SOUTH COTABATO — The Office of the Provincial Cooperative Development Officer (OPCDO) continues to strengthen its programs by investing in education, capacity-building, and organizational development for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and cooperatives in the province.
These initiatives are designed to improve the knowledge, skills, and organizational capabilities of cooperative members and CSO partners, enabling them to become more effective participants in community development and better equipped to implement sustainable programs and projects.
According to Jurich D. Basan, Cooperative Specialist II, a total of 416 registered cooperatives are currently operating in different parts of South Cotabato under the registration and supervision of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).
“Through its cooperative development initiatives, the provincial government aims to help cooperatives improve their management practices, strengthen their operations, and develop programs and projects that respond to the needs of their members and communities,” Basan said.
This year’s Cooperative Month celebration carries the theme, “Matibay na Kooperatiba, Nagkakaisang Pamayanan para sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran.”
The theme highlights the importance of strong and united cooperatives and communities in promoting peace, development, and inclusive growth.
One of the major initiatives being promoted by the OPCDO is the CSO Academy, a capacity-building program designed to equip civil society organizations with the knowledge and skills needed to become more effective partners of the government.
According to Julius Ceasar D. Maniego, Cooperative Development Specialist I, the CSO Academy is now on its third batch, with participants undergoing various learning activities, training sessions, and discussions aimed at strengthening their organizational capacity.
“CSO representatives are given opportunities to enhance their understanding of organizational management, program development, community participation, and other areas that can contribute to the successful implementation of development initiatives,” Maniego said.
The program also provides CSO scholars with opportunities to learn from one another, strengthen their networks, and develop strategies that can help their organizations become more responsive to the needs of their respective communities.
SCCSF Cooperative Manager and CSO scholar Monet O. Pamplona recognized the importance of active community participation in ensuring that government programs become more responsive and sustainable.
“When CSOs and local communities take an active seat at the governance table, programs cease to be top-down projects—they become shared responsibilities. Active participation ensures that every peso spent addresses the actual, ground-level needs of the people, making the impact both long-lasting and meaningful,” Pamplona said.
Pamplona noted that communities and organized groups play an important role when they actively participate in the planning and implementation of programs and projects intended to benefit the public.
For this reason, strengthening the capacity of CSOs remains an important component of building stronger partnerships between the government and the communities it serves.
The OPCDO continues to promote education, collaboration, and capacity-building as essential components of cooperative and community development.
With the continued implementation of the CSO Academy and the support being provided to the province’s 416 registered cooperatives, the OPCDO aims to further strengthen community organizations and encourage greater participation in programs that contribute to sustainable development, peace, and improved quality of life for the people of South Cotabato.
