Bulacan co-ops hold ‘Solidarity March’

More than a thousand-strong contingent of placard-bearing cooperative members will march tomorrow morning from the Malolos provincial capitol to Bulacan Sports Complex in Barangay Sta. Isabel in a show of solidarity that dramatizes the traditional role of cooperatives in fuelling and sustaining the entrepreneurial culture in the communities.

Bulacan is the country’s "cradle of cooperativism." Its prosperous economy is largely stimulated by a mass base of micro, cottage and small enterprises that are financed mainly by cooperatives.

There are at present over 500 active cooperatives in the province whose activities contribute to job-and-wealth creation. Records are rich with success stories such as ordinary laborers and farmers who graduated to the ranks of rice millers, manufacturers and producers with start-up and expansion loans from Bulacan cooperatives.

The Solidarity March ushers the province-wide celebration of the 12th annual Cooperative and Enterprise Month, with special events that include a "Pista ng Kooperatiba," to be held at the Capitol Grounds from Oct. 15 to 20.

The week-long fiesta will showcase the products made by members of Bulacan cooperatives in a trade and food fair. Other activities include entrepreneurial seminars and business clinics, livelihood and craft demonstrations, cultural shows, traditional games, and aerial fireworks.

This year’s celebration is organized by the Bulacan Cooperative Hall of Fame Awardees, composed of 19 model cooperatives whose total assets amount to some P2 billion. It is spearheaded by St. Martin of Tours Kilusang Bayan sa Pagpapautang, the country’s biggest community-based credit cooperative.