Coop Chamber PH

22/04/2026

The Coop Chamber attended the 57th Annual General Assembly of the Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative held last April 18, 2026 at the Batangas City Coliseum with the theme “Sipag at Husay na Hinubog ng Pagkakaisa, Sandigan sa Bawat Hakbang ng Pag-Asa”. The event was attended by more than 3,000 members on-site and more than 4,000 participants online.

Keynote speaker, Mayor Mario Vitorrio A. Mariño, emphasized that SIDC has long been at the forefront of uplifting the lives of its members and has significantly contributed to development not only in Batangas, but also in other parts of the Country where it operates. He affirmed his continued support for cooperatives in Batangas City and expressed his commitment to further collaborate with SIDC in advancing the coop sector both in the city and the province.

The Annual General Assembly was successfully held under the able and efficient leadership of the Board of Directors, chaired by Engr. Ruben Celestial and the dedicated management and staff led by its Chief Executive Officer and President, former Congressman Rico B. Geron.

The Coop Chamber, through Secretary General Edwin Bustillos, was invited to discuss key issues, including the need to further develop further the Coop Vote in preparation for the 2028 senatorial elections, and the importance of sustained advocacy to protect the gains and accomplishments of the cooperatives, particularly in relation to tax exemptions and other privileges under the Philippine Coop Code. He urged the leaders and members of SIDC to invest in advocacy efforts and support the Coop Chamber in advancing the coop movement's agenda and interests.

The message of the Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. was delivered by the Batangas Agriculture Program Coordinator, Mr. Michael Lalap.

Following the morning program, the cooperative proceeded with its assembly proper, which included the presentation of the Chair's Report, the CEO's Report, and other organizational matters, including the election of the new set of Board of Directors.



𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘐𝘋𝘊

16/04/2026

𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀

𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗭𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬, 𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦 – The Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives, Inc. (Coop Chamber) issues an urgent call for solidarity and collective action as the world faces an unprecedented "polycrisis" marked by escalating geopolitical tensions and economic instability.

From the heartbreaking loss of over 170 innocent lives at the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Iran to the breach of the critical 1.5°C climate threshold, the global landscape is shifting under the weight of conflict and environmental strain. These events, coupled with the geofragmentation of global trade, have placed immense financial and operational pressure on the everyday members of our cooperatives.

𝗔 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
In response to these hardships, the Coop Chamber emphasizes that the spirit of Bayanihan, our enduring Filipino value of communal unity, must extend beyond our borders. Cooperatives are uniquely positioned to serve as a buffer against global shocks by strengthening partnerships with the government to cushion the impact on the most vulnerable sectors.

"The current global situation is volatile, but the cooperative movement has always been a sanctuary of stability," says Noel D. Raboy, Chairperson of the Coop Chamber. "By developing responsive programs and remaining guided by our shared values of solidarity, we will enable our members to not just navigate, but overcome these economic hardships. Our commitment to 'concern for the community' is not just a principle; it is our path to resilience."

𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
Despite the volatility, the Coop Chamber remains steadfast in advancing key sectors including agriculture, public utilities, finance, and human resource development. By focusing on education and advocacy, the movement seeks to shape the "hearts and minds" of every cooperator to ensure a unified direction toward recovery.

Edwin A. Bustillos, Secretary General of the Coop Chamber, adds: "We are at a crossroads where collective effort is the only way forward. Through cooperativism, we are advancing a society grounded in equity. We remain dedicated to empowering our people to exercise their democratic roles in achieving social justice and inclusive development, even in the face of a global crisis."

The Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives, Inc. affirms that through cooperation among cooperatives and a firm belief in the power of the collective, the movement will succeed in charting a clear path toward a more equitable and resilient future.

15/04/2026

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬!

🔍 To discuss the Economic Lens
Featuring 𝗠𝗿. 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation's Chief Economist who will unpack the economic realities shaping our sector—from inflation trends and fuel volatility to the broader implications of global developments on the Philippine peso and cooperative sustainability.

