Kahugpungan Sa Katawhan Sa Subait Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Kks-Mpc)

WHAT CAN WOMEN DO AS COOPERATORS – The Kahugpongan sa Kababayenhan Story, KKS-MPC In a remote sitio called Subait, in Barangay Bonifacio of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte Province, 16 women dared to trigger change by forming a cooperative. They planned and dreamed dreams to answer their community needs. The 16 km distance from the barangay poblacion caused women and children to endure a four-hour walk, back and forth, to the barangay store just to buy family basic needs. Thus, from a donated project-fund of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) a consumer store was put-up by the 16 women-members of the group which called themselves “Kahugpungan sa Kababayenhan sa Subait” or KKS, for short. The women rallied the members of their families and unite their community to cooperate. In June 27, 2001 these women committed to open and run the store by themselves. The first store building was put up with the help of their husbands and children. Together, they gathered local materials like bamboo and nipa palms which they use in the construction. Men and children were also the cargadors of the compradas since there is no means of transport which can reach directly near the store location. At first, the women take turns in serving as salesgirls. Upon learning that such practice was not helping their business grow, they changed technique. More lessons and additional ideas were contributed for the operation of their business. Saving is one learning. Income generation was next. The women raised additional capital by cleaning and selling recycled bottles. Children actively played their role in this endeavour. They all helped save the income from selling bottles as capital of the store. The consumer store grew big and they improved the store building using lumber and galvanized iron as roofing. The men played important part as the designers and carpenters. In September 29, 2006, the group was recognized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and was given additional fund. Their organizational name was changed then to “Kahugpungan Sa Katawhan sa Subait” to accommodate male members which later also became officers of the group. This is one story how women-cooperators helped themselves and brought change to their small community, Sitio Subait in Las Nieves. Changes for the better has wrought such impact to other women and cooperatives in Caraga. Indeed, “Amazing things happen when women help other women!”******* By NRCB & SJRB, CDA-Caraga EO.