ASCOT Library Zabali Campus

History of cooperation. – Principles and practices of cooperatives. – Organization and management of cooperatives. – Cooperatives development program. – Samahang Nayon. – Credit cooperatives. – Producers and marketing cooperatives. – Consumers’ cooperatives. – Service cooperatives. – Cooperatives in selected countries: an overview. – Cooperatives in selected countries: an overview. – Cooperatives and agrarian reform program. – The role of cooperatives in community. – Cooperatives and the major economic systems. – People development through cooperatives.

This book has been written both as a text on cooperatives and as a hand- book on the organization and management of cooperatives, especially credit cooperatives. It can also serve as a reference in agricultural economics, agrarian reform, and community development. It has been revised to update information on the developments of cooperatives in our country. Many of the chapters have been reorganized and several relevant topics have been added to enrich the coverage of the book and to intensify further its social relevance.
In a simple and systematic style, the history, principles, practices, pro- grams, problems and prospects of cooperative societies from the ancient times to the present are presented in this book. This includes the new cooperative development program of the government, particularly the Samahang Nayon and the Kilusang Bayan.
The chapter on credit cooperative has the biggest coverage among the types of cooperatives in view of its fundamental position and function in the whole cooperative structure. An excellent knowledge of the operations of the credit cooperative provides a good preparation in the organization and management of more complicated type of cooperatives. Since this book is also intended to be used as a handbook for those who are planning to organize a credit union or a full-fledged cooperative, the articles of incorporation, by-laws and forms prescribed by the Cooperative Development Authority are annexed to the Chapter on credit cooperative.
For a deeper insight into the nature and structure of cooperative organiza- tions, an overview of the cooperative societies of selected developed countries, such as Israel, Japan, Denmark, Sweden and other European nations, is briefly noted. The date of these European cooperative societies were personally gathered by the co-author during his study tour in Europe in 1979. In addition, the development of cooperatives in England, United States, Canada and Soviet Union are explained in this book.
The history of cooperation has shown the remarkable capacity of coope- rative societies in the amelioration of the social and economic conditions of the poor. Likewise, such organizations have proven their effectiveness in the development of human resources and communities. Viewed from these social and economic perspectives, our cooperative development program is correlated with the Philippine agrarian reform program in order to establish the vital role of cooperatives in the improvement of the quality of life of the farmers. In the same manner, cooperativism as a form of economic system is compared with and contrasted to the major economic systems, such as capitalism, communism and socialism, to impress upon the students the comparative advantage of cooperatives in the improvement of the social and economic conditions of the poor under the different economic systems.
In line with the exigencies of our social milieu and the socio-economic policy of the government, the authors intend to develop social awareness and a deeper sense of involvement in community affairs among our college students. Hoping to accomplish this mission, the outstanding achievements of the Rochdale Pioneers, Robert Owen, Comilla Story, Antigonish Movement and San Dionisio Credit Cooperative are emphasized in this book. Such success stories constitute a paragon of human values which are worthy of emulation by our students and others who love their fellowmen and communities.
To prepare students for community leadership, topics such as how to start, plan, organize and implement community programs and projects are annexed to the chapter on the role of cooperatives in community development. As a supportive information, a chapter on the development of people through cooperatives is added.
Except perhaps in the organization and selection of topics, and treatment of the course, the authors do not claim originality in their works. They gathered, organized and synthesized materials which they considered most appropriate for students of cooperatives within the context of our present social and economic settings.
Materials of this book were derived from interviews, trainings, field experiences, books, periodicals and unpublished papers. Somehow, the social orientation of the authors and their personal exposure in cooperatives and community development have influenced the discussions of subject matters which are related to their background.
This book is not written only to provide general information on cooperatives for the benefit of students and other readers. Over and above the traditional treatment of the course, it is designed to infuse into the character of our college students the proper values and knowledge which they should assimilate to improve their social orientation and community leadership. As a rational outlook of higher education, the pursuit of money, prestige and power is not the real aim of education. Beyond the common aspiration of men for wealth, ultimate purpose of education is to prepare our college students in their future the responsibility as community builders.
Students of cooperatives will find this book very informative and helpful not only in their studies but also in their prospective role as community leaders. It is hoped that this book will be able to contribute its modes share in the promotion of the cooperative movement in our country.
The authors are grateful to the following persons for their assistance and encouragement: former Director Clemente Terso, Jr., of the Bureau of Cooperatives Development; Dr. Angel Mendoza of the San Dionisio Credit Cooperative; Father Gaston Duchesneau, former director of the Institute of Social Order; Atty. Dionisia Inciong, Atty. Severino Paras and Santiago Manongdo, former government cooperative specialists, managers of selected outstanding credit cooperatives in the country; officers of the International Labor Organization, Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Japan, and European Cooperatives Societies; former Dean Montejo of the Lyceum of the Philippines; Prof. Manuel Manansala of the University of the East; Prof. Arturo Geneblazo of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines; and the personnel of the Special Projects Divisions of the Cooperative Development Authority, namely Teresita Cabansag, Editha Llamera, Lita Astronomia, Fely Billate and others.