Co-ops Continue Serving Members Amidst COVID-19
Whether in to support the frontliners – healthworkers, law enforcers, and military personnel – or providing financial services or producing and marketing food, co-ops are in the thick of the fight!
On March 23, Congress approved Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, giving President Duterte extraordinary powers, which include:
(n) Ensure the availability of credit to the productive sectors of the economy especially in the countryside through measures such as, but not limited to, lowering the effective lending rates of interest and reserve requirements of lending institutions;
(P) Ensure the availability of essential goods, in particular food and medicine, by adopting measures as may reasonably be necessary to facilitate or minimize disruption to the supply chain, especially for basic commodities and services to the maximum extent
(aa) Direct all (financial institutions) . . . to implement a 30-day grace period on loan payments without incurring interests, penalties, fees and other charges . . . .
(cc) continue the 4Ps
While the nationwide quarantine is in effect, the Government exempted some establishments from closure, like hospitals, convenience stores, grocery, food industry, garbage disposal, and other essentials.
Co-ops have proven to be up to the task of continuing to serve members and helping their communities, and at the same time complying with limitations of the quarantine.
Region 1
SACDECO offices will be closed starting March 19, 2020 until further notice, except our Head Office there will be skeletal force to address needs of members. Employees are work from home, they were advised to “bring home their office.” Also our function hall is provided alternately to limited branches staff who opt to work at the office.
Fatima Vigan MPC (Vigan), Saytan MPC (La Union), St. Rose of Lima Parish MPC (Pangasinan), and Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives in Vigan operate with shorter office hours.
Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR)
Texins MPC in Baguio City operates with a skeletal force to maintain basic operations, and has distributed dividends to members.
Baguio Market Vendors Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BAMARVEMPCO), Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center Employee’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BGHMCEMPC), and La Trinidad Vegetables Trading Post Multi-Purpose Cooperative, all in Baguio City, have continued operations, whether credit or non-credit in nature.
Thanksgiving MPC in Tuba, Benguet operates everyday 9 to 4 PM with a skeletal workforce.
Region 2
Ramcor Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (RAMFARMCO) in Ramon, Isabela continues operations.
Good Samaritan MPC (San Mateo), DA Regon 2 MPC (Tuguegarao City) and IDEA MPC (Cauayan City) are open but with skeletal force.
Claveria Grassroots MPC and Claveria Agribased Cooperative, both in Claveria Municipality, operate with skeletal force.
DAR ARBD Co-op operates with safety precautions.
In Quirino Province, Maddela Integrated Farmers Saving Development Cooperative operations are ongoing
St. Joseph Parish Kayapa MPC (Nueva Vizcaya) serves members in a five-day work week.
Region 4
Most Holy Rosary MPC in Rodriguez, Rizal temporarily closed its office to financial service operations on March 18. Prior to that all persons entering the office had to undergo temperature test and hand-washing, and social distancing being practiced.
The management also announced on social media that loan payments due from March 15 to April 12 are postponed without any penalty fees. “Nevertheless, members are still encouraged that if they are still able to pay their dues, it can be paid by going to our office or not thru money remittance, bank deposit or online bank transfer.”
San Jose del Monte MPC operates 9 to 3 PM.
San Miguel de Marilao MPC operates 8 to 3 PM.
Dinalupihan Economic Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Bataan and Sta. Monica of Bustos MPC in Bulacan are open in the morning only.
Bayanihan St. John MPC operates Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 8 to 3 PM.
St. Martin of Tours Credit & Development Cooperative (SMTCDC) in Bocaue, Bulacan operates M-W-F.
Region 5
Gubat St. Anthony Cooperative re-opened on March 23, with banking hours 9 to 12 PM Monday to Friday in its main office in Gubat Municipality and its branches in Camarines Sur and Albay.
San Luis Development Cooperative operates daily 8 to 2PM.
Camalig Credit Cooperative in Albay Province has been operating since March 23 on half-day work only.
Jose Panganiban National High School MPC in Camarines Norte has re-opened its credit and savings operations. However, its Coop Mart continues to serve the community.
Irosin Market Vendors and Farmers Development Cooperative operates 9 – 2 PM daily.
Baao Parish MPC in Camarines Sur as of March 19 continues operations with a skeletal force. Starting March 25, office work is Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 8 to 2 PM. The Koop uses KAYA Payment Platform for the teachers’ mobile banking transactions.
Buhi Rural Waterworks and Sanitation MPC in Camarines Sur continues operations while observing quarantine protocol. The co-op’s financial service operations run 8 to 3 PM daily. Water service continues as normal.
