Compiled by Cooperative Development Authority, Dagupan Extension Office Philippines

1. A Closer Look on the San Joaquin
Multi-Purpose Cooperative
Compiled by: Jacqueline L. De Leon
Graphics by ARD Jo Bitonio
Cooperative Development Authoity
January 2012
The San Joaquin Multi-Purpose
Cooperative was originally a barangay-based
cooperative formed primarily to serve the
people within the locality comprising mostly
of farmers. It was formally organized in
March 1984 with the initiative of a two
ordinary farmers, the late Celso G. Rasalan
& late Camilo B. Rasos Sr. (the founders)
through the assistance of the Provincial
Cooperative Development Office under the
Dept of Agriculture.
Its initial paid-up capital was P17,200.00 contributed by 17
incorporators most of whom were members of the defunct Samahang Nayon.
Then on May 10, 1984, it was finally registered with the then Bureau of
Cooperative Development with the name, San Joaquin Samahang
Consumers Cooperative Inc. under Certificate of Registration No. RI-FF-086.
It all started as just a
consumer’s store and for quite a
while, the Cooperative operated
accordingly with the business plan.
However, in 1987, it was observed
that farmers tend to borrow capital
from loan sharks. The Officers, as
sensitive as ever to the needs of the
members, resolved for the creation
of a Credit Department that accepts
Savings and Time Deposits at an
interest rate more competitive than
average commercial banks. Thus,
indirectly savings mobilization and
Capital Build-up is a common
problem to all coops was
neutralized.
It also offers providential and agricultural loans at minimal rates
slowly eradicating the usurers that has been sucking the blood of these poor
farmers. Simultaneously, its scope of operation extended to the adjacent
barangay. This vital transformation created an impact in the locality
particularly the way of living of the people. They have realized that
teamwork and solidarity, if coupled with discipline and perseverance can
build roads and bridges.

2. With these developments in so short a time, the Board of Directors, in
anticipation of further changes and developments, proposed for major
amendments in the by-laws. And so, in the General Assembly of March
1988, the members unanimously approved the proposed amendment of the
by-laws and converted its name to San Joaquin Multi-Purpose Cooperative
(SJMPC). So, on March 2, 1991, its new identity was finally confirmed by the
Cooperative Development Authority.
The Credit Department gained tremendous popularity in the
community, membership had increased phenomenally. This paved the way
for the formulation of control measures to protect the interest of the
cooperative. Soon, the Cooperative adopted the standard operating
procedure of banking institutions enforcing all types of loans to be backed-
up by collaterals which eventually is appraised and religiously checked by
its own Loan Collector/Appraiser.
As the Cooperative developed and expanded, the members’ “basic
needs” seemed to increase enormously. This time, they wanted a gasoline
station to be established. As the saying goes, “if there is a will, there is a
way.” Applying in all the oil companies in the country, the cooperative was
armed only with one thing, its quest for growth and development. But who
would believe in a small rural-based organization ran by farmers? Only the
Caltex Philippines did, and so the Gasoline Station Department was put up.
The San Joaquin MPC certainly created an image of worthy of trust
and confidence from the public. Being proactive and creative, the
Cooperative slowly etched its name in the archives of cooperativism.
In 1990, the Department of Agriculture granted the SJMPC a Solar
Drier under the former’s Livelihood Enhancement for Agricultural
Development (LEAD) program. Later, this grant would play a major role in
the conceptualization of a new business particularly Palay Trading and Rice
Milling to maximize the utilization of this drier which are absolutely
imperative to a community whose primarily source of living is farm tilling.
As the Gasoline Department became the top grosser of the
Cooperative, the need to have its own Hauling Tanker was figured out. The

