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  The Inabanga Coconut Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ICOFA-MPC) is now “weaned” and has been taking its first steps as an independent cooperative.

  ICOFA-MPC now manages its own affairs after the successful phase-out planning and turnover ceremony of the project investment capital from the Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP), with the Visayas Cooperative Development Center (VICTO) as its implementer.

  Mila Baisac, VICTO provincial coordinator, handed to Gavino Gemida, chair, the coop records and other relevant documents.

  To note, ICOFA MPC started as the Coconut Farmers Association (ICOFA) initiated by the local government unit (LGU) headed by then Mayor and now Provincial Board (PB) member Josephine Socorro Jumamoy.

  When her son Jono took the seat as mayor in his own right, he saw the needs of the people and gave all out support to the association as poverty alleviation project.

  ICOFA soon graduated into a full-fledged cooperative, registered with the Cooperative Development Authority last Feb. 26.

  In cooperation with LGU Inabanga headed by Mayor Jono and VICTO National Cooperative Federation and Development Center, with funding support from PACAP, ICOFA-MPC soon undertook the Integrated Coconut Processing (ICOPRO Project).

  The project aims to improve the living conditions of target beneficiaries in the barangays of Loon, Clarin and Inabanga.

  It also aims to help coco growers provide direct employment to production workers and raw materials suppliers.

  Now with 55 members, ICOFA MPC is the sole implementer of ICOPRO Projects Located in Barangay Baogo, it produces copra, mentholated liniment and organic vinegar.

  During the ceremony, the mayor pledged to help in the promotion and marketing of the coco products. He promised to continue supporting the cooperative and give assistance in providing sustainability mechanisms and comprehensive support structure to ensure the continuity of the ICOPRO Project.

  On the other hand, PB member Jumamoy, chair of the committee on cooperatives of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) also graced the occasion.

  She encouraged the members to hone their skills in cooperativism and cited the qualifications in order to become members of ICOFAMPC. 

  Mila Baisac, provincial coordinator and Marketing Officer Tomo facilitated the phase out planning. Baisac said they will still give technical assistance to the cooperative.

  Vice Mayor Wenceslao Lao, the Sangguniang Bayan members, Sangguniang Kabataan Chair Gisa Cenabre, Municipal Agriculturist Leocadio Torregosa, Information and Community Relations Officer Rodulfo Socorin  soon mingled with ICOFA MPC officers and members.

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