As the Most Outstanding Cooperative in the Philippines (large category) in 2012, the country’s No. 8 billionaire cooperative in 2014, and adjudged as the 2016 Most Outstanding Community Enterprise on Poverty Reduction in the Philippines because of its success stories on innovation, pioneering initiatives, creative strategies and methodical approaches in reducing poverty — it is safe to say then that DCCCO is on the right track.
DCCCO would not have garnered these awards if it has not successfully instilled cooperativism in the mindset of its members, making it their way of life, motivating them to adhere to coop principles and practices;
DCCCO would not have been recognized today if it has not educated its members, officers and personnel on ethical standards;
DCCCO would not have increased its membership if people haven’t witnessed how it has truly uplifted the socio-economic conditions of its members, their families and the entire community;
DCCCO would not have grown as it is today if it has not stood as a living example of good governance, if it has not created the cooperative as a practical vehicle in the promotion of self-reliance and if it has not harnessed people’s power towards the attainment of economic development and social justice;
DCCCO would not have turned out what it has become today if it did not dedicate all its efforts to the Glory of God.
From a membership of 75,805 in 2015, it now has 85,321 loyal advocates. Because of continued patronage and unremitting influx of new members, its revenue collection has likewise risen to P364.2 million from P310.7 million in 2015. Total assets have also swelled with over P3.4 billion now from P2.7 billion in 2015.
Due to management’s sustained delivery of proper education to its members, delinquency rate has gone down, from 22.93 percent in 2015 to its current 19.23 percent, certainly an achievement considering that people are experiencing hard times right now. Owing to its sound management system, it acquired substantial earnings from investments with AUB, BDO, and Metro Bank as Fund Managers in the amount of P828,492.07 in 2016. Its undivided net surplus has simultaneously grown, that is, from P117.8 million in 2015 to P169.9 million in 2016.
At present, it has 8 branches, namely, Dumaguete City, Bayawan City, Bais City, Guihulngan City, Sibulan, Kabankalan City, San Carlos City, and Siquijor.
Its Siaton Satellite Office was inaugurated and opened on September 18, 2016. The Siaton office is just the first of many satellite offices that DCCCO has planned to put up in the near future under DCCCO’s customer care program in order to facilitate transactions and decongest current operations of existing branches.
Not forgetting its responsibility to the community, it has sustained its environmental advocacy initiatives thru the conduct of coastal clean-up and mangrove reforestation activities in the different branches. It has likewise maintained its 1,795 sqm organic agriculture demonstration farm, the rainforest in Magtuhao, Tayasan, Negros Oriental, and the tree growing site in Bgy. Candau-ay, Dumaguete City.
Besides taking care of mother nature, DCCCO is earnestly involved in the Feeding programs carried out at the Cathedral Parish and in the different public schools. It is also engaged in the implementation of the 4Ps. The number of 4P’s beneficiaries who became DCCCO members as of Dec 30, 2016 reached a whooping 3,268 with total deposits amounting to P10.3 million.
DCCCO has also keyed up its Aflatoun Program in 34 schools with 3,685 members and P1.0 million of total deposits.
DCCCO is a private sector representative of the Regional Development Council, Negros Island Region and member of the multi-awarded Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
It has conducted various capacity building and strengthening activities to area coordinators and to the different DCCCO-organized sectors, such as farmers, women, senior citizens, youth, PWDs, and pedicab drivers.
It has conducted Medical Missions and implemented the HEAL and medical-dental assistance programs benefiting a total of 2,573 members.
The implementation and monitoring of DCCCO’s CUMI, PESO, and LIFE’s project interventions such as hog-raising and sow breeding have also continued to be in full swing.
As part of its current investment efforts, the proposed four-storey/54-room DCCCO Hotel is now in its “design, cost estimates, and specifications approval” phase. Envisioned to provide local and foreign tourists — members and non-members alike — a tranquil, cost-effective, and hospitable home environment while staying in Dumaguete, the DCCCO Hotel is surely another feather in its cap.
With all these achievements, DCCCO does not plan to be complacent or sit on its laurels. It will continue to innovate to provide better services. It will continue to educate more people so that they may understand the true meaning of cooperativism. It will continue to initiate ground-breaking acitivites because the management behind the cooperative strongly believes that there are still thousands of people out there to help, so many trees to plant, hundreds of underprivileged to show compassion to, and many more awards to garner.
Today, DCCCO is really and truly going for the Gold. And when the Gold is at hand, it will be offered to the Glory of God.
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Author’s email: wea_129@yahoo.com
