By Gerry T. Valerio
April 6, 2006, the day before the AGA, was open to the general public. A program was held to formally thank our partners and friends. Present in this activity were: Ms. Flerida Arias, Operations Manager of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management, Ms. Teresita Deleon, Managing Director of Kaakbay Entre-workers MPC Calabarzon Area, Ms. Catalina Fermin, Executive Director of the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons and Mr. Rizalio Sanchez, Ms. Jona Santos, CBM Program Officer, Mr. Butch Ferriols, consultant of the Socio-Economic Development for Cooperatives – Canadian International Development Agency (SEDCOP-CIDA), Mr. Jun Herrero from Cooperative Development Authority-Manila and Ms. Lolita Maguigad, our trainor. The distinguished guests gave us very inspiring words of support.
The Federation maximized the evening of April 6 by conducting a workshop on internal strengthening in preparation for the AGA. Among the key points raised and discussed were: issues and perceptions, strengths and weaknesses of the Federation, general comments and recommendations. In the main, most of the MCs are aware of the objectives and added value of the Federation. Majority of the MCs verbalized the strength of the Federation in terms of providing employment as well as technical and financial assistance. Some MCs cited though that they need more technical trainings, the levels of authority within the Federation must be further clarified and that the communication between the MCs and the national management must be enhanced. The body agreed that the recommendations that came up during the workshop would be integrated in the discussion and decision points during the AGA.