Press Release
April 22, 2014

VILLAR CITES IMPORTANCE OF COOPERATIVES

SENATOR Cynthia A. Villar has exhorted the public to forego of the "unproductive dole-out mentality," and instead embark on the productive value of cooperativism.

Since the buzzword nowadays is inclusive growth, Villar said she believes cooperatives will play a significant role to bring down the country's economic growth and gains to the grassroots level.

"Like what I have been saying, a cooperative has an important role in economic development. A cooperative serves as a bridge so that everybody can join the process of change and development of the society," said Villar in a speech delivered during the 37th Anniversary of Baclaran Vendors Development Cooperative at Century Seafood Restaurant in Manila

She acknowledged cooperatives can also be of big help so that small trades and micro enterprises will have access to financing.

She noted that more than 90 percent of businesses in the country is made up of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), micro SMEs and cooperatives.

For cooperatives to continuously expand and develop in our country, Villar reminded stakeholders in the cooperative industry to increase their membership to help more people.

She likewise said giving recognition and honoring the best cooperatives is a way of encouraging them to exert best efforts.

"I and my husband, former Speaker Manny Villar, believe that SMEs, micro SMEs and cooperatives will serve as key to get poor Filipinos out of poverty," said Villar who was the principal author of Republic Act 9178 or the so-called 'Magna Carta for Micro Enterprises' during her stint as congresswoman

Because of this, Villar said they are encouraging cooperatives to promote self-reliance and to harness people power.

"Cooperatives operate for surplus in order to enhance the benefits for its members, which will be beneficial to the community at large because of increased purchasing power that can trigger increased economic activity and spur development," she further stated.

This same goal of cooperatives, Villar said, had driven her to develop livelihood enterprises. In order to make the benefits from cooperative directly trickle down to the intended beneficiaries, she made them "barangay-based or community enterprises."

"The beauty of barangay-based livelihood programs is that the benefits are directly felt by the people. I am happy that in our own modest way, we were able to make a positive difference in the lives of an increasing number of people all over the country, particularly women who would otherwise not have opportunities to earn a living to help their families," said Vllar.

At present, the Senator has put up 490 livelihood projects in various parts of the country.

The senator said she dreams of establishing one livelihood project in each of the country's 1,600 municipalities.

"On top of our already established livelihood projects, we are also initiating and developing other livelihood opportunities that are appropriate for specific towns or cities," she further said.

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