MAGARAO, CAMARINES SUR – The over 500 members of the Magarao Multi-purpose Cooperative were jubilant as they inaugurated the new P6M Rice Processing Center (RPC 1) and received the P1M working capital in time for their 19th Annual General Assembly on March 28, 2019.
In the consolidated report of the BOD committees and management, presented by BOD Chairperson Estrella G. Bernardo and coop manager Elmer C. Basbas, the coop recognized the full support of the DA RFO 5 particularly the Rice Processing Center, combine harvester, mini 4 wheel drive tractor, flatbed dryers and multipurpose drying pavement. Bernardo also cited the continuous training and mentoring support from DA’s Regional Engineering and Agribusiness Divisions to ensure the sustainability of the RPCs .
The coop which is also accredited as a CSO organization by the DA RFO 5 and a conduit of the DA Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA – ACPC) for its interest free loans under Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA) and Survival and Recovery (SURE) Assistance where the farmers affected by calamities in the past have already received the loan assistance.
As a way of recognition and gratitude, the Magarao MPC awarded the DA RFO 5 with the Gawad Koop HILOT award (short for Highly valued Institution Leading our Coop towards Organizational Triumphs). Marissa Joy V. Berina, Agriculturist II received the award in behalf of DA RFO 5 RED Elena B. de los Santos. Berina also read the speech of Director de los Santos who was invited as the guest speaker during the general assembly.
Mayor Philip Salvador A. Senar underscored the important contribution of the coop in the economic growth of Magarao through the flourishing business operation of the coop providing livelihood to many farmers and serving as life blood of the municipality.
The coop’s theme “Productivity and Cohesiveness: coop’s response to the present economic challenges”, was anchored on the preparations the coop is brewing to be at par with competitors under the Rice Liberalization Law.
Anicia Mancita, OIC Municipal Agriculturist said that the coop is a prime mover in Magarao with its 1,944 hectares of irrigated and rainfed rice areas being cultivated by a total of 1,516 farmers.
Currently, the coop is now classified as medium coop by NATCCO network standard, with an asset of over P51.4M and a net surplus of P1.9M as of December 31, 2019. (Lovella P. Guarin)