Asian credit union execs induct Tagum Coop global women net

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte--- Leaders of the Asian Confederation of Credit Union (ACCU) Friday (May 22) came to  induct the officers and members of Tagum Cooperative Sister Society organized as one of the local chapters of the Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN).

ACCU Founding President Andrew So, ACCU Chief Technical Advisor Ranjith Hettiarachchi and ACCU Chief Executive Officer Elenita San Roque came to grace the occasion which gathered about 50 Tagum Cooperative women members of various professions.

Tagum Cooperative Sister Society officials inducted into office were Norma R. Pereyras, president;  Monica Salido, vice president; Fe Adlawan, secretary; Angelina Collis, treasurer; Gertrudes Yap, auditor.

Also inducted as officers were Arlene Adlawan-king,  Leslie Canuto and Kate Antoinette Umayam as public information officers;  Venus Tabanao,  Kathryn Ann Salazar, Clygene Dairo, Joan Almendras and Ann Nieves Malingin as members of the secretariat.

In his message after inducting the Tagum Coop Sister Society officers and members, So shared his views on leadership saying to “lead is to serve”.

Citing such definition of leadership, So challenged members of Tagum Cooperative Sister Society to “lead for others”, and to make a difference as “women for and with others”.

In an interview, So expressed confidence that Tagum Cooperative Sister Society members can live up to  the expectation for them “to do their best for others given the enthusiasm that they’ve shown”.   

Meanwhile, Hettiarachchi  on the same event pitched similar challenge for the local Sister Society members pointing out the importance of “making a difference in the lives of cooperative members”, which he viewed as more important than just raking in income.

On the other hand, San Roque revealed that Tagum Cooperative  Sister Society is the fourth organized in Asia and the second in the Philippines next to Paglaum Multi Purpose Cooperative based in Plaridel, Misamis Occidental.

Paglaum MPC Sister Society was the first organized in Asia; second was in Nepal and third in Thailand, she said .

San Roque explained that Sister Societies  represent  the local chapters of the Global Women’s Leadership Network,  organized to “create local impact”.

“It’s purpose is for personal and professional development as well as for cooperative development,” she said.

Created  by the World Council of Credit Union (WOCCU) in 2009, the Global Women’s Leadership Network links 820 women in 53 countries, she said.

On  the other hand,  Tagum Cooperative Chairperson Norma Pereyras was optimistic that women in Tagum Cooperative would become more empowered “now that we are linked with the global network of women”.

“This works to our advantage because we will be able to expand our network of good opportunities in the world,” she said.

Provincial Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio who was present during the event viewed the Tagum Cooperative Sister Society as “catalyst of empowering more our women in Tagum City and in Davao del Norte”.

Also gracing the occasion, City of Tagum Mayor Allan Rellon congratulated Tagum Cooperative for pushing through the organization of Sister Society and that he banked on the home-grown billionaire cooperative to continue bringing successes for Tagum City.  (Tagum Cooperative)