Colombo, Sri Lanka—MGEN Gilbert S. Llanto (Ret), Chairperson of ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative and President of the National Alliance of Cooperatives, was honored with the Inspirational Cooperative Leader Award in the ICA-AP Cooperative Excellence Awards 2025, held at Nom Nom Thai Restaurant in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The International Cooperative Alliance–Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP) conferred the award in recognition of MGEN Llanto’s exemplary leadership, transformative vision, and steadfast dedication to advancing the cooperative movement in the Philippines and across the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 2023, the Coop Excellence Awards honor outstanding organizations and leaders who uphold cooperative values and significantly contribute to the sector’s development.

This recognition adds to the numerous accolades received by MGEN Llanto, including the prestigious Gawad Parangal bestowed by the Gawin Ang Tama Movement, which honored him for his integrity, ethical leadership, and commitment to promoting what is right in both public and cooperative service. This award highlights his moral leadership and unwavering advocacy for good governance.

MGEN Llanto’s nomination to the ICA-AP awards was endorsed by ACDI MPC and strongly supported due to his far-reaching service, exceptional achievements, and influential impact on the cooperative landscape.

A retired Philippine Air Force general, MGEN Llanto has become one of the country’s most dynamic and respected cooperative leaders. As Chairperson of ACDI MPC—the Philippines’ largest cooperative with nearly 300,000 members and over ₱58.7 billion in assets—he has strengthened inter-cooperative linkages, expanded social enterprises, and championed initiatives in agriculture, healthcare, renewable energy, education, and insurance.

He co-founded the Cooperative Health Management Federation (CHMF) and the Renewable Energy Cooperative of the Philippines (ReCOOP), and spearheaded agricultural ventures such as rice mills, dairy farms, and grow-out facilities in various provinces. His adherence to cooperative principles is reflected in programs like Koop Kapatid, Handholding Caravans, and multiple capacity-building interventions that uplift micro and small cooperatives nationwide.

MGEN Llanto is also a strong advocate for youth development and leadership formation. He institutionalized scholarship programs, youth laboratory cooperatives, and competency-building pathways that have benefited more than 1,000 employees and hundreds of thousands of members. His community-centered initiatives include the Freedom Starter Project, which supports women deprived of liberty through livelihood opportunities.

His decades of service have been recognized through numerous distinctions, including the 2022 Asia’s Golden Icons Award for Most Dedicated and Dynamic Retired General and Cooperative Leader, and the Taguig City Coop Icon Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. Under his stewardship, ACDI MPC has consistently earned national acclaim, including the CDA Gawad Parangal for Most Outstanding Cooperative.

With this latest regional recognition, MGEN Gilbert S. Llanto further cements his legacy as one of the pillars of the Philippine cooperative movement—an inspirational leader whose values-driven governance continues to uplift communities and promote cooperative excellence across Asia and the Pacific.