June 17, 2015

For eight years, Tunay Tapat Lahing Pilipino Cooperative’s (TTLPC) vision was simple– to be an institution that is service-oriented, environment friendly and appreciative of local culture and heritage. With 95 members, TTLPC engages in vegetable farming, agricultural products distribution, hog and poultry raising and aqua-culture projects in Sitio La Medalla, Brgy. Bonbon in Libon, Albay.

But the Department of Agriculture Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) taught them to think BIG. With the issuance of the No Objection Letter 1, which guarantees P7.6 million funding assistance to the Albay Coco Geonets Manufacturing Enterprise, TTLPC now has a wider vision–”Isang kooperatiba na may pananampalataya sa Diyos, nagmamalasakit sa Inang Kalikasan, iginagalang at isinasabuhay ang matandang kaugaliang Pilipino na siyang pundasyon nang matatag na samahan at maayos na pamamahala tungo sa pagpapalago ng kabuhayan ng bawat kasapi at nang pamayanan na siyang magiging modelo sa lalawigan ng Albay at sa mga karatig probinsya sa buong Kabikulan.”

According to TTLPC Chairman Josias B. Pedrocello, they aim to improve what they have been doing for the past years. Holding a copy of the NOL 1, he expressed his excitement for the full implementation of the project in his community.

“Yung mga pinapangarap at navi-visualize lang namin noon, ngayon matutupad na,” he said. He added that by attending several seminars and trainings spearheaded by the DA-PRPD the TTLPC is being empowered and equipped to succeed in the agro-industrial enterprise development undertaking.

On June 15-17, 2015, Pedrocello and nine TTLPC members including the secretary and bookkeeper attended the Training Workshop on Proponent Group Assessment and Formulation of Operations Manual for Coco Geonet Enterprise conducted by the National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) Investments in Rural Enterprises and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP) in partnership with the Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) V. Eve M. Espinas of the Provincial Project Management and Implementation Unit (PPMIU) I-REAP-Albay also attended the said activity which aims to assess the status of the cooperative as a management group as well as the status of their proposed enterprise. The training also focused on the formulation of the fist draft of the Operations Manual (OM) for Albay Coco Geonets Manufacturing Enterprise’s Implementation and Management.

NPCO I-REAP Enterprise Development Specialist Charito A. Cadorna discussed McKinsey’s 7’s Framework, a management model that describes seven elements of an effective organization. She highlights the importance of having a shared vision, an organized structure, and strategy. Also, she underscores the value of a clearly established financial management system, active staff, skills in communication, networking and advocacy, and facilitative leadership style.

Cadorna also stressed the significance of the OM in attaining consistency, independence, and trademark operation.

“This will be your guide, equivalent to a Bible. Nakadetalye dito yung step-by step, process and guidelines of your business enterprise. Kung may mga activities pa ang cooperative in the future, it will be your basis,” she said.

Cadorna and her team from NPCO, Project Development Associate John Darel Colarina and Business Development Consultant Manolo Luis Herrera of Project Support Office South Luzon, and Victoria Eugene S. Florece of RPCO V assisted the TTLPC in formulating the OM for Albay Coco Geonets Manufacturing Enterprise’s Implementation and Management based on the Calamansi Trading Center Manual of Operations.

According to Cadorna, TTLPC is at par with other proponent groups under DA-PRDP. “Present yung key indicators na hinahanap ng PRDP. Unquestionable on their part yung commitment, yun ang magandang key para mag-succeed plus putting more system to be in place and defined,” she added.

To encourage them, she said, “Nakasalalay sa inyong mga kamay ang buhay ng inyong kooperatiba.”

TTLPC, PPMIU-Albay, and RPCO V I-REAP will have a meeting on June 24, 2015 to finalize the Implementation Management Agreement, Enterprise Agreement, Procurement Plan and Work and Financial Plan necessary to expedite the procurement process. These will be followed shortly by the preparation of the OM’s 2^nd draft due on the first week of August 2015. (Annielyn L. Baleza, I-SUPPORT InfoACE Unit, DA-RAFIS 5)