Barcelona Development Cooperative in Sorsogon operates a Coop Mart is open service to members with applied precautions.
Diamond Multi-Line Cooperative operates on Wednesday and Sunday 8 – 2 PM.
Kooperatiba sa Kaunlaran ng Lagonoy is operating 9 to 2 PM.
Magarao MPC in Camarines Sur continuously purchases the rice of its farmer members and its mills operate Monday to Friday.
Sorsogon Electric Cooperative continues providing electricity, though at one point suspended payments from members.
San Miguel Municipal Employees Cooperative in Catanduanes remains busy 8 to 5 PM Mondays to Fridays.
San Isidro Development Cooperative in Naga City and its branches are open daily 9 to 12 NN.
Region 6
Philhealth Kapamilya MPC, Libertad MPC and Pandan MPC are on skeletal force.
Barbaza MPC in Antique Province is full-force on Mondays, but skeletal force the rest of the week.
Silay Community and Government Employees MPC in Silay, City Negros Occidental began skeletal force on March 20.
Baciwa MPC in Bacolod City is on skeletal workforce and work-from-home arrangement starting March 23.
Tumalalud Farmers MPC in Capiz is on regular hours and days, and has waived penalties for late payments.
Belison MPC in Antique Province continued to operate with all persons in the office practicing social distancing.
Region 7
Cordova MPC in Cebu City is on regular work hours.
PHCCI Dumaguete is also on regular work hours.
Fairchild Cebu Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Lapulapu City continues to serve members.
Mandaue City Market Vendors Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MAVENCO) is contemplating a skeletal workforce in a four-day workweek.
Lipi Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LIPIEMCO) in Mandaue City is still open with reduced office hours from 8 to 4 PM.
Norkis Credit Cooperative in Mandaue City continues to operate and staff are provided car service.
Region 9
Zamsurgea Community MPC in Pagadian City is on “enhanced quarantine,” meaning only two people are allowed to leave a house. But life is generally normal as malls are open and the co-op maintains normal operations.
Midsalip Farmers MPC’s main office in Zamboanga del Sur is “partly open, but temporary closed 3 branches (Ipil, Buug, and Pagadian) including the hostel.
Timbermines Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TIMMULCO) in Zamboanga del Sur is business as usual.
Katilingbanong Programa sa Maayong Panglawas-Kinaugalingong Paningkamot Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Zamboaga Sibugay is on Municipality Lockdown. They are on their regular operations but collections are very minimal.
Sanguniang Panglungsod Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Zamboanga City is on city-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine. Fortunately, the office transfered to their new building in late March and resumed their operations on April 6.
Region 10
Mambajao Multipurpose Cooperative in Camiguin is serving members. On March 24 the co-op implemented its Temporary Loan Relief Program, condoning penalties and reducing added interest for the months of March and April.
MMC donated 50 sacks of rice to the Province of Camiguin and another 50 sacks to the local government of Balingoan. MMC gave half sack of rice to all employees, irrespective of job status, and to all officers both elected and appointed. MMC will try to apply for Financial Assistance offered by DOLE. MMC has shortened its banking hours from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and number of working days from Monday to Friday and on skeletal working arrangement.
Employees who do not have vehicles are provided transport, as the Governor has issued a special TRAVEL PASS to all MMC employees.
Holcim MPC in Misamis Oriental has its office located inside the Holcim (cement) Plant and is still operating, as their members are inside the plant.
In Cagayan de Oro City, Oro Savings and Sharing Cooperative’s branches continue to serve members “until further notice of work from home from the local government.”
Also in Cagayan de Oro City, all branches of Oro Integrated Cooperative right now are still open in serving the members’ needs. However, Business hours is only until 3 pm respectively Monday to Friday. Saturday operations are suspended. Field collectors go out only 2 times in a week to do field collection. Social distancing is strictly enforced in the office and providing the staff protective personal equipment, including the security guards.
Servus MPC in Misamis Oriental is experiencing larger-than-normal withdrawals as their municipality is on quarantine. They are operating on half-day basis.
Sta. Monica MPC, Balseco and Ozamis City Peoples MPC all in Misamis continue to operate.
Bukidnon Government Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BUGEMCO) still operates, even if in Malaybay City and surrounding municipalities a lockdown is in force.
Paglaum MPC continues operations by ensuring that their staff are chartered with the co-op vehicle to and from their residence, as motorcycle not allowed to carry passengers. Beginning March 23, Paglaum MPC has been on half-day operations.
MSU-IIT National MPC in Iligan City is on regular operations but shortened their office hours 9 to 3PM, and staff are working in scheduled rotation.
