AIMCOOP bags 2 national awards in CDA’s Gawad Parangal

• Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371449722419/aimcoop-bags-2-national-awards-in-cda-s-gawad-parangal
• Thursday, December 10, 2015

By Gideon C. Corgue (ALT/GCC/PIA-Zamboanga del Sur)

AURORA, Zamboanga del Sur, Dec. 10 (PIA) – The Aurora Integrated Multi-Purpose Cooperative (AIMCOOP) was adjudged as national winner for Most Outstanding Cooperative (Best in Membership Growth and Expansion category) and the Coop General Manager, Pacenciano Tomarong received the Most Outstanding Cooperative Leader during tbe Gawad Parangal of the Cooperative Development Authority on October 31, 2015 in Manila.

The Gawad Parangal is an awards and recognition program for cooperatives, local government units, partner organizations and cooperative leaders in recognition of exemplary performance, best practices and good governance and in bringing responsive services to the people and to the community.

Honored, appreciative

In an interview, Tomarong said the coop members were very honored and appreciative that AIMCOOP won the prestigious award.

“We feel extremely honored and appreciative in receiving these significant awards, namely: the “Most Outstanding Cooperative (Membership Growth and Expansion category) and the Most Outstanding Cooperative Leader, Tomarong proudly announced. “Imagine, of the 24,000 registered cooperatives in the country, it was only AIMCOOP which was given the prestigious award by the CDA,” he added.

“This speaks of the coop’s very remarkable performance. In its 48 years of dedicated service and existence, the coop continues to serve and protect the investment of its members,” he added.

Tomarong attributed the awards to the active support and cooperation of the coop’s personnel and members.

“We attributed these awards to the personnel for doing an excellent job and help promote the image of the coop, as well as the members for their continued trust in us,” he said.

“One of the milestones of the coop is to serve the community in a friendly manner,” Tomarong announced.

One million members

The AIMCOOP which was founded in 1967 has established 72 offices nationwide with almost 1 million members.

Protection of members’ investments

As mandated by law, the employees are most accountable and responsible persons to protect the investment of the cooperative. “Our employees are protecting members’ investment,” Tomarong said.

Tomarong said last year, the coop received an award in the regional level. But this year, a national award was bestowed to the coop and the general manager, respectively.

Tomarong said no less than CDA chair Orlando R. Ravanera personally bestowed the awards to AIMCOOP while a representative from Malacanang assisted him during the awarding ceremony held in Manila.

Products and services extended

Tomarong said the coop’s products and services, such as: loans, savings, cash express, funeral service were extended to all members.

He said the coop innovated its products and services just to reach the satisfaction level of its clients and cited particularly the establishment of ATM machines in all their branches nationwide to promote a cashless society.

New programs

The general manager said a new program will be implemented next year for celebrants which provides free cakes and balloons to any youth and senior citizen members during their birthday celebration.

The Eskwela Kooperatiba will also be implemented by organizing students in different schools to encourage cooperative participation, according to Tomarong.

Social services provided

Tomarong said as part of AIMCOOP’s corporate social responsibility, social services were provided to the communities through bloodletting program where the officers and members donated blood to Philippine Red Cross during the coop’s anniversary celebration in August.

The coop official expressed confidence that a bright future will be achieved if the harmonious relationship between the officers and members is sustained. He also believes that ‘leaders and members who speak together, stay together.’