Mike Ricafort is the Chief Economist of RCBC and a frequent resource person at various media companies and TV shows such as ANC, CNN, Bloomberg TV/BusinessWorld Live, Bilyonaryo News Channel, etc. Mike was recently awarded by The Asset (Hong Kong): No. 1 in the Philippine Peso Bonds Research for 2 straight years (2022 & 2023) and No. 3 in 2024. Mike was also awarded by the Fund Managers Association of the Philippines (FMAP) as the Best Fixed Income Strategist (1st place for the fourth straight year) and the Best Economist (1st place in 2022; 2nd place in 2021, 2023, and 2024). The Department of Finance also ranked Mike as the closest in predicting the Philippine GDP growth in 3Q 2021 and in 2020, as well as the most accurate in predicting Philippine inflation rate in 2018 and 2019.

🏛️ To discuss the Political Lens
With insights from 𝗠𝗿. 𝗥𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘀, Political Analyst and Strategist, offering a deep dive into today’s political landscape—analyzing risks, resilience, and the evolving role of cooperatives as stabilizing forces in times of national and global disruption.

​Ronald Llamas is a premier political strategist and analyst with a career defined by the intersection of grassroots organizing and high-level governance. A former Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs, he served as a critical link between the executive branch and civil society, championing democratic reforms and sectoral representation. His deep-rooted history in labor and peasant organizing includes foundational work with cooperatives in Mindanao, giving him a unique perspective on the cooperative movement's role in national development. Today, he is one of the country's most sought-after pundits, providing sharp, strategic insights on One News and Rappler. As the Coop Chamber navigates the 2026 political landscape, Mr. Llamas offers a masterclass in "Realpolitik," ensuring our sector is equipped to turn national shifts into regional opportunities.

Together, they bring critical expertise to equip our cooperative leaders with the strategic intelligence needed to navigate the challenges of 2026 and beyond.

Join us to the National Online Forum in the Global Polycrisis and Sectoral Resilience with the theme, " Steering the Movement: Cooperative Strategy in an Era of Global Instability"

📅 April 24, 2026
🕐 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Via Zoom Teleconference
Meeting ID: 863 7924 5503
Passcode: 956134

See you!

15/04/2026

14/04/2026

Batangas City — The 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘀 conducted their 47𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 last April 13, 2026 at Batangas Convention Center. The Assembly was well-attended with nearly 300 primary member-cooperatives present. The event began with a recitation of the Coop Pledge by CEO Myra Ebora, followed by a doxology and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.

In his welcome remarks, outgoing Chairperson of the Cooperative Union of Batangas, Dr. Lito Bagui emphasized that the services and programs of the CUB. both past and present, demonstrate the unity of its members in promoting cooperative identity and providing leadership to further strengthen the cooperative movement in Batangas. He thanked the general membership for their support of the organization's program and services, which have contributed to CUB’s reputation as one of the strongest cooperative unions in the country.

The assembly was highlighted by the presence of guest speakers, from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA): Assistant Regional Director Bernadeth Hornilla, and the Chairperson himself, Undersecretary Alexander B. Raquepo. ARD Hornila congratulated the CUB for its sustained membership growth and the commitment of the cooperatives to unite and elevate cooperativism in Batangas.

Secretary General Edwin Bustillos of Coop Chamber, underscored the importance of Cooperative Identity and stressed the crucial role of the CUB in preventing the practices of certain federations that resemble corporations. He noted the need for CUB to offer seminars and trainings reinforcing that the principles and values of cooperativism should be strengthened, not weakened, by those whose mssions have diverged from cooperative ideals.

He highlighted Chairperson Noel D. Raboy's message:

"𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒔, 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆, 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏".

He then referenced the Memorandum of Understanding between the Cooperative Union of Batangas represented by Dr. Lito Bagui, Batangas Provincial Cooperative, Livelihood, Enterprise and Development Office through its Division Chief, President Celia L. Atienza and the Coop Chamber, promoting the coop identity through advocacy, capacity building and partnership so these organizations will be able to effectively engage the Local cooperative development office (all through-out the country) the Regional Development Council, National Government Agencies, including CDA and Congress.

Meanwhile, USec Raquepo shared his personal journey as a dedicates cooperator, from being regulated within a cooperative to becoming a regulator. He commended the CUB leadership, particularly Dr. Lito Bagui and CEO Myra Ebora for their outstanding services to both members and the community which contributed to the strength of the cooperative union in Batangas, and potentially in the Philippines.

