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Figure 2. Planting of banana and cacao seedlings by the retirees at Camp Melchor, Upi Gamu,
Isabela last December 6, 2021

Capacity Building Initiatives for Cooperatives

Cooperatives are one of the prime movers of economic development in the Philippines. In Region 02, there
are more than 1,000 registered cooperatives. A number of these cooperatives folded up due to not
profitable investments and limited resources. The cooperatives in operation are also in need of financial and
Technical assistance to survive and continue their operations. Cooperatives have to find ways of sourcing out
additional funds and invest in more viable projects that will generate more profit and maximize the use
of available resources. Access to financial resources will however require preparation of project
proposals and feasibility studies.

The Isabela State University has the specialized expertise the cooperatives need in their operations. Left to their
devices, cooperatives may not develop the necessary technical skills nor employ people who will do the jobs,
hence, the creation of the technical assistance center for cooperatives is a fitting and timely initiative by the college
to effectively respond to its role as leading state university in the north. The center was envisioned to become a
provider of technical assistance to cooperatives in project proposal preparation, trainings and other related
services as an extension program of the University. It was in the year 2005 when the proposal to establish a
cooperative technical assistance center was approved by the ISU Board of Regents. At present, the thrusts of
our extension program are LGU Capability building and Adopt-a-barangay. With the center, the needs of
cooperatives and other NGOs will be catered to and finally through the center, the Isabela State University can
strengthen its role as quality technical service provider in the region.

Cooperatives Nature of Assistance
1. Diffun Credit and Development Cooperative Preparation of Proposal on Provision of Production and
(DICREDECO), Diffun Quirino Post-Production Facilities for Farmer-members
2. ABRASA Multi-purpose Cooperative, Diffun, Preparation of Full Proposal on Provision of Tractor and
Quirino Post-Harvest Facilities for Famer-Members

3. Santiago Amos Credit Cooperative (SACDECO), Preparation of Full Proposal on Provision of Tractor and
Santiago City Post-Harvest Facilities for Famer-Members

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22 | P a g e - OBQA-PPP / Area VI: The Extension and Community Involvement/Entrepreneurship Program