Five years, since the launching of MiCoop at Agrarian Reform Areas (ARAs), a joint program of the Salvacion Farmers Development Cooperative (SAFADECO), National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) the maxim of Mother Teresa, an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary was realized:
“Be faithful in small things because it is in them
that your strength lies.”
Humble Beginnings
Prior to the MiCoop@ARAs program, the farmers in Barangay Salvacion, Sorsogon City who caused the prestige of SAFADECO, patiently saves one peso every day in order to collect for start-up capital.
“That was in 1992, we are only sixteen in the group. Our humble beginning has been told many times in different occasions to inspire others. That’s also the reason why we have number one in our logo,” Tita Desquitado, SAFADECO BOD Chairperson said.
As a matter of fact, the pioneer members of SAFADECO are sixteen (16) not twelve (12) as previously told, however, eleven (11) of them have already rested and did no longer saw the successful transformation of the cooperative that they founded through piso-piso. Even so, the values of thriftiness which they started remain in the organization.
First, they ventured in Copra Trading and Consumer Store which is now considered of NATCCO as one of the SAFADECO’s satellite offices after establishing their main office in the city proper of Sorsogon in 2012 when they opened the Credit and Savings Services and extended the cooperative’s coverage to the whole city of Sorsogon and adjoining municipalities: Castilla and Casiguran.
Reaching Out
In 2015, SAFADECO’s operation became province-wide which prompted them to open the second satellite in the municipality of Irosin for the convenience of the members residing in the southernmost part of the province.
Reaching out the countryside, they opened their third satellite office at the heart of Castilla to accommodate the members coming from the municipalities of Pilar, and Castilla. Then, they have their fourth satellite office located at the commercial center of Bulan, Sorsogon to serve the large number of customers in that municipality.
“I am so thankful that SAFADECO has now a satellite office here in Bulan. Before, I still go to Irosin to make transaction. By making their office accessible, it’s not only the money for transportation that I can save now but also my time and energy,” Rhodea Gidoc, SAFADECO member in Bulan said.
The same convenience was felt by Emerlita Maraña. According to her, since the opening of SAFADECO satellite office in Castilla she finds it easy to bring friends to the cooperative.
The opening of SAFADECO satellite offices had also brought ease to the Development Officers in the area because they can do their works especially collection in their comfort zone. Aside from that, the presence of satellite offices generated jobs for those qualified applicants.
A Model Farmers’ Coop
Last 2016, Gerwyn D. Pura, NATCCO Area Manager assigned to SAFADECO saw the performance of the cooperative and said that they have already the capacity to acquire a piece of land and office building. This is also a chance seen by the NATCCO to offer them a long term loan for real state and building construction which the SAFADECO accepted.
“Although this is still a loan which the cooperative has to pay every month, but at least the paying period will lasts for only ten years. After that, the lot and the building will be theirs. Unlike when they are renting, they are paying every month with thousands of pesos for a structure they will never owned,” NATCCO Area Manager said.
This year (2017), the members, officers, and employees of SAFADECO are already enjoying the comfort of their very own two-storey building which was constructed in the 520 square meters lot that they purchased. This is the cooperative’s dream which the present management strived to accomplish as legacy.
“The structure is designed for a three-story. The ground floor is for the credit and savings office, the second floor is the office of the administrative and manager, the third floor which will be constructed later will be the function hall where we can held special occasions like our general assembly,” Jessica Samantha Dob-Acleta, General Manager said.
During the inauguration of SAFADECO’s new office building, Atty. Ma. Lourdes P. Pacao, Regional Director II, CDA Naga City was impressed upon witnessing the occasion. According to her, the partnership of DAR, NATCCO, and CDA is truly a very effective vehicle in providing support services to cooperatives.
“This is not just a building. This is their haven which was once a simple dream of the Salvacion farmers for their community. Cooperatives have helped many families, that’s why no to tax repeal,” Atty. Pacao said.
“SAFADECO is one of the top three out of fifty Micoop nationwide under the NATCCO. It is a model across the country.” Sylvia O. Paraguya, Chief Executive Officer of NATCCO said.
Leonito M. Gaveria, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II in Sorsogon was very pleased of the SAFADECO’s achievement.
“SAFADECO is the only ARBO in the Philippines that was able to provide itself with an office building, funded by their own sweat. I am so proud of your performance,” he said.
When they created their logo, they did not forget to place there the figure of one (1) because it stands for the piso (one peso) which symbolized their humble beginning. But today, that figure stands for being number one among the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Organizations especially in the province of Sorsogon.
Certainly, little things like piso should not be taken for granted because in time, little things can become big. ###
