MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Witnessing the increasing number of registered cooperatives for the past years, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) guaranteed that it would take a step to intensify the business engagements of the cooperative sector here and in the province of Lanao del Sur.

CDA Chairman Joseph Encabo stressed that this is to make every cooperative more viable, and have a growth experience and economic development which can be transcended to each member and the whole community. 

He stated that their approach now is holistic and long-term, focusing not only on the national office itself but also on how other cooperatives can benefit from the products that they do and produce which can be patronized and bought by other people.

Encabo assured that programs and projects would continue to guide and support the sector. 

“Titingnan namin ang kapakanan ng ating mga kooperatiba sa ating bansa. Hindi kayo mapapag-iiwanan, iyon ang isisigurado ko sa inyo… Uupuan namin kung paano namin papalaguin at palalakasin upang mas maging matibay ang mga programa para sa ating mga kapatid dito sa Marawi,” he said.

[We will look at the welfare of our cooperatives in the country. You will not be left behind, that is what I am assuring you… We will sit and talk about how we can develop and bolster so that our programs will be amplified for our brothers and sisters here in Marawi.]

Earlier, Encabo conveyed that he wanted that whatever program implemented nationally should also reach the city here. 

Among the initiatives presented by their office include the boosting of internet connectivity so that cooperatives would be able to freely participate in affairs held online and learn how to utilize this information technology in their businesses. 

Additionally, the CDA will also offer free training and seminars discussing topics on how to make micro and small cooperatives progressive while aiming for a strong patronization of Maranao products by people in the country and even abroad.

Encabo is optimistic that they will realize all their programs in the pipeline this year and next year, and that all educational programs would be continuous and be spearheaded annually. 

Moreover, CDA Board Member Asec. Datu Pendatun Disimban guaranteed as well that Marawi would not be forgotten in any endeavor pushed by their office. 

He explained that although the city belongs to an autonomous region, it still needs help, especially that the Bangsamoro government is still in the transition period.

“Ibig sabihin, ang gobyerno nila ay nagsisimula pa lamang. Kailangan pa rin ng tulong ng national government. Gusto naming tulungan ang opisina ng CDA dito sa BARMM at mga cooperative,” said Disimban,

[This means that their government is still starting. They still need the help of the national government. We want to help the office of CDA here in BARMM and its cooperatives.] (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)