Edelito Sangco

Lost in the Stone Forest of Yunnan, China

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Part 3 – Spain Cooperative Study Tour: A Visit to the Provincial Council of Toledo

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Visit No. 2: Diputacion de Toledo (Deputation of Toledo) Time: 11:30 AM Site: Toledo City, Toledo, Spain

The group paid a courtesy visit to the Provincial Government of Toledo (Diputacion de Toledo). The group met Mr. Anastacio Priego Rodriguez. He is currently the Mayor of Yebenes and was elected head of the deputation.

The Deputacion de Toledo (Deputation of Toledo) is a Provincial Assembly composed of elected Deputies coming from the various towns in the Province of Toledo. Each of the towns has one Deputy elected by the people who must be either the town Mayor or Council Person.

Mr. Priego discussed to the group the government set up of Spain and the role played by Castilla La Mancha as an autonomous region as well as the role of the provincial government of Toledo in the agricultural development and environmental concerns of the area. He stressed that the provincial government has no power to regulate the agriculture and rural development in their area of jurisdiction as this role falls under the regional government of Castilla La Mancha. The agriculture and rural development concern is done by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Castilla La Mancha, however, local support is provided by the provincial government.

The role of the Deputation is mainly coordination for the various programs and projects for the towns within the province. On the economic side, the Deputation supports the people through the 60 rural development groups throughout the province of Toledo. They also conduct research activities and support other collaboration projects. Each municipality of Toledo is supporting each other particularly in terms of new ideas related to agriculture and rural development.

Mr. Edelito Sangco, Ms. Jodel Tabada and other study visit participants from the Strengthening the Agro-Industrial Sectors in Bicol and Caraga (SAIS-BC) Project in the Philippines await for the arrival of the head of the provincial deputation or council.

Part 2 – Spain Cooperative Study Tour: A Visit to the Castilla La Mancha Network for Rural Development

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A souvenir photo among the 25-member Philippine Delegation to the Study Visit on the Development of Cooperative Integration in Spain taken on April 19, 2009 at Plaza Plaza Mayor in Madrid City, Spain. Standing from left to right are: Almar Autida, Ernesto Parato, Caridad Vargas, Antonio Betasolo, Isabelita Ocampo, Jodel Tabada, Reynaldo Rosales, Aloha Gigi Banaria and Edelito Sangco. Seated from left to right are: Jerry Mercado, Mario Espiso, Levi Sta. Ana, Sr., Luz Brenda Balibrea, Alvin Paul Dirain and Nielo Tingson.

IV. ACTUAL CONDUCT OF STUTY TOUR

Day 1: (April 18, 2009)

The SAIS-BC participants to the Study Trip left Manila for Spain via Doha, Qatar.

Day 2: (April 19, 2009)

The group arrived at Barajas Airport in Madrid at 9:00AM (local time in Spain) via Qatar Airways. Ms. Katia Oceransky met the group and toured in the historical spots of Madrid before proceeding to Toledo in theafternoon. In Toledo, the group checked in at Hotel Euro Star and had another guided tour around Toledo City.

The tour in the historical sites of Madrid and Toledo was done not just for site seeing purposes but for the participants to understand the history of Spain and how cooperatives in Spain evolved.

Day 3: (April 20, 2009)

Visit No. 1: CEDERCAM- Asociacion Para El Desarollo Rural De Castilla La Mancha (Castilla La Mancha Network for Rural Development)

Time: 9:00 AM

Site: Rio Valdyernos, Bajo, Toledo City, Toledo, Spain

CEDERCAM is a network of Groups for Rural Development in Castilla La Mancha with experiences in promotion, support and participation of cooperatives. The group supports the agricultural activities in Castilla La Mancha particularly in agricultural modernization and trade and commercialization as well as in the diversification of the agrarian economy especially in rural development. It is composed of twenty nine (29) rural development groups in the Community of Castilla-La Mancha, an autonomous regional government composed of the five (5) provinces of Albacete; Ciudad Real; Cuenca; Guadalajara and Toledo with Toledo City as the regional capital. The primary role of the network is to coordinate the activities of each of the rural development groups in the region.

