by Rosievic R. Medina\ CDA Regional Office 1

1. DA Grants Assistance to Cooperatives in Ilocos Norte under the Program
“Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Inclusive Food Supply Chain”
The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) is an essential arm of the government that supports
cooperatives. The Constitution mandates the CDA to promote the cooperatives' viability and growth as
instruments for social justice and economic development. It is a fact that the government recognizes the
importance of cooperatives as a tool in poverty alleviations and economic development; thus, the
government is doing all possible ways to help and reach out to cooperatives.
Last July 2020, the CDA received the DA MC 16-2020, the Guidelines on the Financial Grant
Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk Cooperatives/Organization and Community Based Organizations
Under the Enhanced “Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Inclusive Food Supply Chain”. To help the cooperatives grow,
CDA immediately forwarded the guidelines to the cooperatives. In Ilocos Norte, CDA handed and
explained the guidelines immediately to the officers and staff of the Bacarra Zanjera Irrigators MPC, who
expressed their interest in availing the program. With their willingness to embark on the project, the officers
called immediately a meeting and prepared the documents necessary to avail of the program with the
assistance of CDA. Chairperson Mency Tolentino requested the endorsement of CDA Region I Director,
Dr. Josefina Bitonio. Constant follow-ups were made by the
cooperative and the CDA on the status of the application. Last
January 15, 2021, at the MMSU Teatro Ilocandia, DA Secretary
William DAR awarded the P5M to the Bacarra Zanjera Irrigators
MPC. The project of the cooperative is Entitled Establishment of
Consolidation and Trading Facility for Agricultural Products.

2. Another recipient of the program “ Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Inclusive Food Supply Chain” is the Bagnos
Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Another recipient of the program “ Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Inclusive Food
Supply Chain” is the Bagnos Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Banna, Ilocos Norte who received P1M
last January 15, 2021, at the MMSU Teatro Ilocandia and awarded by DA Secretary William DAR. The
amount is for the purchase of a delivery van.
Indeed, the Cooperative Development Authority and the Department of Agriculture's collaboration
is a great help in the cooperative development. Helping in cooperative development means helping the
members uplift their living conditions. (Rosievic R. Medina-CDS II)