PRESS RELEASE

The Philippine Cooperative Center, together with the sector, celebrates the National Cooperative Month

The Philippine Cooperative Center, together with its members and affiliates, celebrates the National Cooperative Month.

The theme of the Cooperative Development Authority for this year is “Cooperatives: United In Purpose And Action, Sharing Prosperity To Build A Better World.” This rhymes with the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World”.

Cooperatives offer an alternative to the profit-driven business approach of corporations. According to the International Cooperative Alliance, “a cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise”.

Cooperatives are the epitome of collective ownership, where each stakeholder-members has their say in the running of their entities on a day-to-day basis, with equal individual voting rights. Cooperatives are entrepreneurial endeavors a combination of self-sufficiency, mettle, and are transformative in nature. As cooperatives uplift the well-being of their members through economic services and benefits, cooperatives also do their best to serve and uplift their respective communities through economies of scale and humanitarian activities.

The Philippine government acknowledges the socio-economic strengthening capacity of cooperatives. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has repeatedly voiced his support to agricultural cooperatives as the country strives to build food sustainability and independence. He has highlighted the crucial role of cooperatives in creating a stronger value chain and logistics for the agri-based sector. Recently, there are ongoing discussions and dialogues regarding bills amending the Coop Code (R.A. 9520), supporting public utilities and agri-based cooperatives, and increasing LGU support to the cooperative sector. All of these are efforts to stimulate and support the cooperative sector.

While the country has multiple billionaire-in-asset-size cooperatives, the sector is still a fledgling compared to the cooperative economies of other countries in SEA, East Asia, and Europe. However, through time, cooperation among cooperatives, and self-help, the future of cooperatives in the country is bright.

The Philippine Cooperative Center: Building the Cooperative Agora

Cooperative enterprises are founded based on community and business-innovation needs. PCC’s transition into a real estate focused cooperative was born out of circumstance, need, and innovation.

Circumstance of identity and culture building, need of the sector for idle property management and development, and a need to innovate on businesses available in the sector. The Philippine Cooperative Center strives for a sector that can have access to real estate services that the sector owns, coop-centric, and relatively affordable.

Currently, PCC is applying for a real estate special type cooperative registration to the Cooperative Development Authority. Once approved, this will enable PCC to increase its capitalization and membership to jump-start its real estate plans, namely: (1) to provide real estate development services, (2) to act as a special purpose vehicle for cooperatives in financing and developing their acquired idle assets, and (3) to partner with cooperatives in the development of their Real and other Properties.

Initial Milestone

To serve as the initial milestone and template for development, PCC has approved of the design plans for the construction of The Agora, a 21 floor, mixed-use and purpose building. It will both serve as a living space, event space, and commercial space for cooperatives. The Agora aims to a physical gathering and communal space owned and managed by cooperatives – the manifestation of Sen. Butz Aquino and PCC’s dream for cooperatives. The Agora is a concrete way on how cooperatives can share its resources to unify the sector.

A series of roadshows and investment forums has already been held by PCC management and leadership and to be emphasized even more during the Real Estate and Agora presentation in the upcoming National Cooperative Summit in Baguio this October 09-10, 2025.

The future is brimming with challenges that redefine the way cooperative’s function and increase their presence. This also sets the precise frame of mind for PCC to embark on its new endeavor as a real estate cooperative.

About the National Cooperative Month

The National Cooperative Month celebration is mandated by R.A. 11502, “An Act Declaring the Month of October of Every Year as the National Cooperative Month”.

About the Philippine Cooperative Center

The Philippine Cooperative Center (PCC), as a body that coordinates national cooperative networks in the country composed of 27 leading federation cooperatives all over the country. PCC was founded on the common desire of its members to make the cooperative movement a strong and important player in the economy and to respond to rapid changes in the environment. It serves as a unifying center that will strive for excellence and competitiveness, create partnerships and ensure the accountability of the cooperative movement.

PCC will be establishing the first Real Estate Development Cooperative focusing in maximizing the value and potential of the cooperative sector’s real estate properties. Key milestone of this endeavor is the development of PCC’s own property and the construction of a new and modern “Cooperative Agora” – a modernization of “Agapito ‘Butz’ Aquino” Building. PCC is an affiliate of the ASEAN Co-operative Organization.

Almira Cheska Guinto

Acting Chief Executive Officer

09171237202