The Philippine Cooperative Center (PCC) celebrated its 25th Anniversary on 10 March.  PCC was registered as a cooperative on 10 March 1997 as an agora, a physical center for the gathering of cooperatives. 

After 25 years, it is now a coordinating body for cooperatives in the country and a unifying center that focuses on advocacy and education for and on behalf of the cooperative sector. PCC is the convener of the largest gathering of cooperatives every 2 years (with its National Cooperative Summit).

The cooperative principles and values are at the heart of PCC’s mission, vision, and core values. It aims to serve the cooperative sector by bringing it to the fore and being its transforming voice towards the empowerment and upliftment of the lives of cooperators and communities. It does so by focusing on advocacy and education. From policy papers, inter-agency dialogues, lobbying efforts, collaborations, forums, and related endeavours, PCC has cemented itself as an active force in policy-making and is creating a positive impact on the sector and movement. 

PCC credits its success to the trust of its members and founding cooperators – who even staked their personal resources in creating a unifying entity for the sector in the Philippines. Going forward, PCC will continue working, (1) for cooperatives to be recognized as the preferred model, the acknowledged leader in sustainability, and the fastest growing form of social enterprise; and (2) to empower as well as uplift, through education and advocacy, the lives of cooperative members and their communities.

The 25th-anniversary celebration focused on the theme “Panata at Pagtataya: Dalawampu’t Limang Taon ng Paglilingkod sa Sektor at Bayan” which brings to the surface Pagtataya (stake, sacrifice) by its founding and pioneering member cooperatives on one hand and the Panata (vow, devotion) that its current member cooperatives are showcasing to sustain past efforts and for the sector to thrive. The event began with a Mass presided by Rev. Fr. Anton CT Pascual, Vice-Chairperson, PCC. Dr. Garibaldi O. Leonardo, Chairman, PCC delivered the opening remarks and guests including Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, Cooperative Development Authority; Usec. Joseph Encabo; Mr. Ariel Guarco, President, ICA; Mr. Balu Iyer, Regional Director ICA-AP, and others to share their solidarity message.

The event recording can be watched here.