He proposed several initiatives, some of which have already been approved by the Board. These include allowing the usage of the 50% of the optional fund during times of crisis. He also issued an advisory, where the cooperatives must come up with a policy allowing flexible loan payment or restructuring to support members affected by ongoing global crisis, including the conflict between the USA, Iran, and Israel. He also announced the creation of a cooperative pantry aimed at helping the most affected sectors, such as the transport cooperatives, agricultural and fisherfolk cooperatives, and members struggling with inflation. Additionally, he announced an upcoming National Energy Crisis Summit, initiated by the CDA, in partnership with the private sector and cooperatives.

Former Congressman Rico Geron urged cooperative leaders to discern and not fall prey to fake news circulating on social media, which affects the country as a whole. Representing three roles (as AGAP PL representing Cong Nikki Brion, Coop Chamber Trustee, and as Chairperson of the Provincial Cooperative Development Council), he reported that AGAP Party List is very active in the review of the proposed revision to the Coop Code, and is heavily involved in advocating for farmers, particularly in the hog industry.

He emphasized that as part of the initiative of the Coop Chamber (where he is one of the Trustees), there are ongoing discussions regarding the potential to filed a senatorial candidate from the cooperative sector. He underscored that cooperatives are not apolitical organizations, Since policies and laws affecting the cooperatives are part of the system, it is imperative that cooperatives must unify and join in the 2028 senatorial elections. With 13.6 million members contributing to the economic welfare of cooperative members, the movement must now reflect and support a senate candidate coming from their ranks.

And as Chairperson of the PCDC, he advocated for micro and small cooperatives operating in the same area and offering similar services, to consider merging or consolidating, in order to create greater impact for the welfare of their members and communities.

Meanwhile, Honorable Caludette Ambida, a Sanggunian Member of Batangas City, representing Vice Mayor Allysa Renee A. Cruz and Mayor Mario Vittorio A. Marino, congratulated the Cooperative Union of Batangas in its milestone. She expressed hope that the legacy of Dr. Chair Lito Bangui, who is set to retire at the 47th AGA, will be continued by the new set of officers to be elected during the organizational meeting later in the afternoon.

Finally, the CUB's keynote speaker was Senator Lito Lapid, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Cooperatives. However, due to the good Senator’s prior commitments, he was represented by his Chief Legislative Officer, Atty. Abel Manlanque, Jr. The Senator’s message was highly inspiring, as he called on all cooperatives not only in Batangas, but across the country, to exercise BAYANIHAN, especially in this time of crisis.

He underscored that politics should not hinder the cooperatives' mandate to serve marginalized sectors during times of uncertainty. After all, cooperatives are vital instruments in alleviating the people from poverty. He urged the leaders to continue providing essential services and programs for the sustained upliftment of their members and communities, thereby supporting the government during this time.

Atty. Manlanque, Jr. also reported Senator Lapid’s initiatives in the Senate and re-affirmed his commitment to championing the cooperative agenda. He expressed gratitude to the cooperative movement for its role in generating employment, providing livelihood opportunities, and fostering community development. In conclusion, he encouraged the leaders of CUB and its allies to remain steadfast as engines of growth.

13/04/2026

The Philippine cooperative movement is currently operating within an unprecedented polycrisis. The convergence of Middle East volatility, the breach of the 1.5°C climate threshold, and the resulting geofragmentation of global trade have placed our primary members under extreme financial and operational duress.

We recognize that our member-cooperatives are looking to the Coop Chamber not just for administrative support, but for high-level strategic intelligence. To fulfill our mandate as the advocacy organization of the sector, we must provide our leaders with the intellectual tools to navigate this New World Disorder.

The Coop Chamber encourage all member cooperatives to join the national forum titled "𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗿𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆", on April 24 (Friday) at 1:00 pm via Zoom Teleconference. This session is designed to synthesize expert economic forecasting with sophisticated political analysis, ensuring our members are prepared for the socio-economic shocks projected for the remainder of 2026.

10/04/2026

The 36th Annual General Assembly of 𝗦𝗮𝗻 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 commenced with a prayer and tribute to the late former Chairperson, Ka Romy De Jesus, who also served as the former Coop Chamber Central Luzon Regional Governor. He joined our Creator on February 11, 2026.

More than 2,000 members attended the AGA and received reports from the Board, committee members, and the management.

The Coop Chamber Secretary General Edwin Bustillos, was invited as one of the guest speakers. In his speech, he shared that Ka Romy De Jesus, together with the visionary and dynamic leaders and management of San Jose Koop, relentlessly serve and reach out to their members, efforts that significantly contributed to the cooperative’s growth, with total assets now reaching P4.7 Billion.

