Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go has urged continued cooperation and ‘’bayanihan’’ among cooperatives in the country as he recognized their role in development and nation-building.
During a speech in a Virtual Forum with Cooperative Leaders last Thursday, Go said cooperatives have become an important force in countryside development and nation-building.
‘’Not only have they contributed to the development of the sectors they represent but they have also encouraged the empowerment of their respective stakeholders and communities,’’ he said.
Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, enjoined the cooperatives to continue helping the country in any way they can.
“For bigger cooperatives who wish to make donations for the public but don’t know where to go, maaasahan ninyo pong tutulungan namin kayo (You can rely on us for help). We are willing to assist you to ensure that your donations will reach those who need help the most,” he said.
Because of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Go assured the cooperatives that the government would continue providing assistance to small businesses and vulnerable sectors through the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2.
Through the Bayanihan 2, Go said that there would be a standby fund that would provide low interest loans for workers and businesses affected by the pandemic coursed through various government financial institutions. He added that even cooperatives may avail such loans.
“Sa Bayanihan 2 Act, may allocation din for loans na kung saan maaaring kumuha ang mga kooperatiba para matulungan ang inyong mga beneficaries,” Go said.
(Under Bayanihan 2 Act, there are allocations for loans where cooperatives could get to help their beneficiaries)
“You may avail of these forms of assistance to strengthen your lending and loaning services in your communities,” he added.
Go reiterated his call to cooperatives to utilize their Community Development Fund in order to contribute to the government’s efforts to fight the coronavirus disease and help their respective community members mitigate the socio-economic impact of the crisis.
“As I have mentioned before, I encourage the cooperatives to utilize the Community Development Fund to aid in our efforts to fight the pandemic,” he said.
“This will also help your respective community members mitigate the impacts of the crisis on your stakeholders. Ang pondo na ito ay makakatulong po sa pagbangon ng ating mga kababayan (This fund will help our countrymen),'' he added.