Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Social Science and Development

Department of Cooperatives and Social Development

in Cooperation with

Asean Cooperative Organization (ACO) And Philippine Cooperative Center (PCC)

PRESS RELEASE

PUP, ACO INKS MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) together with its Department of Cooper- atives and Social Development (DCSD) and Office of International Affairs (OIA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Malaysia’s Asean Cooperative Organizations (ACO). The signing which was held during the October 21, 2021 International Conference on Cooperatives’ Future Readiness sealed the collaboration among parties to strengthen the extension and research programs and further advance cooperative enterprise development and advo- cacies locally and internationally.

The signatories from PUP were President Dr. Manuel M. Muhi joined by Executive Vice Pres- ident Alberto C. Guillo, OIA Director Jonna Karla C. Bien, College of Social Sciences and Development Dean Raul R. Sebastian, and DCSD Chair Hilda F. San Gabriel. The Malaysian counterpart was led by ACO President Dato Dr. Abhul Fattah Abdullah, ACO International Manager, and ANGKASA Representative. The Philippine Cooperative Center representatives assisted and witnessed the twin event.

More than 1,000 Philippine and Malaysian zoom participants and facebook viewers joined the online Conference and witnessed the MOA signing in observance of the country’s 2021 National Cooperative Month. These linkages and alliances, between academe and between countries, will be needed as the sector moves forward to the new or better normal. This echoes what Sen. Migz Zubiri refers to as the embodiment of cooperatives, the “Bayanihan Spirit” – or in this case a Global Bayanihan Spirit.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Social Sciences and Development- Department of Cooperatives and Social Development

 As part of one of the premier state university in the country, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Social Sciences and Development- Department of Cooperatives and Social Development (PUP-CSSD-DCSD), focuses on the inculcation of cooperative knowledge to the Filipino Youth. The DCSD aims to produce cooperative specialist youth with high degree of competence and expertise in business management, financial management, and community development.

The ASEAN Cooperative Organization

 The ASEAN Cooperative Organization (ACO) was founded to lead and improve the strategic relations between cooperative movements in ASEAN countries. ACO assists cooperatives in their social responsibilities, organisation of seminars and conferences as well as the exchange of personnel expertise among the cooperatives of ASEAN member countries. ACO membership comprises of the Cooperative Apex or Holding Cooperative from ASEAN countries.

The Philippine Cooperative Center

 The Philippine Cooperative Center (PCC) has been the convener of the largest gathering of cooperatives since 2004. Its main mission is to serve as a unifying center for the cooperative movement in the country.

Contact Details:

Department of Cooperatives and Social Development, Polytechnic University of the Philippines:

Doc. Hilda San Gabriel

09152674909

Prof. Angelita Sumaway-Villaruel

09499950468

Philippine Cooperative Center

Edwin A. Bustillos

09178017309

You may watch the recorded video conference at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAzli95XXxw