Gov. Gwen Garcia and her brother, third district Congressman Pablo John Garcia, hailed Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative’s impactful contribution in changing the lives of its members since it started 33 years ago.
“Niining ika-33 ka tuig sukad nagsugod ang Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative, ang ato usab nga tagsa-tagsa ka mga kinabuhi nakakita og dako kaayong kausaban,” Gov. Garcia said during the 33rd general assembly of Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative at the Lamac MPC Convention Center, Hidden Valley Mountain Resort in the town of Pinamungajan on Sunday, March 17.
She commended the cooperative’s progress and initiatives in providing programs, services, and assistance to vulnerable sectors, particularly farmers.
With gross revenues of P418.16 million in 2023, Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative continues to grow, now boasting of 166,649 members, including 20,652 youth from Cebu, Bohol, Negros Occidental, and Leyte.
Its assets also increased from P3.2 billion to P3.7 billion, with a net surplus of P51 million in 2022 to P56.6 million in 2023.
“Akong ikapasalig kaninyo nga ang inyong kooperatiba kusgan ug nagpadayon sa kalig-on,” the governor added.
Congressman PJ Garcia also praised the cooperative’s success through the years, making it a favorite success stories for a cooperative that has brought great pride to Cebu.
“Ang LMPC usa sa naghatag og dungog dili lang sa Pinamungajan kon dili sa Lalawigan sa Sugbo because it is one of the most, if not the most, successful and now the biggest agricultural cooperative in the entire Philippines,” the congressman said.
The cooperative was initially established as “Samahang Nayon” by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Community Development (DILGCD). It started with 70 farmer-members who each contributed P50 for an initial capital of P3,500. It began with consumer-marketing services and later expanded to include savings and loans for its members.
Also in attendance were Pinamungajan Mayor Jessica Baricuatro, Vice Mayor Glenn Baricuatro, third district Board Member Atty. Jiembo Borgonia as well as key municipal officials. | Babie Jane Revecoy