The National Association of Training Centers for Co-operatives (NATCCO) Network began as a training center for co-operatives to equip Filipino co-operators with knowledge on how to make their organization a sustainable enterprise that will help members “achieve their social, economic and cultural needs and aspirations.” Forty years later, the Network has grown into a federation that provides a wide array of services and advocacies that help co-operatives remain relevant in society, resilient in times of difficulty, and robust in times of opportunity.

The keynote speaker, Hon. Vilma Santos-Recto, District Representative, 6th District, Batangas, extolled the role of co-operatives in meeting basic needs and ensuring socio-economic dividends to people. She recognized the role played by NATCCO and its network in expanding the pool of financial inclusion. This was earlier reflected in the kidnote speech by 11-year-old Ms. Roselyn Dagsi, an Aflatoun saver of NATCCO. She highlighted the benefits of savings, financial literacy and the role of laboratory co-ops. During the celebrations, youth, women, and NATCCO partners were recognized.

The Story of NATCCO: A Walk Down memory lane with Board Chairs and Chief Executives showed the challenges each board and management encountered and how the transformation was effected. Starting in 1972 with President Marco’s Presidential Decree that required farmers to be organized into “Samahang Nayon” to the EDSA Revolution in 1986 where President Cory Aquino mandated the government to promote co-operatives as instruments of social justice and economic development. Further from the formation of COOP-NATCCO party list to contest elections and safeguard the interests of co-operatives, to the internal restructuring in 2004 where NATCCO moved from a three-tier to two-tier structure. In all the transformations, the core of NATCCO’s beliefs was always kept central – member first, adherence to co-operative principles, ensuring sustainability and growing the movement.