CMPL Coops Cluster showcases coop products through virtual trade fairs

THE Consumers, Marketing, Producers, and Logistics (CMPL) Cooperatives Cluster, headed by CDA Assistant Secretary Datu Pendatun “Penny” Disimban, joined the 2021 Cooperative Month Celebration by conducting a series of virtual trade fairs nationwide this October. The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) has been conducting trade fairs for years, but this year was significantly different as it was conducted virtually and/or in a blended setup, wherein a virtual platform and products exhibit was facilitated due to the pandemic.

This virtual trade fair, which had a theme: “Produkto ng Kooperatiba: Ipagmalaki at Ipakilala,” aimed to showcase, promote and market the local products of our very own CMPL cooperatives across the Philippines. It also aimed to connect potential buyers with suppliers within the cooperatives and the public in support of the cooperative movement, especially in this time of the pandemic.

During these virtual trade fairs, audio-video presentations (AVPs) were presented showcasing the various quality products of the CMPL cooperatives. Part of the program was a presentation by CDA Deputy Administrator Ray Elevazo about the upcoming CDA Global Project, an online marketing platform that will bring the local market products to the global market chain.

Moreover, distinguished leaders and cooperative advocates such as Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, former Quezon City Mayor Herbert“Bistek”Bautista, and Robin Abdul Aziz“Binoe”Padilla- and of CDA Chairman Joseph“Joy”Encabo, CDA Asec. Disimban, and CMPL Sectoral Apex Organization (SAO) President Danilo Llena gave their inspiration messages, mostly urging the participants and viewers to patronize the quality products of the cooperatives that would help the Filipino communities.

The first segment of the activity, which was held on Oct.15, 2021, was participated by various cooperatives coming from different regions in Luzon. CMPL coops’products such as Premium Coffee of Atok Arabica Coffee Growers Marketing Cooperative, quality handcrafted and environment-friendly items of Kamay Krafts Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC), choco milk of Rosario Dairy Farmers Cooperative, pure cacao tablea of Cacao Growers and Marketing Cooperative, shell craft products of Del Mar Shellcraft Multi-Purpose Cooperative, chicharabao of Lighthouse Cooperative, rabbit meats of Jabez Marketing Cooperative, embroidered barong tagalog and saya of Lumban MPC, chicha corn of San Carlos MPC, pineapple cloth and pina fiber of Labo Progressive MPC, and many more were showcased during the event and were presented by CDA Regional Directors of Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), National Capital Region (NCR), Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, and 5.

The Visayas-wide virtual trade fair of CMPL Cooperatives Cluster was the second segment of the activity and was held on Oct. 22, 2021 via a virtual platform. The Visayas CDA Directors of Regions 6, 7, and 8 presented various products of coops in Visayas such as coconut products (e.g. coco poles, coco doormats) of Man-Up MPC, hablon products of Salngan Livelihood MPC, dairy products of Bohol Dairy Cooperatives, caramilk cookies and squash crackers of Lamac MPC, carabao milk of Baybay Dairy Cooperative, bags made of native pandan of Looc Cabucgayan Agrarian Reform Cooperative, etc.

The third and last segment of the activity was set on October 30, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.. This time with product exhibits in Veranza Mall, General Santos City by selected CMPL coops in Region 12. The exhibit of products was in partnership with the City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office of the Local Government Unit of General Santos City. Some of the products presented during the event are vegetable pickles of Tamil Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative, boneless crunchy tilapia of El Salvador Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative, vinegar and virgin coconut oil of Cocolife Multipurpose Cooperative, wood-based such as secondary school chairs of San Francisco Association of Differently-Abled Persons MPC (Safraadap), and T’nalak products of Klowil Agricultural Enterprise MPC.