La Union Coop Month 2026 culminates with Gawad Kooperatiba awards

By PGLU-PCDO | Photos by PGLU-MAO | Date: October 26, 2026

Celebrating milestones and outstanding achievements, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU), through the Office of the Provincial Governor–Provincial Cooperative Development Office (OPG-PCDO), gathered cooperatives for the Culmination Program and Awarding Ceremonies of the CY 2026 La Union Cooperative Month held October 16, 2026 at the San Juan Municipal Gymnasium, Ili Sur, San Juan, La Union.

The culmination served as the highlight of the month-long celebration, gathering cooperative leaders, members, officials, and partners to promote cooperative values, share best practices, and recognize their contributions to local economic growth and community development. The program featured "La Union Gawad Kooperatiba 2026: Pagkilala Para sa mga Katangi-tanging Kooperatiba sa Probinsya," which recognized exemplary cooperatives across the province.

Gov. Mario Eduardo C. Ortega, represented by Executive Assistant IV Justito Orros III, commended cooperatives for driving inclusive growth in La Union. Board Member and Chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Committee on People's Organizations, Non-Government Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, and Cooperatives Jeferson B. Fernando; and Board Member Atty. Ernesto V. Rafon, who also shared the message of Vice Gov. Eric O. Sibuma, also expressed SP's broad support for the cooperative movement.

As part of the program's capacity-building component, Board Chairperson of Old Central Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Sudipen Renato D. Pang-ot shared the cooperative's best practices and success story. Ana C. Soriano and Jamaica C. Cabrera of the Bureau of Internal Revenue - Revenue District Office No. 3 discussed the taxation and exemptions for cooperatives. Meanwhile, Vice-Chairperson of the La Union Provincial Cooperative Union Genaro S. Palabay led the presentation and confirmation of graduates of the capacity-building activities conducted during the CY 2026 La Union Cooperative Month.

City Mayor Hermenegildo Gualberto of CSFLU, represented by Executive Assistant II Valerie Ann S. Valdez; San Juan Mayor Mariquita P. Ortega, represented by Municipal Agriculturist Harlene Fernandez; Regional Director of the Cooperative Development Authority Region I Extension Office Atty. Frederick Joe N. Robles, represented by Cooperative Development Specialist II Constancia A. De Guzman of the Provincial Cooperative Development Specialist – La Union; and Acting Provincial Government Assistant Department Head I Gemma N. Macusi of the OPG-PCDO, delivered inspirational messages and emphasized the importance of collective action in promoting local development.