ILOILO — This province has reaffirmed its leadership in steering the cooperative movement across Western Visayas as it hosted the Region 6 Cooperatives’ EduBiz Congress 2.0, gathering more than 400 delegates from various provinces to strengthen the sector’s role in inclusive economic growth.
The two-day congress, held from October 28 to 29 at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel, became a convergence point for cooperative leaders, local officials, and national agencies committed to shaping resilient and self-sustaining communities.
Spearheaded by the Provincial Cooperative Development Office (PCDO) of Iloilo, with the support of the Iloilo Provincial Government, the event was organized by the Regional Cooperative Development Council (RCDC), the Iloilo City Cooperative Development Council (ICCDC), the Cooperative Development Authority Region VI (CDA-R6), and the Iloilo Provincial Employees Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative (IPECMPC).
Atty. Arturo C. Cangrejo, PCDO Iloilo head, underscored Iloilo’s commitment to advancing cooperative growth, recognizing it as an engine for inclusive progress.
“Cooperatives are not just businesses; they are community-driven initiatives that uplift the lives of our people,” said Cangrejo in his welcome remarks.
With the theme “Cooperatives: Sustaining Excellence Amidst Challenges for a Better Tomorrow,” the congress tackled strategic directions for the sector and the collective goal of sustaining cooperative excellence amid economic shifts and policy reforms.
CDA Region VI Director Dr. Antonio C. Escobar discussed the current state and future direction of cooperatives in the region, while COOP-NATCCO Partylist Representative Hon. Felimon M. Espares delivered the keynote address emphasizing the need to adapt to challenges and harness cooperative strengths for sustainable development.
A highlight of the event was “Usapang Kooperatiba,” which tackled the Philippine Cooperative Development Plan 2025–2028 and updates on amendments to Republic Act 9520. Hon. Espares led the discussion, followed by a motivational talk titled “Heroism in the Cooperative” by S.G. Kim Robert De Leon of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, which stressed the value of leadership and collective action in community building.
The second day featured a Products and Services Forum participated in by key government institutions—including the CDA, DTI, TESDA, DOST, BSP, DBP, LBP, RCBC, DA, DAR, and PCA—which shared various programs and financing windows available for cooperatives.
The event concluded with the Regional Cooperative Whiz Contest, where participants from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Iloilo City competed in showcasing their cooperative knowledge and youth engagement.
Through the strong coordination of the PCDO and the Iloilo Provincial Government, Iloilo continues to solidify its position as a center of cooperative excellence in Western Visayas, promoting a dynamic, empowered, and future-ready cooperative sector./PN
