Aside from physical and mental health, COVID-19 has greatly affected the economy of the Philippines. Thousands of Filipinos struggle to make ends meet with their limited and quickly depleting budget. The Mindanao Alliance Self-Help Societies – Southern Philippines Educational Cooperative Center (MASS-SPEC) offers a solution for its members.
MASS-SPEC is the largest regional cooperative federation in Mindanao with 334 affiliate primary cooperatives operating in different parts of southern Philippines.
Their continuous solidarity has enabled them to disburse Php 1.23B worth of financial and in-kind assistance to its cooperative staff, members, local government units, and the community.
“Co-operatives are part of the global humanitarian effort to ease the burden on people, especially those who are most vulnerable,” shared MASS-SPECC’s Chief Executive Officer Bernadette O. Toledo.
“Although co-operatives are among those affected by the coronavirus pandemic, they continue to serve their members and respective communities at this time of great need,” she added.
MASS-SPECC released the fund to its co-op members in the form of dividends, patronage refunds, loans, and humanitarian aid – relief goods, cash aids, and Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE).
The workforce of the cooperatives was also given priority in this time of crisis. The co-op staff continued to receive their regular pay despite the shortened work-day and work-from-home arrangements. A total of Php 28.54M was given to them as advanced 13th-month pay, monetized leaves, hazard pay, and cash aids. They also received in-kind assistance such as sacks of rice, groceries, vitamins, and PPE.
MASS-SPEC proves that what matters more is compassion and willingness to serve its members than its big membership count. Investment in its members is the most important kind of investment at this time. Indeed, we see the same happen with other cooperatives who are assisting its members during these trying times. Read the summary here.
MASS-SPEC is a member of the Mindanao Coalition of Development NGO Networks (MINCODE), the largest consortium of Mindanao CSOs. It provides forums for advocacy and action for peace and sustainable development in Mindanao. It is a regional member network of CODE-NGO.
Learn more about the other efforts of MINCODE’s members, click here: