Tubigay, Sinait, Ilocos Sur—March 20, 2025— As part of a joint effort to promote cooperative awareness and community development, the Bachelor of Science in Cooperative Management (BSCM) program under the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) of the University of Northern Philippines (UNP), in collaboration with the University Extension Office (UEO), held a “Building Sustainable Cooperatives: Needs Assessment and Cooperative Awareness and Development Orientation for the Community Managed Savings and Credit Association (CoMSCA)” in Barangay Tubigay, Sinait, Ilocos Sur.
The activity, which was held on March 20, 2025, was meant to equip the members and officers of the local CoMSCA with skills and knowledge necessary in cooperative management, specifically on cooperative principles, concepts, and philosophies. The activity was also taken part in by the members and officers of the Tubigay Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Barangay Officials and would be used as a future indicator of the harmony of the people towards cooperative development.
Dr. Melvin Laureta, Head of the BSCM program, was the key resource person, presenting meaningful discourses on cooperative members’ roles and responsibilities. He also stressed the important regulatory requirements for obtaining cooperative registration, which will ensure legal and sustainable business operations for the organization. Dr. Laureta also stressed the importance of cooperatives in promoting community empowerment and provided firsthand inputs on finance management, including the preservation of capital.
Moderating the discussion sessions were Dr. Eileen Rose Paculan, Dr. Shareen Navarro, Ms. Illah Diva Faypon, and Ms. Karen Calaylay, all of whom are from the CBAA-UNP. Their experience helped provide a lively and interactive learning experience, which allowed the participants to fully engage and practice the concepts learned.
“This orientation is crucial in empowering our community members with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively manage their savings and credit association,” said Dr. Laureta. “Through learning about your role and the regulatory setting, you can form a strong and long-lasting cooperative that benefits the entire barangay.”
The said extension activity was welcomed warmly and with appreciation by the people of Tubigay, who gladly received the UNP team. The participants expressed gratitude to them for the direct learning and guidance provided, envisioning that cooperatives would be able to improve their economic situation.
The UNP Extension Office and the BSCM program continue to provide continuous support and capacity-building activities for the Ilocos Sur communities to promote sustainable development through cooperative education and empowerment.
Article by Shareen Navarro