3. only problem then was capital. To solve this problem, it offered higher
savings and time deposits compared to commercial banks. Thus, the
cooperative is now slowly affirming its role and underscoring its mission
threatening unscrupulous capitalists.
.
DIVERSITY IS OUR FOCUSED, ATTENDING TO MEMBERS’ NEEDS FOR
THEIR SATISFACTION, CONTRIBUTING TO SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT & RESPONSIVE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS”
From then on, there was never a year to relax for the SJMPC as it pursued
community growth and development. In 1991, a warehouse was constructed
in a 542 square meter-lot that was acquired for One Hundred Thousand
Pesos (P100,000.00). Through the self-help (free-labor) of the members, the
edifice was erected. After which, a six-wheeler ELF truck was procured to
haul and deliver farmer’s products particularly palay. The Cooperative was
then accredited by the National Food Authority
In 1992, SJMPC was awarded as the Most Outstanding Multi-Purpose Coop
in Region I. The following year 1993, a Certificate of Recognition from CDA
National Level was received at the same time, awarded as 2nd Placer,
Outstanding Entrepreneurial Coop, National Level by the CDA.
The year 1993 was a very remarkable year in the annals of the San
Joaquin Multi-Purpose Cooperative. It was during this year that its
economic impact was felt not only within the community but also
reverberated throughout the country. Unexpectedly, with the support and
trust of the Municipal Agricultural Office, who became SJMPC’s nominator,
the Cooperative was adjudged as OUTSTANDING SMALL
FARMERS/FISHERFOLKS ORGANIZATION and a runner-up in the
PARANGAL NG NEPA in the National Category. With these achievements,
the SJMPC received a cash award of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos
(P200,000.00) that was eventually used to purchase a Satake Cono Ricemill.

4. This turnaround had cemented the relationship between the SJMPC and the
Municipal Agriculture Office. The latter’s trust with the former was
retaliated with unparalleled zest and fervor in the implementation of its
projects, i.e. Tilapia Culture, Mahogany Tree Planting, Mango Propagation,
Cattle Fattening and other related livelihood projects.
In 1994, as the Cooperative continued to grow and its membership
multiplied by folds, a Consumer’s Store- Branch and a Koop-Drug were
established in front of the Sarrat Public Market.
In 1995, a generator was bought to combat the rampant power
failures that proved to be a menace not only to the Cooperative but also to
the entire business community.
July 10, 1996. A fully air-conditioned office building was completed
just beside the gasoline station. This new office where member-depositors &
borrowers were accommodated was equipped with computers to facilitate
transactions that seemed to have increased by the days. In December of that
same year, an XLT-Service Car was acquired.
The Cooperative truly has ventured in almost every business that the
members basically need. But as an evidence of its discontentment, its
Directors proposed a line of business everybody hates to patronize. A
FUNERAL PARK! So, at the 2nd Quarter of 1998, the development of the
proposed MEMORIAL PARK began.

5. Sometimes, these endeavors, have not always met with the full approval of
the members. But with the management’s use of the different tools in
determining the feasibility of these ventures, they seemed to possess the
magic touch of King Midas proving to unbelievers that they were wrong,
expunging every trace of skepticism that went before these projects became
operational.
As a proof that the government extols the achievements of ordinary citizens,
the cooperative posted an award winning-streak that is yet to be surpassed
among cooperatives in the Province. Here are some:
August 1998. The Department of Agriculture through the Land Bank
of the Philippines awarded a SHEGA III Moisture tester to the Cooperative.
In October 1998, the SJMPC was awarded Fifty Thousand Pesos
(P50,000.00) and a Plaque of Recognition by the Cooperative Development
Authority for being chosen as the country’s Most Outstanding Primary
Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
That same month, the Cooperative was given a Certificate of
Appreciation by the Cooperative Union of the Philippines, Certificate of
Outstanding Achiever and Five Thousand Pesos(P5,000.00) in cash by the
CDA-DEO.
As the Fiscal Year was about to end, in compliance to requirement of
Caltex Phils. Safety Regulations, a New Hauling Tanker (14k lits capacity)
was acquired. Also, a multi-cab was purchased partially out of the NFA-
Cooperative Development Incentive Fee.
The cooperative, represented by its Chairman, Mr. Celso Rasalan,
culminated the year by availing a loan worth One Million Pesos
(P1,000,000.00) from the Land Bank of the Philippines for additional
working capital that would supplement existing finances to meet the
demands of the ever business minded BOD’s of the SJMPC in the coming
years,. Likewise to establish a relationship with the pro-coop bank
institution in the country, particularly the Land Bank of the Philippines.
During this year, the coop was also awarded as the Leading Primary
Cooperative in Region I.

