All the Presidentiables know that the best copy of their campaign spiel is one that is focused on the ‘poor.’ Thus, most TV spots, radio jingle, advertorials and streamers feature the poor, the unemployed, the man on the street. It is as if the swing vote will come from this sector.

In many cases, some LGU incumbents have maintained ‘colonies’ of urban informal settlers for their sure block votes, one reason why we cannot really clean Metro Manila with this unsightly areas.
While candidates spend millions on these political brain games, one asks who is really minding the poor?

Well at least , there is one Sector that is consistently trying its best to help the poor , teach them to become financially independent and not rely solely on government dole outs. I refer to the Cooperative Sector.

With about 4,812 Savings and Credit Cooperatives, 1,360 Consumer Cooperatives, 1,806 Service Cooperatives ( like those in the power, water and transport business), more than 60,000 Agri and non Agri Coops and the various small scattered cooperatives in marketing and the so called Multi – Purpose, this Sector, has for years, helped the poor to uplift their standard of living, teach them the importance of savings, and show them the benefits of being able to help themselves.

This Sector has bonded together as unions and federations in the city and town proper, they have organized in the Regional level and even have their own National Organization. However, even with the enactment of RA 9520 (otherwise known as the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008,) there exists no Master Plan to help make this Sector more responsive to the needs of the poor.

Even after more than 50 years of existence, this Sector is a far cry from the movement to be found in the first world countries like Germany, Canada and the US. Cooperatives in these places compete with their counterparts in the Capitalist system in terms of funding, management and growth. On the other hand, our local Consumer Cooperatives cannot even compete with the 7-11s and the Mini Stops, our Credit Cooperatives does not even operate at par with small Rural Banks and Lending Investors or even Electric Cooperatives cannot provide efficient service as those in the power distribution businesses..

Its time someone look into how we can make this Sector a powerful force in Philippine society. Someone has to integrate efforts by both government and the private sector on how to better equip the poor with the knowledge, values and vision needed to be able to stand alone.

By the way, a Natural Farming and Gardening Seminar will be held on January 30, 2010 from 8:00a.m. to 4:00 pm. At Flor’s Garden, Marcos Highway, Antipolo City, sponsored by the Finex Research and Development Foundation.

Learn from an expert on natural farming – Mr. Andry K. Lim, of Tribal Mission Foundation International and DA Secretary’s Award for Outstanding Organic Agriculture Initiative. Please contact the Finex Secretariat at 811-4184 for more details.