Springside (ARB) Irrigators and Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SIFAMCO) in Maramag, Bukidnon is on community quarantine and as of March 24, 2020, they on skeletal work force 8:00am to 4:00pm, rotation of duties.
Philippine Eagles MPC is open, including satellite office in Pagadian City.
Mindanao Savings Cooperative (MINSAVE) in Valencia City and Maramag Community MPC, both in Bukidnon, are open to serve members.
Kauyagan MPC in Impasugong, Bukidnon operates with all staff wearing necessary facemasks, gloves, and all persons inside the premises practicing social distancing.
Region 11
All branches of Tagum Cooperative are open although savings and credit activities are with limitations, due to reduced workdays for employees ( Monday to Friday only), daily disinfection, strict screening for transacting members (thermal scanning), and everyone is required to wear masks and disinfect from time to time. Calamity Loans are also available to members.
Panabo MPC is open on reduced time operation 9am-3pm.
King Cooperative serves members 9-3PM three days a week in its Davao City main office and across all its branches.
Sta. Cruz MPC in Maasim, Sarangani Province is in normal operations.
CARAGA
NGPI-ARB Multi-Purpose Cooperative (NGPI-ARB MPC) in San Francisco, Agusal del Sur is on limited operations, and some employees are on forced leave.
San Francisco Growth Enhancement Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SAFRAGEMC) also in Agusan del Sur continues to serve members daily 9 to 4 PM.
Bislig City Gov’t Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative operates with the staff on ‘flexitime’ work schedule in consonance with the 4-day working schedule of the city government, since the co-op runs the canteen business which caters city government employees.
Agusan del Norte Teachers, Retirees, Employees and Community Cooperative (ANTRECCO) in Butuan City is open 8 – 3 PM.
Baug Carp Beneficiaries MPC in Magallanes, Agusan del Sur is open from Mon-Fri 9:00-2:00 PM.
BARMM
Notre Dame of Jolo Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Jolo, Sulu is open but staff work with precautions as the town is in lock down.
Indanan Municipal Employees MPC continues operations in Sulu.
National Capital Region
Holy Cross Credit & Savings Cooperative follows regular banking hours.
Sacred Heart Parish Development Cooperative is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9-3 PM.
In Ermita, Landbankers MPC staff work from home starting March 17 for the duration of the quarantine. Members can communicate via text,calls,email and other social networking sites,online payment platform is encouraged both for loan payment and deposits.
Valenzuela Development Cooperative (VADECO) starting March 23 closed all satellite offices. The main office continues operating with a skeletal work force from Mon-Thurs serving the members from 9-3pm.All members can transact thru Facebook Messenger,email, and mobile or online payment are done through KAYA ATM and cellphone app.
The Our Lady of Fatima Credit Cooperative and Malabon Central Market operate until 3 PM daily.
Global Trustees MPC’s office in Quezon City is closed but transactions can be done online.
Taguig-based Pfizer MPC staff all work from home. Product retailing still continues.
Jollibee Foods Corporation Employees MPC staff all work from home, and communicate with members through e-mail.
Pag-Asa MPC is on skeletal work force until 4 PM daily.
DILG Employees MPC staff work from home.
Kooperatiba ng Sambayanan ng Banal na Krus (KSBanK) operations are normal in its office in Makati City.
Southern Global Services Multi-Purpose Cooperative (in Makati City) staff all work from home.
Baclaran Vendors Development Cooperative in Paranaque City is on a skeletal work force, and only those who live nearby go to the office.
Philippine General Hospital Bayanihan MPC in Ermita is open, but may have to adjust their operations as the adjacent room will be converted into a COVID ward.
First Concept Solution and Labor Cooperative staff work from home, with some banking transactions done online.
Excellent People’s MPC in Taguig continues to pay its members’ salaries, gave the pro-rated 13th Month Pay, convert leaves to cash by option, released interest on share Capital, gave out calamity loans and a 30-day moratorium on payment for existing loans, and assisted members for their CAMP(Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program) application with the Dept. of Labor.
Tondo Market Vendors Development Cooperative is operated by a skeletal force, and is open 9 – 3 PM everyday, and continues relief distribution for their members and public utility vehicle operators who are unable to operate during the quarantine.
A co-op in Region 4 said had the co-op issued ATM cards earlier, there would have been no problems with disbursement of funds to members.
THE central bank is looking at a “deeper cut” in interest rates to help cushion the economy from the impact of a “once-in-a-lifetime crisis” caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said ahead of a policy meeting next month.
He also signaled another cut in the amount of cash that banks need to hold as reserves to boost liquidity in the financial system.
Bworldonline.com