Albayanos host CBD 15th General Assembly in the city of Sunflowers
Joy Oropesa-Banares
The 30th of April 2014 was a memorable day for all the members of the Coalition for Bicol Development (CBD) as they trouped to famous the Kawa-Kawa Hill, Ligao City, Province of Albay- the city of sunflowers – for its 15th Annual General Assembly. They were all welcomed by the leaders of the Albay Provincial Network for Development (ALPRODEV) coming from the various municipal CSO networks who brought and proudly displayed their products in the solidarity table like the coconut wine (tuba) from Malinao, Albay, perfume (pamut) from Polangui, Albay, and food items such as suman, longanisa, puto, coated pili, ibos and pinangat from Guinobatan, Camalig and Pioduran. There were products that were for sale while some of the food items were given for free to munch.
For this year’s GA, CBD carried the theme “Esfuersos nin mga kooperatiba asin people’s organizations sa Bicol sarong dakulang Orgulyo: Suportahan, Patingkaron asin Padanayon tang mga Bikolano.” .”(The efforts/projects of the cooperatives and people’s organizations in Bicol is a big achievement to be proud of. Let us (bicolanos) support, enhance and continue them.)— Putting more emphasis on the importance of supporting the work of our people’s organizations as they contribute to local development.
Around 80 participants from the 6 provincial and city network which are members of CBD attended the Assembly. The highlights of the annual gathering included the Keynote Speech delivered by Mr. Crispin Cabal, Jr, the General Manager of the Pecuaria Development Cooperative Inc. (PDCI), an update from Ms. Tanya Zaldarriaga, Program Officer for Membership of CODE-NGO, and the business meeting in the afternoon when the assembly participants witnessed the Chairperson’s and Treasurer’s reports, confirmed the Board resolutions passed in 2013 and discussed and passed of Assembly resolutions.
Before the activity ended, four (4) Assembly resolutions were passed by the GA namely: adoption of the Regional CSO Poverty Reduction and Development Reform Agenda (RPRDA); signature campaign by the member Provincial Networks to support the Freedom of Information Bill; support for the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill and request for CODE-NGO to assist CBD in monitoring the 4Ps Program of DSWD.
As a gesture of thanks to all the member networks, banners bearing the official seal of their respective organizations were distributed to them followed by a photo-opportunity session.
Joy Oropesa-Banares is the Regional Coordinator of the Coalition for Bicol Development (CBD).
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