The various rural development groups served as clearing house for various rural development projects and initiatives in their respective township or municipality in such a way that the group prepares the Community Development Plan, incorporating therein the list of priority programs and projects for inclusion in the Provincial and Regional Development Plan. The funds to support the various programs and projects embodied in the Regional Development Plan shall be sourced from the European Union (75%); National Government of Spain (12.5 %) and; Autonomous Community or the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha (12.5%). In effect, the total rural development budget for the autonomous regional community is split among the various rural development groups depending on the village needs and situation.

Mr. Vicente Ita, the President of CEDERCAM and President of a cooperative in Guadalajara province and Mr. Jesus Fernandez, head of one of the biggest agrarian cooperative in Cuenca province, shared to the group their experiences in cooperative development and integration.

Mr. Ita explained to the group the balance of social movement. He informed the body on how CEDERCAM was formed and its composition. CEDERCAM is formed by different groups composed of social and rural agencies (rural development workers, women groups, agricultural workers, etc). Of this composition, 50% is composed of the social agents (comprising the cooperatives, people’s organizations and other sectors based in the township or municipality) and the other 50% is by the local government representatives (representatives of the local government unit and other government agencies). As such, there is a balanced representation between the private and the government. CEDERCAM is governed by the General Assembly (the highest policy-making body just like here in the Philippines), President, Board of Director, and the Technical Group.

He also informed the group that his cooperative is not focusing much on agriculture but venturing into diverse activities like communication, tourism, commerce and other services that support rural development.

Mr. Edelito Sangco from Socorro Empowered People’s Cooperative (SOEMCO) in Caraga Region listens intently to Ms. Katia Oceransky as she translated the talk of Mr. Ita into the English language while Mr. Alvin Paul Dirain from the Department of Agriculture, Central Office seriously takes notes.

Mr. Fernandez on the other hand shared to the group how they started their cooperative and how it grew. He informed the group that when they started in 1988, they only have 10 members. In order for them to compete in the market, the 10 farmers decided to form a cooperative. The other problem which prompted them to form a cooperative is the decreasing number of inhabitants in the area. Most of the young people tend to migrate in the cities to look for better job opportunities making the ratio down to 4 person / sq. km. Through the cooperative, and by increasing the rate of commercialization, this will create more opportunities for young inhabitants which will encourage them to stay in the area. Now, they have 1,200 members composed of women, young farmers and old people. With the support of the European Union (EU), the agrarian common policy (APC) pushed for the increase in size and increase in level of cooperatives.

Generally, cooperative development is equated with rural development in Castilla-La Mancha. This is because Cooperatives are the only business establishments that exists in Castilla La Mancha. This is the main source of employment of the rural people. Agricultural production and marketing (wines, grains, garlic, sunflower, mushroom) are the main business undertakings of the cooperatives in Castilla-La Mancha though some cooperatives are engaged in diversified activities like housing, shops (stores),adventure tourism (horse riding, balloon riding, tour train) and small-scale hotel operation. The average farm family production area in the region is 70 hectares, though not necessarily owned by an individual farmer, wherein, in some instances only 5 hectares is owned by a farmer and the rest is rented or leased.

Mr. Mario Espiso from Labo Progressive Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Bicol Region, Mr. Roger Mercado from MLGU-Goa, Camarines Sur, Mr. Levi Sta. Ana, Sr. from Liga ng mga Barangay Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Bicol Region, and Mr. Ernesto Parato from the Department of Agriculture – Region 5 pay serious attention to the talk of Mr. Fernandez.

Mr. Fernandez stressed that no matter how big is the support from the government, the cooperative needs to be efficient in order to succeed. If the cooperative is inefficient, it is the management that is not good.

