THE Cebu Provincial Government has formally inaugurated the Co-op Business Center (CBC) inside the Cebu South Bus Terminal.
Aside from offering products and services from accredited cooperatives in Cebu province, the center will also serve as office of the Cebu Province Association of Accredited Cooperatives (CPAAC).
CPAAC is the Capitol’s partner in establishing the CBC whose aim includes the cooperation, participation and linkages of Cebu’s registered cooperative. The center will also help facilitate the concerns of cooperatives.
Capitol consultant on cooperatives, lawyer Herculeano Rizon, said the CBC will become a venue for members to enhance their skills.
Rizon represented Gov. Hilario Davide III in the event.
“I am thankful to CPAAC, together with the strong support of the Cooperative Development Authority [CDA], for the opportunities given to all cooperatives here in Cebu to develop their knowledge and skills through enhancement trainings, seminars and other activities,” Rizon said, reading Davide’s message.
The governor said the center is a good place for promoting Cebu’s native delicacies and products made by the cooperatives.
CPAAC started in 2015 with only 23 members, said CPAAC Secretary Elias Baquero of Cebu News Workers Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
More cooperatives joined in until its numbers grew to 40 and are now accredited with the provincial government, he said.
Various products are on display inside the business center from simple personal-care products, food supplement, to printing services.
Also present during the inauguration were Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, CPAAC President Bernardo Desabille and Buddy Berdin representing Provincial Board Member Jude Thaddeus Sybico, the chairman of the committee on cooperatives.
Divina Grace Aya-ay of the National Confederation of Cooperatives, Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 Regional Director Evelyn Macapobre, Cletus Villamor of CDA, Gary Maningo of Cebu Surety Fund of the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Capitol’s Investment and Promotion head, Roy Soledad, also attended the event.