He emphasized that the direct participation of members, and their continued support in strengthening the cooperative economic activities and livelihood projects have been key factors on this achievement. In recent years, the contribution of the general membership - from professionals, ordinary workers, women, senior citizens, youth, and other basic sectors - have been instrumental in the sustained growth of San Jose Koop’s “Digital and Governance Excellence.”

Ka Romy consistently reminded and encouraged members to actively participate in meetings, support cooperative programs, and uphold the principles and values of cooperativism, especially under his leadership.

Secretary General Bustillos also reported to the general membership that Ka Romy, in his capacity as the Central Luzon Coop Chamber Regional Governor, joined in the filing of a Petition for Certiorari with Prayer for Preliminary Injunction on the non-requirement of individual TINs in securing a Cooperative’s Certificate of Tax Exemptions. The petition was filed before the Supreme Court on October 10, 2025, and is currently awaiting from the Supreme Court en-banc Action on whether it will be given due course.

He also congratulated the Board of Directors of San Jose Del Monte Savings and Credit Cooperative, led by their Chairperson Caroline D. Dave, along with the committee members, other leaders, and the management and staff headed by Chief Executive Officer Ma. Wilma D. De Vera and the entire membership on this milestone.

At the end of his speech, the Coop Chamber conferred a Posthomous Award signed by Chairperson Noel D. Raboy to Ka Romy De Jesus, in recognition of his exemplary service and dedication to the marginalized sectors through cooperativism. The award was received by the Board of Directors and Committee Members led by the Chairperson Caroline Dave, on behalf of Ka Romy’s family.

09/04/2026

The 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 celebrated its 28th Annual General Assembly last March 30, 2026 with the theme, “Empowering Members , Strengthening the Cooperative.”

The Coop Chamber congratulated the Board of Directors, committee members, and the management and staff of HOSCOMO, led by Chairperson Rosemarie Cerenio and General Manager Analyn Siocon on the milestone achieved over 28 years of service. The Coop Chamber expressed confidence that in the coming years, HOSCOMCO will grow into a large cooperative.

Speaking on behalf of the Coop Chamber, Secretary General Edwin Bustillos emphasized the importance of cooperative identity and urged the members of HOSCOMCO to continue patronizing their services and programs, such as the coop mart, to promote the coop school, and to actively avail of the coop financing activities in order to achieve their goal of becoming a large cooperative by 2031.

The Coop Chamber, under the leadership of Chairperson Noel D. Raboy will continue to serve as a policy oversight body and expressed its appreciation to the leadership of HOSCOMCO, under Chairperson Rose Cerenio for their active participation in policy lobbying and advocacy. These efforts contribute to advancing the agenda of cooperatives with the NGAs and Congress.

09/04/2026

Sa paggunita ng Araw ng Kagitingan, binibigyang-pugay natin ang tapang at sakripisyo ng ating mga bayani na nag-alay ng kanilang buhay para sa kalayaan ng bayan. 🇵🇭

Patuloy nating isinasabuhay ang diwa ng kagitingan sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaisa, pagtutulungan, at malasakit sa kapwa. Ang tunay na kabayanihan ay hindi lamang nasusukat sa laban sa digmaan, kundi sa araw-araw na ambag natin sa pag-unlad ng ating komunidad.

Sama-sama, patuloy tayong maglingkod at magtaguyod ng isang mas matatag at makatarungang lipunan.

09/04/2026

Coop Chamber Secretary General Edwin A. Bustillos was invited as the guest speaker at the 38th Annual General Assembly of the 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮 𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘀 𝗢𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 themed: “United in Purpose, Driver in Excellence.”

He extended the warm greetings from the Coop Chamber Board of Trustees, led by Chairperson Noel D. Raboy, and congratulated the Board of Directors of IMCO MPC headed by Chairperson Mr. Jose Aguilar, as well as the management and staff, led by General Manager Ms. Elvie Rafallo, and the entire membership.

Secretary General Bustillos emphasized that the Annual General Assembly serves as a powerful affirmation of democratic member control, transparency, and shared responsibility, the core foundations of the cooperative identity, as the said Assembly not only reflects accountability to members, but also demonstrates a continued commitment to the values and principles of cooperativism.