He further stressed that there are two (2) main factors that help cooperatives grow in Castilla-La Mancha: First is the fidelity of the members and the other is the efficient production and commercialization. On the fidelity aspect, the members possess the right attitude to elect good leaders in the Board of Directors. In return, the Board selects good managers. As a result, there is no leadership problem in the cooperatives of Castilla-La Mancha. In the aspect of production and commercialization which applies mainly to producers’ and marketing cooperatives, there should be product dimension in such a way that volume and quality is a primary concern to attain the best market as possible.

Ms. Jodel Tabada and Ms. Isabelita Ocampo, both from the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Unit No. 13 (Caraga), as well as Ms. Caridad Vargas from Macutal Farmer-Producers Cooperative in Bicol Region take notes while listening to the speakers from CEDERCAM.

Part 1 – Spain Cooperative Study Tour: The Why, Who and How

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A pose for posterity at the city of Toledo, which is the capital of the Autonomous Region of Castella La Mancha, Spain by the 15-man Philippine Delegation to the Study Visit on the Development of Cooperative Integration in Spain on April 18-26, 2009. Standing from left to right are: Aloha Gigi Banaria, Caridad Vargas, Ernesto Parato, Nielo Tingson, Isabelita Ocampo, Almar Autida, Reynaldo Rosales, Antonio Betasolo, Edelito Sangco, Luz Brenda Balebria, and Jodel Tabada. Seated from left to right are: Alvin Paul Dirain, Jerry Mercado, Mario Esposo, and Levi Sta. Maria, Sr.

I. RATIONALE:

Agriculture and agribusiness remain to be the backbone of the Philippine economy. To support the development of the sector, the Philippine Government through the Department of Agriculture (DA) has availed of a grant assistance from the Government of Spain through the Agencia Española de Cooperacion International para el Desarollo (AECID) to implement the “STRENGTHENING OF THE AGRO-INDUSTRIAL SECTOR IN BICOL AND CARAGA (SAIS-BC) PROJECT.” Bicol and Caraga, being identified as among the poorest regions in the country, are the geographical focus of the 5^th RP-Spain Joint Commission for Cooperation

SAIS-BC is a 3-year project which aims to support the current thrust of DA on agribusiness development in order to generate jobs. It focuses on value-adding of major commodities such as coconut, abaca,cassava and pineapple. The project provides funds for the establishment of processing facilities and installation of the required machineries and equipment, conduct of training for both beneficiaries and project implementers to facilitate the smooth implementation of project activities and sustain the benefits that will be gained from the project, and for the creation and strengthening of the marketing network of the processed products. A Technical Assistance (TA) on cooperative development and integration is also provided under the project.

To facilitate proper management and sustainable operation of the established processing facilities, the project works with cooperatives and farmers’ organizations in cooperation with the concerned localgovernment units of the selected project areas. Strong cooperative sector is believed to be important for the repercussions it represents both in increasing productivity and profitability of agricultural operations, and in increasing efficiency of the marketing channels of agricultural and food products, hence, promoting sustainable rural and agricultural development.

Cooperatives are the public sector’s partners in supporting the small farmers. A strong cooperative organization can greatly contribute in the implementation of agricultural policies. A strong cooperative foundation is the best guarantee for a sustainable agricultural and rural development.

Noting these potentials, the SAIS-BC Project was designed to support the cooperatives, thereby promoting integration and strengthening of cooperatives in Bicol and Caraga regions. However, majority of the agri-based cooperatives in the Philippines are still weak. As such, promotion and strengthening of the cooperative sector is given utmost importance under the SAIS-BC project.

Thus, under the Spanish Technical Assistance on Cooperative Integration of the project, a study trip to successful cooperatives in Spain was recommended to promote cooperative integration. Spain is one ofthe few countries with very successful cooperative movement.

Cooperatives are the building blocks of Spain’s agriculture sector and rural development. Hence, the study trip to Spain was conducted on April 18-26, 2009.

