The 14th National Co-operative Summit was held from October 3 to 5 at the SMX Convention Centre, SM Lanang Premier, Davao City, The Philippines. The conveners of the Summit were ICA members; the Philippines Co-operative Centre (PCC), Co-operative Development Authority (CDA) and the local hosts, MASS-SPEC Co-operative Development Center. The Summit attracted over 4,000 cooperators from all across the Philippines!
Together at the National Co-operative Summit
The Co-operative Summit takes place once every two years and brings together federations, unions, primary co-operatives and other organizations (government, development agencies, and private sector) supporting co-operatives to discuss issues and concerns affecting the movement. The theme for this year’s Summit was, Overcoming Challenges, Succeeding Together Under One Apex. The theme is timely in the light of PCC’s role as the Apex of co-operatives in the country and how it can harness the movement to brave greater opportunities.
The first day was devoted to delivery of solidarity messages and presentations on the status, trends, and direction of co-operatives in the Philippines. The keynote speaker, Sara Duterte Carpio, the Mayor of Davao City, in her address said that co-operatives were invaluable vehicles for poverty reduction and helped build a stronger community. Special invitee, Dato Abdul Fatah Abdullah, President of Angkasa and President of the ASEAN Co-operative Organization stressed on the need for co-operatives in the ASEAN to strengthen their collective identity. The day ended with the unveiling of the Philippines Coop Marquee and the Bigay Pugay Award to nine cooperators for their outstanding service to the co-operative movement.
The second day focused on perspectives on an apex and discussing issues pertaining to pillars relevant to the movement. The international perspective on apex was provided by the ICA-AP while the national was provided by the apex (PCC), Union (Northern Luzon Co-operative Education and Development Center) and primary co-operative (First Community Co-operative). The pillar presentations and discussion were in the financial, producers and marketing, service, and education and advocacy sectors.
