Co-ops in the time of COVID-19 Part 2
Cooperatives are doing their part in the nationwide fight against the COVID 19. As of April 6, 2020. NATCCO Network cooperatives have shared 91M to support the members, community, staff and officers. Many co-ops in the NATCCO Network are still operating with skeletal workforce. Those with Kaya Payment Platform and Kaya ATM allow their members to operate digitally.
But beyond their day-to-day operations, some co-ops have performed thus:
In Cagayan de Oro City, Oro Integrated Cooperative staff went to 14 barangays to provide knapsack sprayers to aid them in their fight against the spread of COVID 19. Each spray tank can fill up to 16 liters of cleaning solution to disinfect contaminated areas. Later on, co-op members supported “the tireless heroes of our community” and donated 400 packed meals for the medical frontliners of the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC). The NMMC is the only referral hospital for all COVID-19 cases in Region 10.
PAFCPIC to its nationwide network of branches, announced suspension of loan payment deductions for April for all types of loans and automatic renewal of back-to-back loans.
Iwahori MPC in Mariveles, Bataan distributed dividends starting March 20 up to March 26, 2020, has continued Loan releases (including Petty/ Quick Cash loan amounting to P5000), performs transactions using KAYA Platform System for ATM, declared moratorium of loan payments, released mid-year bonuses for employees plus calamity financial assistance, and maintains a skeletal workforce with complete salary (Feb 20-Mar 20).
St. Vincent Cooperative in Romblon Province donated Php 25,000 Gift Checks to members in 17 municipalities in the Province.
Mediatrix Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Kidapawan City donated face masks to the City Government. The masks will be given to the front liners battling COVID-19.
Ligas Kooperatiba ng Bayan sa Pagpapaunlad in Bocaue, Bulacan donated five cavans of rice for each barangay. Then on April 13, the co-op distributed 10 kilos of rice for each member.
San Francisco Growth Enhancement Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SAFRAGEM) in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur provided packed lunch to frontliners in hospitals and check points.
NEC Multi-Purpose Cooperative with Head Office in Cubao, Quezon City, distributed food packs to frontliners – law enforcers at check points.
Bagong Silang MPC in Bacoor, Cavite distributed rice to members at 17 pick-up sites, advising members to be patient towards volunteers who are working hard to provide them the rice.
Pag-asa MPC in Valenzuela City declared a moratorium on loan payments in March and April.
Zamboanga City-based Micro-Entrepreneurs Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MEMPCO) Veterans Branch, successful in its first day of distributing the P3.2 Million worth of Relief Assistance (5kg Bag of Rice plus Php 300.00 cash) out P12.2 Million budget to its 5,931 active member-borrowers, prioritizing the low-income earner under CARE Program.
During the distribution, MEMPCO Staff ensured that required social distancing and wearing of masks is properly observed and maintained in order to protect members from possible COVID-19 infection
On April 6, the co-op again donated rice – total of 100 sacks of 25 kilos of rice were donated to “Emedia Bayanihan Against COVID-19” and “Brigada Kawang Gawa Program” at 50 sacks each. The donated rice was distributed to the “partner stakeholders’ identified beneficiaries – the poorest of the poor in Zamboanga City.”
Paglaum MPC in Paglaum City donated food and facemasks for frontliners in the city, as their contribution to the fight against COVID-19.
Iloilo Provincial Employees and Community Multi Purpose Cooperative (IPECMPC) in Iloilo City gave on April 6 the 2nd tranche of 80 food packs and bottled mineral water for rural health units/frontliners who were in the forefront in helping to stop the spread of covid19 in the Municipalities of the 4th and 5th district facilitated and distributed by the Provincial Health Office personnel.
Pangasinan State University MPC in Lingayen, Pangasinan provided P300 cash relief to members.
Provincial Employees MPC (PROVEMCO) in Virac, Catanduanes gave all active members one-month moratorium to all types of loan payments (no interest) and P1,000 cash assistance, plus community assistance to 11 municipalities of Php10,000 cash per municipality and Php20,000 cash to the Provincial Government.
Talisayon Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TAMUCO) distributed food packs, bread and bottled water to 165 frontliners of the municipalities of Talisay,Daet, and San Lorenzo entry points on April 6.
Baao Municipal Officials & Employees Cooperative (BMOEC) in Baao, Camarines Sur celebrated its 25th Anniversary by distributing rice to all members and employees “to somehow ease and lessen the everyday living burden” and to “exemplify the coop principles ‘ Concern for Community’ for being the forefront by providing support to the community as part of cooperative’s fulfillment of social responsibility and commitment.”
Pecuaria Development Cooperative in Camarines Sur is a major producer of organic pink, brown and black rice. The co-op staff allotted time and effort to repack into 10-, 8- and 5-kilogram packs for 426 members and 46 on-call employees.
Silay City Government Employees MPC (SCGEM) distributed rice and relief goods to rural barangays.
Benabaye Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Merida, Leyte provided much-needed relief to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) by distributing cash grants to beneficiaries in Merida on April 6 and then also in the Municipality of Carigara on April 7.
Tam-an Banaue Multipurpose Cooperative (Tam-an BMPC) in Banaue, Ifugao has so far spent Php3,171 Million in assistance to sustain their members and the community during the government’s implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
Tam-an BMPC purchased fresh farm produce from the member-farmers and distributed to its general membership as relief assistance. The coop also helped in community disinfection efforts, relief goods distribution to the community, dispatched two rescue units that respond to emergency cases and two ambulances to provide free ride for discharge patients from the hospital to their respective homes.
The co-op also opened its Tam-an Mountain Resort to house the frontliners/ health workers from Region 2 in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.
Report on Tam-an Banaue MPC courtesy of Mr. Ronde Alicaya