DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Nov. 22 (PIA) -- To continue its community development program as mandated by law, the Perpetual Help Community Cooperative Inc. (PHCCI) has allocated P14M for its early Christmas presents thru its "Bugas Para sa Kaabag 2022" program by giving five kilos of rice to PHCCI members in Central Visayas.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cleofordson "Pipoy" Lariosa of PHCCI said in a press conference that around 60,000 or 60% of coop members are expected to receive the rice.

All members are expected to receive the rice gift except those members in litigation or with pending cases, said Lariosa.

“We have an estimated a total of 102,000 members in the entire coop, but based on data in the previous distribution, only around 60,000 members were able to claim due to some reasons, or were not interested to get or they were out of the province or country,” he added.

The PHCCI will increase its member benefits within the next four years as the coop showed good financial management performance.
It is expected by 2025, the member benefits will increase to P100M from the operation funds, the CEO said.

The distribution of rice has started on Nov. 19 and 20 for members registered at the PHCCI Main Office at Brgy. Daro Gymnasium, Dumaguete City; Siquijor Branch Office; Lapu-Lapu Branch; Satellite Office in Mandaue City; and Mabolo and Jones, Cebu City.

For the next schedule on Nov. 26, the distribution will be at Osmeña Park, Tanjay City; Nov. 27 at Cultural Center, Bais City; Dec. 4 at Brgy. Poblacion, Gymnasium, Bayawan City; Dec. 10 and 11 at Tagbilaran City Branch Office; Dec. 11 at Mabinay Evacuation Center; and Dec. 17 at Tayasan Gymnasium.

For those who cannot claim their rice allocation, the member may authorize his or her family member, relative and friends through a hard copy of authorization letter with printed photo copy of the ID.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, PHCCI has allocated millions of pesos for the assistance or distribution of meals, equipment, PPEs, among others, to the barangays in the province under its corporate social responsibility program.

“We also partnered with some organizations for infrastructure projects in the barangays such as provision of solar lights, lamps and posts to areas which were not lighted yet especially in the hinterland barangays,” Lariosa said.

In response to the government’s request to implement infrastructure development in the barangays, the coop is set to allocate funds for next year for the program, which include the provision of school supplies and comfort rooms in the community. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)