PCAO BARES ACCOMPLISHMENTS	April 30, 2009

The Provincial Cooperative Affairs Office recently bared its accomplishments for the year 2008 during a flag-raising ceremony held the Capitol Grounds.

According to Ruperto Manuel, PCAO staff, the Provincial Cooperative Development Council was organized last November 6 composed of the chairman of the Provincial Development Council, a representative from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, a representative of the Government Financial Institutions, leaders from the provincial federations of cooperatives, unions and non-government organizations at the provincial level, and representatives from other organizations involved in cooperative development, as members.

Manuel said the mandate of the PCDC is to undertake the actual formation and organization of cooperatives and shall create an environment that is conducive to their growth and development.

He said the municipal level councils are now also being organized with PCAO’s supervision.

Another field of accomplishment reported was the program on Capacity Building Trust Fund Program for Rural Finance Centers. These centers were organized five years ago in Nueva Vizcaya by the CASCADE, a special project of the Department of Agriculture jointly funded by the provincial government and the European Community. The Program was created under the micro-finance program and cooperative support program to address the inadequate access to financial services in the upland communities.

According to Manuel, two RFCs were registered with the Cooperative Development Authority, seven batches of RFCs were trained on livelihood hands-on training on charcoal briquetting, business planning, budgeting and internal control and systems design.

The PCAO also conducted one techno-study mission for the RFC livelihood program wherein 14 RFCs were monitored, and the subsequent reduction of delinquency rate to an average of 18% among RFCs was noted.

Another program implemented by the PCAO was the Establishment of the Integrated Fruit Processing Project.

The Integrated Fruit Processing Project involves the provision of equipment, raw materials, training and technical assistance for the EntrePinays Vizcaya Abante Food Processors Association, Inc.

Manuel said, “the main objective of the project is to provide alternative marketing opportunity to Vizcaya Mango Growers Association, Inc. and other mango growers in the province that normally experience low prices dictated by unscrupulous traders during peak harvest season from April to June.”

He said the for this forthcoming mango season, the processing project aims to initially absorb 110,000 kilograms (+2%) of the annual mango production of 4,100 metric tons at an average buying price of P12.00 per kilogram. This, he said, would help boost the market for mangoes and ensure price stability.

The PCAO also implemented Livelihood Hands On Trainings and Financial Assistance to the Small Wood Handicrafts/Novelty Items in San Luis Diadi; Rag Making (4 Gawad Kalinga/Christian Youth Organization-UCCP); candle-making (4-GKs/CYO-UCCP); Coco Food Processing for women’s group in Tuao South, Bagabag; Fossilized Flower Production (GKs); and concrete tile pavers production for GK in Bambang.

Financial assistance was also given to local entrepreneurs such as the WILMARSHA Food Products (Yacon-Wine) in the amount of P27,500 and three Singer sewing machines for Gawad Kalinga in the amount of P12,000.#gene basilio (GO-PAIAD)