
Displayed good reputation and character;
2. RESOLUTION NO. 02-71-2021. Approved the granting of WASH
Product – water connection to preferred shareholders under the following
terms and conditions:
a) Borrowing Limit: - Limited to MCWS water connection only
b) Must submit quotation (cost for water connection) from MCWS
c) Term: 36 mos.
d) Service Fee: .6% per month
e) Interest: None
f) Mode of Payment: Will be part of their monthly billing from MCWS
(non-payment-ground for disconnection)
www.ficco.org 3 FICCO
FICCO

AUCTION SALE 2021 FICCO Foundation: Uplifting the

Indigenous People’s Living
CAGAYAN DE ORO AREAS

T
o see Indigenous People (IP) groups and small farmers succeed
MINIMUM
LOCATION AREA (SQ.M.) has always been First Community Cooperative (FICCO) and
BID PRICE
FICCO Community Outreach Foundation, Inc’s (FCOF) dream.
1 Lumbia, CDOC 112 (Res.) 405,000.00 The 27 members of Madaguing Higaonon Tribal Association, Inc. from
Claveria, Misamis Oriental signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
MISAMIS ORIENTAL AREAS and received Adlai seeds from FCOF last April 19, 2021.
MINIMUM
LOCATION AREA (SQ.M.)
BID PRICE Adlai, also known as “Job’s Tears” which is considered as high-valued
1 Igpit, Opol, Misamis crop, can be used as a medicine, wine, an alternative for rice and many
114 (Res.) 175,000.00 more. Due to its various health benefits including Anti-diabetic, Anti-
Oriental
obesity, Anti-allergy, Anti-ulcer and
2 Lagonglong, Misamis
351 (Res.) 1,500,000.00 Anti-osteoporosis, the demand for
Oriental
Adlai has also outstretched abroad.
3 Anakan, Gingoog City 611 (Res.) 720,000.00 Considering the beneficial factors
4 Anakan, Gingoog City 2,001 (Res.) 575,000.00 and its market, farmers need to
5 Apas, Initao, Misamis produce more, thus, enables the
10,922 (Agri.) 760,000.00 other Indigenous People group to
Oriental
receive additional remuneration as
BUKIDNON PROVINCE AREAS part of the agreement.
MINIMUM
LOCATION AREA (SQ.M.)
BID PRICE
1 San Jose , Malaybalay
City
322 (Res.) 740,000.00 STAR
CARAGA REGION
Success Story
MINIMUM I am Merlyn D. Cuenca, 58 years old and a
LOCATION AREA (SQ.M.) resident of Barangay Pinamanculan, Butuan City.
BID PRICE
I am grateful to God for giving me the opportunity
1 Brgy. Lemon, Butuan City 361 (Res.) 350,000.00 to become part of the Sari-Sari Store and
2 Brgy. Libertad, Butuan Access to Resources- STAR Program and
414 (Res.) 2,300,000.00
City was trained on handling resources with the
3 San Teodoro, Bunawan, correct entrepreneurial skills. Before I became
569 (Res.) 242,000.00
Agusan del Sur
4 San Teodoro, Bunawan, part of the program, I only
1,000 (Res.) 335,000.00 have that typical, small
Agusan del Sur
sari-sari store limited to
dry goods because of the
lack of resources. After
the 12-week session
and had graduated from
Member's Success Story the program, I became
more efficient in handling
my business. I was
Store before STAR Program
My name is Soledad Macadangdang, 56 years old and a proud able to purchase a new
member of FICCO Main Office. Since November 2004 prior to refrigerator and now sells
being a member of the cooperative, I only relied to my husband’s frozen goods and cold
salary as a PNP Officer drinks. I was able to avail
and at the same time a loan from FICCO for
on my small tailoring the additional capital to
shop where I started finance my business not
out with only one (1) only once, but for three
sewing machine. Aside (3) cycles. From Two
from that, I had also thousand pesos (P2,000)
ventured on T-shirt gross sales per day, I am
printing but was done now earning a daily gross
through job-out since sales of Seven thousand Store after STAR Program
I did not have printing (7,000) which led me to
machine. expand my business into a mini-
grocery store. I was also given
the chance to avail a regular
Editorial Board:
In October 2005, I availed my first small loan at FICCO to finance
my small business. I was then able to procure five (5) additional loan. As I apply my learnings Over-all Editors:
sewing machines and employ four (4) workers to cope with the into my business, I became
Edgardo A. Micayabas
volume of work. more responsible in handling Rosario B. Ferrer
my resources and cash flows, Mary Lee Ann F. Antoque
Aside from our tailoring shop, I also manage our agricultural thus, enabling me to become Cronie Kaye F. Jamito
lot at Mantibugao, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon with corn and a Class-A member of FICCO. I Jhonida Marie L. Magbanua
cassava as its primary products. Thus, enabled me to finance am also thankful to FICCO for Richelle Anne I. Legaspi
the educational needs of my four (4) children in college until all the loan services. It has been a Ivi Jaquelu T. Astronomo
of them finished their chosen fields. great help for entrepreneurs like
me in managing our business Contributors:
For sixteen (16) years of being a FICCO member, and patronizing which enabled me to roll-out Kathlene Joyce B. Odtojan
its loan services, I was able to cope up with my financial needs. more capital for operational Nancy B. Gabule
All of these is with the help of FICCO in being true to its mission expenses, making my business Joan D. Florentino
in uplifting the standard of living of its members. more profitable. Rogerson N. Salcedo
Terence A. Espiritu

FICCO4 www.ficco.org