Cooperation Among Cooperatives in Action: ICA-AP Credit and Banking Committee Visits NATCCO Network
The National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) welcomed the International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP) Credit and Banking Committee on November 5, 2026, at the Gaite Hall for a learning visit focused on the Philippine cooperative movement and the experiences of cooperative institutions in strengthening credit and banking services.
Hosted by the Network Consolidated Cooperative Bank (NCCB), led by its President and Chief Executive Officer, Raul M. Calayan, Jr., the visit brought together cooperative leaders and practitioners from India, Malaysia, and the Philippines. It provided an opportunity for the delegation to learn about the Philippine cooperative landscape, exchange institutional experiences, and explore approaches to strengthening cooperation among cooperatives across the region.
The visiting delegation included the following:
- K.K. Ravindran, Chairperson of the National Cooperative Agriculture & Rural Development Banks’ Federation Ltd. (NAFCARD), India
- Dato’ Che Mohd Shukree Che Isa, Vice Chairperson of the Malaysian National Cooperative Movement (ANGKASA)
- Naveen Kumar Singh, Program Officer for Research at ICA-AP
- Abhishek Kumar, General Manager and Board Secretary of the National Yuva Cooperative Society Limited (NYCS), India
- Sreeja Murali, Director of the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society Ltd. (ULCCS), India
- Ezleezan Othman, Board Member of ANGKASA, Malaysia
- Nazrul A. Bachtiar, Senior Manager for Banking and Cooperation, First Asia Investment Bank
- Datum Mohd Hasnul Ismar Bin Mohd Ismail, Senior Adviser, First Asia Investment Bank
As part of the learning exchange, NATCCO Chief Executive Officer Sylvia O. Paraguya presented an overview of the organization’s journey, its network, and its continuing work in advancing the Philippine cooperative movement. The presentation highlighted NATCCO’s role in supporting its member cooperatives through financial services, institutional development, capacity-building, digital solutions, and strategic partnerships.
Among the experiences shared were the network’s initiatives in strengthening cooperative financial services, expanding digital payment solutions, and providing technical and business development support to primary cooperatives. The presentation also featured examples of how partnerships and sustained institutional support have helped cooperatives grow, diversify their services, and respond to the needs of their members and communities.
The presentation was followed by an open forum, where the visiting delegates and NATCCO representatives exchanged perspectives on cooperative development and institutional practices. The discussion provided an opportunity to explore the experiences presented by NATCCO alongside the approaches and models adopted by cooperative institutions in other countries. Through the exchange, participants gained broader perspectives on the different ways cooperatives organize their financial services, strengthen their operations, and work together to support their members.
The engagement highlighted the value of learning from one another, particularly as cooperatives across the Asia-Pacific region navigate common concerns involving financial sustainability, institutional growth, digitalization, and member services. It also demonstrated how the sharing of experiences and practices can help cooperative institutions identify opportunities to strengthen their respective organizations and contribute to the wider movement.
NATCCO’s management and leadership team was represented by Chief Executive Officer Sylvia O. Paraguya and Incoming Chief Executive Officer Sharon Marie S. Dy, together with members of the organization’s management team. Dy delivered the welcome message, sharing the organization’s warm reception of the visiting committee and setting the tone for the learning exchange. The session was hosted by Lasalette Gumban, Strategic Management Group Head, who guided the proceedings and helped facilitate the day’s program. Glenn M. Medez, Chief Operating Officer, delivered the closing message, marking the conclusion of the visit.
The learning visit reflected the cooperative principle of Cooperation Among Cooperatives, which recognizes the importance of working together through local, national, regional, and international structures. By bringing together cooperative leaders from different countries, the engagement strengthened connections within the Asia-Pacific cooperative network and provided an avenue for sharing knowledge, experiences, and practices that can help advance the cooperative movement.
For NATCCO, the visit reaffirmed the importance of collaboration among cooperative institutions in building stronger networks, expanding opportunities, and pursuing their shared mission of empowering members and communities.
