PAGADIAN CITY - No one would ever think that a multi-purpose
cooperative in a remote and interior municipality of the second district in Zamboanga
del Sur has helped transform the lives
of the poor.
The Timbermines Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TIMMULCO), which was established
in 1992 based in Poblacion, Bayog, Zamboanga del Norte, had initially 10
members composed of municipal officials and employees with a seed capital of
P4,100. The coop was registered with the
Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) on September 12, 1995.
Catalyst for economic development
TIMMULCO manager Marilyn F. Mananay said the coop serves as a catalyst
for economic development, providing capital to its borrowers at a very low
interest rate.
It also offers technical assistance, value formation, and
capability-building activities.
Peddling soap
The coop began by selling imported soaps to help augment its
capital. Its members also helped in selling the product in the neighborhood.
From select type membership, TIMMULCO’s board of directors decided
to open its membership to non-LGU personnel particularly those coming from the
marginalized sector who wished to improve their lives.
To better serve its members, a state-of-the art two-storey
building worth P3.7 million was constructed on February 8, 2011 at the heart of
municipality. “This building symbolizes the coop’s strength, stability and
progress, make every member proud of,” Mananay stressed.
Programs and services
On the same year the coop building was completed, TIMMULCO
launched the Pinoy Coop ATM which gives its members access and convenience to
withdraw their money twenty four hours a week. With this facility, ATM card
holder would no longer go to Pagadian City to withdraw cash thus protecting
them from robbers lurking in the highways.
It also provides mortuary assistance of P50,000 to the legal
beneficiary of any member who passes away.
The coop also strongly supports the National Greening Program
(NGP) of President Benigno S. Aquino III by donating P25,000 to the
municipality’s NGP efforts. It likewise supports Republic Act No. 9003,
popularly known as “Ecological Solid Waste Management Program and many others.
Membership
Anyone who wants to join the coop shall pay P200 as his lifetime
membership fee. He/she then is entitled to avail of the coop services and privileges
such as savings, credit and mortuary.
Because of its dedicated and honest service, TIMMULCO’s membership
increased rapidly from 41 founding members to 2,802. These members are mostly
are farmers and micro-entrepreneurs of Bayog and the neighboring towns of Buug,
Diplahan, Siay, Malangas and Zamboanga Sibugay.
The beneficiaries
Alma Tagatac, 45, said in an interview with this writer, TIMMULCO
has greatly helped her in putting up a bakery business.
Tagatac, who has four children, said that in 2007 she started
selling bread to help augment her family income. Now, she owns a bakeshop.
“Nagbaligya ko
ug pinutos nga pan sa sa merkado apan ang akong abot dili paigo nga mosuporta
sa akong pamilya. Dihang akong nadunggan nga ang TIMMULCO nagtanyag ug savings ug
credit services sa mga kabus, wala ako nagduha-duha pag-apply ug loan sa
kantidad nga P100,000 (I was selling bread in the market but my income was not enough to support my
family. When I heard that TIMMULCO was
extending credit services to the poor, without any hesitation, I immediately
applied for a loan amounting to P100,000),”Tagatac recounted.
Tagatac has availed herself of a loan in the amount of P300,000
from the coop which she used to buy baking equipment like electric bakery
ovens, tables and chairs, and for the
repair of her store.
Nalipay ko kaayo tungod kay wala nako
damha nga akong napadako ang panederia ug
miuswag ang akong inadlaw-adlaw nga abot.
Tungod niini, nakapalit ana ko ug usa ka pampasaherong van nga nagbili
sa P120,000 ug nakatukod na usab ako ug sangang tindahan sa Zamboanga City(I am very happy because I did not expect that I could improve my
bakery and my daily income. Because of
this, I have bought a passenger van in the amount of P120,000 and I was able to
put up another bakery in Zamboanga City.), Tagatac added.
Her children also helped her in managing her business.
A certain Mamerta Alboria, retired teacher and pharmacy owner,
also shared her story that she able to put up her business through a loan from
the coop. She ventured in putting up a pharmacy when she got sick and
financially hard up.
“I got a loan of P100,000 from TIMMULCO to start with a drugstore. That money was used
to buy medicines and display cabinet, etc. and I let my youngest daughter, who
is a licensed pharmacist, to manage the pharmacy,” Alboria disclosed.
Like Tagatac, Alboria was allowed to renew her loan for being a
good payor.
Dako gyud kaayo ang among utang
kabubut-on sa TIMMULCO kay siya man ang nagpahulam nako ug puhunan sa akong
negosyo. Kung wala siya dili gyud ko makatukod sa pharmacy (I owed a lot from TIMMULCO because no other lending institution
that allowed me to borrow a capital for my business. Without this coop, I couldn’t have put up a
pharmacy), Alboria declared.
Alboria has bought 2 passenger vans to be used in her business
operations.
“Ang salapi nga akong gipalit sa mga sakyanan
mao ang katas sa TIMMULCO (The money that I used to buy these vehicles
is but the fruit of my loans from the coop.),” Alboria proudly said.