To further expand the operation of the isDA ON THE GO (iOTG) project, the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (DA-PFDA) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 14, 2021.
On the same day, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar, together with CDA Chairperson Undersecretary Joseph B. Encabo, PFDA General Manager Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan, and Undersecretary Cheryl Marie-Caballero, led the turnover of 100 refrigerated vans and inverter chest freezers for 60 cooperatives belonging to the marginalized sector under the CDA, 10 government agencies, and to 30 community-based organizations such as including tricycle operators and drivers association (TODA), parishes, Senior Citizens groups, homeowners association, and individual partners.
During the ceremonial turnover, the refrigerated vans and inverter chest freezers were received by the following cooperatives’ representatives: Homenet Producers Cooperative of Quezon City, Limardina Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Valenzuela City, Nuestra Senora del Rosario Credit Cooperative of Malabon City, Samahan ng Manininda sa Pamilihang Bayan ng Maypajo Caloocan Credit Cooperative (SAMMOCA-CC) of Caloocan City, and DOT ATDA Transport Service Cooperative of Pasay City.
The launching coincided with the Cooperative Month 2021 celebration.
“This event today, I consider it as a historic event because we are expanding our partnership with CDA in promoting and enhancing the cooperatives development in the country, particularly the fishery sector,” Dar said.
He stressed that the collaboration seeks to enhance the power of cooperative development in the distribution and marketing of fisheries products.
“This time with CDA, mabuti na tingnan ninyo ang opportunity ng mga cooperative dito sa Metro Manila na ma-empower by way of capitalization and opportunities to distribute and sell at affordable prices,” he said.
Despite the current challenges, Dar said the Department, with the help of CDA, will seek to penetrate more fishery cooperatives to adopt the new system.
“We are proving them a new system of delivering and marketing agricultural products. We have to provide an alternative system and see to it that affordable fish and other commodities will be available in the wet markets of Metro Manila,” Dar said.
The agri chief added that the Department seeks further collaboration with CDA particularly in institutionalizing and enhancing cooperatives in agriculture. He said this will support the OneDA Reform Agenda key strategies in helping farmers and fishers form into a cooperative.
Meanwhile, CDA Chairperson Encabo reiterated the agency’s mandate to promote the viability of cooperatives as instruments of equity, social justice and sustainable economic development, which was fulfilled through the iOTG in uplifting and empowering fishery sector.
“I’d like to extend my sincerest gratitude to DA and PFDA in collaborating with CDA as we provide further support to fishery cooperatives most especially during this difficult time of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Encabo said.
He added that the collaboration will equip and reinforce fishery cooperatives with necessary tools and resources, thereby, providing more income-generating opportunities for its members.
The iOTG, which was originally launched in Antipolo, Rizal last April 2019, was a flagship program of PFDA and a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, which aims to secure the delivery of affordable and accessible fishery products in Metro Manila.
To date, iOTG has now engaged with a total of 117 partner outlets nationwide. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)
