The first big break came when the coop sponsored a MUTYA NG KOOPERATIBA in December 1987 as a capital build up scheme where half a million pesos (PhP500,000.00) was raised. This was followed by a sacrificial merienda in April 1989 where the coop achieved an increase of three hundred thousand pesos (Php300,000.00) in additional fixed deposit. Again a raffle and draw followed in July 1989 netting four hundred thousand pesos (Php400,000.00) as share capital. Continuous capital build-up has been programmed ever since. These activities greatly enhanced and expanded the services to its members.
The main pipe business of the Cooperative was credit being the crying need of the times. Savings and time deposits were encouraged and solicitation of outside support was made. Grants were extended, and the cooperative entered into contract with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to further the support to the members.
In April 1990, a land with a building was purchased as proof of its progress which became its main office leaving behind the schoolroom office and the “SM”. Resources and services increased through the years motivating the Cooperative to go MULTI-PURPOSE thus renaming it the STA. CRUZ MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE (SCMPC) through the amended Articles of Cooperation and By-laws which was duly registered with the CDA on July 4, 1994.
Bounded by some difficulties in managing several programs and services, a big shift for the cooperative started in January 2003. The focus of operation became savings and credit. The services and programs extended were: Savings, Credit, Youth Tipid Movement (YTM), Mortuary Aid Program (MAP) and Scholarship Program. Capital build up and savings mobilization is a continuous activity of the cooperative.
As a consequence of this shift in operation, the Cooperative was re-christened as STA. CRUZ SAVINGS AND DEVELOPMENT COOPERATIVE (SACDECO) on May 22, 2006.
June 2006 when SACDECO HONGKONG CHAPTER was organized through the efforts of the BOD members, and OFWs in Hongkong. Initial members of only six (6) then, now there are more than 100.
With the ardent desire of the BOD and the management to expand further, the area of operation was again amended to include four (4) provinces in Region I: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan. Seven branches were launched thereafter: Santiago Branch (Ilocos Sur) and Bacnotan Branch (La Union) on September 8 and Sept. 18, 2006 respectively, the San Fernando City Branch (La Union) on March 16, 2007, the Bangar Branch (L.U.) on August 8, 2008, the Santa Branch (I.S.) on October 8, 2008, Asingan Branch and Villasis Branch (both in Pangasinan) on October 28, 2009. Seven branches in a span of three years is seemingly UNBELIEVABLE but TRUE. And being able to recruit more members beyond the aforementioned area of operation, SACDECO in its last general assembly (2010) approved for further extension of operation, now to the whole of Luzon.
Area of operation is not all that matters. SACDECO went high tech by realizing its dream of an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) which was launched on August 8, 2008. This is the 1s t COOP ATM north of Manila. It is also the 1st ATM in Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur.
And speaking of the First, SACDECO was the first (1st) in the second district of Ilocos Sur to launch Gender Sensitivity Program, empowering women into leadership or Gender Awareness. At present, SACDECO is the strongest advocate and practitioner of Gender Equality in north of Luzon with a Gender Sensitive Human Resource Manual.
The swelling growth of SACDECO is now beyond restraint made more possible through its affiliations and partnership with National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), Metro South Cooperative Bank (MSCB), Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives (NSCC), Northern Luzon Federation of Cooperatives (NORLU CEDEC), Ilocos Sur Cooperative Bank (ISCB) Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Asian Women in Cooperative Development Forum (AWCF), and Small Business Fund Corporation (SBC). And as SACDECO believe in the necessity of investment, it is the highest primary coop investor at ISCB, top investor at (NSCC) and top ten investor at MSCB.
To boast of, SACDECO is attracting many primary cooperative visitors mainly to know the prime reasons for its success. And the best practice that SACDECO could relate is its utmost care to its members, that members’ welfare is the top priority. SACDECO has gained the trust and confidence of its members. What they invest, they receive what are due to them especially with their high dividends and patronage refunds.
The staff and officers alike are equally taken cared of. They receive very reasonable remuneration and honoraria respectively. Young memberships are valued through the Youth Tipid Movement (YTM) and the Aflatoun Program.
Social responsibilities are exercised and expressed through Medical Mission, in-school feeding program, tree planting, medical assistance for indigents and donations to schools such as computers, chairs, medals, prizes for raffle and draws, and other things which they request that are reflective of the students’ needs.
SACDECO has started to become a “one-stop-shop” cooperative with the following allied services: ATM, acceptance of SSS and PAGIBIG premium payment, Western Union Services which include availability of NSO documents, and KASAPI (partnership with PhilHealth).
It is very compliant on all rules and regulations formulated by the regulatory agency of government. The code of conduct is strictly implemented. In fact, a monthly Moral Regeneration Program session is being conducted and weekly (every Monday) devotion is being done in all offices to strengthen the staffs’ faith in God.
All officers were trained on Credit Union Directors’ Competency Course (CUDCC) and Cooperative Governance, and key management officers have undergone Credit Union CEOs’ Competence Course (CUCCC). In addition, the officers are being sent to other different seminars which are helpful in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities.
To sum up for the rapid expansion and growth of SACDECO, the following are attributed: functional and thinking Board, technically and globally competent management and staff, operational compliance and adherence to the rules and regulations, increasing support by the general membership and strong linkages.
One general, usual query of members is: What is the assurance that SACDECO would not go bankrupt? Its membership to the Stabilization Fund of NATCCO is the answer. No deposit will be lost.
And for these unconditional successes of SACDECO, innumerable Plaques and Certificates of Recognition had been awarded to the cooperative, but just a handful to mention would suffice:
1) Top Training Patrons 04.09.2010 NATCCO Network
2) 4th place of the Top 10 Coops in Region I Based on their Paid Up Capital for FY 2008
10.30.2009 CDA
3) Best Performing Coop, Prov’l level 10.30.2009 CDA
4) Multi-millionaire coop in Region I 10.30.2009 CDA
5) 1st Place, Coop Award Prov'l Level 10.13.2008 CDA
6) Exemplary Performance 10.27.2003 Ofc. of the Pres. & CDA
On top of all these recognitions/awards which SACDECO had received, it is truly greatly honored to have produced the present representative of the Coop-NATCCO Partylist, Cong. Jose R. Ping-ay, and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors. This is a manifestation that SACDECO is in its height of ascent as this proves the greater confidence of the public.
Indeed, SACDECO continues to be a strong and financial intermediary and catalyst of growth in the countryside. From the mere 25 incorporators since its inception, the cooperative has now 19,141 including youth savers. And from its Php 5 thousand initial capital, the total asset is now 357,149,341.24 million. Sounds INCREDIBLE? But it’s true!
OJS
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