The College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) of the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) strengthened its community engagement efforts with the formal signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Community Managed Savings and Credit Association (CoMSCA) on September 4, 2025, in Tubigay, Sinait, Ilocos Sur.
The partnership, highlighted by the launch of COOP C.A.R.E. under the B.U.S.I.N.E.S.S. IN THE Communities program, underscores the college’s commitment to advancing financial literacy, cooperative management, and sustainable development. The initiative is designed to foster financial empowerment, support organizational growth, and build stronger, more resilient communities.
The day-long event featured a comprehensive training session, with Mr. Michael Anthony Agustin, CBAA faculty, discussing cooperative concepts, philosophies, and principles, while Dr. Melvin Laureta, BS Cooperative Management Program Head, tackled the process of organizing cooperatives. Their lectures were designed to equip community members with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage and sustain cooperative enterprises.
Other CBAA representatives in attendance were Dr. Eileen Rose Paculan, Unit Extension Coordinator; Dr. Melvin Laureta, and Ms. Ilah Faypon, faculty of BSCM. Together, they facilitated the training and emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving inclusive and resilient livelihoods.
“This partnership serves as a vital step toward empowering communities through knowledge and collective action,” said Dr. Paculan during her opening remarks.
Through COOP C.A.R.E., UNP-CBAA and CoMSCA aim to create a ripple effect of economic resilience by equipping participants with tools and insights necessary for establishing and sustaining cooperatives that can uplift their communities.