He expressed gratitude to IMCO MPC for its steadfast affiliation with the Coop Chamber, represented by Mr. Jose Aguilar. He acknowledged IMCO MPC’s active participation in policy advocacy and lobbying that promotes and strengthens the coop identity. Their consistent support for advancing the cooperative agenda has been evident in key engagements, such as the courtesy visit and dialogue with the office of Senator Lito Lapid, where the Coop Chamber’s positions on the proposed revisions to the Coop Code was discussed. Additionally, he highlighted discussions with the International Labor Organization office in Manila concerning the global accelerator on clean public transport system and the social and solidarity economy. He also noted IMCO’s Chairperson involvement in discussions with Senator Kiko Pangilinan pertaining key issues and concerns affecting cooperatives, particularly the issue on agriculture, transport, and taxation.

Finally, the Secretary General underscored that when cooperatives unite, while respecting autonomy and diversity, the cooperative movement becomes a more influential force for equitable and people-centered development. This reflects the essence of their theme “United in Purpose, Driver in Excellence.”

07/04/2026

The 35th Annual General Assembly of 𝗕𝘂𝗸𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 was truly inspiring, with more than 2,000 members in attendance on March 28, braving the heat of the sun. The Annual General Assembly followed sequential format. On March 27, 2026 (Day 1), the keynote speaker was Usec. Alexander B. Raquepo, Chairperson of the Cooperative Development Authority. On March 28, the Secretary General of the Coop Chamber served as the Keynote Speaker. On March 29 (Sunday), Mr. Glenn M. Mendez, the Chief Operating Officer of the NATCCO Network, delivered the keynote address.

In his speech, the Secretary-General of Coop Chamber congratulated the Board of Directors of BUGEMCO, led by Chairperson, Richel R. Okit, MBA, REB, REA; the committee members; and the management and staff headed by Chief Executive Officer Venus P. Lubguban, CPA, as well as the entire membership, on the occasion of their 35th Annual General Assembly with the theme, “Service and Beyond: Redefining the Member Experience.”

In redefining member involvement in cooperative programs and activities, leaders must set a clear direction that ensures the continued relevance of the cooperative movement. The privileges and preferential treatment that cooperatives have gained through years of hardwork, unity, and solidarity, must be safeguarded and strengthened.

Cooperatives continue to play a vital role in society as instruments of social transformation, while also serving as government partners (as exemplified by BUGEMCO) in delivering essential services and assistance to communities and members alike.

It is in this context, Secretary General Bustillos underscored that BUGEMCO plays a significant role in both local and national development. The collective strength and commitment of its leaders and members, in partnership with the Coop Chamber, remain crucial in advancing sustainable and inclusive growth.

He further emphasized the need to strengthen unity and partnership within Region 10 Coop Chamber, especially as BUGEMCO CEO Venus Lubguban currently serves as Regional Coop Chamber Governor. This collaboration is essential in collectively advocating and lobbying for key co-op concerns in the region.

Finally, Secretary General Bustillos stressed that through the Coop Chamber, the movement continues to empower people, elevates cooperative governance into the national discourse and policy agenda.

06/04/2026

The 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 celebrated its 34th Annual General Assembly with the theme ”𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙂𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙏𝙤𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙖 𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚,” in SLSU Gymnasium in Lucban, Quezon.

Under the leadership of Chairperson Noel D. Raboy, the Coop Chamber extended its warm greetings to the Board of Directors of the Southern Luzon State University Development Cooperative, led by Chairperson Dean Moses T. Macalinao, along with its other leaders, management and staff headed by General Manager, Ms. Ma. Cristina S. Meceja and the entire membership on the occasion of their 34th Annual General Assembly.

The Coop Chamber through Secretary General Edwin Bustillos, was invited as one of the guest speakers at the event. In his message, he emphasized that the Coop Chamber proudly supports the cooperative, in celebrating its legacy, highlighting that empowered membership and accountable governance are the foundations of a sustainable and responsive cooperative striving for excellence.

As a new affiliate of the Coop Chamber, the Southern Luzon State University Development Cooperative has already contributed to advocacies that promote and strengthen the cooperative identity.

The Southern Luzon Development Cooperative plays a crucial role in empowering its members and communities by creating more democratic spaces for engagement, and providing economic opportunities that truly benefit its constituents.

Through the cooperation between the Coop Chamber and SLSU MPC, anchored in a shared vision and commitment, the group is steadily advancing the welfare of its members and their families, building an economy grounded in solidarity, where development prioritizes people and the environment.