In a recent update from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in the Ilocos Region, it was revealed that as of November 30, 2023, the region hosts a total of 2,129 registered cooperatives. This announcement was made by CDA Ilocos Region assistant director Edilberto Unson during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum in Calasiao, Pangasinan, hosted by the Philippine Information Agency Ilocos Region.
Pangasinan leads with the highest number of registered cooperatives at 1,112, followed by Ilocos Norte with 383, La Union with 328, and Ilocos Sur with 306. However, Unson noted that only 1,272 of these cooperatives are currently operational. Despite this, the region is home to 12 cooperatives that have achieved billionaire status.
Throughout 2023, the region saw significant growth in its cooperative sector. Twenty micro enterprises successfully transitioned to small enterprises, while four small enterprises were upgraded to medium-sized, and three medium enterprises grew into large enterprises. Additionally, 64 new cooperatives were registered this year, predominantly in the agriculture sector, with others in consumer, transport, and agrarian sectors.
The CDA has implemented various programs to support these cooperatives, including the Koop Kapatid initiative, which fosters a mentorship model where larger cooperatives assist smaller ones with technical, financial, and mentoring support. Unson highlighted that 33 micro and small cooperatives received financial assistance through this program.
Despite these efforts, the compliance rate among the region’s cooperatives stands at only 57.15%. To address this, the CDA is actively working on improving compliance through initiatives such as compliance caravans, legal counseling, networking, capacity building, and advocacy networks. Unson emphasized the goal of transforming all cooperatives into responsible entities.
During the same forum, CDA Ilocos Region senior cooperative development specialist Van Ian Enriquez discussed the importance of cooperatives as social vehicles for change and development in rural areas. He pointed out that leadership and management issues are common reasons for non-compliance among cooperatives, and the CDA offers free training to members of micro and small cooperatives to address these challenges.