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We are all aware of the present economic status of the country; the people are running out of breath with the continuous price hike of petroleum products, the canned goods, the staple food and even the abundant vegetables and fruits. Despite the government’s effort, still the sufferings of Batangueños persist.
Batangueños are of no escape from the excruciating wounds of the country. Their pockets ache with their heads as they think of what are they going to eat for tomorrow. Hungry mouths of their children with less than a year age gap are hard to pin down. These problems are common to people who do not have permanent job or worse, no job at all. These illnesses for sure have prescribed medications even if we have to dig it up vigorously. Good that some of these medications sprouted amidst the tall grasses of difficulty. One of which is the Batangas Nacida Producers Association Development Cooperative (BANAPRA).
BANAPRA Came into Existence
With the aim of fostering cooperativism among its members and extending credit for more productive and provident purposes, encouraging thrifts, saving, increase of capital build up and acquiring investment to uplift their economic and social status, the Batangas Nacida Producers Association (BANAPRA Development Cooperative) was established under CDA Registration Number R-IV-FF. 267, Confirmation Number 198 issued on January 1, 1991 at the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) – Calamba Extension.. Their main office is located at Hernandez Building , Julian Pastor Memorial Road , New Market Site, Batangas City .
From that day until now, Batangueños do not suffer that much especially those who patronize BANAPRA.
The organization is a lending industry as well. It provides its members sufficient money to serve as their capital so they may start a business of their own. Furthermore, BANAPRA provides a pocket-friendly price of basic commodities like canned goods, soaps, sugars, noodles and many other basic needs.
During its first few years, it encountered difficulty and other things that hamper their success but due to perseverance and sacrifices BANAPRA is standing tall today. BANAPRA have significant role in decreasing burden of common Batangueños, that’s why the members are growing in volumes per year.
Persons behind the Success
BANAPRA Cooperative Association is headed by Chairman Arnold S. Mendoza who devoted his life on serving the Batangueños. The Board Members who also aim the same are Venancio B. Seno, Vice Chairman; Maria Paz P. Lacorte, Treasurer; Geonalyn C. Fradejas, Board Secretary and the following are the directors: Dominador R. Calaluan, Eufrosina R. Garcia, Catalino T. Samonte and Marites T. Moises.
Those who manage the stall on New Market site and those who are assigned to entertain people who want to be a member of the cooperative composed the Management Staff. They are Yolanda R. Briones, Manager; Geonalyn Fradejas, General Clerk; Maria Paz p. Lacorte, Cashier: Bibiana G. Delen, Bookkeepers; Roberto A. de Torres, collector and Marita M. Abaga, sales clerk. They were at first, ordinary cooperative members but because of their good records and loyalty to the cooperative they were hired in the Management Staff which is committed to implement different programs and activities to maximize their service to the fellow customers.
The employees of BANAPRA create a good atmosphere at the stall for they entertain their customers and members in a pleasing way- complete with respect and enthusiasm for serving. They are industrious and responsible individuals with or without their supervisors.
Membership Process
The objective of the cooperative are to engage its members in credit and savings, consumer goods producers, marketing services and other related endeavors and assistance to member who are establishing small and medium business enterprise. Though BANAPRA offers wide range of services, applying for membership isn’t that difficult.
Persons eighteen years of age can be a member including professionals, senior but able-bodied citizen with visible means of income through independent work and effort. They need to give an amount of two hundred fifty pesos (P250.00) for membership fee and secure an application form duly filled up with all the information needed. In case of rejected application, the membership fee shall be given back to the applicant.
Heshe should subscribe for at least twenty shares with a total value of two thousand pesos (P2, 000.00) or one hundred pesos (P100.00) per share. This amount is to be paid upon the approval of the application. In this case, the membership and subscription agreement shall provide the term of payment of the unpaid subscription.
The cooperative, however, do not allow members to own more that 20% of the share capital of the cooperative.
States of Liabilities
According to the last minute of the 23rd General Assembly Meeting of Batangas Nacida Producers Association which was held last March 2, 2008, cooperatives states of liabilities are as follows:
BANAPRA has more than 500 members right now. They are patronizing the store, making ways for its further improvement and their shares add to cooperatives liabilities.
BANAPRA started with a capital of P250, 000.00 to start a credit company – fund given by the City Government of Batangas. Now, the starting capital has proliferated to P14, 703, 537.00, 29.90% higher than the last year’s income. They were also able to lend P15, 006, 349.00, 28.79% higher than 2006 to its members.
Aside from the credit cooperative, the consumer store has contributed much to the growing annual income of the institution. It recorded an annual sale of P370, 837.40.
Other collections came from loan receivables, savings deposit, time deposit, shared capital and other. All these things prove that BANAPRA is really doing well like a plane going higher and higher in the sky.
The cooperative is aiming to recruit an additional 200 new members this year. They are also committed to work even harder to meet their target collections like the 16 to 17 million pesos, an estimated 3.5 to 4 million incomes, 16 to 17 million dept and credit from members and P1.4 to 1.5 million annual gross income. Persons behind the cooperative know that its going to be another tough year for them but their commitment to work and improve more in order to serve Batangueños drive them to meet their target for this year.
Solid Evidence of BANAPRA’s Excellence
Devotion to quality and excellent service has lead BANAPRA to be a recipient of various awards.
They won 3rd place in the Pinakatatanging Kooperatiba sa Lungsod ng Batangas 2002 for Multi-purpose Cooperative, Non-Agricultural Category. Such another triumphant year came when they were hailed as the 2nd Most Outstanding Cooperative in Batangas City on 2006.
Their business abilities are perfectly mixed with creativity for they were crowned as the best float in Agro-Industrial Fair in Batangas City last July.
BANAPRA going beyond it Services
Working and earning alone can’t give fulfillment to both pockets and heart. That is why BANAPRA serves not only an answer to pricing commodities but as an agent for charity works and helpfulness. They conduct such activities which benefited residents of Batangas City and the other part of the province.
One of which is the medical mission conducted last March 14, 2007. The beneficiary was the folks from Barangay Munting Tubig, Ibaan Batangas. Volunteers and medical agents went to the said barangay and conducted free check ups and gave free medications.
Their “Pamaskong Handog” for the needy was accomplished as well. They collected old toys, old clothes and other things that can still be used. Then they disseminated these to the people in need. They, too, gave some relief goods like soaps, sugar, canned goods and other. There were also incentives and prices given to the kids in line with the project. This was conducted at the front of their office last 19th day of December.
Their projects extend beyond life for they have the “Death Aid Benefit” where they can get a total of P3,000 as aid. However, it undergoes several processes before the Chairman approved the Death aid.
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We could expect BANAPRA to stay firm for the coming years and continue its quest in helping Batangueños and in being part of such medications that will eventually heal the wounds of poverty in our country.
By: Dianne M. Reyes
