Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista acknowledged the significant contribution of cooperatives as development partners in uplifting the economic situation of poor and marginalized groups during an online Cooperative Forum on October 8.

The online forum was attended by different cooperative leaders and was spearheaded by Congressman Ben S. Canama of Coop NATCCO Party-list. It aimed to gather recommendations from cooperative leaders to address issues concerning the sector especially during this pandemic.

In his speech, Secretary Bautista emphasized the important role of cooperatives in empowering its members and in building a strong community.

Ang mga kooperatiba ay isa sa mga aktibong katuwang ng ating pamahalaan sa pag-abot ng tunay na kaunlaran at pagbabago. Ang mga kooperatiba rin ay tumutulong mabigyan ng sapat na kasanaya at kaalaman sa mga mamamayan, umaagapay sa pag buo ng matatag na pamayanan sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng trabaho at iba pang pagkakakitaan sa mga miyembro ng komunidad; nagbibigay ng abot-kaya at de kalidad na mga produkto at serbisyo; at higit sa lahat ay tumutulong upang makamit ang lubos na pag-unlad sa mga kanayunan,” Secretary Bautista said.

The Secretary also noted that the Department promotes the creation of cooperatives through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Associations.  To date, DSWD has 51 SLP Associations nationwide  that are federated  as cooperatives.

SLP is a capacity building program which provides opportunities to the vulnerable, marginalized, and disadvantaged individuals, families, and communities to enhance their livelihood assets and capacity to utilize their resources more productively.

Through SLP, DSWD guarantees support to cooperatives around the country, especially in the provision of technical assistance and promotion of economic opportunities for the self-sufficiency of poor and marginalized groups around the country, in partnership with other concerned agencies. ###