6. Few years after, the Land Bank of the Philippines noticed the financial
growth and performance of the Coop, thereby it became one of the Gawad
Pitak National Contenders in 2000. Since then, the San Joaquin MPC never
misses to receive awards from various agencies every year. To name a few,
2001 Special Award for being an Outstanding Primary Coop given by CDA,
National level; 2001 & 2002 Ist Runner Up-Best Coop by LBP-Integrated
Rural Financing; 2001 4th Placer Outstanding Agri-MPC by CDA Nat’Level;
2002 3rd Placer Outstanding Agri-MPC, CDA Nat’l Level; in 2004 Loyalty
Award by Coop Union of the Phils.
With more than a decade of fruitful existence, the Cooperative never
stops in pursuing its goals: SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE AND TO THE
COMMUNITY. A bank-like operation was installed thru the assistance of the
Land Bank of the Philippines. A teller cage was donated to formalize its
operations, resulting to more member-depositors and borrowers.
So, in 2003, the Loans & Savings Department was relocated to the
newly constructed 2-storey building fully furnished and equipped to be able
to accommodate better its clienteles. The second floor serves as a multi-
purpose hall: a venue for meetings, conferences, trainings & seminars and
to accommodate visitors who are having their Lakbay-Aral. Likewise, this
multi-purpose hall is being used by the Education & Training Committee for
their monthly Pre-Membership Education Seminars where prospective
members are educated with their duties and responsibilities that would
make them cooperative worthy. Also trainings that focus in the
enhancement of skills of individual and associate members, their
beneficiaries, the management & officers are periodically conducted.
Twenty years forward, members are now socially & financially
equipped, the cooperative entered into new ventures, it was accredited as
the first cooperative distributor of San Miguel Beer Products and Coca Cola
Products. Haulers, delivery elf and routing trucks were purchased.
Additional manpower were hired, thus unemployment problem on the
country was partially solved.
In these new ventures, SJMPC showed exemplary performance again.
In the year 2006, SJMPC was awarded as Top 2 SMB Dealer for-Central
North Luzon Area & for 2007 Top 1 SMB Dealer for Central North Luzon
Area respectively. Then in 2007 Excellence Award was given by CDA-
Dagupan Extension Office; And for the past 5 consecutive years, that is
from 2005 to 2009, SJMPC was a Gawad Pitak Awardee ranked 4th placed;

7. 3rd placed; 4th placed; 2nd placed & 2nd placed again for 2009. On the year
2011, when the San Joaquin MPC received the Hall of Fame Award by Land
Bank of the Philippines Gawad Pitak. Another award received for the year
2011 was the CDA Gawad Parangal as regional nominee in the national
level.
Out of the Gawad Pitak Prizes received from LBP with a sum of
1.525M, the Cooperative was able to modernized its recording systems and
procedures through acquisition of computer units, receipt and passbook
printers. The Marketing Center & Coca Cola Sales Office was constructed
and a Forklift for the Coca Cola and San Miguel Beer Dealership was
acquired. From the 2008 Gawad Pitak Prize, (second placer), an expansion
of the Marketing Center was constructed to accommodate more inventories.
And for the latest Gawad Pitak Prize (second placer) for 2009, the
Cooperative was able to purchase a digital fuel dispenser for the gasoline
station. These facilities acquired were just the fruits of the concerted efforts
and sacrifices of the officers, management staff and the general
membership.
San Joaquin MPC does not focus only on business operations but also
concerns for the community. These concerns for the welfare of people in
the community are expressed through health and nutrition program, gift
giving to indigents, relief operations for typhoon victims, scholarship grants
to poor but deserving children of members, school support to selected school
pupils and peace and order campaign. The Coop is also an advocate of
environmental preservation through tree planting activities, donation of
garbage cans, clean up drives, recycling education and promotions of the
use of organic fertilizers. It also supports the local government units
through sponsorship to different festivities and programs in the area.
As a practitioner of the seven principles of cooperativism, it carries out
cooperation among cooperatives through technical and marketing assistance
to fellow primary cooperatives. Affiliations and linkages to secondary,
tertiary coops, government organizations and non-government organizations
served as its stronghold in its development.
The San Joaquin MPC values education. Officers and Staff are sent to
seminars, conferences, team shops and trainings to upgrade their skills and

8. capabilities. Lakbay Aral is also conducted to various successful coops and
institutions in nearby provinces.
Today, with the cooperative efforts from its highly competent BOD’&
different Committee Members, forty four motivated and efficient
Management Staffs and of course a very supportive membership, the San
Joaquin MPC have metamorphosed from a mere consumer’s store to a
multi-line business that is expanding in response to the demands of its
constituents. Its total assets have ballooned to P121,766,959.27, Share
Capital to P20,855,162.42, and its membership to 3,039 as of December
31, 2011.