II. GOAL AND OBJECTIVES:

Generally, the study trip aimed to enhance the capacities of the SAIS-BC project implementers and partner cooperatives to smoothly implement and sustain the project activities.

Specifically, it aimed to:

Learn from the experiences of the successful cooperatives in Spain on cooperative development in order to increase the level of consciousness of the project implementers and partner cooperatives on the advantages of cooperative integration;
Increase the level of consciousness of the project implementers and partner cooperatives/farmers’ association on the advantages of cooperative integration to encourage them to apply the principles and mechanisms of cooperative integration;
Strengthen the capacities of the selected LGU personnel to promote local initiatives, adopt extension functions, and consider the whole dimension of rural development; and
Prepare the participants to adapt to changing conditions in the market as well as in social and political environment.

III. PARTICIPANTS:

The study trip was participated in by selected representatives from the Central PCO, Sub- PCO in Bicol and Caraga and from the selected partner LGUs and beneficiary cooperatives. AECID-Caraga also sent one representative to the study trip. Following are the list of participants:

Central Project Coordination Office, DA-PDS

Ms. LUZ BRENDA P. BALIBREA – Training & Caraga Area Coordinator Mr. ALVIN PAUL J. DIRAIN – M&E and Bicol Area Coordinator

Bicol Sub-Project Coordination Office, DA-RFU V

Mr. ERNESTO N. PARATO – Sub PCO Coordinator Ms. ALOHA GIGII. BAÑARIA – Training Coordinator

Caraga Sub-Project Coordination Office, DA-RFU XIII

Ms. JODEL A. TABADA – Assistant Sub PCO Coordinator Ms. ISABELITA L. OCAMPO – Training Coordinator

Partner LGU Focal Persons

Mr. JERRY M. MERCADO – Goa, Camarines Sur

Mr. REYNALDO A. ROSALES – Butuan City, Agusan del Norte

Mr. ALMAR B. AUTIDA – Bislig City, Surigao del Sur

Chairpersons of Partner Cooperatives

Mrs. CARIDAD V. VARGAS – Macutal Farmer-Producers Cooperative (MFPC), Bicol Region

Mr. LEVI T. STA. ANA, SR. – Liga ng mga Barangay Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LBMPC), Bicol Region

Mr. MARIO M. ESPESO – Labo Progressive Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LPMPC), Bicol Region

Mr. ANTONIO O. BETASOLO – Manila de Bugabus Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MBMPC), Caraga Region

Mr. EDELITO C. SANGCO – Socorro Empowered People’s Cooperative (SOEMCO), Caraga Region

Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo

Mr. NIELO L. TINGZON – Regional Technical Director, AECID-Caraga

IV. TRAINING PROGRAM MECHANICS:

The study program was a 9-day activity. The itinerary includes visits to different types of integrated cooperatives existing in the autonomous regions of Castilla La Mancha (CLM) and Valencia and in selected government offices concerned in supporting cooperative development in Spain.

The study-visit includes lectures, site visits, interaction with farmers and cooperative leaders, and some hands-on training activities. Conduct of the study visit was coordinated by the TA Project Coordinators: Mr. Juan Sebastian Castillo Valero, Mr. Jose Maria Garcia Alvarez-Coque and Mr. Jose Luis Collado together with the very active and supportive TA Team members: Ms. Katia Oceransky, Mr. Antonio Jimenez, Atty. Rodolfo Clari-clari and Mr. Antonio Aznar. Each visit was accompanied by the most appropriate professor of practice in accordance with the subject to be tackled in the visit. Ms. Katia Oceransky acted as the interpreter and tour guide during the entire study-visit that greatly facilitated the smooth communication flow and group interaction.

The group stayed in Toledo for two days and one night, two days and two nights in Albacete. The group also stayed for two days and two nights in Valencia before going back to Madrid where the group spent the last night of the Study Trip in Spain.