As part of its initiative to strengthen and enhance the management and leadership skills of cooperative partner-beneficiaries, the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., the corporate social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group, signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Paknaanon Multipurpose Cooperative (PAMULCO) for the cooperative capacity building training last August 5, 2022 at Paknaan, Mandaue City, Cebu.
Through the Cooperative Capacity Building Project, Aboitiz Foundation organizes livelihood and skills training programs as well as social service formations and digitization training programs for this year.
PAMULCO is a cooperative whose primary means of livelihood is broom-making. As of 2021, it has 596 active members with assets worth millions of pesos. From a simple cooperative, it has now become a multi-enterprise business providing several opportunities that have changed people’s lives.
PAMULCO considers its members as its most valuable asset. PAMULCO Loan Officer Lucilen Andrino asserted “Sipag, tyaga, at always positive po at yung totoong may malasakit po sa PAMULCO ang sikreto. Kumbaga, sariling skills at pagkatao po nila ang kanilang asset, talagang lalago at lalago po ang PAMULCO.” (Hard-working, determined, and optimistic members who truly care for PAMULCO is the secret. In other words, the members’ skills and their character are their main asset, the reason behind PAMULCO’s growth and success).”
“Sa tulong ng mga miyembro, palaguin pa po lalo, Php 26,000 sa 2010, 23M na ngayong 2022 (With the help of its members, we’ll increase it more. Back in 2010, it was 26 thousand pesos in coop capital, this year, it’s 23 million)”, Andrino added.
Through the dust, they saw prosperity.
PAMULCO experienced a number of setbacks before it was able to reap its success. The cooperative was financially unstable back in 2010 and was on the verge of closing down. Fortunately, it was saved by PAMULCO Manager Emilia Mangubat together with her co-members.
“Ito ay hinaharap ni PAMULCO sa tulong ng mga tao na nanunungkulan nito. Ang pagtitiyaga at pagbibigay determination sa bawat isa” (PAMULCO faced these problems with the help of its management, providing support to each of its members), Mangubat said.
Mangubat and Andrino shared that they did not face these setbacks alone. They recognize and are extremely grateful for the Aboitiz Foundation’s great contribution and impact on the cooperative’s growth.
“Maraming salamat sa Aboitiz Foundation sa walang sawa sa pagbibigay sa PAMULCO ng tulong at suporta. Kung wala si Aboitiz wala kaming magandang opisina ngayon. Hindi namin malilimutan ang tulong ng Aboitiz Foundation ngayon at magpakailanman (Thank you so much to Aboitiz Foundation for the never ending support you’ve given us. If not for Aboitiz, we wouldn’t have a beautiful facility today. We will never forget the big help you’ve extended to us),” Mangubat added.
Back then, their main line of business was producing brooms. But now, PAMULCO has a wide range of industries ranging from credit loans, dressmaking, retail of food products, and Biyaheng Digiskarte Smart Load through the help of the Aboitiz Foundation.
“Aboitiz Foundation’s capability-building training program is designed to strengthen and enhance our partner beneficiaries’ management and leadership skills. It also ensures that our partner organizations’ projects are self-sustaining and that they are equipped with the necessary skills and tools to manage the projects and their respective businesses,” said Aboitiz Foundation President and Chief Operating Officer Maribeth Marasigan.
The Cooperative Capacity Building Project of Aboitiz Foundation helps and guides its recipients to become more prosperous by hosting numerous programs and projects beneficial for the people and economy. It supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Number 8 — that of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
